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Old 07-03-2022, 11:12 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: New River
Posts: 7
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: GMC/Conventional/B7
Engine: 3126B CAT
4x4 Blue Bird conversion

Here Goes!

We have had this bus for a few years now. But, have really been making progress in the last 6 months. So far, its been gutted; roof raise; floors painted; frame work for grey and black water tanks; gen set and propane tank mounted.

Our bus had u-channel inside the hat channel. Recreated that as the fillers for the raise. Drilled out the old solid rivets and hammered in new 1/4" solid rivets to attach the new sheet metal. Welded all the holes in the floor from the seats and plywood.

Currently on the subfloor and will be posting pictures as we progress!

Oh, forgot to mention...
Its 4x4!
2001 Blue Bird, 3126B CAT, 2400 Allison, MVG-750 transfer case, Dana S9000 front axle, Eaton 19060S, 5.29 gears

Here's what photos we have.
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20220625_123545.jpg  

FlaveryFarms is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2022, 11:58 AM   #2
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 19
Awesome dude! Im doing one myself! I will be following your build =)
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Bus guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2022, 02:49 PM   #3
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,349
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Thomas 4 window w/lift
Chassis: G30~Chevy cutaway
Engine: 5.7/350 Chevy Vortec
Rated Cap: Just me and my "stuff"?
Welcome to the site F/F.
Your bus project looks great!
How tall is it with the roof raise?

Keep up the good work, and keep the pics coming as you progress with it...
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Old 07-04-2022, 03:34 PM   #4
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: New River
Posts: 7
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: GMC/Conventional/B7
Engine: 3126B CAT
Thanks!

Total is about 19 3/8". That allowed for a full sheet of 18ga 4'x10' to fit between the rub rail and upper cap.
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Old 07-05-2022, 10:40 AM   #5
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Peru. IN
Posts: 184
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Collins
Chassis: NB18FD Oshkosh
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 18,500
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlaveryFarms View Post
Thanks!

Total is about 19 3/8".
Is this a measurement typo?
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Old 07-05-2022, 10:52 AM   #6
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: New River
Posts: 7
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: GMC/Conventional/B7
Engine: 3126B CAT
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilipE View Post
Is this a measurement typo?
no typo. total raise was 19 3/8. total steel floor to roof inside is 8 feet

Originally we were going to do 18" but the 19 got a full sheet to fit. That amount of raise was to accommodate the added subfloor and the roof top ac head units at the ceiling.

But the over
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Old 07-05-2022, 11:13 AM   #7
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Communist State of New Jersey
Posts: 964
Year: 2004
Coachwork: IC
Chassis: CE200
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 27,500
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlaveryFarms View Post
no typo. total raise was 19 3/8. total steel floor to roof inside is 8 feet

Originally we were going to do 18" but the 19 got a full sheet to fit. That amount of raise was to accommodate the added subfloor and the roof top ac head units at the ceiling.

But the over
What's the overall height of the bus?
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Old 07-06-2022, 11:39 PM   #8
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: New River
Posts: 7
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: GMC/Conventional/B7
Engine: 3126B CAT
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldyeller View Post
What's the overall height of the bus?
About an inch under 12'
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Old 07-09-2022, 06:45 PM   #9
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Golden Valley AZ
Posts: 1,036
Year: 1993
Chassis: ThomasBuilt 30'
Engine: need someone to tell me
Rated Cap: me + 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bus guy View Post
Awesome dude! Im doing one myself! I will be following your build =)

what kind of bus is that? The short wheelbase is nice for offroad. A lift kit to improve the arrival and departure angles would be nice with maybe a little chop work on the front and rear. More pics on a different thread?
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Old 07-09-2022, 06:57 PM   #10
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Golden Valley AZ
Posts: 1,036
Year: 1993
Chassis: ThomasBuilt 30'
Engine: need someone to tell me
Rated Cap: me + 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlaveryFarms View Post
Here Goes!

We have had this bus for a few years now. But, have really been making progress in the last 6 months. So far, its been gutted; roof raise; floors painted; frame work for grey and black water tanks; gen set and propane tank mounted.

Our bus had u-channel inside the hat channel. Recreated that as the fillers for the raise. Drilled out the old solid rivets and hammered in new 1/4" solid rivets to attach the new sheet metal. Welded all the holes in the floor from the seats and plywood.

Currently on the subfloor and will be posting pictures as we progress!

Oh, forgot to mention...
Its 4x4!
2001 Blue Bird, 3126B CAT, 2400 Allison, MVG-750 transfer case, Dana S9000 front axle, Eaton 19060S, 5.29 gears

Here's what photos we have.

Sounds like your going for a pretty solid build. A little tall maybe? Looking forward to the finished product, seems a lot of people want a 4x4 but they are hard to find and a lot of work.



Are you planning any thing to improve the departure angle for more serious off roading?


BTW, Like your shop.
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Old 07-09-2022, 08:33 PM   #11
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: New River
Posts: 7
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: GMC/Conventional/B7
Engine: 3126B CAT
Quote:
Originally Posted by kidharris View Post
Sounds like your going for a pretty solid build. A little tall maybe? Looking forward to the finished product, seems a lot of people want a 4x4 but they are hard to find and a lot of work.



Are you planning any thing to improve the departure angle for more serious off roading?


BTW, Like your shop.
Thanks!

We will be looking out for low bridges

No crawling or heavy duty off-road/trail breaking. Forest service roads, snowy roads, muddy trails, stuff like that.
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Old 07-09-2022, 08:40 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Haslet, Texas
Posts: 18
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International
Engine: *T444e
Where did you source your windows and door?
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Old 07-09-2022, 08:42 PM   #13
New Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: New River
Posts: 7
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: GMC/Conventional/B7
Engine: 3126B CAT
Quote:
Originally Posted by 747mech View Post
Where did you source your windows and door?
A local RV salvage yard off a totaled class A

Copart.com sells damaged RVs and may be good source
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