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 11-22-2019, 12:16 PM   #21
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Maybe I will take it to Higbee, MO next February I will be at the cooperage there, Coopper's Oak Winery for a blacksmith club meeting. It will be a much faster and cheaper trip if I drive my car though.

__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2019, 08:26 AM   #22
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacC View Post
What doesn't take longer than expected? lol You will get it done.
@MacC. You are correct every thing seems to take at least twice as long as you think it will.

"When is dinner going to be done......45 minutes great, I am going to go work on the bus for ten minutes then." Then you come in to a cold meal :faceplam:
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2019, 10:15 AM   #23
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
So St. Louis crazy weather worked to my advantage this time. The warmest time today was 9 pm 61 degrees. 4 hours after the sun went down. I had already wiped the dust from the walls and masked off the inside of the bus hoping for some warmer weather to put in the spray foam on the ceiling and walls. I know you can do this in cooler weather but I figured it would bind better in warmer weather. (I have no real basis for this thought) this took about 1.5 hours to get the 620 foam kit sprayed. I did not do the warning lights and roof vent on purpose. I am planning on deleting the roof vent and maybe the front lights if I don't put something else there. The back lights are going to be upgraded to LEDs and the upper lights wired to be brake and turn lights. It is definitely quieter in the bus now.

Now a bit of touching up and some clean up then we can start the build
Attached Thumbnails
20191126_200940.jpg   20191126_201051.jpg   20191126_201056.jpg   20191126_222726.jpg   20191126_222222.jpg  

20191126_222214.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2019, 10:17 AM   #24
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central missouri
Posts: 128
Chassis: 2000 Int Amtran
Engine: DT466HT
Rated Cap: 84
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorzie View Post
Maybe I will take it to Higbee, MO next February I will be at the cooperage there, Coopper's Oak Winery for a blacksmith club meeting. It will be a much faster and cheaper trip if I drive my car though.
That is 5 minutes from me
MacC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2019, 10:22 AM   #25
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacC View Post
That is 5 minutes from me
Well we should definitely meet up. I will PM you closer to the date
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-27-2019, 10:27 AM   #26
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central missouri
Posts: 128
Chassis: 2000 Int Amtran
Engine: DT466HT
Rated Cap: 84
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorzie View Post
Well we should definitely meet up. I will PM you closer to the date
Most definitely!
MacC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2022, 11:26 AM   #27
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Well I have not been good at updating my build page so I will try to get this updated to my current spot ASAP. So after the spray foam I added the shore power plug. I just did a 30 amp because I don't plan on having huge power draw. All my lights are 12 volt LEDs which I plan to run of of my house battery once get one. The largest power draws that the future inverter wont be able to handle are the electric space we currently use if we are on shore power and it is cold and the future mini-split unit I hope to have installed before it gets hot.
Attached Thumbnails
20191130_145552.jpg   20191210_205137.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2022, 11:40 AM   #28
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
We then started to measure to frame out for the bed. We bought the mattress from for only $100 I think. It is not the worlds greatest mattress but then again we are not full-timers and it was cheap. I made plans for the bed frame so the middle section could be removed in case the bus need to transform into freight mode LOL (Pictures of this later after the frame is built). This proved to be handy when moving all my son's furniture to his college apartment.
Attached Thumbnails
20200108_214835.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2022, 12:31 PM   #29
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
roof vent delete

I decided to remove the vent that was in the roof to help with waterproofing. I should have done this before the spray foam was applied to the roof. I cut off the rivets holding the cover then cut out the part that was raised. After that I filled the the hole with some steel. (I cant remember if I welded it or used pop rivets. I then covered the outside with some body putty. The wife helped with this and took over sanding while I did other stuff.
Attached Thumbnails
20200202_125143.jpg   20200202_125211.jpg   20200202_125251.jpg   roof vent delete sanding.jpg ‎- Photos.png  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2022, 05:37 PM   #30
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
co-pilot seat install

Here are some pictures of the co-pilot seat going in. I used grade 8 bolts through the 3/4 " OSB, 2X4 and the steel floor (NOT THE FRAME) and some thick steel I think it was 4"x3/8" flat stock and about 15" that is under the steel floor with large washers. Maybe it is over kill maybe not.
Attached Thumbnails
20200208_191841.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 12:54 PM   #31
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 51
Year: 1999
Chassis: International Genesis
Engine: Navistar D466
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacC View Post
Most definitely!

Can I get in on this? I'm in the KC area
Delos356 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 01:15 PM   #32
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delos356 View Post
Can I get in on this? I'm in the KC area
That would be great. I was just at Arrow Rock State historical site this weekend. That would have been a shorter drive for you than it was for me.
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 02:23 PM   #33
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Vinyl flooring goes in

After getting the wood down and the drivers and Co-pilot seat in we took them out again and bought some vinyl flooring at a big box hardware store. We chose sheet vinyl because with dogs we wanted something that would "seal" and not leak when the wet dogs come in. 88 cents per sqft did not hurt either. I made a template of the floor with the brown paper floor protector stuff you get at the hardware store. Make sure you mark which side is up on your template. I then cut the flooring inside where it was warm since it was February as still a bit cold outside.
Attached Thumbnails
20200209_172526.jpg   20200209_172536.jpg   20200209_195944.jpg   20200209_200007.jpg   20200210_222202 - Copy.jpg  

20200211_175557.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 02:34 PM   #34
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Seats are back in

We then got the seats put back in it was still cold outside
Attached Thumbnails
20200212_215558.jpg   20200212_215627.jpg   20200213_154737.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 03:09 PM   #35
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
Posts: 1,769
Year: 1954
Coachwork: wayne
Chassis: old f500- new 2005 f-450
Engine: cummins 12 valve
Rated Cap: 20? five rows of 4?
I have the same seats

How tall of a seat base did you use. I made my own bases but they were to tall, I am installing several of those same seats.

William
magnakansas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2022, 09:41 PM   #36
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
I bought these from RecPro.

Pedestal for RV Captain's Chair
( Pedestals, Pedestal Height: 5.5")
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2022, 12:59 PM   #37
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
outside light added

I bought an outside light from superbrightled.com back in 2/2020 for the passenger side then installed it finally 4/2020. it is nice and bright. We are not fans of bright lights when out camping but it does come in handy when you are. looking for something after it is dark.

I will try to get up to date on all the think I have completed I am REALLY behind LOL.
Attached Thumbnails
20200218_160156.jpg   20200415_211216.jpg   20200415_211258.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2022, 01:18 PM   #38
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Cheap Mini Fridge

We picked up a cheap fridge at a garage sale near our house. I liked that it had an actual freezer. now I know I will be able to have some ice cream while traveling and have ice cubes for those frozen adult beverages . It was black so my wife panted it to match our color scheme.
Attached Thumbnails
20200223_154231.jpg   20200329_130843.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2022, 01:27 PM   #39
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
other framing starting starting

about 4 days after painting the fridge (2/24/2020) I got the furring strips that will hold the paneling up installed and the framing around the wheel wells. (Note to self... if you are ever doing the roof furring strips again install them before the spray foam to give a gauge of thickness)
Attached Thumbnails
20200227_210540.jpg   20200227_210621.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2022, 01:48 PM   #40
Skoolie
 
Gorzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: St. Charles County Missouri
Posts: 186
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Wood paneling goes in

3/2020 we started to add the wood paneling to the roof and walls. This process was a bit tricky as bending the paneling on the tight curve on a blue bird roof proved to be a bit tricky on the 2nd. We used a 2x4 with some carpet on it and a leg on either end to hold the roof panel in place as we put the center screws in. After the center was attached we then moved the 2x4s over a bit and then SLOWLY started pushing the top over to put slight pressure to bend the paneling until we reached the next furring strip. Then repeated. I saw this technique done on a youtube video unfortunately I don't remember who it was that did the video and we don't have a picture of the process
Attached Thumbnails
20200308_200829.jpg   20200318_215144.jpg   20200318_215147.jpg  
__________________
Michael G.
1997 Bluebird IH 3800 6 window T444e
https://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/m...ird-28058.html
Gorzie 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


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:18 AM.


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