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Old 01-17-2019, 02:16 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
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Year: 2001
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Two Metal Floors?

Hi all,

Is it possible that my bus has two metal floors?

I've owned my bus for 2 months and am a couple weeks into the demolition process.

I have the floors mostly down to bare sheet metal. Overall, the floors look good. Not too rusty, mostly just leftover road salt that seems to have dried and crusted (hopefully it's that and not mold).

However, there are two darker metal floor panels, one on each side of the bus, right under the 3rd windows (in a 5 window bus). They appear to be painted. These spots are also where I've found the most rust.

Is it possible these panels are a different metal than the rest of the floor? Or that the school district added a second metal floor on top of most of the bus (but skipped these parts for some reason).

My wheelchair lift has a manufacture date of 2005 but the bus is a 2001. I'm guessing the school district added the lift after the bus was in service for a few years. Not sure if this has something to do with the different floors?

Below are pictures of the differences in the floor, my one rust spot, and the white stuff I found under one of the plywood panels.
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IMG_0429 (1).jpg   IMG_0432.jpg   IMG_0433.jpg   IMG_0423.jpg   IMG_0425.jpg  

Screen Shot 2019-01-17 at 1.58.19 PM.jpg  

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Old 01-17-2019, 02:19 PM   #2
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Another view of the difference in the floor panels.
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Old 01-17-2019, 02:31 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by Chad1865 View Post
However, there are two darker metal floor panels, one on each side of the bus, right under the 3rd windows (in a 5 window bus). They appear to be painted. These spots are also where I've found the most rust.

Is it possible these panels are a different metal than the rest of the floor? Or that the school district added a second metal floor on top of most of the bus (but skipped these parts for some reason).
If I had to guess, I would think there was some rot in those areas so they cut out the old metal and patched in new pieces from below. Someone else may have a better idea or explanation, though.
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Old 01-17-2019, 04:05 PM   #4
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If I had to guess, I would think there was some rot in those areas so they cut out the old metal and patched in new pieces from below. Someone else may have a better idea or explanation, though.
that was my first thought when I saw the pictures - that white substance, could that be from battery acid?
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Old 01-17-2019, 04:21 PM   #5
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What are under the panel's?
One could be fuel tank access cause it's easier to pull the tank accessories up through the floor than it is to drop a full tank.?
And one could be the auxiliary battery access for the added lift?
Pull the panel's and see what's there.
Then we all can,will discuss various sealing options?
Have fun
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Old 01-17-2019, 05:14 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Thanks for all the replies.

I'd been wondering where the fuel tank access panel might be, so it could be one of these "different metal" patches.

The bus is currently at a mechanic right now, so I'm going based off memory/pictures...

My 2x main batteries are closer to the front of the bus (right next to the entry stairs), not under the rusted panel on the right-hand side. But, an accessory battery for the lift is an interesting thought.

When I checked quickly the other day, I didn't automatically see any wires running from the lift to the main batteries. Do the lifts ever have their own battery?

I didn't get a good look at the left-hand panel as I pulled up the last of the plywood in near-darkness a couple nights ago. If memory serves, it's all the way to the left-hand side of the bus whereas my fuel tank is centered under the bus.

I'd rather not pull the panels since I don't have any welding skills
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Old 01-17-2019, 05:37 PM   #7
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The dark patches look like they are in the location of where a wheel well would go for a big wheel bus. Deleted on the E450 because of smaller tire/wheel?
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Old 01-17-2019, 05:58 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: On the Road
Posts: 34
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Ford E450 Van
Engine: 7.3L V8 Diesel
Rated Cap: 5 window / 29 person / WC
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The dark patches look like they are in the location of where a wheel well would go for a big wheel bus. Deleted on the E450 because of smaller tire/wheel?
Ahhh that would make sense. Interesting.

I wonder if they chose a less worthy metal for those patches and that's why it's rusted there, or if it's coincidental with where leaky windows are. Hmmm...
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