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Old 05-20-2018, 10:25 PM   #1
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 504
P30 Bus - who actually HAS one?

I have a bit of a general question for the forum - who here actually HAS a P30-based school bus?

I've spent a lot of time browsing the forum, using the search function, and reading old threads about P30-based skoolies. I've found quite a list of people who bought one - and got about to the point of removing the seats, then their threads went cold. (As a reference, I've posted links to most of the threads I've found.)

Does anyone actually HAVE a P30 conversion in progress/completed?
I'm interested to hear how you like it, and what you don't like about it.
I'm weighting a P30 vs. a cutaway/van-chasis bus for a weekend camper build. I like the simplicity of the cutaway, the fact that it will (almost) fit in a normal parking space, and not having to worry too much about the insurance. On the other hand, the P30 offers a little more length, and a bit more headroom. I"m fine with the fact that it's a giant lego brick. I can work with that.

So anyone have an experience with P30 pros and cons?



Past forum threads on P30s :

Hearse Driver's unnamed P30
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/my...-p30-3599.html

"Scrappy"
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/19...ppy-14851.html


Tool Amours unnamed P30
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/my...olie-7777.html

"Otis"
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/ot...ird-15694.html

TKFTs 1983 Carpenter Cadet on a P30 Chassis
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/19...ject-2738.html

Pilac's unnamed P30
(Interesting transmission discussion)
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f35/re...esel-5003.html


More transmission/engine upgrade discussion
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/an...-4bt-4016.html

More general transmission chatter
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/sh...-etc-3511.html


Bullwhacker007s P30-chasis airport bus
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/1999-chevy-escort-fe-bus-conversion-6790.html



The_inevitables P30-based step van.
(I'd REALLY love to know how this one turned out.)
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/19...sion-8171.html





Monica and Coreys P30
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f6/we-...hat-16715.html

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Old 05-20-2018, 11:32 PM   #2
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Galt, CA
Posts: 27
Year: 1998
Coachwork: El Dorado Escort FE
Chassis: Chevrolet P30
Engine: 454 Chevrolet
Rated Cap: 20
P30 Based bus

I have a P30 based bus. Its an El Dorado Escort FE. It has a big block chevy engine and a 4L80E automatic. Had it about 8 years. It's about the same size as a step van. But I like having the windows. I use it for my business and completed the conversion to a mobile workshop about 6 months after I bought it. It had about 104k miles when the engine seized. I thought about buying another bus, but I'm so used to this one I went ahead and put a brand new crate engine in it. Took the shop about six months to replace, but it has been flawless since. Starts easier, better fuel mileage. Very happy with the bus

Stephan Willner
Willie's Woodshop
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Old 05-21-2018, 08:23 AM   #3
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Location: Hanover Park IL
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Year: 1992
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Engine: 5.7 Gas
Rated Cap: 26
I have a 92 P 3500 which is the GMC version of the Chevy P30. All seats removed, put in 2 beds, cabinet with sink and kitchen table which becomes one of the beds. Not the best but it was free and I've taken it out 6 times with only one issue. Fail fuel injector which made getting home MUCH slower than wanted. I feel it's a good starter before I go all in.
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Old 05-22-2018, 11:54 PM   #4
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Location: Redding
Posts: 8
Year: 1987
Coachwork: GMC
Chassis: P30
Engine: 5.7 Gasser
Good evening, I recently acquired a 1988 P30 mini blue bird. $300 from a school I drove by frequently. I plan on making it a weekend warrior to carry 5 people in total. I have removed seats installed insulation, plywood, and laminate flooring. Have changed fluids, starter, battery, solenoid, painted one coat and am currently cleaning up electrical hacks from previous mechanics. Has been a fun project so far. Hr or so at time during workweek and 6 to 7 hrs on weekend. I like the size, that it is a gasser, once I get it registered and run it out a bit I plan on putting a vortec in it.
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Old 05-23-2018, 06:50 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James888 View Post
Good evening, I recently acquired a 1988 P30 mini blue bird. $300 from a school I drove by frequently. I plan on making it a weekend warrior to carry 5 people in total. I have removed seats installed insulation, plywood, and laminate flooring. Have changed fluids, starter, battery, solenoid, painted one coat and am currently cleaning up electrical hacks from previous mechanics. Has been a fun project so far. Hr or so at time during workweek and 6 to 7 hrs on weekend. I like the size, that it is a gasser, once I get it registered and run it out a bit I plan on putting a vortec in it.

300$ for ANY vehicle that runs and drives (even with some minor work needed) is an AMAZING deal. If its in good physical condition as well, i would say that was practically highway robbery at that price.
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Old 05-23-2018, 10:24 PM   #6
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Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Redding
Posts: 8
Year: 1987
Coachwork: GMC
Chassis: P30
Engine: 5.7 Gasser
2 wire connector?

I have a two wire connector under dash that looks like a flasher fuse port. female that I have no clue what should be there. The terminal ports are set closer than a flasher fuse male terminals? Any clues? I can't get accosory lights/heater to work. I have no power from accessory wire at ignition switch. If I remove acc wire from 110amp intermittent contractor engine won't crank. I'll eventually figure it out but I still appreciate ideas. Thank you
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Old 05-23-2018, 10:48 PM   #7
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The basic problem with the P-30 chassis, regardless if it was a GM or Workhorse version, is that it is almost too light duty for the job.

Most had a GVWR of 14K-16K with an empty weight around 12K-13K.

Because there is so much bus on top of too little truck there are a lot of issues in the suspension

The P-30 chassis buses we had were equipped mostly with coil spring/A-arm independent front suspension. All of them that were equipped that way we put air bags inside the coils to help keep the coils from sagging out too soon. We had one that one of the rear shock mounts broke off and went up through the floor. The lift equipped buses had to have extra spring leaves on the curb side to keep the bus from leaning too much when the lift was operated. Even in the motorhome industry the steering system was recognized as being marginal at best and after market upgrades were available. Which we used in our buses.

The buses with four wheel disc brakes were easier on brakes than the ones with rear drums. But the rotors needed to be replaced at almost every brake job so brake jobs were not cheap. If the bus was used on hill routes they tended to really use up their brakes unless the drivers actually used something besides OD or D when going down the hill.

I would consider a P-30 chassis bus if it was one of the shorter versions if the price was low enough. But the longer ones are seriously overweight and would not be on my radar at all.

For about the same price you can get a Type 'C' on a medium duty truck chassis that has a GVWR of over 20,000 lbs. and an empty weight of about the same weight. The turning radius isn't much different. The ground clearance is much greater. And parts and pieces while more expensive don't wear out nearly as often.

Christopher has a couple of short Type 'C' buses and he will attest to how good they are.

Good luck.
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Old 05-24-2018, 12:52 AM   #8
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Location: Redding
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Year: 1987
Coachwork: GMC
Chassis: P30
Engine: 5.7 Gasser
Unladen weight and chassis weight

I included some pics. I have a 20 footer, leaf springs front and back, disk brakes. So according to the pics I have a 540 lb payload? Lol? If it can't work I'm sure I can sell it for a good profit as I've had 4 people ask me already.
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Old 05-24-2018, 12:55 AM   #9
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Location: Redding
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Year: 1987
Coachwork: GMC
Chassis: P30
Engine: 5.7 Gasser
Weight plate

Pic didn't load thanks for constructive criticism. I seen a nice international across town today. I'll be back there soon.
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Old 05-24-2018, 07:54 AM   #10
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Posts: 127
I recently sold this 1969 12Ft P32 Chassis Aluminum Step Van. GVWR was 10K LBS. Coil spring front suspension. 6 Cylinder 292, Mexican (Manual) Steering and Drum Brakes.

With the aluminum body this unit was still heavy and the 10K GVWR did not leave a lot GVWR for cargo. This P30 was originally a Sunbeam bread truck.

Lot's of issues with overloaded P30 chassis's especially with longer bus's and motorhome's. Up until the 1990's there were not a lot of other choices for small bus's, cargo and motorhomes.

Fortunately that has changed with better chassis's, engines and BRAKES!
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Old 05-24-2018, 04:46 PM   #11
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 58
Quote:
Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach View Post
The basic problem with the P-30 chassis, regardless if it was a GM or Workhorse version, is that it is almost too light duty for the job.

Most had a GVWR of 14K-16K with an empty weight around 12K-13K.

Because there is so much bus on top of too little truck there are a lot of issues in the suspension

The P-30 chassis buses we had were equipped mostly with coil spring/A-arm independent front suspension. All of them that were equipped that way we put air bags inside the coils to help keep the coils from sagging out too soon. We had one that one of the rear shock mounts broke off and went up through the floor. The lift equipped buses had to have extra spring leaves on the curb side to keep the bus from leaning too much when the lift was operated. Even in the motorhome industry the steering system was recognized as being marginal at best and after market upgrades were available. Which we used in our buses.

The buses with four wheel disc brakes were easier on brakes than the ones with rear drums. But the rotors needed to be replaced at almost every brake job so brake jobs were not cheap. If the bus was used on hill routes they tended to really use up their brakes unless the drivers actually used something besides OD or D when going down the hill.

I would consider a P-30 chassis bus if it was one of the shorter versions if the price was low enough. But the longer ones are seriously overweight and would not be on my radar at all.

For about the same price you can get a Type 'C' on a medium duty truck chassis that has a GVWR of over 20,000 lbs. and an empty weight of about the same weight. The turning radius isn't much different. The ground clearance is much greater. And parts and pieces while more expensive don't wear out nearly as often.

Christopher has a couple of short Type 'C' buses and he will attest to how good they are.

Good luck.
I have a 92 carpenter p30 with the Chev 350. Have the seats out and still planning. Really like the bus but it rides like a brick, I can drive over a twig and I feel the bump. The rear end is lower than the front, even with new shocks. An independent bus mechanic suggested putting air lift springs on the back as the bus is just too heavy for the suspension.

Have you had any experience with them?
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Old 05-25-2018, 03:13 AM   #12
Bus Crazy
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tailor View Post
I have a 92 carpenter p30 with the Chev 350. Have the seats out and still planning. Really like the bus but it rides like a brick, I can drive over a twig and I feel the bump. The rear end is lower than the front, even with new shocks. An independent bus mechanic suggested putting air lift springs on the back as the bus is just too heavy for the suspension.

Have you had any experience with them?
As I said before, there is more bus up on top than there is truck underneath to support everything.

Adding air springs can help a lot with the stance but there isn't much you can do about smoothing out the ride. We had to add spring leaves into the spring pack on the curb side in order to keep the bus from leaning too much every time the lift was deployed.
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Old 05-25-2018, 07:56 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 58
Would an extra rear leaf improve the ride?
I'm rethinking my design as weight has become much more important than I thought.
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:43 PM   #14
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Boston
Posts: 504
So reading even more answers, that raises two new questions :

How's the weight issue on a P30 compare to that on a small cutaway or van-chasis bus? They're roughly the same size, but I could see how the more modern variant would be a little more heavy duty, and a little lighter overall.

Its really starting to look like I'd end up with about the same usable space behind the driver (with a 6-window.)

Is there anything you could do to easily beef up the suspension under a P30 (other then / in addition to) adding airbags?
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Old 05-26-2018, 03:20 AM   #15
Bus Crazy
 
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Location: Winlcok, WA
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The running gear on the G3500/4500 chassis is virtually identical to that used on the P-30. It is still basically the same 1-ton and 1.5-ton axles, brakes, tires, wheels, and suspension parts used on the van/cut-away chassis.

There isn't much you can do to 'beef' things up. It is sort of like putting lipstick on a pig--it doesn't look all that great and it irritates the pig. Your limiting factor is going to be how much weight the tires can handle and how much weight before you break an axle.
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Old 05-26-2018, 11:07 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tailor View Post
Would an extra rear leaf improve the ride?
I'm rethinking my design as weight has become much more important than I thought.
Adding leafs will stiffen the ride.
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Old 05-26-2018, 12:42 PM   #17
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Location: Houston, Texas
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Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
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Odd...most full sized Skoolies are WAY over sprung, especially on the rear. I replaced mine with a rate that was 50% of the original and it is fine now. Sounds like you have the opposite problem. What about some heavy duty coil-over booster shocks?
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Old 05-26-2018, 10:57 PM   #18
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
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The mechanic suggested adding airlift suspension shocks. He said it was hitting the stops whenever I drive. Would coil overs be better?
Should I try one and then add the other if it doesn't work sufficiently well.
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:47 AM   #19
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I have not had good luck over the years with adjustable air shocks. All I have owned leaked. Some badly.



If you are hitting the stops you definitely have a spring issue. Could be as simple as under rated to begin with or just plain worn out. Re-arching them would at least get you back to original specs but you need to find out what rate the originals were supposed to be. Check with Eaton Detroit...they can confirm the rate on just about anything made in the last hundred years. They can also fab new spring sets to any weight you want.


Example:
I had them make new springs to reduce the rate on my rear by 50% ...but had them add another 350 pounds to the front set to compensate for the weight of the Cummins 4BT engine I installed.
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Old 05-27-2018, 12:51 PM   #20
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
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What information do they need (vin #)? to determine the rate? Thanks
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