Removing Black Box and Radio/PA/Incandescent Light Box

[natapotts]

Hi All

I've searched all over the internet/skoolie forums and cant find any info on these two items. I'm demo'ing my 2005 Thomas flat nose bus and am totally baffled. Hoping to cut these out in the next few days...

1. Black Box Recorder.
I've torn this thing apart and can't figure out how it's attached to the wall of the bus. It also has a long cord of wires. Is it ok to cut and cap them?


2. Radio/PA/Incandescent box.
Wow this thing is huge. That's why I'm removing it... but I am afraid to cut and cap this massive rainbow of wires. Is there any reason why I should keep this thing? Is it ok to cut and cap them?




Would love any advice!
Thanks!

[tugboater]

i think your black box will slide up out of it’s bracket, which is screwed to the bulkhead.

[tugboater]

Also, if you aren’t going to remove all the flashers and other items school bus light related, but want the wires to be tidier than just a cut termination...

Just behind the black box with the yellow bus on top looks like this...


should be able to unplug everything.

[natapotts]

Originally Posted by tugboater

Also, if you aren’t going to remove all the flashers and other items school bus light related, but want the wires to be tidier than just a cut termination...

Just behind the black box with the yellow bus on top looks like this...

Attachment 32365
should be able to unplug everything.

Thank you!! I have been having a hard time even naming what this giant unit even is...

What if I just want to get rid of the whole stereo unit all together? Should I just cut/unclip the wires behind the front wall panel and tuck them in?

Do you know if this will affect any of the functionality of the lights? I'm trying to figure out if I even need the light monitor... but I'm thinking that's a yes if I want to know if my blinkers are on or not.

I could always keep the giant black box and work around it if necessary. It does have a PA intercom that is pretty sweet.

What do you think?

[Mark_In_MA]

Did you bus have a camera system installed on it at some point? That's what the first box you posted looks like (especially with the red/yellow RCA ports on it.) Looks like it's held to the bus with a key lock even. (Its supposed to be tamper-proof.) I'd think you should be able to remove it entirely (though it might be built to be difficult to remove in the first place.)

Just me, but I think the indicator box that shows whats flashing is kinda neat, and I'd keep it. If you can just unplug it and leave the wiring, I'd do that. It sounds like it would be more work to cut and cap it then just unplugging it.

The stereo I'd remove. That seems like an odd place for it. That you should be able to cut and cap, since I'm pretty sure it's NOT in any way wired in to any of the other bus systems.

[Ciscokid]

I think that box was the first thing I ripped out. Your gonna want to go over all your wiring before its all over removing and unwanted wires. My bus has a bus bar in the side door under my driving window. All the lights and major components feed to it. I ripped out all the bus switches and installed my own to only what i needed.

Make sure you find a wiring diagram to your bus before you do this.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by tugboater

Also, if you aren’t going to remove all the flashers and other items school bus light related, but want the wires to be tidier than just a cut termination...

Just behind the black box with the yellow bus on top looks like this...

Attachment 32365
should be able to unplug everything.

If you want to remove the light monitor you will need to connect the appropriate wires together to retain brake lights, turn signals etc.

I spent an hour or two on mine riddling out the connections.