My new home for a 1+ year journey across the Americas

[Almanzo]

About 2 years ago I came across this Bluebird bookmobile bus at an auction in Oregon. Having bought a regular school bus before and done a part conversion, I realized this would be the perfect platform for my new home on the road. Plans changed for a while and the conversion was put on hold, but I recently picked up work on the bus conversion again, so I figured I will start a build thread here and probably ask you guys lots of questions as I go along.

I will soon be renting out my house to save up money for a 1+ year journey across the world. (could turn in to 2 or 3 years). I hope to leave in no more than 2 years from now and will be using the bus to drive all across the US and Canada and possible south from there. I will buy a different vehicle in Europe to travel the rest of the world, and when I return, the bus will be my home until I find a new job and place to live again.

You will be able to follow along on the build both here and on my facebook page. My Facebook page has some more pictures and I will also use that to post all my other travels and adventures as well some of my photography and videos. https://www.facebook.com/followalmanzo

Here are some pictures of what the bus looked like after I drove her home from Oregon:






Inside



I started to take out the bookcases, they are build very rigid and I broke my rubber hammer in the process


I pressure washed the whole bus, got rid of the old writing, named the bus Almanzo and applied some new logos.


Put a queen size bed in the back


Loaded up all my camping gear and went for a road trip to California

After that my initial plans somewhat changed and the bus mainly just sat in my yard except for a few short trips.
But the last few weeks I have been working on the bus again and I hope to finally finish the conversion by the end of the year.
More updates t follow soon....
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[roach711]

Great looking bus!

A sledge hammer is the proper tool for removing stubborn book cases. A long crow bar works pretty well also, or a little C4.

[ol trunt]

I find that sort of stuff yields without a fight if I first remove the fasteners attaching it----though it isn't anywhere near as much fun

[serpent]

I just can't help but like the way those super short flat nose buses look. I imagine them being nearly impossible to get stuck with that short wheelbase. And oh so bouncy.

Happy travels and better luck to your next rubber mallet!

[bansil]

Sounds like a great adventure

Keep the board informed and swing by for a visit

[Scooternj]

Originally Posted by serpent

I just can't help but like the way those super short flat nose buses look. I imagine them being nearly impossible to get stuck with that short wheelbase. And oh so bouncy.

My old Air Guard unit had one. It wasn't *too* bouncy, but the solid pedestal for the driver's seat absolutely *sucked* on long trips.

[PDBreske]

Originally Posted by serpent

And oh so bouncy.

That was my first thought.

[Almanzo]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

I find that sort of stuff yields without a fight if I first remove the fasteners attaching it----though it isn't anywhere near as much fun

The bookcases where both nailed and clued to the wall panels so I used a variety of tools to remove them and that's why they where so hard to remove!


Yesterday I took out the last bookcase in the back and all the wall panels from the door backwards.



I am going to put more insulation on the walls and then reuse some of the wood for the wall. But first I need to get some windows and install those and do all the wiring before putting the walls back up.



I took the back panel off, there was a lot of extra space behind it so I added more insulation.


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Today I spend most day getting parts of this RV. I got a water tank with pump, propane heater, oven/stove, refrigerator and a window. All for only $250
The guy that's parting out the RV only lives a few miles from me and was super nice. He really liked my bus and even offered to help me. He has a nice large shop and lots more tools than I do, so I might take him up on that offer.

[Almanzo]

>
I have been pretty busy working on the bus. While measuring things, I kept having to adjust the floor plan, which slowed things down a bit, but the last two days I was able to gat a lot done.


I got some special mold prevention paint and after taking the carpet out and sanding the floor I gave it nice tick coat of this stuff.


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I picked up a bunch of wood at Lowe's and one of my colleagues at work gave me a free table saw, which was much needed and I immediately put it to work. One of the first projects I used the saw for was building this wall at the rear of my bus. I was able to re-use the wall paneling that was behind the book cases, I just used the back side.


>
Then I started on the wall. First adding more insulation, then finishing it of with cedar planking.
Oh my does the cedar smell good! I want to move in to my bus already

[LandLubber]

looking good man. I like the bookmobiles, cool for sure.

[crazycal]

Looks good. Interesting how your back end is like a rear engine bus.