My Serenity

[lizzabus]

Ta Da!! I'm a Skoolie! Picked up this sweet ride last Friday and spent the long weekend tearing her up. Oops!

Thank you for a place to document my adventure and ask questions/get opinions. Fantastic forum full of wonderful people!

[Tango]

Welcome to the Madness! --- Gotta love them Birds. And that looks like a nice one. But give us the specs...engine?...transmission?...plans?

[lizzabus]

1994 Blue Bird T2000 5.9 Cummins/Allison 454

28' long. Inward opening, air actuated accordion door (which I despair ever figuring out how to adequately lock) and 3 emergency exit doors.

I've got the seats, wheelchair lift, and most of the wheelchair tie down rails out. I still need to remove the sanders (installed AFTER the flooring ???) and make a decision about the cabin heaters so I can finish removing the flooring. I haven't even started on the walls/ceiling yet.

I'd like to do a minimal build on this one as I'm looking to use it as a "THIS INTROVERT NEEDS TO GET OUT OF TOWN" vehicle. I'm not planning on living in it (unless we enjoy a zombie apocalypse!) so I think I'll skip the shower/tank install and go with a composting toilet.

But it's still in the planning stages while I destroy the interior of my poor baby.

[Tango]

Hmmmm...never heard of a 454 Allison tranny. Are you sure about that?

[aaronsb]

Nice little bread loaf! I work in Bellevue WA and their school bus depot is like a block away. I like watching the drivers fly around the corners in the shorter bluebirds.

Carefully take out the cabin heaters, and replace them temporarily with a double ended brass barb fitting. (home depot) that way you can still drive and operate it without screwing around with the cooling system very much and you'll have the option of putting the heaters back later in your new interior.

The super simple way to lock the front door (if you don't have the vandal lock catch) is to cut a piece of 4x4 wood the right length and just drop it into the step well. It will prevent the door from opening inwards. Make sure you still have a fire escape plan.

Originally Posted by lizzabus

1994 Blue Bird T2000 5.9 Cummins/Allison 454

28' long. Inward opening, air actuated accordion door (which I despair ever figuring out how to adequately lock) and 3 emergency exit doors.

I've got the seats, wheelchair lift, and most of the wheelchair tie down rails out. I still need to remove the sanders (installed AFTER the flooring ???) and make a decision about the cabin heaters so I can finish removing the flooring. I haven't even started on the walls/ceiling yet.

I'd like to do a minimal build on this one as I'm looking to use it as a "THIS INTROVERT NEEDS TO GET OUT OF TOWN" vehicle. I'm not planning on living in it (unless we enjoy a zombie apocalypse!) so I think I'll skip the shower/tank install and go with a composting toilet.

But it's still in the planning stages while I destroy the interior of my poor baby.

[Tango]

Methinks the tranny might be a 5-4-5.

[CaptSquid]

Easy fix on the 4x4 security lock. Get a length of rope, run it through the 4x4 (or a hasp) and tie it to the steering wheel. To make even more visible, tie a red rag/flag to the line.

I'd leave the sanders in place, just remove the spreading tubes.

[lizzabus]

Originally Posted by Tango

Methinks the tranny might be a 5-4-5.

You are correct, Tango. Sorry about that.

[lizzabus]

Originally Posted by CaptSquid

Easy fix on the 4x4 security lock. Get a length of rope, run it through the 4x4 (or a hasp) and tie it to the steering wheel. To make even more visible, tie a red rag/flag to the line.

I'd leave the sanders in place, just remove the spreading tubes.

Unfortunately, they were installed after the floor was put in. I'm going to have to remove at least two of the four bolts holding them up just to get the floor out. I'm still not sure I'm going to need them...of course, until I DO need them. <sigh>

[lizzabus]

I removed the final seat and crash divider (?) tonight. This is what I found between the seat and the wall.



Pretty cute!

[rognyt23]

If you don't do a full conversion, how will you title/insure it? Titled as a bus will cost thousands if you can get coverage.

PS I'd take the sanders off your hands but I'm in Colorado so the shipping might be more than finding a set around here. I expect to drive on ice and snow a few times a year with my 40' Blue Bird.

[EastCoastCB]

I have a commercial policy for my PRIVATE bus, its 660 for the whole year.

[lizzabus]

Originally Posted by rognyt23

If you don't do a full conversion, how will you title/insure it? Titled as a bus will cost thousands if you can get coverage.

PS I'd take the sanders off your hands but I'm in Colorado so the shipping might be more than finding a set around here. I expect to drive on ice and snow a few times a year with my 40' Blue Bird.

Oh, I'm doing a "full" conversion...I'm just not going all out like most of the wonderful projects I've seen here. I'll meet regs to get it titled as an RV or motor home but I'm not doing a roof raise or other "heavy" mods.

[aaronsb]

The sanders use carriage bolts through the floor. I ripped up the plywood all around the sander bolts and left them until last. When it was time, I used a grinder to take the head of the carraige bolt off, then reinstalled with a big fat washer and appropriate size nylock nut.

Pretty easy to work around.

Originally Posted by lizzabus

Unfortunately, they were installed after the floor was put in. I'm going to have to remove at least two of the four bolts holding them up just to get the floor out. I'm still not sure I'm going to need them...of course, until I DO need them. <sigh>

[lizzabus]

I was going to get rid of them but realized that if I want to get back East anytime soon I might want the sanders for going over the mountains.

So...keeping them for a "just in case." I'm sure I'll figure out how to get the floor out around them.

[crazycal]

Very nice bus.

[lizzabus]

Thanks, Crazycal!

[lizzabus]

Wow. This must be the "fun" part. Whew!

What a lot of work. I'm getting the hang of getting the flooring out though. Time to use all the tools!!

Today's progress (along with other misc. items including a lock for the gas cap door)

[Skoolydoo]

Sanders? What are they and how do they work?
Thanks

[CaptSquid]

Sanders distribute sand in front of the drive wheels, thus allowing additional traction.