International Shorty Party Bus

[quizbus]

I am new to the forum, and this is my first skoolie, but here goes. The bus is a 1997 International Shorty, soon to be party bus. I got the bus from a local school that was getting out of the bussing industry and only has 140k on it. Then came the fun of removing the interior. Painting the interior, etc, etc...
Here is a list of what I've done to the bus over the past 2 months... let me know what you think!
-Paint interior
-Install headliner
-Carpet
-Make Seats and upholster(not done yet)
-Install cd, sound system, dvd, tv, 3 flip down 12" monitors, 42" plasma that comes up electronically
-150' custom sound activated rope lighting
-Racing driver seat and matching second seat on swivel pedestal
-200 amp alternator w/ battery isolator and 2nd bank of marine batteries
-Install power inverter, video amplifier, stereo amplifiers
-Tint 30 windows to 5% limo tint
-Install front and rear door locks and custom auto-open keyless entry on front door

Things to come in the next two months:
-Custom bright yellow and metallic gray paint
-Functional Hood Scoop
-Color changing LED underbody kits
-Chrome wheel simulators

Any suggestions and or comments? I am having a blast working on this thing!!!

[quizbus]

More Pics...

[quizbus]

A few more!

[Steve]

Nice job, I love the size of your bus too, it is not too big and not too small.

[lapeer20m]

nice work!!!

[Firearm]

Sweet!!

[the_experience03]

The linear actuator on the door is AWESOME. That's a fantastic idea. I can see myself incorporating that along with the Lapeer20m remote entry idea on mine.

[lapeer20m]

i didn't even notice the linear actuator the first time. What a spectacular idea.....especially for those without air brakes...and even for those that do, since it allows the door to still be opened manually....i love that! Definitely gonna steal that idea in the future!

[timbuk]

that bus is flippin awsome id call it the bling bus with all those goodies.....

[quizbus]

Thanks for the comments. So far I have done all work including the couches myself. It was my first attempt at upholstery work, but I think it turned out pretty good and they are really comfortable. I started the bus at the end of December and will have it done by mid April. The linear actuator works great. I have it hooked up to a car keyless entry system that I got off ebay for $10. I also made power rear door lock too. The linear actuator has a removable pin that is attatched to a cable. I ran the cable to a hidden spot on the exterior to be able to get in if I kill the batteries. So far the hardest part of the build was making the 75lb plasma tv raise up from behind the seat. It is done with a power window motor and a series of cables. It takes about 10 seconds to lift up. Thanks for the comments, keep any suggestions coming!

[lapeer20m]

can you buy hammered finish by the gallon? I assume you're not going to use 287 spray cans to do the exterior.

that bus is looking beyond super nice. if you use it as a party bus, you may decide down the road that carpet is a bit of a drag. Not only because of the dirt that peoples shoes drag in, but also from spilled drinks and the occasional person who can't handle their liquor and spews the contents of their stomach all over the bus because he couldn't open a window fast enough.

[odyssess]

Can you post some pics and info of the power rear door locks? I have a 1996 Intl. shorty and I like what you did. The front door is killer and the seats look great!! Thanks

[quizbus]

I will try to get some pics of the rear door lock within the next day or two and get them posted.

[california dreamin]

i have bus envy.

[quizbus]

Sorry for the delay, I had to go out of town for work. Here is the rear door lock. I just used a car door lock atcuator(left over from the keyless entry kit for the front) and wired it into the wires I cut from the rear door buzzer. The lock is wired to a switch at the front and runs off keyless entry with the front door.

[california dreamin]

can you give me more info on the battery bank?

[quizbus]

The battery bank took some research, but isn't too complicated. I am running alot of electronics on this bus, so I knew I needed to beef up the charging circuit. First I bought a 200amp alternator off e-bay(new for $100). The next step was to get a battery isolator. This acts as a giant diode, or checkvalve, to allow the alternator to charge seperate banks of batteries without letting them drain on each other. Make sure to get one rated for the larger alternator. This way I have everything "factory" running off the bus batteries and everything that I added running off it's own battery bank. I can now run electronics with the bus off and even kill the battery without draining my starting batteries. For the second battery bank I bought a pair of 120amp hour marine batteries. This should allow me to run all electronics for about an hour without charging the bus. Finally don't forget to run some large gauge battery cable for this. I am running 0 gauge. Also, I got a distribution block from a car audio store that has 0gauge inputs and four 4 gauge outputs for both positive and ground. Hope this helps.

[bigballsbus]

Originally Posted by lapeer20m

can you buy hammered finish by the gallon? I assume you're not going to use 287 spray cans to do the exterior.

that bus is looking beyond super nice. if you use it as a party bus, you may decide down the road that carpet is a bit of a drag. Not only because of the dirt that peoples shoes drag in, but also from spilled drinks and the occasional person who can't handle their liquor and spews the contents of their stomach all over the bus because he couldn't open a window fast enough.

you can buy it by the gallon at menards, don't know if u have one around there, but i work there... so if anyone has menards questions i am your man... if you don't mind me asking how much did you pay for the actuator? and where can you get one?

[quizbus]

The actuator is an 8" SPAL actuator. I got the actuator for about $80 at http://www.surpluscenter.com. They had the best prices I could find. Hope this helps.

[bigballsbus]

awesome thanks for the info, that will probably be a "next year project" like so many others, for now my padlock on the rear door will work until more funds come in.