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01-23-2020, 02:47 PM
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#101
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frochevy
Man that sucks to hear about your engine issue. Everything else is looking awesome! I love your bus. Your green sheet metal over the windows inspired me to remove all of my windows and go there sheet metal route! Hope all goes well with the engine/trans rebuild! I plan getting a new trans this spring... $3400 for me for trans...
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Glad the windows inspired you. I worried about it feeling dark, but it doesn’t at all. I can’t imagine leaving the stock windows in with condensation and not being able to spray foam. Removing them and skinning over was actually pretty easy. Make sure you use closed end rivets for the job. I took my top rivets out of my top rub rail and tucked the sheet metal into it then just riveted it back together for a clean look.
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01-23-2020, 07:57 PM
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#102
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Wamego Ks
Posts: 617
Year: 2007
Chassis: Collins
Engine: 6.6L LMM Duramax
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Oh I agree... They are much more expensive to work on and maintain!!
__________________
2007 Collins (Chevy Express 3500)
LMM Duramax Diesel with newly rebuilt 4L85E Transmission!
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01-23-2020, 08:34 PM
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#103
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Grayson County, VA
Posts: 1,428
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tstege
Glad the windows inspired you
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Not to hijack the thread, but you inspired us too. We totally stole your brilliant tool box/back porch idea and use it to store firewood and chainsaw/axe/misc. cutting tools.
So
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01-23-2020, 10:18 PM
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#104
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Looking good
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew Bru
Not to hijack the thread, but you inspired us too. We totally stole your brilliant tool box/back porch idea and use it to store firewood and chainsaw/axe/misc. cutting tools.
So
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That looks great. I’m glad I was able to contribute something to the forum. It really is a super simple and functional addition that we used everyday on our last trip. I like the ladder you have. I didn’t put one because we mount our bikes back there though.
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01-24-2020, 08:44 AM
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#105
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Grayson County, VA
Posts: 1,428
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tstege
That looks great. I’m glad I was able to contribute something to the forum. It really is a super simple and functional addition that we used everyday on our last trip. I like the ladder you have. I didn’t put one because we mount our bikes back there though.
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It was a one-day project, and such a simple solution to the problem of "how do we get from our back door to the roof top deck?"
We had to do a contortionist routine until the back porch came to be...now it's easy peasy.
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01-24-2020, 09:01 AM
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#106
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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well the general miondset is diesels outlast gas engines.. and for sure in the "old days" where gas engines ran inefficiently and were often worked to their Maximum torque / HP just to keep a bus or big truck moving, they didnt get muich past 100k miles and they were shot..whereas 500k diesels can and do exist..
the big issue with every one of us except perhaps for a few, is that we dont know how our engines were cared for before we got them.. a select few are lucky enough to get a big folder with their bus that has all of its records.. nut thats the rarity and not the norm...
a bus that may have had fantastic care when it was new may go through management change at the school, or levy failure, or just being a "spare" that may not get near the care it should.. so said 500k engine is run on old oil, or overheated because the radiator or fan isnt maintained, or run with failing injecotrs because "the bus is going to auction next year"...
most engines give signs that they are in need of help, however school bus drivers, and private owners alike may not have a clue what to look for... ie high oil temp, excessive blowby,Black-stone-testing of the oil for contamination of fluids or metals...
heck its sometimes hard just to figure out the proper coolant and additives to put in an engine... esp for someomne who has never owned a diesel, let alone a commercial bus..
gas engines can obviously break too, however in general the gas engines in the ford and chevy Van-cutaway busses have a couple things going for them..
1. widely used in everything from pickups to Vans.. so aftermarket support of parts and even reman crate motors is high.. == competiton == lower prices..
2. community support - just like the diesels that are also pickup truck engines.. (5.9 cummins, T-444E (7.3)) there are parts everywhere as well as lots of info and support on the internet... the 5.3,5.7, and 6.0 GMC / chevy gas engines have a big following.. and competition for parts business.. makes things a lot mroe reasonable if you break one or need to replace it altogether
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01-24-2020, 10:54 AM
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#107
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Porch
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew Bru
It was a one-day project, and such a simple solution to the problem of "how do we get from our back door to the roof top deck?"
We had to do a contortionist routine until the back porch came to be...now it's easy peasy.
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Yeah I thought long and hard about it myself. It really does make a great table also. We have our propane hose with quick release ran into the back drivers side box. When we want a shower or to grill we just pull it out and snap it on. I put the same quick release on both the grill and shower. I also took the time to run 1 boat cigarette plug into each of my tool boxes that are ran into my DC fuse panel. This way we can plug in phones and speakers outside.
I also made a rope light using an LED DC light strip. I put it into clear tubing and put a cigarette adapter on the end. The thing is insanely bright and plugs right into the box on the back. When I put my shade sails up off the roof deck I just run the tube light along the rope.
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01-24-2020, 11:05 AM
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#108
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid
well the general miondset is diesels outlast gas engines.. and for sure in the "old days" where gas engines ran inefficiently and were often worked to their Maximum torque / HP just to keep a bus or big truck moving, they didnt get muich past 100k miles and they were shot..whereas 500k diesels can and do exist..
the big issue with every one of us except perhaps for a few, is that we dont know how our engines were cared for before we got them.. a select few are lucky enough to get a big folder with their bus that has all of its records.. nut thats the rarity and not the norm...
a bus that may have had fantastic care when it was new may go through management change at the school, or levy failure, or just being a "spare" that may not get near the care it should.. so said 500k engine is run on old oil, or overheated because the radiator or fan isnt maintained, or run with failing injecotrs because "the bus is going to auction next year"...
most engines give signs that they are in need of help, however school bus drivers, and private owners alike may not have a clue what to look for... ie high oil temp, excessive blowby,Black-stone-testing of the oil for contamination of fluids or metals...
heck its sometimes hard just to figure out the proper coolant and additives to put in an engine... esp for someomne who has never owned a diesel, let alone a commercial bus..
gas engines can obviously break too, however in general the gas engines in the ford and chevy Van-cutaway busses have a couple things going for them..
1. widely used in everything from pickups to Vans.. so aftermarket support of parts and even reman crate motors is high.. == competiton == lower prices..
2. community support - just like the diesels that are also pickup truck engines.. (5.9 cummins, T-444E (7.3)) there are parts everywhere as well as lots of info and support on the internet... the 5.3,5.7, and 6.0 GMC / chevy gas engines have a big following.. and competition for parts business.. makes things a lot mroe reasonable if you break one or need to replace it altogether
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I agree about the lack of knowing who took care of it or how. I am a firefighter and just seeing how everyone takes care of the engines and trucks makes me realize it’s a complete crap shoot. Most of our people will just drive 70mph on the freeway all day then just kill the motor without letting the turbos cool. And with all the new DEF stuff it’s even worse.
I was very close to pulling the trigger on a 96 26 footer with A DT466 and manual transmission. But if or when that thing needed rebuilt I knew it would cost more than a new Chevy 350. I also factored in tune ups, cost of diesel, size, tire cost, injectors and other associated cost. For me it just made since to stay with a smaller cutaway. Again this is based on our desire to travel and stay in small parks as well as being in cities.
If I was wanting one to live in and just move periodically I would have gone with a bigger real bus Chasis.
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01-24-2020, 01:27 PM
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#109
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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well a DT466 is a bit of a different story as is a CUmmins 8.3
Those engines can be rebuilt IN-FRAME.. they have sleeved cylinders.. you pull the head, drop the pan... replace all the bearings and pistons and the cylinder-sleeves without removiong the engine.. the only time you run into issues is if you throw a rod or spin a bearing so bad you ruin the crank or the journal..
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03-08-2020, 01:08 PM
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#110
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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New motor and transmission
So got the bus back from the mechanics. Ended up costing more than I wanted of course because I went with both the jasper tranny and jasper motor. Now I have a 100,000 mile 3 year warranty on both. Cost $8000 total and included new radiator, hoses, belts, and lots of other little things. I know this is more than most buses cost so I wanted to share my thoughts and experience with everyone here.
I was initially very bummed of course but in hindsight it’s not a deal breaker for us. I am currently $17,000 into the bus and have a very well built and now hopefully reliably machine to travel in for the next 3-5 years which is our goal. I know all systems on the bus and can work on them. I’m confident I could not find anything close to this for $17k especially as well built. So if it was going to happen I’m glad it happened now.
Our goal plans the next few winters will involve traveling 3-5 months a year in it so we should get our use. I took some videos of the bus which I will try and post here if not I will link them to YouTube if possible.
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03-09-2020, 09:10 PM
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#111
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Video
Here is the video links there are 2 play the longer one first there is a slight overlap top one is the first one
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03-09-2020, 09:11 PM
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#112
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Second cideo
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03-09-2020, 09:26 PM
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#113
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Videos
Let me know what people think. I finished my last project on the bus today. Got the drivers seat and inside above the windshield upholstery done so it’s finally complete. If anyone wants more info about anything else let me know. Only thing left this fall before we travel again is new black Baja style rims with new tires for piece of mind.
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03-09-2020, 11:16 PM
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#114
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
Posts: 1,771
Year: 1954
Coachwork: wayne
Chassis: old f500- new 2005 f-450
Engine: cummins 12 valve
Rated Cap: 20? five rows of 4?
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about your bus
well done.
william
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03-10-2020, 01:00 AM
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#115
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 100
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Bus
Thanks it truly was a fun, stressful, and taxing endeavor. But well worth it.
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03-30-2020, 08:55 PM
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#116
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 1
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Insulation
Hey, I am in the east mountain area.
can I ask which company did you insulation?
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03-30-2020, 09:34 PM
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#117
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Bus Nut
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Wamego Ks
Posts: 617
Year: 2007
Chassis: Collins
Engine: 6.6L LMM Duramax
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Your bus looks awesome! I really appreciate the video that shows everything! Good work!! Gives me more ideas and motivation to keep working on mine!!!
__________________
2007 Collins (Chevy Express 3500)
LMM Duramax Diesel with newly rebuilt 4L85E Transmission!
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04-17-2020, 10:01 AM
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#118
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 10
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I saw that you have a couple of these buses. Do you know what kind of weight the roof can hold? I’m trying to figure out solar panels but I’m worried it’ll be too much weight for the amount I’ll need.
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04-17-2020, 11:49 AM
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#119
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Mt Vernon, WA
Posts: 523
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Bluebird, Collins
Chassis: G30 Bluebird Microbird, E350 Shuttle Bus
Engine: 1995 Chevrolet 350, 1992 Ford 460
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The roof can support all the solar panels you can fit and more.
Thanks. Nice tour of your bus. I like you’re propane tank installation. And the big boat hatch. I put a boat hatch in my Isuzu. On my 96 Bluebird Microbird I’m going to do a pop top this Summer. I’m way too tall to fit in any bus without a roof raise. After that dirty job is done I can do nice woodworking like you have.
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