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Old 06-01-2018, 12:43 AM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Dublin CA
Posts: 17
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Ford
Chassis: e350
Ford e350 Shuttle Bus conversion

I recently bought a 1997 Ford e350 shuttle bus to convert to a camper. It was used at San Quinton prison to shuttle prisoners. The metal screens have been removed from the windows and I am proceeding to fortify the floor. I was surprised to learn that the floor was entirely wood, and reading some posts on this site it looks like that is not out of the ordinary. The floor seems structurally unsound (rotted out in some areas) so I asked a welder to fabricate a metal floor. His plan is to bolt it to the wood floor. Does that sound right to you conversion experts? The walls are fiberglass. Shouldn't he bolt it to the frame? Any other suggestions on how I can make this vehicle safe and sound?
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HappyCamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2018, 07:37 AM   #2
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Posts: 592
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Startrans
Chassis: Ford e-350 single wheel
Engine: 5.4 litre
Rated Cap: 12
I would just replace the wood floor with wood. It was good enough for the factory and a million other buses on the road. Great bus, I have one that's similar.
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Old 06-01-2018, 08:04 AM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
Went through the same thing on my '93. Cut out the damage and replace it with wood. I believe its either 5/8 or 3/4 treated plywood. There is steel framing under the wood which supports the floor.


After I patched mine, I subfloored it with 3/4 blue board and 5/8 plywood over top. Very solid now and not overly expensive to do considering the length of floor.


I'd be sure to find your leaks before diving in too far though. Peal up all the rubber floor... I'm sure you'll find more rot.


Go metal if you want to... but not necessary.
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Old 06-01-2018, 09:42 AM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Dublin CA
Posts: 17
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Ford
Chassis: e350
Thank you for the feedback. It is great to have people who have traveled this path before me to give sage advice. Thanks and I will keep you posted!
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Old 06-01-2018, 09:49 AM   #5
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 819
Year: 1993
Chassis: IH 3800
Engine: DT360
Rated Cap: 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCamper View Post
Thank you for the feedback. It is great to have people who have traveled this path before me to give sage advice. Thanks and I will keep you posted!

If you need details.. check out my build. Plenty of pictures of the process and the rot I repaired.


http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f27/93...ild-18500.html
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Old 06-03-2018, 09:06 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Dublin CA
Posts: 17
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Ford
Chassis: e350
Thanks for the link to your project Mr4btTahoe its good to see another project
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