A Bus Named Eternity

[RamRod4]

Just read through this whole thread. We have the same bus and have similar plans. Floor repair is next on my list and this definitely provided some good insight. I'm on the fence about reconstructing the wheel wells since ours will be hidden under the bunks and couches anyway. Although it would recapture a lot of space for storage/electric panel/water tank.

Do you have any pics from under the bus detailing your basement storage? We plan to keep our road AC and I'd like to fabricate underbelly stroage as our bus didnt come with any except a couple small boxes on the passenger side.

[T-Bolt]

The basement storage was rusted beyond repair so it had to go. Like most of my projects my mind started going down the road of 'since I'm already doing this I might as well do...'.

There was lots of wasted space just forward of the rusted bulkhead so out it came. This will add lots of space to the storage area.

To rebuild it I will use sheets of DuraPlate (google it). Its amazing stuff and manufactured near me. Many years ago the factory would sell the scratch and dent sheets for $5. That day is long gone and they are now $55 each. After calling around there was a place near me, 360 Fleet Services that was shortening some trailers for a customer. They said I could have as much as I wanted. Score!

[Native]

Excellent score! You should have enough to replace your entire floor in your bus ... but who would WANT to?

[T-Bolt]

This week all the tanks came in.

For fresh water we are going with 4 tanks at 33 gallons each. I wanted to maximize my capacity but had to work around frame cross supports. This will also have the advantage of limiting the water sloshing back and forth. They will all be connected with a 1.5" hose to allow water to flow easily.

Grey tank is 75 gallons and will be mounted on the right side just below the shower. By cutting out a section of the wall in the storage area it will mostly fit in that space I was able to claim.

Black water tank is 55 gallons and will be mounted just behind the grey tank.

They will all be supported with angle iron frames that I welded up and hang with 3/8" all thread.

[T-Bolt]

Today I finished the mounts for the fresh water tanks. Now that everything fits, it can be painted and permanently installed. Then the storage floor can be rebuilt.

[T-Bolt]

I posted this elsewhere but wanted to put it here as the thread is a journal of the build.

Attached is my current electrical plan. It is not like any plan that I have seen so far.

My largest challenge was how to take advantage of 50 amp shore power when it's available without the expense of everything involved.

A few points:

- My generator is portable and will remain so as it is used for other purposes.

- The inverter has a built-in transfer switch but tops out at 30 amp 120vac.

The inverter will have a 30 amp cord attached to the AC transfer switch. That cord will have the option of being plugged into one of three options. While driving it will be fed by the generator that can be started if we need more power for the A/C or induction cook-top. Second, while parked with 30 amp shore power. The third option would be from a 50 amp shore via a 50 amp panel.

The plan is to have a small 50 amp panel that will be used as a big power strip. I already have all the parts for this setting around so there is no expense. When 50 amp is an option (like at home) this panel will be used. One lug will feed a 30 amp outlet for the inverter to plug into. The other lug will feed 3 15 amp outlets. The 3 high draw items (2 roof A/C's and cooktop) will connect to the main panel with short pigtail plugs. This will give me options like moving the draw from the main panel to the 50 amp panel. Also gives me the ability to power one A/C from shore power and the other from the generator.

[T-Bolt]

I spent the week building the new floor for the storage area. The new floor is far superior to the old one that rusted out and collapsed when driving over a railroad track.

The framing is made from welded 1.5" square tube with 3/16" walls. After cutting the parts to size they were all clamped in the bus then tack welded. The finish welding was then done out of the but. I am really glad that it was done this way. Come to find out the compartment was just over 2" out of square. If it was made square and then put into the space I would have been beyond upset.

With the framework done the Duraplate was attached and it was ready to go in. At this point it weighed a few hundred pounds but it will probably outlast the rest of the bus.

It was bolted into the bus with some grade 8 bolts. You can see in one of the pictures the space that was opened up that still needs to be finished.

[Native]

Just goes to show that each vehicle is a true custom job!


I'm really going to have to look into the DuraPlate when I gett to *that* stage of the build.

[T-Bolt]

I haven't posted much lately but lots of work has been going on. Here are some pictures of the adjustable bunks. The brackes that I found are crazy strong. We piled 4 of us on one bunk and it didn't budge. This will give us the ability to change things around as kids grow up and leave.

[Flipmode]

Looking good! I've been playing with ideas for a modular top bunk system and might steal your idea. Looks very well executed.

Is that the ACX plywood you're using? I've been finding that's my preferred project plywood over cabinet ply for many projects. The only thing I dont like about it is the 'raised grain texture' it gets when finishing but otherwise it is awsome stuff.

[T-Bolt]

Originally Posted by Flipmode

Looking good! I've been playing with ideas for a modular top bunk system and might steal your idea. Looks very well executed.



Is that the ACX plywood you're using? I've been finding that's my preferred project plywood over cabinet ply for many projects. The only thing I dont like about it is the 'raised grain texture' it gets when finishing but otherwise it is awsome stuff.

Yes it is the ACX. If you want to get rid of the grain hit it with some drywall mud and a quick sand.

[gl21133]

Originally Posted by T-Bolt

Today I finished the mounts for the fresh water tanks. Now that everything fits, it can be painted and permanently installed. Then the storage floor can be rebuilt. Attachment 50638Attachment 50639

What did you use to hang the tanks from the frame?

[T-Bolt]

Originally Posted by gl21133

What did you use to hang the tanks from the frame?

They are Unistrut hangers found in the electrical or plumbing departments of most big box hardware stores.

[T-Bolt]

This week the overhead lights were installed and flooring.

[T-Bolt]

Today the bathroom got a sink/vanity and some walls! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[T-Bolt]

Here is a picture of the dinette table and some of the cushions my wife made.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by T-Bolt

Today the bathroom got a sink/vanity and some walls! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

As has been said many times, that light might be a train.

Looking good my man! Excellent carpentry (and cushion fabrication).

[T-Bolt]

It has been another busy week on the bus. The reading lights were added on both sides of the living room and kitchen. I made some trim for the top of the windows that is used as a wire chase down both sides. The bulbs were all replaced with LED's

The bathroom door was built and installed. It was made to match the style of the pocket doors to the bunk room.

Also worked on the mess in the front of the bus. I've been putting it off because I didn't want to deal with the wires. In the end I just left all the unused wires and cable tied them up nice and neat. Originally the plan was to track each wire back and eliminate what was not needed. There are literally thousands of other things to do more important than that.

Just to the left of the driver will be a cabinet for storage. The blank panel just forward of that is removable to service the defogger and will also have the Wabasto control panel on it. Right in front of the driver is a CB radio and the DVD/stereo. They are mounted on a hinged panel to allow access to the wires behind. To the right of that is the TV that I had to build a custom bracket for. I wanted it to be easy to take down for use outside or at home. All the mounts that I tried required the TV to be lifted up to remove it so a gap had to be at the top. That made it hang down over the windshield slightly. With my mount it hooks on brackets at the bottom and tilts up. It is also far more secure than anything else I tried.

[RamRod4]

That overhead setup is awesome. I've been planning something similar with the audio system above the drive and the tv in the middle with a cabinet or some open storage on the passenger side over the stairwell.

[T-Bolt]

Today I built the storage for the bedroom. A large cabinet above the bed and on both sides. I also built some small "end tables" on both sides with flip up lids. There will be outlets in each one for charging phones and stuff.