Wisconsin 2001 Bluebird All American RE

[WIbluebird]

Found a nice deal on a 2000w Tripplite inverter. It was missing the wireless remote but I got it for $100


Goal is to use this to power the fridge and possibly a few outlets throghout the bus.

[Bon Voyage]

Nice deal! I paid like $1500 for my 3000w Go Power. Not sure it’s any better but it has a remote.

[EastCoastCB]

Your gear ratio is pretty much perfect, man.

[PNW_Steve]

Score on the inverter!

That's is I nice quality inverter.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Your gear ratio is pretty much perfect, man.

Wrong thread?

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Wrong thread?

Nah, someone else was asking about my gear ratio earlier.



Getting close to the end of interior demo. Gotta start thinking about ordering that sheet metal. I have a buddy with access to a laser cutter so I will send the sheets to him to get the window openings cut.



I already got the $80 air rivet gun from HF, need to figure out a compressor. My dad had an old 2 gallon B&D one sitting in the garage but it died after running for like 1 min.



Menards (local chain similiar to Lowe's or Home Depot) has an 11 percent rebate going on right now but as far as I can tell they only stock 16 gauge and 20 gauge for sheet metal. 16 gauge feels like it might be a little heavy/pricey. But 20 gauge brings the possiblity of oil canning. What do you all think?

[Bon Voyage]

I did 18 gauge for mine with a roof raise as it matched up to the metal on the bus, I think it Is a little heavier than it needs to be. You should be just fine with 20.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

Nah, someone else was asking about my gear ratio earlier.



Getting close to the end of interior demo. Gotta start thinking about ordering that sheet metal. I have a buddy with access to a laser cutter so I will send the sheets to him to get the window openings cut.



I already got the $80 air rivet gun from HF, need to figure out a compressor. My dad had an old 2 gallon B&D one sitting in the garage but it died after running for like 1 min.



Menards (local chain similiar to Lowe's or Home Depot) has an 11 percent rebate going on right now but as far as I can tell they only stock 16 gauge and 20 gauge for sheet metal. 16 gauge feels like it might be a little heavy/pricey. But 20 gauge brings the possiblity of oil canning. What do you all think?

I've tried 16ga and its overkill for skinning. The 18ga is the closest I've found to bus skins. I used some 20-something in a pinch once and it was just too thin. I'd go no thinner than 20.

[WIbluebird]

Deleted the rear school bus lights today - went too heavy with the caulk gun on the first 2 holes



I went with screws and washers since I am still having trouble getting a working compressor.



Also bent the spoiler back into shape , hopefully I can get that third clearance light back on. I may have to rewire since the wire going into the spoiler clearance lights got smashed pretty badly.

[WIbluebird]

Started on paint today, went with Rustoleum Implement paint in Massey Ferguson gray. Did some prep work with an orbital sander but the main goal is to just hide the yellow for the motorhome inspection.

[WIbluebird]

Scored a FREE air ride seat out of a Mack semi tractor today. Marketplace ftw


Hopefully the airlines match up, haven't looked too closely though. May have to redrill some of the holes though.

[WIbluebird]

Today was more paint. As with many of the builds on here, it's hard to find time to really make progress

[Bon Voyage]

Looks good, how much paint do you think it’ll need. I have to paint mine before it starts getting too cold.

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by Bon Voyage

Looks good, how much paint do you think it’ll need. I have to paint mine before it starts getting too cold.

I'm about halfway through a 1 gallon can of Rustoleum implement paint. Have not been using any sort of thinner, just straight from the can. My estimate is at least 1 more gallon of MF grey plus 1 gallon of gloss white for the roof.

[MacC]

What was the original purpose of this bus? Asking to find out where to look for a specific spec like yours. It does seem to be the perfect spec. I intend to build to live in it. I am looking now.

[WIbluebird]

Originally Posted by MacC

What was the original purpose of this bus? Asking to find out where to look for a specific spec like yours. It does seem to be the perfect spec. I intend to build to live in it. I am looking now.

It was originally sold new to a small district in Wyoming. I'm assuming it was a trip bus but it could've been used for routes as well. I bought it from the 2nd owner which was a nonprofit nature center in Colorado so I don't have the whole story. Google Earth images from the bus garage where it served shows multiple buses of the same specs as mine parked there so who knows.




4.78 gears, AC and full luggage racks and bays defitely point to trips as the main purpose of this bus though.

[MacC]

Originally Posted by WIbluebird

It was originally sold new to a small district in Wyoming. I'm assuming it was a trip bus but it could've been used for routes as well. I bought it from the 2nd owner which was a nonprofit nature center in Colorado so I don't have the whole story. Google Earth images from the bus garage where it served shows multiple buses of the same specs as mine parked there so who knows.




4.78 gears, AC and full luggage racks and bays defitely point to trips as the main purpose of this bus though.

Thank you.

[WIbluebird]

Painting is coming along slowly but I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The roof part that's still yellow in this pic will be white.

[Bon Voyage]

What are you doing for prep work before painting? You rolling it on?

[WIbluebird]

Combination of rolling and brushing. Only prep work I did was lightly sand with 80 grit sandpaper to scuff the surface. Makes a big difference as the paint sticks better to it.

I use this paint with no additives. There is an enamel hardener that you can add but I chose to just use straight paint out of the can.