My Short bus build...

[musigenesis]

Looking great!

[Frochevy]

A few more pictures...

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by Frochevy

A few more pictures...

Looks like you are Rockin & a Rollin. I’ve always liked the white wash look. Being in the Kansas climate you should not have any problems with pine. You get down here in the humidity belt for any length of time, the moisture will wreak havoc on cabinetry. Keep the updates coming.

[EastCoastCB]

Real classy!

[Frochevy]

Thanks for all of the feedback! I feel like I'm getting closer! I had planned on working on the bus most of the day today and knocking out the plumbing, but due to an unforseen project for family I ended up working all night so I'm taking it easy today. Hopefully tomorrow or Monday I can get the plumbing done and the countertop fully sealed up!

[plfking]

Careful.....your skill set is showing.

That countertop goes great with that wall.

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by plfking

Careful.....your skill set is showing.

That countertop goes great with that wall.

Haha not sure how to take that... I'm not a plumber and I'm not very good at wood working... But I'll keep practicing!

Thanks! I thought so. I think once I clear the top it will make the wood countertop pop even more...

[plfking]

Originally Posted by Frochevy

Haha not sure how to take that...

You can take it as the compliment it was meant as.

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by plfking

You can take it as the compliment it was meant as.

Thank you!!

[Frochevy]

I made some more progress this week and I feel like I'm getting really close!!! Well ok... Closer.

I worked on the wall between kitchen countertop and bathroom. It will have a small cabinet in the bathroom built in it. I installed the tank monitor control and pulled wires for everything. I also installed my last led light under the cabinet that will be over the sink. It made it much brighter under there.

After 5 coats of spar urethane the sanding then 3 more coats I'm finally ok with the outcome. The countertop is very smooth and should clean well.

I installed the Kohler faucet and soap dispenser
It's a matte black color and we think the black goes well.

The sink is a Kraus workstation sink and came with all of the accessories. Countertop, faucet and sink came from home Depot. We spent more money than we wanted to on it, but it will be the focal point for tailgates if inside the bus.

I installed the fake drawer fronts before putting the sink in. That cabinet actually came with drawers so I switched them out from the other cabinet early on.

I also did a few last things under the cabinets before installing the countertop. I cut my hole for my fresh water to empty the tank. It goes through the top of my propane locker and goes it through the bottom expanded metal floor. ( I need to find a way to cap it or put a screen in there to keep tiny critters from clogging it up) I did use Pex A on it after the drain valve and 90 degrees down through the floor.

My wife installed the foam insulation on the pump hoses in hopes to quiet them down during operation. She cut random boards and helped me pull wires as well!

It's been a good week for progress!!

Fyi.. I have the rear of bus sitting on harbor freight jack stands. Mine aren't the ones affected by the recall. But if you have any 3 ton or 6 ton jack stands from harbor freight, check the part #s and see if yours are affected. They are failing under load!!!

[peakbus]

Beautiful! That counter top slab came from Home Depot??

[Jocelyn]

Your kitchen is looking great!

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by peakbus

Beautiful! That counter top slab came from Home Depot??

Yes everything was ordered online and delivered for free. There is a link to the countertop below: it comes in different lengths.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hardwood-Reflections-5-ft-L-x-2-ft-1-in-D-x-1-5-in-T-Butcher-Block-Countertop-in-Oiled-Acacia-with-Live-Edge-1525HDACA-60/309910976

[Frochevy]

The bus is scheduled for Wednesday at the transmission shop.... Should take no more than a week total time I'm told... Our camping trip in Oklahoma is coming up at the end of June so I'm quickly running out of time... (As usual with the bus)

Will have rebuilt transmission installed with 5 yr 100,000 mile warranty...

[Frochevy]

I'm running out of time so I've been working on the bus but not updating... I picked the bus up from the transmission shop on Tuesday. Total cost with tax for 5 yr 100,000 mile warranty installed 4L85E transmission was just under $3500. Glad to have it done. It ran good home but ac isn't blowing very cold. I might have to add some R134 to it.

While the bus was in the shop I spent last weekend making summer sausage so I wanted to share a pic of my favorite mix. Jalapeno with cheddar and hot pepper cheese!

I took Friday afternoon off and finished up the kids bunk bed. I went with wire rope for support but still wasn't happy so I also added to spring loaded pins for safety. I also added a railing that flips up so the kids don't fall off. All of the bunk bed frame is from a re-purposed purple mattress frame we weren't using. I need to get some stain and stain the wood trim for it. I'll add pics of it later when finished.

I removed my queen bed hinges and finished welding them and painted and cleared.

I tested the city water connection and fixed a few minor leaks! I got the grey and black tank drain and dump lined out and glued in. I also went back and added plumber strap to support it all. I ran enough water in kitchen sink to put about 25 gallons of water in gray tank and it didn't leak overnight and dump worked well. I ran type L copper tubing and double flare for flare Union to water heater and stove top for propane lines. I will need to pressurize it and leak check before testing hot water side of system.

I added the sensors to the tanks for my see level gauge console a couple weeks ago but wanted to add a picture. Super easy to install and 3m adhesive works well. I still need to hook all of the wiring up for that.

[Doktari]

It’s shaping up nicely! Gives me some ideas for my 4 window bus. It will not have the many features yours has. I’ll be putting extra effort into raising the roof due my 6’6” tallness. Hope to start on it next week if the weather forecast holds.
I’m wondering whether to try and install my propane tank underneath or just go all electric. It’s nice to have both but my batteries may not be sufficient.
I envious of that new 4L85e. Enjoy that.

[musigenesis]

Nice work, looks good enough to eat. The sausage, too!

[Phatman]

Alright man, progress !!! Keep up the updates.

[Frochevy]

Thanks for the feedback!!! I'm getting closer so trying to work on it everyday now. I finished painting and clear coating the queen bed hinges and vertical pipe and bunk bed parts this morning. I was able to make new legs for the queen bed this afternoon and turn it into a shelf. It'll make more sense later when I put it together.

I also wired the see level gauges today. The instructions state butt connectors so I did that with the heat shrink built into them, then added another layer of heat shrink then tidied everything up with cloth wire loom tape. The white wiring I am using is some marine grade duplex wire that has a black and red individual wires in it. It's great stuff!!

I had the worst mishap I've had in a long time. I dropped almost a full qt of wood stain in the front of the bus. A few pics shows the aftermath and the pile of rags I grabbed and used along with mineral spirits to wipe everything down before it permanently stained everything!! Oh it was a mess!! And I was too. I think I got most of the spots cleaned off. I cleaned more after I took those pictures. There flooring will cover up the partially stained plywood.. lol

The fridge frame was partially stained (from the mess) so I went ahead and stained the whole thing. Makes the fridge panels look lighter...

Anyhow I left the bus completely open to air out. Hoping to polyurethane everything tomorrow including bunk bed wood trim. I'm excited to see it all together and done!! More to come...

[Frochevy]

Originally Posted by Doktari

It’s shaping up nicely! Gives me some ideas for my 4 window bus. It will not have the many features yours has. I’ll be putting extra effort into raising the roof due my 6’6” tallness. Hope to start on it next week if the weather forecast holds.
I’m wondering whether to try and install my propane tank underneath or just go all electric. It’s nice to have both but my batteries may not be sufficient.
I envious of that new 4L85e. Enjoy that.

Good luck with the roof raise!! I'm only 5'9" or so and have plenty of room! I'm really glad I took the time to build my propane locker. It's out of sight out of mind... I hope the new trans gives me no problems!