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Old 04-19-2017, 11:03 AM   #21
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I hope you're right about that! I guess I'll just have to hope for the best.

I'll be calling around to junk yards today to see what my options are.

I've been reading decent things about that one I linked to as well. The reviews are great, that's for sure...

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Old 04-19-2017, 11:41 AM   #22
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I don't know what kind of area you live in but you'd be surprised how long an engine will run even without any air filter. Still, it's good to be careful. I'd have probably duct taped the broken filter cover temporarily.

I'm just saying if you find a filter canister that looks like it would adapt and fit your bus you could replace the OEM stuff.

I'm thinking back to when St Helens blew up they put truck air canisters on all the police and emergency vehicles using them as a prefilter to eliminate the ash that was covering everything like a light snow fall.

It's kind of fun to get creative. I know you just want to seal up your air cannister though. I think you'll probably find the right lid for your air cannister at a truck junk yard, or at least something that's close enough to work.

It's good hearing from you again.
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Old 04-22-2017, 09:39 PM   #23
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Thanks, same to you!

We've been making good progress. I'll update with pictures tomorrow. We ordered sheet metal through a friend's work and it came Friday.

Our goal is to get it down in the next few days, but while it's up, I figured I'd check and see if anyone has recommendations on things to check while it's up.

I'll never have easier access.

One thing I plan on doing is changing the in tank fuel filter and checking all the lines for any signs of cracks or weakness.

Any ideas?
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Old 04-22-2017, 10:00 PM   #24
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Also, any opinions on how the metal should be treated before putting it down?

The rest of the bus already has undercoating, and so did the old metal, so we were thinking of just picking up a gallon of that unless someone has a better suggestion.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm realizing that coating it before putting it down will be a problem as far as using adhesive to keep it attached to the supports, which is how the old metal was held down.

Hmm...
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Old 04-23-2017, 10:30 PM   #25
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BOOM!

THE BUS IS GUTTED

I knew that the day the bus is "finished" would be an exciting day, but no one told us how good it would feel to just have the demolition part done.

It felt like it was going to last forever.





Technically there are still some bolt pieces to grind down, but that's easy.

Next step is brush away the little remaining rust on the supports and treat with Ospho.

Still looking for advice on the best route for treating the new metal thats going in. Current plan is to paint the exposed floor supports and the metal with a rust protectant, then use an adhesive that works on painted surfaces to get the floor down. We thought about forgoing the adhesive but figured its there to keep noise down from rattling metal.
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Old 04-24-2017, 09:09 AM   #26
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Forgot to mention...

Our goal is to be road ready by May 20. That includes...

-painted
-framing
-insulation
-walls, ceilings, floor
-electricity and plumbing run (not necessarily hooked up)
-furniture built (bed, cabinets, couch)
-new batteries
-new starter
-new air and fuel filters
-new air filter housing
-tranny fluid flush
-coolant flush

Stretch goals:

-buy electrical equipment
-hook up plumbing
-more work on engine
-other furniture we're planning that isn't built in

Yes, it's a lot. But we're crazy enough to think it's possible. The stretch goals will most likely come down to finances.
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:21 AM   #27
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Congratulations. Getting everything out of the interior is a pretty good accomplishment. It also means you're fully committed to this project.
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:27 AM   #28
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Company called SIKA makes some metal to metal adhesives that are stronger than welding but you are correct...do not paint or coat it first. You can always come back later and treat it from below.

And BTW...don't forget to accommodate any necessary access points (like the fuel tank sender) when laying down a new floor.

Rock on!
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:42 AM   #29
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Robin: Yes, we're very committed at this point. Definitely caught bus fever. Already planning bus 2... and 3

Tango: I'm familiar with Sika from masonry projects. Never tried their metal adhesives. Would they have that at Home Depot / Lowes or is that something you have to order?
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:50 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PigPen View Post
Robin: Yes, we're very committed at this point. Definitely caught bus fever. Already planning bus 2... and 3

Tango: I'm familiar with Sika from masonry projects. Never tried their metal adhesives. Would they have that at Home Depot / Lowes or is that something you have to order?
Yup... I'm planning on bus 3 too!
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Old 04-24-2017, 11:01 AM   #31
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Yup... I'm planning on bus 3 too!
Driving around in the bus before it was converted was just so much fun, going around and picking people up and going on adventures. So much room for bikes and kayaks in the back too. I need a shortie that just stays a bus for sure.
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Old 04-24-2017, 11:11 AM   #32
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Driving around in the bus before it was converted was just so much fun, going around and picking people up and going on adventures. So much room for bikes and kayaks in the back too. I need a shortie that just stays a bus for sure.
Yeah, I've been daily driving my shorty and LOVING it.
Next I wana find an older short bus that's pristine with a bad engine for cheap, and swap in some serious class 8 drivetrain stuff.
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:02 PM   #33
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Yeah, I've been daily driving my shorty and LOVING it.
Next I wana find an older short bus that's pristine with a bad engine for cheap, and swap in some serious class 8 drivetrain stuff.
Can't wait to watch that build.
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Old 04-24-2017, 10:08 PM   #34
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As mentioned before, we have the metal floor up with new stuff ready to go down. But first I need to get the rust off the supports. Well its not really the supports, its sheet metal welded to the supports to increase surface area for connecting the rest of the metal.

I've used an angle grinder to get the flaky stuff off with both a grinding wheel and a wire wheel. I've then went over it with a sander. It's smooth now, but you can still see the rust.

I've thought about treating it, but most rust treatments seem to be designed around the idea that the area will be covered in paint after. I need a metal surface for good adhesion. Is something like Ospho a good choice even if I'm not painting?
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Old 04-29-2017, 08:28 PM   #35
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The new floor is in!!!

This marks the first (non-mechanical) thing we ADDED to the bus. Feels good.

We were a little obsessive about prepping the undercarriage and supports. There really wasn't any rust before. Now there will never be. Figured we only had one chance with there hat type of access...

Here's a shot of me cutting a circle in steel with an angle grinder. Not easy. But we made do with what we had on hand and made sure to smooth the edges after.

I'm in socks because my shoes were muddy.



Here's the new floor in.



Brand spanking new.

Tomorrow a special primer for new galvanized steel goes down.
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Old 04-29-2017, 08:46 PM   #36
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You're making some time on your bus lately. Your floor looks cool like that. To bad it'll be buried.
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Old 04-30-2017, 03:24 AM   #37
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I once went to a bus build and a hockey game with socks broke out...........
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Old 04-30-2017, 11:24 AM   #38
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Mmmmmmm...Shiny be Good!
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Old 05-01-2017, 02:06 PM   #39
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The shiny metal was fun while it lasted, but the conversion must continue! I like this stage cause it looks bigger in my opinion...





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Old 05-01-2017, 03:03 PM   #40
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That's looking good. We still know that shiny metal is down there.
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