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Old 12-01-2018, 11:53 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 179
Year: 1995
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Amtran Genisis
Engine: International DT-466
Rated Cap: 72
Good News Bus 2.0

We never planned on living a nomadic lifestyle. Our first bus conversion was completed in 2010. It was a 1995 International AmTran Genesis with the DT-466. Our intensions were to travel to Washington State and live in the bus as we built a new home Me, my wife and 5 children. Plans change. To make a very long story very short, we lived in that bus for a total combined time of 6 years over the past 8 years. Since that time our family grew to 9.



When we found out that we were due to have our 8th child we knew that it was time for a change. We had out grown our first bus and only had 9 months to find and convert a new bus that would better suite our family. After doing a lot of looking we found a bus located in Avon Park, FL at a dealership called Avery Bus.

The bus we chose was a 2005 Thomas HDX with the Cat 7 Engine with 110,000 miles on it with a Allison 6 Speed Tranny.



Over the course of 9 months converted it into a home. Since that time we sold our old bus and are all moved into our new bus ready for more adventures.

Here is a picture of it completed.



If you would like to see our entire conversion check it out here!

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Old 12-02-2018, 03:38 AM   #2
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 938
Chassis: GMC or Chevrolet, I hope
Engine: gasser probably
saw the videos.
didnt care much for the buses
solid parenting! good job dad !
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Old 12-02-2018, 05:53 AM   #3
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Man oh man. I hope you're familiar with Cat C7's. Trading a 95 for an 05 is risky.
Good luck
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Old 12-02-2018, 07:41 AM   #4
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,757
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
awesome bus!!!! that 05 will do you fine, take care of the coolant and oil in your CAT.. pay attention if it gets warm or exhaust smells funny.. heed the check engein light..



travel the country and have fun!!
-Christopher
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Old 12-02-2018, 08:45 AM   #5
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 332
Year: 2003
Engine: DT530
Rated Cap: 84
Last week I watched the entire build of the new bus. Lots of great ideas. We are a family of 8 and in the process of building our bus. Our bus will be used for vacations with a goal to see all the continental national parks before our oldest leaves home in 2 years.

My wife and I greatly enjoyed watching your family. It was nice to see children being raised with an unapologetic belief in God.

Perhaps we will see you on the road during our travels.
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Old 12-02-2018, 09:19 AM   #6
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,494
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
Been watching you guys on Youtube since the first bus. Great job on 2.0
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Old 12-02-2018, 09:30 AM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 179
Year: 1995
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Chassis: Amtran Genisis
Engine: International DT-466
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet View Post
Been watching you guys on Youtube since the first bus. Great job on 2.0
Thanks, We really appreciate it.
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Old 12-02-2018, 09:31 AM   #8
Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 179
Year: 1995
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Amtran Genisis
Engine: International DT-466
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Bolt View Post
Last week I watched the entire build of the new bus. Lots of great ideas. We are a family of 8 and in the process of building our bus. Our bus will be used for vacations with a goal to see all the continental national parks before our oldest leaves home in 2 years.

My wife and I greatly enjoyed watching your family. It was nice to see children being raised with an unapologetic belief in God.

Perhaps we will see you on the road during our travels.
Awesome! You guys will love it.
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Old 12-02-2018, 09:33 AM   #9
Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 179
Year: 1995
Coachwork: International
Chassis: Amtran Genisis
Engine: International DT-466
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Man oh man. I hope you're familiar with Cat C7's. Trading a 95 for an 05 is risky.
Good luck
I am not super familiar with the C7. I am familiar that it can be one of those engines that could have problems. So far it is doing great and has amazing power. Much more than our last engine.
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Old 12-02-2018, 10:36 AM   #10
Skoolie
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 179
Year: 1995
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Chassis: Amtran Genisis
Engine: International DT-466
Rated Cap: 72
Here are a few more pics of the bus. We plan on doing a full video walk-thru soon.

This is the master bedroom.



This is the dining room with our custom built folding table.



We have many more pics on our Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/thebuslifeshow/
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Old 12-04-2018, 02:09 PM   #11
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 334
Been watching for a while have fun in Oklahoma
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Old 12-05-2018, 06:45 PM   #12
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Stansbury Park, Utah
Posts: 189
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: GA39530
Engine: DT466E 215hp 620tq
Rated Cap: 40
Started watchin on Youtube when you bought the new bus, learned a lot. If your ever in Utah drop a line.
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Old 12-05-2018, 09:48 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 46
Year: 1994
Engine: 8.3 Cummins
Long time YouTube follower here as well. Great bus and great build! Especially in a borrowed space in only nine months. There are "talkers" and there are are "doers", you are the latter, enjoy the bus and your adventure.
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Old 12-05-2018, 11:07 PM   #14
Almost There
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 76
Year: 2005
Coachwork: International CE200
Engine: VT365
Rated Cap: 26
Been following you guys on YouTube for a while, and really enjoy the content that you have created! Got some great ideas from it!
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Old 12-08-2018, 07:27 PM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Greetings from Atlanta

Hi Good News Family,

I’ve enjoyed your very informative videos on YouTube as you’ve improved your new bus.

I especially enjoy watching a biblical, unashamed, fun-loving and faith-filled family enjoy God’s creation and grow in their relationships.

You are genuine and good people. If you are ever in Atlanta, I’d love to meet you and see the Good News (Gospel) Bus.

Blessings,
Rick Snow
Rsnowacc@gmail.com
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Old 12-10-2018, 09:12 AM   #16
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
Smile

Long time follower and a big fan..... been following you and your family since the Genesis bus build.
I got into schoolies because of your build.
I haven't "pulled the trigger" on purchasing a bus yet but I've got my list and saving up for the start of my build within 12 months time.

Love what you you did with Bus 2.0 and it's floor plan.
Your build and family life has been a great role model to me, a dad of 4 boys.

Please keep posting of your adventures and on your C7.

If you are in Southern California... please drop a line.

God Bless.
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Old 12-12-2018, 03:53 PM   #17
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: CAT 3126
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bus Project View Post
If you would like to see our entire conversion check it out here!
I watched you guys doing the roof raise and it gave me the inspiration to do my own raise. I learned a lot of info during your build, so thanks for the help!
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Old 12-12-2018, 04:48 PM   #18
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 105
Year: 1987
Huge fan of your conversion of 2.0. Thank you for taking the time to document it on Youtube. You really did fantastic work in 9 months and the videos make it that much harder. Looking forward to that video walkthrough, and any of the work/accomplishments you feel like documenting for us here!

-Justin
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Old 12-12-2018, 09:33 PM   #19
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Posts: 220
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: 6-71TA
Rated Cap: 90
I watched many of your 2.0 videos and you and your family did a great job!
One of my grandsons (he is eight) watched a few of your videos with me and cannot wait for me to get one...lol

Also, did you have any issues raising the roof on the Thomas? Several here have mentioned that the 6 degree canted sides from about the windows on up can make it a bit more work.
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Old 12-13-2018, 03:09 PM   #20
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 722
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 RE
Engine: 8.3l Cummins
Rated Cap: 78
The rear picture shows a bedroom space about 8-9' long, and the front section is about 10-11', how do you fit 7 sleeping spots, bathroom, shower, and kitchen in the middle 20' section?
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