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Old 01-02-2019, 05:00 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 26
Year: 2003
Engine: 7.3 Liter
Rated Cap: 30 passenger
I'm in.....2003 E450 7.3 L

I spent the last year researching tiny homes, camper trailers and buses. Eventually decided that the bus conversion was the route to go. So I finally found the size and model that suited me best. As someone who will live in it for the warm months (I'm in Canada) the size and mobility was best addressed with the Ford E450. Found a 2003 model with 310000 Kilometers and a 7.3 L engine.

Drove the 6 hours home enduring the pungent smell of mouse urine and the incessant sound of mice squeaking in the compartment above my head. Got home ok and immediately set traps which promptly returned 6 dead mice.

Long story short, I spent the weekend in -30 weather removing seats. Small space heater, layered clothing and good tunes made the chore bearable. Nothing more efficient than, in my opinion, grinding the bolts off with an angle grinder. Seats are gone and got a good start with the rivets. Just drilling them out and knocking the heads off with a hammer and chisel.

This is a top rate site with great info. I am working on a website/blog that will document past and future travels. I shall continue following the excellent posts here as well as asking many questions. Happy New Year all!!!!

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Old 01-02-2019, 05:21 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: US nomadic
Posts: 556
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Lewis
Chassis: Ford E350
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Rated Cap: 14
Welcome! Have fun with the mice!
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Old 01-02-2019, 06:03 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 482
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
[QUOTE=Bremill;303232
Long story short, I spent the weekend in -30 weather removing seats. Small space heater, layered clothing and good tunes made the chore bearable. Nothing more efficient than, in my opinion, grinding the bolts off with an angle grinder. Seats are gone and got a good start with the rivets. Just drilling them out and knocking the heads off with a hammer and chisel.
[/QUOTE]

Sounds familiar.... Good luck on your build.
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Old 01-02-2019, 06:20 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
super bus!!! treat that 7.3 nice with good clean oil often and it will last you a very long time!! .. its one of the good ones..

-Christopher
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Old 01-02-2019, 06:47 PM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,494
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
Got you a great shortie chassis there. Keep up on the maintenance and it will keep running for you. Once you gut the interior the mice will be gone. You have all winter to get going!
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Old 01-02-2019, 09:44 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 26
Year: 2003
Engine: 7.3 Liter
Rated Cap: 30 passenger
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Old 01-03-2019, 11:46 AM   #7
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
thats a nice looking rig!! tall ceiling too!! time for the real fun to begin!!!
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Old 01-03-2019, 01:01 PM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,494
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
That is also longer than your average van chassis bus. Good find!
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Old 01-03-2019, 01:02 PM   #9
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: US nomadic
Posts: 556
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Lewis
Chassis: Ford E350
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Rated Cap: 14
Super cute bus!
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Old 01-03-2019, 01:11 PM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
Welcome and a real nice find you got.


-30? Where in Ontario are you,. Hasn't been anywhere near that here yet and first snow was last night, 4 inches.


John
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Old 01-03-2019, 04:49 PM   #11
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 26
Year: 2003
Engine: 7.3 Liter
Rated Cap: 30 passenger
In saskatoon. +4 today
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Old 01-03-2019, 04:50 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 26
Year: 2003
Engine: 7.3 Liter
Rated Cap: 30 passenger
I'm in Saskatoon. But the temperature is +4 today so all is good.
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Old 01-03-2019, 04:55 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Saskatoon, Canada
Posts: 26
Year: 2003
Engine: 7.3 Liter
Rated Cap: 30 passenger
I'm an exterminator. They didn't last long.
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Old 01-04-2019, 01:08 AM   #14
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: US nomadic
Posts: 556
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Lewis
Chassis: Ford E350
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Rated Cap: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bremill View Post
I'm an exterminator. They didn't last long.
That'll teach those stinking' rodents who to mess with!
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