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Old 01-16-2021, 06:49 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
2011 E350 Shuttle

Hi All,
Recently picked up a 2011 E350 and wanted to start sharing my conversion journey. This was retired from the pioneer valley transit authority in western mass. Has 137k and rust was not bad considering it has spent 10 years in the northeast.

So far I’ve taken out all the seats, removed the wheel chair lift, removed the rubber floor and tracking in the floor (what a pain!!). I ended up using the same method as mnexpress2 ( 3/4” hole saw to cut around the cap screw).

Looking forward to sharing our journey.
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Old 01-20-2021, 08:51 PM   #2
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 167
Year: 2009
Coachwork: Girardin
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 6.6 turbo diesel
Rated Cap: ?
Congratulations. Looks like a sweet ride. Especially love that it is not yellow!!! Good luck. Keep us posted!!!
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Old 01-20-2021, 10:58 PM   #3
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Bay area
Posts: 324
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Collins
Chassis: Bantam
Engine: International T444
Rated Cap: 16?
Cool bus, sounds fun.
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Old 01-22-2021, 05:31 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
Thanks everyone. A couple of updates.

1. Floors are in. Just went with a vinyl laminate.
2. Floating bed frame is in. I wanted to try and use the 1/4-20 threaded holes that were left from removing the seatbelt tracking on the driver side of the van. I bough some 2"x6" lumber, longer 1/4 - 20 bolts and some washers. On the passenger side, I tapped holes into the frame of the handicap door and connected 2"x4"s then mounted the 2"x6". Overall I was happy with how this turned out and it seems very sturdy.
3. Started putting furring strips up to attach the shiplap

Lots more to do this weekend.
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Old 01-22-2021, 06:10 PM   #5
Almost There
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: N.E. Texas
Posts: 93
Year: 2008
Coachwork: Aerotech
Chassis: E-450
Engine: 6.8/415 Ford
Looking real good. Love the floor.
Keep posting your progress for others to learn from your work, it will be much appreciated by many.

Please expand more on how the passenger side 2x6 is bolted.


Thank you.
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Old 01-22-2021, 06:57 PM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Ashtabula, Ohio
Posts: 1,494
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: T444E 7.3L
Thanks for sharing!
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Old 01-22-2021, 08:09 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 167
Year: 2009
Coachwork: Girardin
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 6.6 turbo diesel
Rated Cap: ?
Looking great!!! Rolling right along. Nice work��
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Old 01-24-2021, 02:58 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sander View Post
Looking real good. Love the floor.
Keep posting your progress for others to learn from your work, it will be much appreciated by many.

Please expand more on how the passenger side 2x6 is bolted.


Thank you.
Thanks Sander.
Sorry for the crude powerpoint diagram, but hopefully it explains the attachment of the passenger 2"x 6" a little better.
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Old 01-24-2021, 03:41 PM   #9
Almost There
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: N.E. Texas
Posts: 93
Year: 2008
Coachwork: Aerotech
Chassis: E-450
Engine: 6.8/415 Ford
Quote:
Originally Posted by Avogadro View Post
but hopefully it explains the attachment of the passenger 2"x 6" a little better.
The diagram was clear and easy to understand.

Thank you so very much.
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Old 02-05-2021, 04:49 PM   #10
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
It's been cold and snowy in the northeast, so haven't got a lot done. Was able to get the lighting installed today.
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Old 02-05-2021, 05:43 PM   #11
Almost There
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: N.E. Texas
Posts: 93
Year: 2008
Coachwork: Aerotech
Chassis: E-450
Engine: 6.8/415 Ford
Thumbs up

Looking good. Nice work.
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Old 02-12-2021, 12:48 PM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
Trying to keep the momentum going despite cold weather and snow in the northeast. Working on / testing my electrical system in the basement.

EPEVER 30A MPPT Charge Controller
2x 250W panels
Giandel 2000W inverter
Bluesea 12V distribution block
40A breaker for solar
Couple bus bars

Flooded lead acid Marine battery just for testing right now. Will likely be going LiFePO4 for the final battery.

Also added a picture of the lights on at night and the water tank installed (driver side rear).

Electrical box will go passenger side rear.
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Old 02-13-2021, 08:08 PM   #13
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The build looks great! Do you happen to have measurements of the inside? Trying to make my "blueprints" but haven't had the chance to actually see a shuttle in person to get the sizing on the inside and the handicap doors and what space is actually useable after that! Any measurements will help!
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Old 02-15-2021, 06:22 AM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoninStallion View Post
The build looks great! Do you happen to have measurements of the inside? Trying to make my "blueprints" but haven't had the chance to actually see a shuttle in person to get the sizing on the inside and the handicap doors and what space is actually useable after that! Any measurements will help!
Thanks! Rough dimensions inside are 75" wide x 144" long x 76" tall
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Old 02-15-2021, 04:56 PM   #15
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Thanks! Rough dimensions inside are 75" wide x 144" long x 76" tall
THANK YOU! Helps a lot with floor plan. Someone from a Facebook group posted this blueprint of a shuttle bus and added a grid to it! So now that I have dimensions I can have a more realistic outline for what I can fit inside!
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Old 02-17-2021, 09:08 PM   #16
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Posts: 1
I just won an auction today for a 2014 E450 paratransit bus so it’s cool to see the shuttle style work in progress. Looks very similar to ours, I’ll be sure to check back, we get to pick her up next week!
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Old 02-18-2021, 03:00 PM   #17
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Join Date: Feb 2021
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Nice build , floors look really nice and going to do similar design for bed . I just picked up a 03 e350 shuttle bus as well . I set up insurance as a van . But have not registered yet . Have you had any issues registering ?
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:24 PM   #18
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hkautz View Post
Nice build , floors look really nice and going to do similar design for bed . I just picked up a 03 e350 shuttle bus as well . I set up insurance as a van . But have not registered yet . Have you had any issues registering ?
Thanks! I had no issues with insurance, just registered as a van like you did. The CT DMV had a lot of questions, but eventually I was able to get it registered as a commercial vehicle (combination plate in CT)
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:36 PM   #19
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
Some progress, put up part of the wall that will separate the bedroom from the kitchen area. Also the wall with the majority of the electrical switches.

Also installed the electrical system in the passenger side rear (still just using the marine deep cycle for testing). Easy access from outside.
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Old 02-21-2021, 12:45 PM   #20
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by dgearhart View Post
I just won an auction today for a 2014 E450 paratransit bus so it’s cool to see the shuttle style work in progress. Looks very similar to ours, I’ll be sure to check back, we get to pick her up next week!
Awesome! It has been a fun project so far. Looking forward to seeing your build.
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