Big Mac I bought for $500!!!!!

[M1031]

Originally Posted by bus-ted

I guess I've never been in a Ward bus, but am I seeing correctly- are the floor panels all rivited down, or are they screwed?

Rivoted big time!

[M1031]

Originally Posted by crazycal

Will paint stick to that sealer?

So far...... It stuck to my fingers like crazy... I had to work fast because it was sticking to everything!!!!!!!!!

BTW, my ears are still ringing this morning........

[Stuff]

hearing protection my friend!! lol

whats the name of the gunk your throwing on?

[crazycal]

So far...... It stuck to my fingers like crazy... I had to work fast because it was sticking to everything!!!!!!!!!

I mean if you decide to paint your bus. Will fresh paint lay down over it and stay?

[M1031]

Originally Posted by Stuff

hearing protection my friend!! lol

whats the name of the gunk your throwing on?

It's roofing sealer that claims to be paintable...... Time (and budget) will tell.

[M1031]

Originally Posted by crazycal

I mean if you decide to paint your bus. Will fresh paint lay down over it and stay?

Keep tuned for results.

[M1031]

Originally Posted by Smitty

Floor looks good! Don't get used to all that room though....it'll disappear quickly once you start construction

I found some butyl rubber caulk at Menards, which I'm using to set my windows "into", as well as caulk afterward. Also using it to seal the roof rack flanges to the roof (even though they're welded, so no chance of leaks, just wanting to keep moisture from between them and the roof surface), and any areas of the drip-edge that needs resealed.

It's gooey stuff, paintable....and butyl is pretty good stuff, not overly expensive either...it was under $4 a tube. From what I've used of it, it seems like good stuff.

Smitty

Thanks for the heads-up Smitty!

Well. after two hours of wire wheel grinding, all of the rust is now removed and the floor is now (for the most part) protected. I finally found the truck bed liner I used on my military trucks. So now I'm in great shape once I get some time to apply it. I ran out of sunlight (again) before I got everything completed. Well, tomorrow starts my EMT classes and clinicals. I'll still look in from time to time. But my postings will drop off now for sure. I'll finish on 20AUG10. Testing is shortly after that. Then onto Paramedic school (no rest for the weary)...

Here's the finished floor:



I'll modify the bottom door jam because the rust is so difficult to remove. I'm going to cut the rusted metal out and replace it with an aluminum piece:



Oh yeah, during that storm on Thursday I also discovered the windows leak over the rear axle, so I'll be replacing the windows with sheet metal sometime....... If you look at the first flooring picture I posted above you can faintly see some of the corrosion I'll be dealing with in the future.

[M1031]

I guess I need help transferring this thread to the full conversion.....

Smitty, help me please......

[Stuff]

Originally Posted by M1031

It's roofing sealer that claims to be paintable...... Time (and budget) will tell.

but whats the brand name? lol

[M1031]

Originally Posted by Stuff

but whats the brand name? lol

I had a rough night last night. I'm beginning to feel better. I'll have an opportunity to find out when I get back out to the farm, probably this weekend.

[Stuff]

ah. its like mine, not at home lol. okay hope you recover!

[M1031]

Originally Posted by Stuff

ah. its like mine, not at home lol. okay hope you recover!

We're moving to the farm in September, so then it'll be home. Right now the house is being repaired from the abuse of the previous tennant. I've helped with the painting, plumbing, and electrical. So now I know what to expect or anticipate for problems from the house. That's a major advantage.

[M1031]

Well, here's what I got done today:

Finished rustproofing the floor and added an extra coat of truck-bed-liner in what I figure will be high traffic areas;





I got the partitions put up to divide the conversion area from my workshop;



I secured the wall behind my captain's chair so I can reposition the speakers to each side of the headrest and position the HDTV and entertainment system on the other side;



I positioned the sofa/bed to see how it fits within the space. Tomorrow I'll extend it to properly position the legs and secure the mounts underneath it;



There's enough space to walk between the lift and the sofa;



I'll see how much room I need here tomorrow when I extend the sofa into the bed;



I plan on a fridge and a microwave above it on the driver's side of the bus behind the partition where my creepy-crawly is here;



This is where I plan on putting a drinking fountain with three pressurized, used, stainless steel tanks like the ones someone discussed on a different thread and I saved;



Ahhhh, all the free space for my tools. I shall treasure this picture because it will be filled with equipment, shelves, and tools very soon;

[M1031]

Originally Posted by Stuff

but whats the brand name? lol

Stuff;

Liquid Nails Roof Sealer

[Stuff]

awesome for the brand name!

love the power captains seat and the fold out bed! that is like what i want to do but on a bigger scale! lol

[M1031]

Well, I had an opportuntiy to work some more on Max. Here are the results:

Here's the first wall going up:



This corner is where I plan to have a refrigerator and microwave (I got a $350 microwave for free on freecycle ):



This is where I'm building an airplane style storage rack. Wifie said since I'm using the back for my workshop, she wanted some storage and reading lights up front for her. I'm also planning a HDTV for the little body to enjoy watching tv or playing video games as we are driving along.



The other side. Y'all can see my daily driver (M1009) through the window.



I'm planning a water cooler/chiller in this corner.





Front of my header. You can see the wires hanging down for the speakers.



I'm looking to move these A/C and wire sets a bit further back so I can actually use the windows.



Speaking of speakers, here's what I have (and will reuse). They may not be super fancy, but they work well:



Here's the back of the bus. This is my happy domain. Right now I'm measuring for my tools and stuff:



More after the 4th......

[M1031]

More progress today for about three hours:

Here's the back of the overhead compartment I'm putting up for storing clothes for traveling, snacks, and whatnot:



Here's the front of the compartment:



I cut the back board to give me more room for the captain's chair:



Finally I have all the stickers and spray paint removed off the back of Max, next is the driver's area:

[M1031]

Well, here's what I got done over the 4th. It doesn't look like much, but it was labor intensive.

Shelving is now up:



And from the entry:



Here's what I got done today:

Interior doors are getting up:



Both in place:



Look ma, no hands!



Actually a rivot is hloding the door open....

As I was disconnecting the batteries to remove some dead wires, I couldn't help but notice this issue:



YIKES !!!! I'm thinking of caulking and then taping the caulking after I give this area a baking soda bath. Anyone have better ideas? I'm open for other suggestions. Plus after all the humidity out there today my brain is mush right now.

Anyways, I removed a bunch of dead wires from the dashboard. I now have some interesting ideas for the "red" lights. I'm thinking of finding an old chevy or ford pick-up from the 70's and yanking the headlight frames and grafting them on to the front red lights and covering them with the smiley covers like off-roaders do. For the back, I'm thinking of finding some 12 volt flood lights and building a mounting platform for that project.

I got a free microwave. Now I'm looking to convert the fans in the back into 12 volt to enhance air circulation. I'm still kicking around how to get that done.

Now if Lily could just PM me about the fridge.......

[Seeria]

Can you do me a favor? Gimme two measurements?
Bumper to bumper length.
Back of drivers seat to the back of bus interior.

Curious how much room a 26seater w/wcl measures. Have one at 24 seater, similar setup as yours but I'm not sure the interior would do what I need.

[M1031]

Originally Posted by Seeria

Can you do me a favor? Gimme two measurements?
Bumper to bumper length.
Back of drivers seat to the back of bus interior.

Curious how much room a 26seater w/wcl measures. Have one at 24 seater, similar setup as yours but I'm not sure the interior would do what I need.

Bumber to bumper exterior is exactly 30' 0".

From the back of the captain's chair to the back door is 20' 9".

The wheel chair lift has no impact on interior length, just the width up front.

I'll double check the interior again when I'm out there.