Thoughts on converting a low floor transit bus?

[the7exp]

Hello,

So I recently retired one of my low floor buses and wanted to get some opinions on how you guys would build this out. Where would the bedroom go, shower, kitchen, etc etc.

The model is an 06 New Flyer 40 Foot Low Floor (D40LF).

Thanks!

[the7exp]

Anyone? Would like some opinions / ideas.

[fo4imtippin]

I think this is one of the rarer bus types on the forum. Can you list some of your needs? 4 dogs, two wives, 8 kids? You might get some ideas then. I like small buses, so i don't know what to do with all that space. I know i would put the bedroom in the back by the engine. I would try to delete the front door to add a comfy front seat for the wive(s). Bathroom would be in the middle driver side by the door.

[the7exp]

Originally Posted by fo4imtippin

I think this is one of the rarer bus types on the forum. Can you list some of your needs? 4 dogs, two wives, 8 kids? You might get some ideas then. I like small buses, so i don't know what to do with all that space. I know i would put the bedroom in the back by the engine. I would try to delete the front door to add a comfy front seat for the wive(s). Bathroom would be in the middle driver side by the door.

None really. I'm by myself for now.

[Iceni John]

Lostranger on the Nomadicista forum converted a low-floor Gillig shuttle bus:

https://nomadicista.org/viewtopic.ph...e8e956557d6afd

His trials and tribulations are well worth reading, even to us high-floor folk.

John

[CoffeeGuy]

To me, it seems like the greatest challenge is building around the wheel wells. You can't really put a sofa or composting toilet on top of them, so they're definitely in the way. You can put storage cabinets above them, maybe a dining area. I like putting the bed high over the engine compartment on a rear engine bus. it provides a good deal of storage space underneath, which you will probably want to use for water tanks among other things.

I think the best thing you can do is to create dimensional drawings on grid paper (or software with a grid background) and start playing with ideas. We went through at least 30 iterations before we settled on our design, and then we changed it about 10 more times.

[the7exp]

What about putting the water tanks/black water tanks on the roof? I don't think there's space in the engine compartment itself for a big tank, unless there's a small tank I don't know about.

[fo4imtippin]

You want your fresh water tanks in the insulated space. Many people shove them under the main bed. You have Soo much space to put them inside. You might box out a space under the toilet for the black tank and then access from the side. Maybe have the toilet entry from the upper deck. You can pump grey water easier than black water.

[the7exp]

Originally Posted by fo4imtippin

You want your fresh water tanks in the insulated space. Many people shove them under the main bed. You have Soo much space to put them inside. You might box out a space under the toilet for the black tank and then access from the side. Maybe have the toilet entry from the upper deck. You can pump grey water easier than black water.

That’s actually a very smart idea! Thanks.

[Truthseeker4449]

If I was to do it, I would take advantage of the extra height in the center of the bus and build all of supporting stuff under a false floor. The nice big flat roof will lend itself very nicely for a big, clean looking solar installation. Perhaps replace the rear door with some grating and box out a well sealed area for items like a minisplit and a generator. I would build above the wheel wells into storage cabinets, likely making one into a electrical cabinet.

[LargeMargeInBaja]

Your kitchen must be at the rear.
And it must be a 'U', with your work triangle -- sink to range to fridge -- less than twelve steps for efficiency!
.
(I learned this in a remodeling seminar at a Home&Garden show at the fairgrounds.)
.
And your ovens should be waist level to avoid back injuries from a twenty-four pound turkey!
.
(I learned this during an old-timers seminar at a Home&Garden show at the fairgrounds.)
.
And your door openers need to be levers instead of knobs, because greasy fingers [editor note -- or arthritis]!
.
(I learned this in a DIYers seminar at the Home&Garden show at the fairgrounds.)
.
After everybody is fed, everything else falls into place!
.
(I learned this in my Gramma's kitchen.)

[joeblack5]

You can check out our Dory build if you want.

Good luck ,johan

[morefire]

The only real problem with them is the lack of ground clearance for your holding tanks, especially the Black tank. You dont have alot of space under the low buses, and you really want your black tank directly under the toilet if you can. Also if you want to put a Generator in there, there's no real Bay area for that.

[video45]

Youtube look up lopez around the world. Aqua painted low floor bus with two opposing slideouts

Marty

[rbirling]

I've got a 2008 Gillig Low Floor. Yes, the wheel wells are the biggest thing to work around. I'm currently looking at putting the kitchen at the front, with a counter over one wheel well and storage over the other. Then living area, bath and shower, then bedroom in back.

[video45]

If you looked at a few gillig low floors since the ceiling is 8 foot, some have put a 1 foot high floor to take advantage of the high ceiling. Then you have storage underneath and a 2 foot high wheel well and place a couch on top of it. Also have access to the ac tunnel at top of bus for storage.

[video45]

More pics showing floor and location for toilet over tanks where raised area on drivers side