I need help in Ellerbe, NC

[dfeazelle]

I bought a retired mobile breathalyzer unit - 2003 Thomas Safe T Liner.
It was professionally converted and has/had
lots of nice, high end components.

All of my friends and family that said they would help (particularly the ones that owe me money) are nowhere to be found!!

I have taken out about 90% of the walls, benches, Etc. and have them under a tent beside the bus.

I need help with every aspect of this build.
I'm hoping to use as much of the material that I took out as possible to build it back.

Anybody that is close enough to Ellerbe (Derby) that can come here and help... oversee the project... keep me moving forward...???

[EastCoastCB]

What are you trying to build? We need pics, your ideas, etc.
What part are you stuck on?

I'm in FL, otherwise I'd come give you a hand.

[Jdawgsfanasty]

Originally Posted by dfeazelle

I bought a retired mobile breathalyzer unit - 2003 Thomas Safe T Liner.
It was professionally converted and has/had
lots of nice, high end components.

All of my friends and family that said they would help (particularly the ones that owe me money) are nowhere to be found!!

I have taken out about 90% of the walls, benches, Etc. and have them under a tent beside the bus.

I need help with every aspect of this build.
I'm hoping to use as much of the material that I took out as possible to build it back.

Anybody that is close enough to Ellerbe (Derby) that can come here and help... oversee the project... keep me moving forward...???

I'm in Houston...have you watched any YT skoolie build videos?

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[dfeazelle]

I don't even know where to start with it. I have some very knowledgeable but VERY unreliable people that were supposed to help...

I have zero experience with any of this kind of stuff.

The countertop and cabinets on the right I'm hoping to leave as they are and work around them.

The two benches on the left I just sat there to kind of get an idea of how a dinette will work.

Can't seem to find my latest sketch of my floor plan so I will try to add that this afternoon.

There are lots of remnants of glue and graphics on the bus so I'm planning to go to Lowe's and get an angle grinder, some wire brushes and primer and start there too so I'm not sitting here frustrated as all hell.
I don't know how to do that kind of thing either so hopefully I don't make it worse and end up costing more when it comes time to paint it!!

[dfeazelle]

Originally Posted by Jdawgsfanasty

I'm in Houston...have you watched any YT skoolie build videos?

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I watched a ton of them but having never done this kind of work before I'm still overwhelmed. I'm afraid if I start trying to frame out a countertop or bed or couch Etc I will learn the hard way that plumbing was supposed to be done before that and so on.

[EastCoastCB]

A heat gun, scraper, and adhesive removal disc for your drill are what you need for the graphics, decals, and reflective tape. Its just long, tedious work but totally do-able.

[dfeazelle]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

A heat gun, scraper, and adhesive removal disc for your drill are what you need for the graphics, decals, and reflective tape. Its just long, tedious work but totally do-able.

Awesome! Thank you, sir!!

[ratfink56]

Get a notepad and list every specific job, preferably in order of construction. Start at the top of the list. Watch videos then do the job. Don't like the results? Do it again. Anything you build can be taken apart and rebuilt.
If a single mom can build a complete house by watching you tube videos you can do a bus. Tedious? Yes. Hard work? Yes. Gonna make mistakes? Yes. But as you complete one job you will gain confidence and pride.

[Jdawgsfanasty]

Originally Posted by dfeazelle

I watched a ton of them but having never done this kind of work before I'm still overwhelmed. I'm afraid if I start trying to frame out a countertop or bed or couch Etc I will learn the hard way that plumbing was supposed to be done before that and so on.

It's easy to get overwhelmed...I watch all kinda of videos...you ain't trying to put out a fire...so slow down...ponder ****...make mistakes...start over...cuss a blue streak...watch more videos...but just enjoy the process...otherwise you've wasted a lot of money

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[jjhwick119]

When I do my build, a few beers and herbal medication will be my stress control to jeep from being overwhelmed, but I'd also agree with making the list and just taking things 1 number at a time. Building a home sounds like a big undertaking, but break it up into manageable steps, and I have a feeling you won't be overwhelmed anymore (as much, anyway).Go one foot after the other, don't just focus on the finish line.

[Jdawgsfanasty]

Originally Posted by jjhwick119

When I do my build, a few beers and herbal medication will be my stress control to jeep from being overwhelmed, but I'd also agree with making the list and just taking things 1 number at a time. Building a home sounds like a big undertaking, but break it up into manageable steps, and I have a feeling you won't be overwhelmed anymore (as much, anyway).Go one foot after the other, don't just focus on the finish line.

Yep...focus on the experience

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[dfeazelle]

Thank you guys for the advice and encouragement!!

[BlackJohn]

just thinking here, none of us came into the world knowing any of this stuff either. We learned as needed or as interests developed and we have all made mistakes along the way. Get familiar with using tools and knowing materials and fasteners. Advice here from every knowledgeable folks so tap into it. Males and many females are doing conversions on their own and yes, expect some frustration. I build something one day, look at it the next, tear it apart and improve on it if I can or see reasons for doing something different.
Just learn to work safely, don't shed blood if you can help it. Don't use tools if not in a comfortable position so as injure yourself or somebody helping.
Learn to use a camera and take pics for reference and to ask advice on how to do something.
Good folks here can advise on every aspect so go for it if you have the bus you want.
Good luck,

John

[Wallace.gregory]

I understand how it can feel overwhelming. We bought our bus back in August and progress has been very slow -- seats are out, some interior panels removed, painting started. But we haven't built anything, so it still looks like a bus. Taking it one step at a time has kept the project manageable and exciting, and we keep reminding ourselves it won't be done overnight. I hope you can take your time and enjoy the process.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by ratfink56

Get a notepad and list every specific job, preferably in order of construction. Start at the top of the list. Watch videos then do the job. Don't like the results? Do it again. Anything you build can be taken apart and rebuilt.
If a single mom can build a complete house by watching you tube videos you can do a bus. Tedious? Yes. Hard work? Yes. Gonna make mistakes? Yes. But as you complete one job you will gain confidence and pride.

Yeah, about that single-mom and her Youtube video watching ...

She didn't build that house herself. She managed sub-contractors, itself a decent feat but I do wish they wouldn't over-blow these things.

School Bus? Totally doable.

You just have to have a plan, and do one job at a time.

I do long-distance motorcycling ... Like 1500 mile in under 24 hours ... Six thousand miles in six days, that type of thing. I NEVER think about the totality of what I am trying to do except in the planning stages.

I get on the bike, and all I think about is getting safely to the next gas stop or rest stop. That way, those bite-sized chunks add up to a very long ride.

Dwelling on the enormity of the task is almost a guarantee of failure.

Right now, with the bus, all I am thinking about is finishing taking out the walls. That's just the current job on a plan I don't have to consider right now.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Hey man.
Especially for you starting a project like this and learning to use new tools to do things you have never done before.
The biggest and best help you can give yourself is PATIENCE,time to contemplate.
The removal part is great.
Take everything out you don't want in there and start with a clean slate.
As for as what is needed for deciding at what stage to do what parts of the plumbing and electrical the clean slate is the time for patience and pondering/contemplating.
Find some cardboard boxes, go to the store or Internet and look at sizes styles of the shower base,toilet sink electrical boxes,panels and define able features and take measurements for actuall rough in dimensions.
Use the cardboard to make a shower base and set it down where you think you want it and the same with the toilet, bathroom sink and get everything cardboard and taking up the space that you are thinking of it in and go stand in the shower and imagine the walls,head room and how it would feel to take a shower in there.
Move to the toilet area and measure that space for where you would feel comfortable with putting that wall or cabinet/storage around it and the same with the bathroom sink and counter. Once you figure out a cardboard layout floor plan for the plumbing.
While you have a clean slate you can mark the center of the toilet drain and shower drain and things like that and stick a screw threw the floor.
Now you have two definite drain points that have to (supposedly at this point) have to go through the floor at the spots and crawl underneath and find those screws.
Now you start looking to see if you can even make tanks and drain lines to the tanks work in those specific locations.
Might have to shift an inch there and 10"s on that one or move the shower completely.
Start with a clean slate and take the time to contemplate and play with the layout for plumbing and electrical and make the major working part decision while you have a clean slate.
Remember water in is pressurized, water out the pipe has to slope downward to drain and the main electrical in or it can be underside but that's either 3 wires in or depending on design 100- wires in but the multiple wires in can be bundled into sleeves. Like one for all the 120v and one for all the 12v.
I am not as far away as a lot others but if you really need help give me a call and we can work out a weekend or two?
I am about 3-1/2 hours away and for a good sat.and sun. Working I can take off work early Friday and come up that night and use a vaca. Day for Monday.
I camp all the time so no amenities needed PM me if you really get in a bind or are feeling like you are getting in a bind. I will give you my number so we can talk/text directly.
Your in the beginning stages with a great find and so for you only have the opinions from the ones here that are doing a conversion verses uncle Jo telling you his part of how he would do it and arguing with younger cousin shmoe about how he is doing his electrical and brother butthead telling them there both moving there mess cause he putting the plumbing there.
Slow down and figure where you want the final placement of the plumbing fixtures to be and new lights plug ins and all and we can help you figure it out.
Good luck

[ben2go]

......



This is usually where I step in and buy a project for pennies and either resell or finish and resell.

[dfeazelle]

What an asshat! There's always one...well, at least one!

I've never quit anything in my life and, at 54 I'm not about to start now.

You couldn't get your hands on enough pennies to buy my bus, ******* smart ass!

[Jdawgsfanasty]

Originally Posted by dfeazelle

What an asshat! There's always one...well, at least one!

I've never quit anything in my life and, at 54 I'm not about to start now.

You couldn't get your hands on enough pennies to buy my bus, ******* smart ass!

Lol...ok guys...

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[dfeazelle]

Originally Posted by Jdawgsfanasty

Lol...ok guys...

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I try not to engage with people like that but that shitty comment at that moment just hit me wrong.

As evidenced by all of the previous comments, a normal reaction is to offer support and encouragement...
It's sad that there ARE people who, with no regard to someone's circumstances, take advantage of them when they're vulnerable.
Even more sad when others CLAIM to. haha

I know what my strengths are and I'm smart enough to ask for help when I need it.

Besides the bus build, I'm in the middle of selling 30 years worth of stuff and my primary residence.

My top priority is raising my daughter...

Not to mention giving my incredible girlfriend
the time and attention she deserves...
(picture attached, eat your hearts out LOL)

So, there it is. Not that I owe anybody an explanation but since this will be our home for the next 6-8 years (then we're gonna buy a boat and travel by water) I want it to be done right.

Alright I've wasted enough time on that ridiculous comment. Time to go install the new JVC head unit. THAT I can do... and do well!