Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 09-07-2017, 07:19 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
Thomas Build

Hey all,

After more than 8,000 kilometres we have finally recouped enough to get started on our build thread. Just starting with introducing our new bus and our current plan. Thomas is a 1997 Ford - Thomas Built - bus with a 5.9 Cummins engine and 5 speed manual transmission. He is a 5 window short bus. He has about 400,000 kilometres but purrs like a dream.

So the plan is at the back we will have a wet bath with a compost toliet and shower. Then the sink area followed by a desk area all on the right hand side. Desk area will have a flip down desk with a perm. shelf and a rolling ottoman. On the left hand side from the back will be the wardrobe, fridge, stove and end table/dog eating area and couch which (with the ottoman) will turn into a Queen size bed.

As far as mechanics - there is no room available under the passenger side so the battery bank and grey water tank will be mounted on the driver's side. We will have solar on the roof as well as a fan and skylights. The fresh water tank will reside under the couch and piping will be laid across the floor as we will that out. All the solar controls and inverter will be stored in the overhead cabinet at the front of the bus. We will be forgoing a perm. a/c and heating system and instead will be going with a Nora AC unit which is small enough that we can put in the window and then store when not necessary. We will also most likely be going with a portable heater system as the bus is so small and we will be chasing 21 degree weather so will need it very little hopefully. Although we are Canadian -
my fiance is dual so can hopefully easily stay the winters in the US. We will be going with just a 2 or 3 burner stove and no oven. Will most likely get an instant pot and a toaster oven (to use if we hook into shore power) and skipping an oven altogether.

Here is a pic of Thomas and our current floor plan idea.
Attached Thumbnails
Thomas.jpg   Floor plan 1.PNG   Floor plan 2.PNG   Floor plan 3.PNG  

chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2017, 07:58 AM   #2
Almost There
 
Skipoffools's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 80
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Carpenter (Cavalier)
Chassis: International Harvester
Engine: DTA360
Rated Cap: 63
Welcome!
It looks like you are off to a great start
Skipoffools is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2017, 09:31 AM   #3
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
5.9 and a 5 speed manual? Lucky!
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2017, 09:44 AM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,707
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
great drivetrain combo for a shorty like that!! gotta be a blast to drive!!
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2017, 10:10 AM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
So we finally got together our videos from our road trip to pick up the bus - if anyone is interested
Now that that is done we can finally get started on the build - hoping for next weekend start as this weekend is Thanksgiving

Part 1 (Ontario to BC)- https://youtu.be/DKJJNjqH6eU
Part 2 (Picking up the Bus) - https://youtu.be/KzHqJmbOfYQ
Part 3 (BC to Ontario) - https://youtu.be/c0Gl3R-ImME
chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2017, 07:02 AM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
Finally started our build So exciting https://youtu.be/dwwNyS1izWo
chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2017, 03:56 PM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
Johnny Mullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,494
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
Subscribed and watched the vids. Minus the few minor breakdowns on the long haul home it did well!
Johnny Mullet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2017, 07:16 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
For sure did !! Just got the floors up and found a fair bit of rust but most looking like simply surface....Too bad weekends weren't longer and we could get more accomplished lol
chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2017, 09:27 PM   #9
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by chasingsunshine View Post
For sure did !! Just got the floors up and found a fair bit of rust but most looking like simply surface....Too bad weekends weren't longer and we could get more accomplished lol
Lol.. aint that the truth. Good luck with your build! Looking forward to the progress.
Mr4btTahoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2017, 07:36 PM   #10
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
Thumbs up

So we finally got around to removing all the floors and the ceiling in our conversion!! Whoot whoot - happy day. We are working on putting the video together for the ceiling/driver's seat removal, but here is a glimpse of the floor removal -- a little more rusty than expected but great for a Canada bus!! https://youtu.be/f21tMK6QvyQ
chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2017, 08:22 AM   #11
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
Thumbs up

So we have been lacking on posting, but have been getting lots done on the bus. You can check out our recent videos here:

Day 3 - https://youtu.be/7EEK9MXlZpw
Ep. 4 - https://youtu.be/aYhYYUz8Fyc
Ep. 5 - https://youtu.be/7w0GGzZ5n-A
Ep. 6 - https://youtu.be/N6bC2MJonAs
chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2018, 04:48 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
Moving the bus

So after the bus sitting since we picked it up we were finally able to move it. Also moved out a car we are getting rid of.

New video on all that is up finally https://youtu.be/35QdWeKIcM4
chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2018, 09:36 AM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northern California
Posts: 55
Looking great!
How did you check on the bus before picking it up? Did you ask someone local to have a look at it or just hope for the best?
ChrisHieronimus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2018, 10:42 AM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 11
love your videos! super helpful and we found a similar leak in the back and are trying to track it down. we think it may be from a light on the back right corner you but you've encouraged us to take off that back wall to verify. subscribed and look forward to following!
andreap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2018, 08:55 AM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 24
So we checked out a local RV show to grab some skoolie ideas. Got a few - check em out as they might work for your skoolie as well.

https://youtu.be/WmpeUyBCtic
chasingsunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:22 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.