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Old 02-28-2016, 08:57 AM   #21
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100MPG, well, my front bumper is this:


and will look similar to this when installed:


Just shy of 200 pounds of aluminum crushing powerrrrrrrr MUAHAHAHAHA
$2250 with $250 freight, custom made to fit the front of the bus.

This was an unforseen expense, but when I saw the picture above, I was drooling. Also, in this part of the country, deer strikes are pretty common, and the way the bus is stock, I can just see one coming right up through the windshield and into my lap.

The recore for the radiator included adding another core to make it a 4 core instead of 3. I hadn't really counted on the intercooler, so that was $700 plus $175 freight round trip since it had to go out of town.

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Old 02-28-2016, 10:25 AM   #22
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Why aluminum for the bumper? The first deer you hit will require you to buy another one.
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Old 02-29-2016, 11:06 AM   #23
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Originally Posted by RHOMBUS View Post
100MPG, well, my front bumper is this:


and will look similar to this when installed:


Just shy of 200 pounds of aluminum crushing powerrrrrrrr MUAHAHAHAHA
$2250 with $250 freight, custom made to fit the front of the bus.

This was an unforseen expense, but when I saw the picture above, I was drooling. Also, in this part of the country, deer strikes are pretty common, and the way the bus is stock, I can just see one coming right up through the windshield and into my lap.
You could have had a welding shop fab up a similar bumper in steel for at least half that cost, cheaper if you know how to do metalworking and could do it yourself. Would have been been much stronger for any impact and would have still been custom fit to the bus.
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Old 02-29-2016, 03:14 PM   #24
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Why aluminum for the bumper? The first deer you hit will require you to buy another one.
I had a Mercedes 300CD with aluminum bumpers and I would bet that they whet stronger than most modern pickup bumpers.

Aluminum makes a great bumper material, EXCEPT when you use plain steel bolts to mount it. Galvanic corrosion gets pretty bad after 30 years. I hope he used plastic washers to prevent corrosion.
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Old 02-29-2016, 03:30 PM   #25
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It's not mounted yet. I still have to do the whole front end electrical. I've been wondering how to handle the galvanic corrosion since I will be using steel bolts. I was thinking of rubber washers. Of course, where the hole meets the bolt will be unprotected.

We're also straying away from the original subject ;)
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Old 02-29-2016, 06:44 PM   #26
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You may want an FE if you're thinking about a garage in back. With the rear door, it'd be easier to maneuver the bike around
I can't deal with the noise of the FE. I like to drive on my trips. Most people think it is 3000 miles across the USA. I have no idea what they are talking about, it is AT LEAST 4800...so, thats not including long weekend trips which would be less miles but still over 1000 RT.
MY name is 100MPG and I am a drive-aholic. Guess what I do for a living! lol.
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Old 02-29-2016, 06:46 PM   #27
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100MPG, well, my front bumper is this:
and will look similar to this when installed:
The Mother of all bumpers? Wow! That will definitely take a deer strike! I see where the money went.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RHOMBUS View Post
It's not mounted yet. I still have to do the whole front end electrical. I've been wondering how to handle the galvanic corrosion since I will be using steel bolts. I was thinking of rubber washers. Of course, where the hole meets the bolt will be unprotected.
They sell this grease stuff, some sort of copper (maybe?) greasy stuff they use on trucks for the studs and aluminum wheels. It is for that exact purpose. I don't know what it is called but it should be easy to find with an online search.
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Old 03-01-2016, 07:22 PM   #28
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That looks great!
I wanted to do the same, found a 15 year old one from a Cascadia Freightliner.....they still want 2500 used, 4500 new....and it would still have be reworked to fit the FL60 front end. It has to fold/open for the dog nose hood. Then paint it matte black, hmmm seems like a lot of bread for some bling.


As far as the build goes, less than 2 grand out of my pocket. But I traded a lot of stuff and have access to truck scrap yard. Still got a couple of grand to go...at least.
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Old 03-01-2016, 08:44 PM   #29
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I think the bumper is beautiful and therefor worth every penny of the price. Besides, its what you wanted and that trumps (no pun intended) all! Jack
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Old 08-16-2016, 08:00 AM   #30
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On the Galvanic corrosion they make plastic washers with sleeves to prevent any of the two metals from touching. Also Teflon gel for the two surfaces. I am an engineer for Aluminum Ships. A common issue we face.

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Old 08-16-2016, 01:52 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by Ryannmelis View Post
On the Galvanic corrosion they make plastic washers with sleeves to prevent any of the two metals from touching. Also Teflon gel for the two surfaces. I am an engineer for Aluminum Ships. A common issue we face.
Where might one purchase such things, are they available in small quantities, brand name for Teflon gel?
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Old 08-16-2016, 02:43 PM   #32
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http://www.sustainablesupply.com/Mic...FUY7gQodsx4NGw

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Old 08-16-2016, 02:45 PM   #33
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https://m.grainger.com/mobile/catego...ecatalog/N-8oh


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Old 08-16-2016, 02:46 PM   #34
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https://www.amazon.com/Tef-Gel-TG-02.../dp/B00CEF65T4

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Old 08-16-2016, 03:23 PM   #35
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Awesome info so far from everyone, thanks! Funny how all the small purchases add up quickly to serious $$$$. I'd rather spend 30k on a skoolie that is built to my specs and I know is done right than the same amount for a used factory "plastic" RV that will start breaking as soon as you drive it away.
I am comparing a ground up skoolie build to buying a used Bluebird Wanderlodge that is factory built. To find one in decent shape you're looking at 50k minimum, and even then much of the mechanicals and comfort items look well used and dated. Would rather have a skoolie I built with new/like new items installed.
We repurposed a lot of things & have $7,000 into ours which includes $2000 we paid for our 2002 Bluebird All American. Facebook.com/TheBodegaBus
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Old 08-16-2016, 08:24 PM   #36
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That tharrr is one good lookin bumper! Kinda makes the whole bus look fancier.

Good for you for you for spoiling yourself
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Old 08-17-2016, 08:25 PM   #37
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Where are you guys finding these $2500 buses??
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Old 08-17-2016, 09:43 PM   #38
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I've gotten one for free, and my current bus was $2150 on GovDeals 18 months ago. Its got a DT466, Allison 643, Air ride, ABS, Auto slack adjusters, underside storage, and got me 800 miles home to FL from KY with no problems. No real rust to speak of either. You just gotta know what to watch for and strike while the iron is hot.
$2500 is about as much as I'd personally spend on a school bus, unless it were really something special.
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Old 08-18-2016, 02:22 PM   #39
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we're right at about 7k right now, roof raised, floor and walls roughed in and enough insulation to finish the ceiling. We figure another 3-5k for solar and probably a couple thousand to finish out the inside. We had planned a 10k budget, but I have a feeling we will be going over slightly. Prob more in the ballpark of 15k when its all said and done.
Curious, how much did the raised roof cost you or did you do it yourself? I'm 5'2" but my husband is 6'5" and we want to raise the roof for him and we don't have the equipment to do it and trying to get an average cost of that mod.

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Old 08-19-2016, 03:28 AM   #40
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I just bought my bus and paid 3k.... I figure about 1k more and I will have a decent camper rig that I can clean out when needed and haul anything. Mine is a work and play rig
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