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Old 05-04-2009, 04:14 PM   #1
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Year: 1989
Coachwork: Ward
Chassis: GMC
Engine: 6.2L GM
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1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Ok guys, I've been meaning to post my project since last year, but I never got around to it. We got our 1989 6.2L diesel GMC Ward shorty from a Houston area school auction. Paid around $2k for it last year. Seemed like a good deal on a bus with a great service record. Only mechanical work it needed was 2 new tires.

Our plan was as follows:
  • Bathroom[/*:e7p1w2n6]
  • Cooler for keg[/*:e7p1w2n6]
  • Battery bank[/*:e7p1w2n6]
  • Hardwood floor[/*:e7p1w2n6]
  • Rooftop AC[/*:e7p1w2n6]
  • Bumper flagpole mount[/*:e7p1w2n6]
  • Custom maroon/white paint[/*:e7p1w2n6]

Of course, this proved to be too much for year one, and Hurricane Ike made sure we didn't get the bus painted. It will definitely be painted for season two though.





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Old 05-04-2009, 04:18 PM   #2
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Year: 1989
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Couple of pics after the seats were removed. Tried removing the bolts with a wrench and rachet originally, but I quickly went to the angle grinder.


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Old 05-04-2009, 04:23 PM   #3
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Another pic after the plywood and vinyl were ripped out.

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Old 05-04-2009, 04:27 PM   #4
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Year: 1989
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

I wire-wheeled away as much of the rust as I could toward the back of the bus, sprayed some primer, put down the felt paper, and screwed down the 1"x4" grid work. You can see the openings I made for the battery bank. I had to make two compartments since a structural cross member was in the way underneath.



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Old 05-04-2009, 04:29 PM   #5
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Subfloor done! Filled in the grid with foam insulation and put OSB on top.

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Old 05-04-2009, 04:34 PM   #6
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Built a platform over the back right wheel well for the "kegerator" to sit on. This chest freezer works wonderfully. I bought a thermostat power controller from microage that lets you dial in the temp you want it at. When it reaches the desired temp, it cuts off power completely. This helps to save the batteries.

We were so excited that we installed the shank for the tap right away. Unfortunately, we hit a coolant line in the side of the freezer when drilling. Doh!

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Old 05-04-2009, 04:39 PM   #7
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Next, we framed the bathroom. I got a used marine toilet off of ebay for around $20 shipped, and then I bought one of those electric conversion kits off of ebay as well. The throne sits over the wheel well too.



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Old 05-04-2009, 04:42 PM   #8
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Year: 1989
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

The water tank for the toilet sits to the left of the bathroom. Its housing will also serve as a bench. The top will be hinged to allow you to add water. The waste tank will be directly below this and the bathroom.

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Old 05-04-2009, 04:45 PM   #9
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Here's the bench opposite of the bathroom. The cushions are attached with velcro and are easily removed to open the hinged tops. This bench has two compartments: one allows access to the battery bank, and one allows access to the inverter.



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Old 05-04-2009, 04:52 PM   #10
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Got tired of working on the inside so we installed the low profile AC and the aluminum flag pole.







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Old 05-04-2009, 06:25 PM   #11
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Back to the inside - putting the floor in:



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Old 05-04-2009, 06:28 PM   #12
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

More of the floor:





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Old 05-04-2009, 06:30 PM   #13
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Inside the little bathroom:

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Old 05-04-2009, 06:36 PM   #14
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

One last pic of the back of the bus. This is all we got done last year. Hopefully this summer, we'll get the outside and inside painted, a stereo installed, and the drivers area bedliner coating rolled in.

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Old 05-04-2009, 06:38 PM   #15
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Getting ready for paint. Should be done in a few weeks, and then it is on to finish the inside.





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Old 05-04-2009, 06:47 PM   #16
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Quote:
Originally Posted by elspankdog
One last pic of the back of the bus. This is all we got done last year. Hopefully this summer, we'll get the outside and inside painted, a stereo installed, and the drivers area bedliner coating rolled in.
She's Looking Really Good!

Stereo is usually about the first thing i install when i do a bus!
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Old 05-05-2009, 01:03 AM   #17
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Sweet Project! Cant wait to see the paint job.
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Old 05-05-2009, 09:33 AM   #18
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Year: 1989
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Quote:
Originally Posted by lapeer20m
She's Looking Really Good!

Stereo is usually about the first thing i install when i do a bus!
We blew our entertainment budget last year on our TV setup. Not to worry though, the stereo has already been purchased so it will definitely get installed this year.

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Old 05-05-2009, 12:28 PM   #19
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Year: 1984
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

Your bus is looking pretty smooth! I have an 84 GMC shortie, very similar to yours. Where did you get the pull down curtains for the windows, and are they expensive? They look custom. Those would be perfect in my ride.
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Old 05-05-2009, 01:16 PM   #20
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Re: 1989 GMC Aggie Tailgater

They're just some pull down solar shades from Lowe's. They'll cut them to whatever length you need. I don't think they were too expensive.
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