Watson 1, so far . . .

[RichardRWatson]

http://www.skoolie.net/gallery2/v/Skoolies/Watson_1/

It's coming along.

I have to get some new pictures posted of the interior. We have two benches with seatbelts, and a table between. Two countertops (temporary until I find cupboards and appliances. Three bunks. One queen temporary bed. Portable toilet in bathroom area. 450ah battery bank and 3000w inverter. Bar fridge. backup camera. Coleman stove. We have used it with the family 18 days so far. all of those so called boondocking (no hookups)

Let us know what you think.

Rick

[Abbott]

It looks like your conversion is moving along nicely . I like the paint scheme.

[Griff]

Moving right along and looking very nice, keep up the good work! I really like how your front door turned out too.

[Steve]

I also like that paint scheme. I might have to try a variation of that someday.

[behappystupi]

You're hubcaps remind me of a police car

Great progress!

[Elliot Naess]

Rick, your 1992 TC2000 seems to have an extended nose panel around the radiator -- a couple of inches worth. Mine is completely flat. What might the difference be? Factory Air Conditioning?

[rail_hauler]

My Bluebird "All American" has that 2" panel you are talking about when others do not. In my case it is the auto shutters for the radiator that takes up the space.

[phillbus914]

Mine has that too... I removed it when I painted my bus, it's blue.



It has hinges and flips up and you check the radiator fluid, power steering and the window washer fluid. I don't know why some TC2000's have them and some don't... maybe if they have an innercooler?

[Elliot Naess]

Aha! Shutters! Makes sense.

It wouldn't be the intercooler, because Millicent has one of those behind the flat panel.

Thanks guys!

[phillbus914]

eh.. mine has no shutters...

[Elliot Naess]

Hmmm... The shutters could have been removed at some point in the bus' life. Or the factory -- or a repair shop -- ran out of flat panels and gave that bus the panel that was available, to get it out the door. Many possibilities. Not real important. But now we know about rail_hauler's shutters.

Rick, you may have your thread back now.

[KC10Chief]

The shutters may have been an option for buses sold to colder climates.

[wmah]

Here is a bus with the shutter doors on it and it don't come out as far. But it sure is a tight fit behind the door. This one is a 1999 transshuttle/tc1000.

[RichardRWatson]

Around here ( eastern Ontario Canada ) all the 92 and older TC2000 seem to have the flip up door with shutters in front of the intercooler. After 93 they have the two small flat access doors with the wipers in them.

I'm not even sure my shutters work come to think of it. I have never seen them closed.

We are using the bus next weekend for 3 days so I guess I should get busy on some heat.

Thanks for all the good comments.

We are enjoying the bus life.

Rick

[Elliot Naess]

Hey Rick:
Merry Christmas!
I just looked at your photos. How do you like your door modification? I find that my accordion door makes the doorway a bit narrow -- specially when the door slips a bit towards closed. Straightening the door out like you did, may be the simple solution. How do you like it now that you have used it for a while?

[oilitright]

I was wondering if you could share your thinking for turning the regular skoolie door into a solid hinged on the right. I'm new to th skoolie conversion adventure. Are there some reasons for doing this that I may not have heard about? Is it just to do away with the opening mechanism? I have a 1991 Blubird coach on a P-30 chassis its about 21' long.

Originally Posted by Griff

Moving right along and looking very nice, keep up the good work! I really like how your front door turned out too.

[RichardRWatson]

Sorry for the delay guys, I haven't been on here much this year.

The bus progress has started again in earnest. We are just back from a week in the woods, the whole family. Everything went extremely well except it rained all week and I got stuck getting out. My dad brought his tractor in and helped me out. We are travelling up near Toronto and to Picton in two weekends also.

The door works great, super great. I love it. Thinking of installing a "roll out" screen door that is sold at home depot. I would hate to have to go back to a bifold door now.

I have posted a few progress pictures in the gallery of the kitchen area.

Thanks,

Rick

[RichardRWatson]

Oh, I also just picked up a full set of stainless wheel simulators for $75 !!!

They look great, no more "police car" look for us.

I'll post some pics soon.

Rick

[Hex]

Hey Rick -

Where did you get that front door lock/latch anyway? Or even what sort of lock/ latch would you call it? If it works that well, and is that easy, that might be the route I'll take right away when my bus arrives ...

Thanks, and your bus looks great!

- Hex

[Elliot Naess]

I would hate to have to go back to a bifold door now.

Ahah! Thank you. With that encouragement, I just might do that on Millicent.