2006 Chevy Bluebird 3500 (still working on the name)

[GG319]

Hi all. Been following Skoolie.net for over 6+ years and have finally garnered enough courage to bid on a local school bus via online auction. I didn't expect to win at all, so was completely surprised when I won this beauty.

This is my first experience converting a bus so I wanted to start with a short-bus conversion and get it right before jumping to a full-size bus. I'm very lucky to have an amazing girlfriend who is helping with this project. We plan to travel during the summer time months with our 4 year old dog Jack. We are still looking for suggestions on a name.

Bus is already registered and insured (which was a HUGE hassle, but thankfully is done). Now got to finish our dream build.

See below for pictures of the bus. Will keep updating as we continue to make progress.

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[dan-fox]

Welcome! Nice looking rig you've got there. I suspect you're going to have to remove the sweep arm off the bumper, but keep it around. The mechanism might well be able to be repurposed easily. for instance, you could rig it to raise the Jolly Roger when needed!

[ol trunt]

How about "jacks bus" Jack

[GG319]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Welcome! Nice looking rig you've got there. I suspect you're going to have to remove the sweep arm off the bumper, but keep it around. The mechanism might well be able to be repurposed easily. for instance, you could rig it to raise the Jolly Roger when needed!

Took it off today! I'll post some more pictures later. Exhausted. Long day.

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[GG319]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

How about "jacks bus" Jack

He surprisingly is a little intimidated by the bus, but I'm sure he'll warm up to it once we complete the build. At least I hope so.

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[GG319]

Seats, heater, stop sign, and swing swing arm are removed!

Put the wrong coolant in, so will have to replace that this week. Going to flush it out and replace it with DEX coolant per manual. Otherwise the coolant lines are solid.

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[GG319]

Update: we decided on a name! SKO01IE
- This originally was bus #01 for a local school district in Pennsylvania.

Our Facebook page is facebook.com/Sko01ie
And follow us on Instagram at SKO01IE

Of course we'll be most up to date on skoolie.net.

-Greg

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[joeblack5]

He. nice, Are you in PA? Better hang on to that heater, Winter is over but you will need it next year. We are in PA as well. We used two seats to create a dinette. They have seat belts just like yours.

Good luck
later J

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by GG319

Update: we decided on a name! SKO01IE
- This originally was bus #01 for a local school district in Pennsylvania.

Our Facebook page is facebook.com/Sko01ie
And follow us on Instagram at SKO01IE

Of course we'll be most up to date on skoolie.net.

-Greg

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I plan on changing whatever number is on my bus to the number 01, that was my race car # for 18 years, have to pay homage to that on the bus. Still don't know where you're from? Go to the upper left and click on User CP and fill out your profile. Have you considered getting your tags that have the bus name on it.If I knew where you are I could tell you if it's available.

[GG319]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

He. nice, Are you in PA? Better hang on to that heater, Winter is over but you will need it next year. We are in PA as well. We used two seats to create a dinette. They have seat belts just like yours.

Good luck
later J

Yep! And we plan on mostly using this bus during the summer months only so we'll likely just use the Mr. Buddy portable heater or extra blankets.

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[GG319]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I plan on changing whatever number is on my bus to the number 01, that was my race car # for 18 years, have to pay homage to that on the bus. Still don't know where you're from? Go to the upper left and click on User CP and fill out your profile. Have you considered getting your tags that have the bus name on it.If I knew where you are I could tell you if it's available.

Thanks! Will do.

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[GG319]

Update: Been grinding all the rust off the floors. They aren't too bad, but will have to patch some small holes. Any suggestions.....?

Was planning to use latex caulking, paint, vapor barrier, then sub floors. Likely will skim through other builds for suggestions too.

See pictures of progress so far.

Also, make sure to follow our build @SKO01IE on Instagram and Facebook.

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[Twigg]

Quit grinding like that

Get a flap wheel. Remove the scaly loose stuff then apply Ospho-based rust converter and Rustoleum primer.

Any number of ways to fill the hole. Glue pennies over the small holes with polyurethane sealant, and weld patches over any large holes.

[GG319]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Quit grinding like that

Get a flap wheel. Remove the scaly loose stuff then apply Ospho-based rust converter and Rustoleum primer.

Any number of ways to fill the hole. Glue pennies over the small holes with polyurethane sealant, and weld patches over any large holes.

I hate grinding, but I am using a flap wheel with my grinder. It's a pretty long process but got most of it. Don't have any pictures from today.

I'll look into the rust converter and primer. Also glad I have pennies handy for all the holes. Thanks! [emoji2]

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[Twigg]

Originally Posted by GG319

I hate grinding, but I am using a flap wheel with my grinder. It's a pretty long process but got most of it. Don't have any pictures from today.

I'll look into the rust converter and primer. Also glad I have pennies handy for all the holes. Thanks! [emoji2]

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Good Job.

My point was that you neither want, nor need to get the steel clean.

You just need to knock off the loose stuff. The Ospho takes care of the rust, but it actually helps if it has some rust to work with.

You should use the rust converter anyway, as however diligent you might be you cannot completely rid the floor of all rust.

When all that's done and the holes filled, a coat of primer is all it will need.

[GG319]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Good Job.

My point was that you neither want, nor need to get the steel clean.

You just need to knock off the loose stuff. The Ospho takes care of the rust, but it actually helps if it has some rust to work with.

You should use the rust converter anyway, as however diligent you might be you cannot completely rid the floor of all rust.

When all that's done and the holes filled, a coat of primer is all it will need.

Thank God! I was wondering how anyone could do this grinding on a full-size bus. I likely over-killed it, but atleast I can move onto the next step. Excited to get this floor painted.

Does anyone paint/spray paint the undercarriage of the bus for additional protection from rust?

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