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02-28-2016, 11:03 AM
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#1
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Skooling Simplicity. A 2.5 foot raise, Colo Sprgs.
Well, we finally have our bus !!!
She is a 1988 International S1800, Thomas bus with an MT643 Tranny, a DT466 Engine and an electric retarder.
We picked her up four days ago from the school district we belong to. She was $1500 And apparently sha has pretty good "new" tires.
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02-28-2016, 11:27 AM
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#2
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Skooling Simplicity
Our first video of the progress being made.
http://youtu.be/AyPEjOZ6FTk
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02-28-2016, 11:35 AM
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#3
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: MB
Posts: 279
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Tomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 54
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You got a great deal on a great bus!
looks like a nice rig.
__________________
"...Baler twine tie downs goin' down the road
On two bald tires and an oversize load..."
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02-28-2016, 11:36 AM
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#4
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank's P-O-S
You got a great deal on a great bus!
looks like a nice rig.
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Thabk you !
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02-28-2016, 02:59 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
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Yeah, nice deal. It's so fun to build a bus while the kids are little. I've never raised a roof myself but it looks like you're doing a nice safe job of it.
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02-28-2016, 03:32 PM
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#6
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396
Yeah, nice deal. It's so fun to build a bus while the kids are little. I've never raised a roof myself but it looks like you're doing a nice safe job of it.
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Thank you. We have no idea what we are doing. We are following the lead of most of you here. So, if anyone here sees anything we are doing wrong or we could do better please let us know.
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02-28-2016, 04:12 PM
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#7
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
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It sounds as if you have gotten a really nice bus for a very reasonable price. That is about what a dealer would give on trade in.
Which is why most dealers do not have much of anything on their used lots for an asking price of less than $4K.
Since you got the bus directly from the school district where it has been in service you will not have some of the issues people have had with buses that have been forgotten in some used inventory for months.
I would not worry about changing and fluids or filters until you get ready to take it out on the road.
I would check the coolant pH. You want the pH to be nearly neutral. Anything above or below neutral can cause issues with electrolysis and scale build up. If your bus has a water filter I would change it out with a new one with a coolant additive package in the filter. If you don't have a coolant filter add a coolant additive like NAPA's Nacool.
Good luck and happy trails!
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02-28-2016, 04:29 PM
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#8
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach
It sounds as if you have gotten a really nice bus for a very reasonable price. That is about what a dealer would give on trade in.
Which is why most dealers do not have much of anything on their used lots for an asking price of less than $4K.
Since you got the bus directly from the school district where it has been in service you will not have some of the issues people have had with buses that have been forgotten in some used inventory for months.
I would not worry about changing and fluids or filters until you get ready to take it out on the road.
I would check the coolant pH. You want the pH to be nearly neutral. Anything above or below neutral can cause issues with electrolysis and scale build up. If your bus has a water filter I would change it out with a new one with a coolant additive package in the filter. If you don't have a coolant filter add a coolant additive like NAPA's Nacool.
Good luck and happy trails!
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Noted !!!
I will pass this along to the one who understands this part (husband) and THANK YOU. Keep the tips coming please.
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02-28-2016, 06:27 PM
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#9
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Skoolie
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Iowa
Posts: 120
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Honey Badger RV Co
Chassis: tc2000
Engine: 5.9 cummins
Rated Cap: 74
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Nice clean bus and a great price. Wasn't Baret looking for some blue bird windows?
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03-10-2016, 06:06 PM
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#10
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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It has been a little while but life has been crazy with a new born and a new peraon we are homing at the house. We will keep the updates coming as we go.
https://youtu.be/Ax20M8bygJs
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03-11-2016, 08:12 PM
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#11
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The Valley - Arizona
Posts: 644
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freight-shaker (Freightliner)
Engine: Cat 3126b 250 HP
Rated Cap: Only 1 seat
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The screws you have that are stripped, take a cutting disc on a grinder, cut a + into the head, then hit it with a hammer and a cold chisel, as for the insulation, there will be the same fiberglass throughout the roof. The top insulation is where I found my mold, so I'd recommend a respirator even if it is a large particulate one from a hardware store and safety glasses. Keep the kids away until it is out and you have cleaned it good!
When you cut the remaining ribs for your roof raise, get a 7" cut off wheel for your circular saw, that way it is a straight and smooth cut.
Great job so far!
-Doc
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03-11-2016, 10:15 PM
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#12
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Docsgsxr
The screws you have that are stripped, take a cutting disc on a grinder, cut a + into the head, then hit it with a hammer and a cold chisel, as for the insulation, there will be the same fiberglass throughout the roof. The top insulation is where I found my mold, so I'd recommend a respirator even if it is a large particulate one from a hardware store and safety glasses. Keep the kids away until it is out and you have cleaned it good!
When you cut the remaining ribs for your roof raise, get a 7" cut off wheel for your circular saw, that way it is a straight and smooth cut.
Great job so far!
-Doc
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Thank you so much for the tip. I AM STRUGGLING with the damn screws !!!!
Have you raised a roof then ? And if so, is there a li k wbere we could look at it ????
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03-11-2016, 10:37 PM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The Valley - Arizona
Posts: 644
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freight-shaker (Freightliner)
Engine: Cat 3126b 250 HP
Rated Cap: Only 1 seat
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I haven't done a raise on mine yet. I won't have it until next weekend. But look at the broccoli bus, I think Aaron did his, and he seems to be pretty spot on with engineering.
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03-11-2016, 10:49 PM
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#14
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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The beoccoli bus ? Where do I find it ??
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03-12-2016, 12:13 AM
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#15
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The Valley - Arizona
Posts: 644
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freight-shaker (Freightliner)
Engine: Cat 3126b 250 HP
Rated Cap: Only 1 seat
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03-12-2016, 08:52 AM
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#16
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Docsgsxr
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Thank you. !!!!
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03-18-2016, 04:08 PM
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#17
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Ribs
We got our ribs !!! 
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03-19-2016, 02:55 PM
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#18
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Skoolie
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: League City, Texas
Posts: 221
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Mmmmmm ribs, tasty ribs....
Okay not quite... awesome though. Can't wait to see it done!
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03-19-2016, 03:27 PM
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#19
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Almost There
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbhost
Mmmmmm ribs, tasty ribs....
Okay not quite... awesome though. Can't wait to see it done!
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Yeah me too !!!
Things are moving SNAIL speed with the weather not cooperating and, well, neither are the kids ....
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03-19-2016, 09:41 PM
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#20
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Skoolie
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 237
Year: 2002
Chassis: international
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 71
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I get the snails speed... Don't let it side track you though. It's looking great! Can't wait to see more. Colo springs.... Got FAM on westernslope side
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