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Old 03-13-2015, 03:53 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Wish me luck (99 Thomas Freightliner)

Hello everyone, my name is Donald. Im 27 and here's my back story. I got out of the military in April 2014 after 6yrs of service. Moved back to NH and decided I needed a new hobby/adventure so I bought my bus! I did some research and found tons of information thanks to this kick a$$ forum.

My game plan is to move to Utah in August and live in my bus and be completely self sufficient except for filling and dumping the holding tanks.

I've made a lot of progress so far, I'll upload some pics as soon as I figure out how haha.

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Old 03-13-2015, 04:01 AM   #2
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Old 03-13-2015, 04:18 AM   #3
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Still tearing seats out

Floor all pulled up (surface rust only)

Ground the rust out, 3 coats of Rustoleum

Insulation under plywood and on walls

Framed bunk beds and couch/storage

Framed up the kitchen counter

Framed bathroom and started boxing it in

Enclosed couch & bunk beds and started the flooring

Placed trim along hallway wall

Smaller size trim around the couch as well
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Old 03-13-2015, 04:20 AM   #4
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Enclosed the couch and bunk beds
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Old 03-13-2015, 04:42 AM   #5
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Ripping out the seats




Pulled up the floor and only found surface rust luckily



3 coats of Rustoleum after grinding and cleaning the floor



Insulation under the plywood and on the walls



Framed up the couch and bunk bed



Framed the bar for the kitchen



Framed and boxed in the bathroom



Plywood on the walls and couch



Boxed in the bunk beds and started the flooring



Started on some trim work


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Old 03-13-2015, 05:06 AM   #6
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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Welcome to the forum, Donald.
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Old 03-14-2015, 09:40 AM   #7
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Location: ...little north of Toronto Ontario
Posts: 606
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Thomsass
Chassis: FreightShaker
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 5 speed
Rated Cap: 2 ATV's and friends
Great start! Looks very similar to my soon to be project (June).
What's in it for motor/tranny?
Anything picked out for paint, body mods....deck, storage racks etc?
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Old 03-14-2015, 10:09 AM   #8
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Year: 1992
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Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
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Thanks for sharing.

Great start on a basic build.

Nat
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Old 03-14-2015, 11:19 AM   #9
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Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
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Welcome & Thank you for your service. Always good to have another Vet on the board. Looks like you are really rockin' along. Keep the pix coming.
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Old 03-14-2015, 09:26 PM   #10
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
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That's a great start!
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Old 03-14-2015, 09:50 PM   #11
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Year: 1996
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Good looking Thomas. Keep us updated. What branch of service were you in?
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Old 03-15-2015, 12:37 PM   #12
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Sorry about double posting the pics. They werent showing up on my end.
I'm not really sure about the motor or tranny. It won't have a deck, im putting solar panels on the roof. I'm to put some over head cupboards above the counter and over by the couch as well. I'm looking for a propane refrigerator as well. That will go directly beside the couch.
I'm still not sure on the paint scheme either, I have to wait a few months before I can start that anyway. It's still wicked cold up here.
I was in the Air Force.
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Old 03-15-2015, 07:26 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djlesperance5 View Post
Sorry about double posting the pics. They werent showing up on my end.
I'm not really sure about the motor or tranny. It won't have a deck, im putting solar panels on the roof. I'm to put some over head cupboards above the counter and over by the couch as well. I'm looking for a propane refrigerator as well. That will go directly beside the couch.
I'm still not sure on the paint scheme either, I have to wait a few months before I can start that anyway. It's still wicked cold up here.
I was in the Air Force.
41st Cams, McClellan AFB June 81 to June 85
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Old 03-15-2015, 07:28 PM   #14
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Awesome. 20 SFS Shaw AFB April 08 - April 14
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Old 03-16-2015, 11:43 AM   #15
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My counter top has arrived. I just need to plane it and hit it with some self leveling appoxy
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Old 03-16-2015, 11:53 AM   #16
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Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,829
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Very cool!
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Old 03-16-2015, 12:26 PM   #17
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Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Are you going to keep the "live" edge?
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Old 03-16-2015, 12:27 PM   #18
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Yes, the edge that is on top in the picture. I'm going to level off the bottom edge so it will sit flush against the back wall.
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Old 03-16-2015, 06:06 PM   #19
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Year: 1946
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Engine: Cummins 4BT
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Outstanding call! I was sincerely hoping that was your plan. Just make sure to get & share lots of pix. I LOVE that look. So much so that I very often replicate it in sculpted cement. A bit heavy for a bus, but great for outdoors.
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Old 03-16-2015, 08:00 PM   #20
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Location: Danville, California
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Year: 1988
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Supercoach
Engine: DD6-71T
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I love the look as well. Wonderful addition.
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