Guatemala bound

[BarnYardCamp]

wow, pulling something as heavy as that...I'd give them plenty of room.

[La Camioneta]

So no luck on a fan clutch. Opened heater valve and have to take my chances.

Struck out this morning to the Hidalgo Mx crossing. Tried to cross where the cars do, not allowed. Dead-ended into some town dirt roads and had to back out to get to the other crossing.

Transmigrantes cross at 10 am, or sometime later as the line has not moved. A couple friendly expediters found me, and are working my papers through for both sides.

There is some confusion as I am not selling the bus, only getting it worked on and both vehicles will return to the US.

[Booyah45828]

If the bus is overheating, and you're in a pinch, run a pair of self tapper bolts through the current clutch. It will engage the fan full lock, and drop your fuel mileage in the process, but it will keep you from overheating.

[hatman]

I'm traveling to Guatemala in late fall in my 1998 International, BlueBird body, DT466E motor. I'd really like to ge tthe whole story/experience so when I get to the border I don't have toooooo many unpleasant surprises. hott-rodd@hotmail.com

[La Camioneta]

Originally Posted by hatman

I'm traveling to Guatemala in late fall in my 1998 International, BlueBird body, DT466E motor. I'd really like to ge tthe whole story/experience so when I get to the border I don't have toooooo many unpleasant surprises. hott-rodd@hotmail.com

Probably better as a phone call. A lot of things went wrong for me and I'd be happy to share.

First thing to do is to get studied up on this: https://www.mexpro.com/mexico/rv-veh...rt-permit.html

[La Camioneta]

Crossed into Guate at 5pm as the director of the crossing had to verify that that both of us bedraggled souls were US citizens. Then our tramadors got the paperwork through and we left.

Drove until we reached the town at midnignt and had to sleep in the bus. Chilly night in the mountains. About 10 the shop owner came and led us to the shop. Left the bus and will return Monday to talk more about the conversion.

[La Camioneta]

Stopped back by the Esmeralda shop this morning to review scope of work and leave a deposit. Saul is in charge of this gringo's folly!

Basically it'll be the same exterior as the pictured buses. The green will be either a brilliant white or bone, and the red will be Guatemala flag blue. Makes it easy for them as it's just their standard bus with different colors. Also won't be confused with any of the working girls on the highway either.

All the racks, ladders, lights, chrome, bumpers etc but led screen instead of front signboard. And adding the air horn(s). And the hood will be the newest model Freightliner.

Aluminum diamond-plate entry steps and cubby. Re-rubber the floor and fix any rust damage (don't believe there is any) and paint the inside cream/bone with the driver station Guate blue.

Adding a second fuel tank aft of the factory one to extend generator time without hauling fuel.

I need some quality time with Ross to cipher the KWs and generator run time but 8gal should get me 2-3 days of power after a full discharge. So 50gal should cover two weeks off the grid, can always put drums of water on the roof rack if needed. Kinda doubt we will be extreme boondocking but the capability to is nice.

[rossvtaylor]

I look forward to working this all out with you when you get back. I'm definitely following along and can't wait to see your "reborn" rig.

[La Camioneta]

Not sure whether the hood will be IH or Freightshaker. Really doesn't matter to me.

[La Camioneta]

Asked for a quote on changing the windows to what the Freightliner bus has. Probably going to go that way instead of keeping the originals.

[BarnYardCamp]

no doubt that those windows are much better than the originals.

[La Camioneta]

So a window change is out.... not available is the word.

Hood is on.

[peakbus]

Their painting skills beat mine! Will be so cool to see the finished product!

[hatman]

Buena viaje amigo, and see you when you get back. rodd

[La Camioneta]

Off topic but this overlanding rig was the only other visitor at Yaxha.

[La Camioneta]

Made it back to the shop today.

Interior is painted. Lights removed. Apparently they grafted the International grille onto the Ford hood and threw in a Decepticon hood top. Windows are out, lights are out. Sanding in process. 2-3 more weeks work so I'm just going to hang out until its ready to drive home.

Wrecked bus in the yard, no idea what happened but confirms that the skoolie is the most survivable platform for a RV.

And after a year of wrangling between county and state I have a motorhome title, which will greatly reduce the hassle of transiting Mexico.

[La Camioneta]

Stopped by to drop off the fan clutch. Chrome bumper mounts onto stock bumper. Sanding close to done, primer/paint next week maybe. Have to help them get the jobox out so they can redo the floor rubber. Extra fuel tank is going after stock tank so genset and water tank placement will be a puzzle for later. Plus maybe 1500# of lithium batteries.

[musigenesis]

Quick FYI: after uploading your pics and closing the upload window, if you click the paper clip button again you'll see a dropdown menu with all the uploaded pics in it. You can click these to insert a link to the pic inside the text of your post, and then that pic will be inline with the text (allowing you to put your comments on each pic right above or below the pic itself). Any pic that doesn't have a link inserted in this way ends up in the "attached thumbnails" box at the bottom of your post.

[mhaisten]

I really want to see how it turned out!

[La Camioneta]

Its in process now. Headed back next week to hopefully get it wrapped up.