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 01-14-2019, 01:14 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
Sir Walter Build Thread

Figured I would start a build thread before I get too into it.

Sir Walter is an '86 International S1753 with the 6.9 and Allison 545 and around 106k. Yes he's very very slow. Bought with a motorhome title already which helped with registration as well as all but two of the seats out.

The overall plan is to redo the inside, get a few mechanical things fixed and a rotted cab mount area rebuilt and live in it full time come November.

I'm a freelance web designer and marketing consultant and so long as I have internet a few days a week I can work from anywhere. Also calling the bus home will be my two pups.

I've gotten this far:

- found a place to build the bus
- found a ASE certified diesel tech to help with mechanical stuff
- possibly found an auto body shop for rust related items
- started tearing out the interior

Turns out an old friend of mine works for International and was able to look up my VIN and will be helpful for any future parts needs.

Some things I've decided: I won't be using LP for several reasons, but found one of those diesel heaters for inside along with an electric space heater should suffice. I will have AC in it for the pups, and originally looked at a mini split but now I'm thinking about a standard wall AC?

I want to run solar, of course, and be off grid when possible. I know the AC won't be able to run long on solar, but I do have a Ryobi generator for backup if needed. I'm very wary of putting together my own solar system so was looking into something like beprepared or goalzero.

I'll also have a washer/dryer but don't ever expect to run it off grid. Once every two weeks for laundry works for me.

Cooking: I like the idea of an oven...but I rarely use mine now. Instead my convection toaster oven would probably make due along with an electric cooktop.

Uhh that's all I can think of at the moment.Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190106_161415.jpeg
Views:	30
Size:	93.1 KB
ID:	28837Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190112_114403_861.jpeg
Views:	26
Size:	87.5 KB
ID:	28838Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190111_211747_269.jpeg
Views:	27
Size:	151.4 KB
ID:	28839

ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2019, 02:17 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
brokedown's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
You're going to need a substantial solar power system to reliably drive an electric cook top and space heater. Check out jdonthego's thread for his built out, he's done the work and knows a lot more about big solar installs than the majority of us! http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f32/mi...2-a-17040.html
__________________
Keep up with us and our build!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter
brokedown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2019, 03:03 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Josh is being kind.

Real estate to mount solar panels and capacity to carry batteries are both finite resources on a bus.

Running a space heater and electric cooktop from solar are far from practical for most of us on a bus.

If you are ready to run your generator whenever you need to run those loads are needed then you are in better shape.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2019, 06:37 PM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
an S series!!! one of my all-time favorite body styles for a school bus!! rode these to school when they were brand new...
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2019, 07:20 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
I guess the only concern with LP is potential for leaks. I would 100% have someone else do the final install for me, as I'm going to do with wiring things up as well. The more research I do the less concern I have, since it would give me more freedom to boondock.
ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2019, 04:21 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
Today: under the weather but tore apart stuff anyway. Also found a local welder to handle some stuff (and possibly create things I'll want like under bus generator storage).

Last photo: a skoolie that drove by my friends shop in Beverly...anyone recognize them?Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190115_133750.jpeg
Views:	19
Size:	88.6 KB
ID:	28850Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190115_122106.jpeg
Views:	19
Size:	111.4 KB
ID:	28851Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190115_152633_036.jpeg
Views:	16
Size:	185.4 KB
ID:	28852
ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2019, 05:10 PM   #7
Bus Nut
 
ermracing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 480
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
What sort of insulation are you using in the ceiling, walls and floor?
__________________
Dave
ermracing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2019, 05:13 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
Quote:
Originally Posted by ermracing View Post
What sort of insulation are you using in the ceiling, walls and floor?
Not sure yet, need some recommendations. Wasn't sure if I'd do the ceiling at first but it'd make life better in the long run so am going to grind off some of the screws and take a panel down to start.
ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2019, 05:18 PM   #9
Bus Nut
 
ermracing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Claremont, NH
Posts: 480
Year: 2003
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DT466E (195hp, 520tq)
We started with the ceiling in our bus. The 2" foam board worked well with the T&G boards we installed. Grinding off the rivets was time consuming. Make sure you use a grinding wheel, not a cut-off wheel. Others have popped them out with a hammer and punch.
__________________
Dave
ermracing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2019, 12:01 AM   #10
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3,856
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas Built Bus
Chassis: Freightliner FS65
Engine: Caterpillar 3126E Diesel
Rated Cap: 71 Passenger- 30,000 lbs.
A hammer and cold chisel works well, but requires a lot of arm strength to be effective. If the panels are not to be reused, an air chisel also works, If you are good with an air chisel it will not mark the panel but since it is a POWER tool, it is easy to mangle the panel edges.
Native is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2019, 01:40 PM   #11
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
So I'd like to take a look at the batteries but have no idea how to even open the damn panel. Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190116_143115.jpeg
Views:	16
Size:	45.0 KB
ID:	28873
ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2019, 01:44 PM   #12
Bus Crazy
 
Sleddgracer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: south east BC, close to the Canadian/US border
Posts: 2,265
Year: 1975
Coachwork: Chevy
Chassis: 8 window
Engine: 454 LS7
Rated Cap: 24,500
my guess is there is a latch mechanism in the holes between the bolt heads where there was likely a key operated lock at one time - stick a screwdriver in the hole and give it a twist - that might do the trick
Sleddgracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2019, 01:51 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
Thanks that worked!
ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2019, 03:06 PM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
Have photos on instagram, but last Sat had a welder fix the battery box and bottom-most step. Started working on the ceiling and yeahhh deciding not to take it down for various reasons.

Tomorrow, hopefully, talking to an auto body shop re: getting a bit fixed, and meeting the mechanic to go over the engine.
ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2019, 08:25 AM   #15
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
Body shop said no problem they can handle anything. They're more of a restoration shop and are used to old rusty things. Owner is a character and is excited about what I'm doing.

They were working on a Vette like mine when I walked in, good sign!
ashley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2019, 10:55 AM   #16
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Salem, MA
Posts: 32
Some pics from the past few weeks.Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190119_152526.jpeg
Views:	14
Size:	152.1 KB
ID:	29788Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190119_170812_135.jpeg
Views:	13
Size:	155.7 KB
ID:	29789Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190109_114435.jpeg
Views:	13
Size:	119.6 KB
ID:	29790Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190109_114315.jpeg
Views:	14
Size:	78.8 KB
ID:	29791Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190210_105945.jpeg
Views:	13
Size:	99.0 KB
ID:	29792Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_20190210_124235_377.jpeg
Views:	12
Size:	151.3 KB
ID:	29793
ashley 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 07:33 AM.


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