Opinions on Bus for Conversion?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Missmichelleb

I’m worried about having enough room for everything with a FE

Thoughts?

Less. is. more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgN5gCuLac

[Missmichelleb]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Less. is. more.

Lol! Trust me this is a process of getting rid of a lot of “Stuff” I’m more worries about the important stuff when it comes to under the bus, I could live with out storage boxes, but water tanks and batteries seems like really important stuff.

Though I’m sure there are plenty of people who convert FE Type D buses, so it’s gotta be possible.

There’s 5 hours left on these bus auctions I’m looking at.

Still going back and forth on if I should get in there an bid


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[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Missmichelleb

I love the idea of having a back door!
I wonder how challenging it is to fit everything needed under a FE Bus, I’m going to be Off Grid living, so I’m worried about having enough room for everything with a FE

Thoughts?


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People fit stuff under CE buses, IDK why an FE would be any different. I could fit a generator, all the tanks, and still have storage under my 92 FE.

[Missmichelleb]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

People fit stuff under CE buses, IDK why an FE would be any different. I could fit a generator, all the tanks, and still have storage under my 92 FE.

That’s Great to hear!


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[CCurran88]

This is the bus I have. So far, I've removed all seats, side panels, ceiling panels (all of which were screwed in, NOT riveted, thanks very much), and insulation. I had to grind scale rust from one end of the bus to the other on the floor due to the fact that the school district kept their buses so clean using power washers. No rust anywhere else on the body, just the icky floor. But that floor is now patched and ready to be painted.

We drove her home in April, 4 hours both highway and back roads. She never got above 58 miles per hour, which was fine with me, but my husband wants to eventually replace her transmission with one that will let us get up to 65. No hurry on that either.

I love my Buttercup and wouldn't want any other bus, so I vote yes on this one. Personal bias.

[Missmichelleb]

Looks like I will be getting out bid on this bus.

I’ll keep looking


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[Tango]

The big difference between an FE and a RE regarding storage is the fact that the RE can use the underbelly all the way across...no driveline to work around.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by CCurran88

We drove her home in April, 4 hours both highway and back roads. She never got above 58 miles per hour, which was fine with me, but my husband wants to eventually replace her transmission with one that will let us get up to 65. No hurry on that either.

It is possible that your bus is speed limited in the engine software. If that's the case, any dealership can change it.

If that's not the case, it is likely that changing the crown and pinion in the rear diff., or changing the differential would be the solution. Either way it's unlikely that a transmission change is necessary, and that's a good thing. They are expensive.

[CCurran88]

It is entirely possible this is the case, and we'll check it out. He wants to at least clean up the engine, which has a leaky something or other that is spraying oil, although oil pressure is fine. It just has icky stuff (my technical terms here) inside the engine hood from something. He's the mechanic, I'm just the go-fer at his beck and call. He's rebuilding a transmission on a 98 Dodge Ram 4x4 at the moment, so hasn't really looked at my bus much other than to tell me what a great job I'm doing sanding, grinding, and swabbing.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Missmichelleb

Lol! Trust me this is a process of getting rid of a lot of “Stuff” I’m more worries about the important stuff when it comes to under the bus, I could live with out storage boxes, but water tanks and batteries seems like really important stuff.

Want to know what I started to do? Take pictures of all the important stuff. Good pictures. They store real easy, copies even.

You will find very creative people on these boards for creating space. Watch some of the youtube videos. One guy raised his roof, then raised the entire floor inside using 2x10 floor joists. He hinged the panels and has tons of underfloor storage and it insulates his floor a bit. Bonus: Pirate vibe.

Your first step is make sure it is THE bus, in good rust free condition.

Go get' em at your auctions, stay disciplined. If it's just you and another guy (watch the bid history) for a few blows, bail.

[Missmichelleb]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Want to know what I started to do? Take pictures of all the important stuff. Good pictures. They store real easy, copies even.

You will find very creative people on these boards for creating space. Watch some of the youtube videos. One guy raised his roof, then raised the entire floor inside using 2x10 floor joists. He hinged the panels and has tons of underfloor storage and it insulates his floor a bit. Bonus: Pirate vibe.

Your first step is make sure it is THE bus, in good rust free condition.

Go get' em at your auctions, stay disciplined. If it's just you and another guy (watch the bid history) for a few blows, bail.

Good Advise! I’m really stubborn so I need to remember that


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[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Missmichelleb

Good Advise! I’m really stubborn so I need to remember that

re: bid war

You'll need that money in for your build.

[Missmichelleb]

Originally Posted by Rusty

re: bid war



You'll need that money in for your build.

So what’s the most you would spend on a bus??


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[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Missmichelleb

So what’s the most you would spend on a bus??


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2-5 grand is what I'd pay.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Missmichelleb

So what’s the most you would spend on a bus??

It depends of course. What State are you in ? It will determine "how far" a rust-free bus is- If Alaska, well different story than Kansas. Cost of fuel to get home, potential for breakdown on longer journey, food, hotel, grief, etc.

There should be a rule-of thumb- Don't spend more than 1/3 of your total budget? People will chime in and adjust my ratios.

1/3 Cost of Bus: Tax, license. Ins
1/3 Repairs of Bus: Battery, tires
1/3 Customization

some thoughts.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Rusty

It depends of course. What State are you in ? It will determine "how far" a rust-free bus is- If Alaska, well different story than Kansas. Cost of fuel to get home, potential for breakdown on longer journey, food, hotel, grief, etc.

There should be a rule-of thumb- Don't spend more than 1/3 of your total budget? People will chime in and adjust my ratios.

1/3 Cost of Bus: Tax, license. Ins
1/3 Repairs of Bus: Battery, tires
1/3 Customization

some thoughts.

Fitting out a bus to RV spec can be very expensive. It all depends on what you want in it.

If you go for big solar, high quality new everything, you could spend tens of thousands ... or not. It's your conversion and you can take years over it doing a bit here and there and using it as a mobile tent in the meantime.

My plan will be to strip and refit the interior shell, then add items from the overall plan as and when we can.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

I *THINK* "SFA" means Set-back Front Axle.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

SFA means "Solid Front Axle" as opposed to IFS which means "Independent Front Suspension".

[Missmichelleb]

Originally Posted by Twigg

SFA means "Solid Front Axle" as opposed to IFS which means "Independent Front Suspension".

Awesome! I was still curious that meant


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[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by Twigg

SFA means "Solid Front Axle" as opposed to IFS which means "Independent Front Suspension".

I don't think so, as I have never seen an IH school bus (or any full size school bus, medium or heavy truck for that matter) with independent front suspension. Virtually all of them have solid front axles.

Yes, I am fully aware military and off-road trucks have independent front suspensions, and smaller cutaway-style buses often do too.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

I don't think so, as I have never seen an IH school bus (or any full size school bus, medium or heavy truck for that matter) with independent front suspension. Virtually all of them have solid front axles.

Yes, I am fully aware military and off-road trucks have independent front suspensions, and smaller cutaway-style buses often do too.

Google is your friend. I can't find any reference to "SFA" except "Solid Front Axle". which is everywhere.