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Old 02-24-2015, 08:35 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 26
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Collins
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Rated Cap: 16
The Short Bus

My first bus is done and gone and I'm already regretting the sale. Wish I had it back....I did find out they are hard to sell and not worth what you put into them so be advised, if you build one, plan to keep it.

Enough lamenting. I wanted to post some pictures of the finished bus and list a few details. In 2002 I bought a 98 Collins/Ford with the 7.3 litre powerstroke diesel. It gets about 15mpg on the road, according to the new owner.

I stripped it down, removed the seats, and set about converting it into a two person camper. When finished the bus had an RV two door fridge, microwave, a nice galley with sink and gas stove, 6 gallon gas water heater, 32 gallons fresh water, 27 gallon grey water tank, two 520# propane tanks, an outside shower, porta-potty, propane heater, tons of storage, AC, screened windows, two single beds, and an extra swivel seat for a passenger.

I wasn't using the finished bus so finally decided to sell it. The gent that bought it is currently travelling in Florida and having a ball. He's added a couple more batteries and a solar panel. I have tons more pictures of the project if anyone is interested. I'm currently shopping for my second bus and hope to begin the conversion this summer. This one I will keep.

The pictures are not in any particular order. I did all the work myself and learned a bunch about plumbing and wiring. Glad to help anyone interested in a similar project.
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Old 02-24-2015, 10:45 PM   #2
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Western Tennessee
Posts: 102
Year: 1985
Coachwork: Wayne Chaperone
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 350
Bus

Neat bus, I also have a shorty (1984 G30 chevy handicap).

Will your next one be a shorty also or do you have something else in mind?
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Old 02-25-2015, 11:25 AM   #3
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Nice job.

I like your propane storage.

Nat
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Old 02-25-2015, 12:36 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 15
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Collins
Chassis: Ford E-350
Engine: 7.3L Turbo Diesel
This is great, where do you have the water tanks? The propane storage is very clean.
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Old 03-03-2015, 09:32 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 26
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Collins
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Rated Cap: 16
This bus was a '4 window'. I'm shopping for a 5 or 6 window Ford this time. I'm also considering the 6 window AmTran conventional bus simply because it has 78" inside height.
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Old 03-03-2015, 09:34 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 26
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Collins
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 7.3L Diesel
Rated Cap: 16
There are two 16 gallon tanks at the rear under the bed - one on each side. I surrounded them with 1/2" of foam insulation. The city water inlet feeds both. Something I'm considering for the next bus is using a length of 6" thinwall PVC for extra water storage mounted on the roof.
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Old 01-16-2016, 11:59 AM   #7
Almost There
 
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 73
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Ford E-450 Super Duty
Engine: PowerStroke 7.3L Turbo Diesel
Rated Cap: 14,000 lbs
Definitely more pics and details!
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