Our new/first Skoolie - 2004 Thomas FE Flat front

Dustynyc · 09-24-2019, 08:30 PM

Hi all. Today marks the official start of our conversion. I found the bus in PA, but it came from an Air Force base in Texas. It’s got 28k miles and under 3k hours. No rust! We paid a premium for it compared to what most here have paid, but I wanted a solid platform to build our travel vehicle upon.

It’s so nice to finally have it here at home. I can now solidify plans and strategy.
Let the fun begin!

Native · 09-25-2019, 03:59 AM

Sounds like you have a solid platform to build. Congratulations.

More pictures?

Dustynyc · 09-25-2019, 04:11 AM

I’m gonna snap some before pics today and get them posted here ASAP!

Dustynyc · 09-25-2019, 11:12 AM

Here’s a shot of the interior this morning.

Dustynyc · 09-25-2019, 11:14 AM

Here’s the interior at noon!

I highly recommend Milwaukee’s ‘Torch’metal blades. I used them on the Hackzall.

Dustynyc · 09-25-2019, 11:21 AM

Here are some picks of the exterior.

Dustynyc · 09-25-2019, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustynyc

Here’s the interior at noon!

I highly recommend Milwaukee’s ‘Torch’metal blades. I used them on the Hackzall.

What’s likely to be beneath the rubber floor? Will it be the subfloor? I’m not sure I need to uncover it. Other than a compromised subfloor, are there any reasons to remove the rubber? I intend to foam atop it.

Also, has anyone cut out their seats and just left the bolt brackets in under the foam?

On this bus, they are so near the middle, that it’s highly unlikely they’ll interfere with anything that needs to go through the original subfloor. Please let me know if I’m missing anything I should consider further.

Thanks all!

Dusty

farok · 09-25-2019, 11:52 AM

Folks typically remove the rubber and plywood subfloor to examine and repair the steel below. Plywood is a magnet for moisture, and even buses outside the "rust belt" have had rusted floor steel that's better to take care of when you can as a result.

Depending on your use and how long you plan to keep it, you may or may not want to go through this, but now's the time to do so!

Chris

farok · 09-25-2019, 11:53 AM

By the way, nice bus!

Danjo · 09-25-2019, 12:15 PM

If you don’t want to remove the entire floor you could cut some pieces out of the plywood to see if there’s rust to fix. You’ll need to be really careful not to cut the steel. I used one of the oscillating multi tools. From the photos I’ve seen, around the wheel wells would be a good place to check.

If all looks good, glue the pieces back in their holes and you’re good to go.

PNW_Steve · 09-25-2019, 02:01 PM

Nice looking bus.

I think you did well buying from the Air Force base. That is one application that I believe the low miles.

I look forward to seeing your build.

Dustynyc · 09-25-2019, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Nice looking bus.

I think you did well buying from the Air Force base. That is one application that I believe the low miles.

I look forward to seeing your build.

Thanks Steve. I appreciate that.

Native · 09-26-2019, 01:10 AM

The air Force sure did take care of that bus! The seats looked NEW. I hope you are going to find a good home for them.

As for the floor, the suggestion of sampling is a decent one, if you sample from the right spots. Personally, I would take it all out. An important place to look is in front of and behid the wheel wells. Also, at the top of the entry stairs and the back door.

Dustynyc · 09-26-2019, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danjo

If you don’t want to remove the entire floor you could cut some pieces out of the plywood to see if there’s rust to fix. You’ll need to be really careful not to cut the steel. I used one of the oscillating multi tools. From the photos I’ve seen, around the wheel wells would be a good place to check.

If all looks good, glue the pieces back in their holes and you’re good to go.

Seems like a solid approach. I’ll explore a few areas to make a determination as to whether or not the floor needs to come out to dress rust.

Thank you!

Dustynyc · 09-26-2019, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Native

The air Force sure did take care of that bus! The seats looked NEW. I hope you are going to find a good home for them.

As for the floor, the suggestion of sampling is a decent one, if you sample from the right spots. Personally, I would take it all out. An important place to look is in front of and behid the wheel wells. Also, at the top of the entry stairs and the back door.

The back door is good. No rust at all. I’m gonna clean up that area treat with Por 15 and repaint.

The stairs are coming out because I’m moving the entrance door to the 4th window from the front. I’ll fabricate a storage compartment in their place and am thinking of moving the starting batteries there.

I’ll carefully examine the wheel wells as you and others suggest.

Thank you!

Dustynyc · 09-26-2019, 05:51 AM

Somebody mentioned the seats. I found them to be uncomfortable, dirty and unusable. I’d hoped to use the metal framing in future projects, but found the components to be too small to harvest for general use. That’s when I decided to cut them out. The attachment feet have been severed from the framing structure. The seats are headed to the dump.

If anyone has an interest in them (free) and lives near Putnam County NY (I know it’s not really upstate) message me for more info. They’ll be gone, either way, by Oct 10, 2019.

cadillackid · 09-26-2019, 11:01 AM

those are some nice seats.. are they useable or are the frames cut-up? meaning were they unbolted or the legs cut off?

Dustynyc · 09-26-2019, 11:20 AM

Legs cut at the floor.

Dustynyc · 09-26-2019, 11:28 AM

This morning the a/c ducts, evaporator covers and wire chases were removed.
I’ve got to get the a/c system discharged so I can get the evaporators out. The bus cannot be driven on the roads, and don’t see anyone nearby on Craigslist.

Can I call any HVAC tech or do they have to be automotive?

PNW_Steve · 09-26-2019, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustynyc

This morning the a/c ducts, evaporator covers and wire chases were removed.
I’ve got to get the a/c system discharged so I can get the evaporators out. The bus cannot be driven on the roads, and don’t see anyone nearby on Craigslist.

Can I call any HVAC tech or do they have to be automotive?

OH NOOO !!!!

That is the one feature missing on my bus.... If mine had ducted a/c I would consider it perfect...

It pains me to see folks removing road air... But, that is why we are all here. To build what we want individualy and not be stuck with what some guy in Elkhart thinks we need.

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