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 11-06-2014, 08:25 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

It's time to start the build thread! Our bus is named Suzie Blue. Everyone use to call my mom Suzie Q so we felt like naming the bus after her would be a good way to honor her since she passed away in April. She always supported my crazy projects... and I think this qualifies as crazy!


If you're interested in where I got my bus, check out this thread http://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=467966 . Long story short... me go auction... me buy bus... bus vroom vroom 75mph... much rejoicing. Our bus is parked at a farm an hour away from us. It's not the best solution, but it's free (with a little bartering). We started our first day of work this past week, so without further ado...

Build Day Zero or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bus

Like most folks, we couldn't wait to get the seats out. I wanted to hear my baby purr first though, so I tried to start her up. Unfortunately the battery was dead. Either I left something on which is likely given there are thousands of knobs and switches on the dash... or it's a bad battery. I have it charging now and it seems to be holding a charge so fingers crossed!

Anyway, we were happy to find that all of the bolts came out easily and were relatively free of rust. My wife worked up in the bus while I scurried underneath (with a bruised coccyx... woohoo). I know crawling under the bus doesn't sound like fun but it was a great opportunity to get the "lay of the land" under there. I know it'll start disappearing when I add tanks and storage but for right now, it's a beautifully clear canvas. Back to the story; we got all the bolts out that went along the aisles through the floor. We were only able to remove a few seats along with the barrier behind the drivers seat. On our next visit we should be able to get more seats out since there will be two of us working inside the bus.

I'm heading out this weekend to test the battery after charging it and then next week it's back to seat removal. The weather is getting really nice here in Florida so we may start camping in the bus Next time, I'll post about the work I'm doing on our composting toilet.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_2455.jpg   IMG_2476.jpg   DrStrangeloveFINAL copy.jpg  

__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 08:48 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Welcome to the Mayhem! --- Gotta love those Birds. Merkin Muffley would be proud.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2014, 11:06 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

I can't get over it going 75 mph, thats impressive, man.
You're lucky not to need an angle grinder for seat removal. It took me three hours to grind mine out in my old ford school bus.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2014, 10:00 AM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Build Day One
More of the same on my second day of build work. I had a few hours to kill so I starting removing the remaining bolts holding the seats to the side of the bus. Most came out without a fight and I was able to remove half the seats. I took a break to go get my nephew and we played around a bit as you can see




All the banging and clatter seemed to arouse the suspicion of the chickens. They wandered all the way from their coup to come see what I was doing. It's really comforting having animals around while we do our work. Anyways that's all the news for now. My birthday is on Veteran's day, Nov. 11th, and all I want is a full day to work on the bus

Attached Thumbnails
10454923_10204963690873558_3124547696499838651_n.jpg   1982142_10204965675803180_5270532895259909020_n.jpg   10520684_10204964041882333_7367460138900578928_n.jpg  
__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2014, 10:39 AM   #5
Bus Nut
 
eyedeal.ink's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Kelso, WA
Posts: 253
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Awesome!,.. entertaining thread
__________________
"That's,. like,.. your opinion, man...." - the Dude.
eyedeal.ink is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2014, 10:44 AM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Thanks Eyedeal! I don't want to hijack my own thread here, but I love your signature. I'm a HUGE Big Lebowski fan
__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2014, 04:04 AM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cleveland Tn.
Posts: 10
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

I have the same bus as yours a 93 mod. do not know your plan for an entry door, but I plan to mod. mine as per ( one peice door ) in the tutorial sec. of this forum, some speak of reversing the hing but mine opens to 90 degrees without reversing the hing.
gsddag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 04:29 AM   #8
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Quote:
Originally Posted by gsddag
I have the same bus as yours a 93 mod. do not know your plan for an entry door, but I plan to mod. mine as per ( one peice door ) in the tutorial sec. of this forum, some speak of reversing the hing but mine opens to 90 degrees without reversing the hing.

My plan is to do a partition just behind the drivers seat with a screen or glass door.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 09:27 AM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Build Day Two

Today's update comes to you in list form because... the internet LOVES list.
  • Drove the bus around the farm in a circle for fun [/*:m:3fnblaw4]
  • Finished taking out the last of the seats.[/*:m:3fnblaw4]
  • Built a fire and made smores to celebrate my birthday![/*:m:3fnblaw4]

One question for the community if I may. Is it typical for ALL of the emergency exits (hatch, windows, back door) to be wired to an alarm or is it only the back door. After opening up the bus to air out yesterday I had an alarm when I hooked up the battery (it had been disconnected while I charged it). The buzzer that's going off is to the left of the driver.
Attached Thumbnails
10530884_10204985508458984_8330955467799882778_n.jpg   10407108_637191596904_4232834123487465717_n.jpg  
__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 09:48 PM   #10
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cleveland Tn.
Posts: 10
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9 cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

My 93 TC2000 has the same buzzer when the rear door is ajar and the ignition is on, d/k about the windows noticed wires going to roof X's may have alarms to.
gsddag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 10:47 PM   #11
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

All emergency exits and exit doors on school buses are wired for buzzers to go off if any of them are opened.

That includes roof hatch emergency exits, push out emergency exit windows, rear emergency doors/exits, and any side emergency doors.
cowlitzcoach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 10:47 PM   #12
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Somehow I am sending stuff more than once.

Sorry about that.
cowlitzcoach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-12-2014, 10:49 PM   #13
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

The roof hatch buzzers are the most difficult to reset. The others just need to be closed. The roof hatches need to be closed correctly--not the easiest thing to do every time.
cowlitzcoach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-13-2014, 09:50 AM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Thanks for the advice. I realized this morning that the buzzer has to be for a door, window, or hatch because it happens as soon as I hook up the battery. I'll double check the hatch tomorrow and if I have time I may start wiring the alarms off for good.
__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2014, 08:53 AM   #15
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

The easiest way to do that is to cut the power to the buzzer.

Most of those switches create a ground going back to the buzzer.

If you cut the hot side to the buzzer you won't get a buzz and you don't have to worry about a hot line going out into the bus body that isn't going anywhere.
cowlitzcoach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2014, 04:02 AM   #16
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Boy do I feel dumb! It was one of the side emergency windows. I thought I closed it all the way, but the latch didn't press the little metal nipple button down. Lesson learned, always press firmly on the nipples to avoid an alarm
__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2014, 06:06 AM   #17
Site Team
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: southwest lowsyana
Posts: 542
Year: 1988
Coachwork: ward
Chassis: international
Engine: dt360a
Rated Cap: 65
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

and sometimes you need to give em a twist. there should be an audible confirmation.
claydbal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2014, 10:10 AM   #18
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

Happy thanksgiving all! Finally got all the seats out of our bus. I removed some of the rubber floor and thankfully there is no wood underneath. Aside from being covered in glue the metal is in great shape. Been busy working on a blog too.

The best part, I met another skoolie in my neighborhood

http://suziebluebus.com
__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-28-2014, 06:24 AM   #19
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

That's great Mike!
Sounds like our buses are pretty similar. I'm halfway through getting the side panels off inside, and will likely have the ceiling out by the end of the weekend.
If you end up getting frustrated with the rivets give me a holler, I've gotten a good system down now for getting them out. Air chisel is your friend!
Keep up the good work! It takes blood, sweat and beers!
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2014, 03:22 PM   #20
Mini-Skoolie
 
mtunderwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Winter Park, FL
Posts: 48
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Re: Suzie Blue - Our 1990 Blue Bird TC2000

I've been so busy working on all the bus demo that I forgot to update everyone on here I just did a blog post with lots of pics so go take a look! Here's a teaser...

Build Update 03 (Lock It Up!) http://wp.me/p5lsmD-Z
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_2663.JPG  
__________________
-Mikey
Website - https://suziebluebus.com
Build Thread - https://www.skoolie.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=468143
mtunderwood 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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Looking for 90 Blue Bird TC2000 FE manual (SOLVED) mtunderwood Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 3 10-06-2014 09:24 AM
Need Wiring Diagrams for 1990 Blue Bird TC2000 BigBusParts Conversion General Discussions 2 03-11-2012 05:06 AM
blue bird tc2000 operators manual $10 rjz5400 Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 4 05-21-2010 08:04 PM
1991 Blue Bird TC2000 4721 Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 3 10-10-2008 12:10 PM
1991 Blue Bird TC2000 The Wanderer Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 45 05-31-2008 11:19 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:22 PM.


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