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Old 02-20-2021, 05:53 PM   #1
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 4
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: D3FE
Engine: ISB 6.7 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44 Passenger
2010 Blue Bird “Sport Utility Bus”

Greetings Skokie.net community! I am writing to share some details about a 2010 Blue Bird D3FE Bus that I am converting in a “Sport Utility Bus.” I purchased the bus from the US Government and it was last used on Fort Stewart, GA. The bus is in excellent condition with only 27,000 miles. I specifically wanted a front engine model so I could use the large rear door for haul gear. I intend to use the bus for adventures with my GoRiver Marine project. The bus will pull our watercraft to remote locations to camping and river expeditions. I am using the Sportsmobile adventure vans as an inspiration for this project.

I have attached a few photos of the project to date.
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Old 02-20-2021, 09:14 PM   #2
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Location: Auburn, WA
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Year: 2000
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Great bus and great plans for using it!

I had to laugh when I first read "sport" and "bus" in the title. I thought, a sporty bus? lol. But I got what you meant.

I have an RE and there are times I wish I had an FE. That rear door really "opens" (pun intended) up a lot of possibilities.
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Old 02-21-2021, 08:10 AM   #3
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Location: South Dakota
Posts: 4
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: D3FE
Engine: ISB 6.7 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44 Passenger
Steve,

Thanks for your reply. "Sport Utility Bus" or SUB, is a play on "Sport Utility Vehicle." Buses are really wonderful vehicles with so many uses. The Skoolie community is tremendous for their resourcefulness, ingenuity, and determination. I am inspired by the work of others as I approach my bus conversion.

"Keep it simple" is such a great philosophy in life. It really helps you focus on the things that are important to you and letting everything else go.

Thanks again,
Tom
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Old 02-24-2021, 12:21 PM   #4
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Congratulations!!! It looks like a great bus May I ask what engine and transmission she has? Have fun, Kev
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Old 02-24-2021, 12:45 PM   #5
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 4
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: D3FE
Engine: ISB 6.7 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44 Passenger
Kev- My bus has a Cummins ISB 6.7 Turbo Diesel engine and an Allison 3000 transmission. In my humble opinion, all makes of buses have pretty good engine and transmission combinations. I have seen several Skoolies with Chevy gasoline engines that are very durable. I have a couple of other RAM trucks with the 6.7 Cummins and it seems to be a reliable, powerful engine.

Cheese Wagon- using "Skokie.net" is the surest sign of being a newbie and I am as guilty as they come. I tried to edit the post but my shame is there for all to see. In addition to pleading ignorant, I would like to throw my computer's auto correct "under the bus."
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Old 02-24-2021, 12:48 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoRiverTom View Post
Cheese Wagon- using "Skokie.net" is the surest sign of being a newbie and I am as guilty as they come. I tried to edit the post but my shame is there for all to see. In addition to pleading ignorant, I would like to throw my computer's auto correct "under the bus."
So this is possibly an auto-correct thing, not just a 'whatever, close enough' thing? Lots of people really need to start double-checking their posts before they finalize them, it's the difference between helping your uncle Jack, off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse... Or let's eat, kids - vs let's eat kids. LOL. I once got a text from someone who missed the 'b' when they tried to type banal. They got razzed for quite awhile with that.

For those who wonder where this came from, I inadvertently posted in this thread instead of making the question its own thread, and requested the original post be deleted.
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Old 03-21-2021, 07:59 PM   #7
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 4
Year: 2010
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: D3FE
Engine: ISB 6.7 Cummins
Rated Cap: 44 Passenger
My 2010 Blue Bird bus conversion project has been moving forward despite not having a lot of time to work on it lately. Five of the seven new seats have arrived, new flooring is in transit, track curtains are in production, new stereo has been installed, refrigeration/freezer is on site, bunk beds are in production and a tire vendor is working on new rubber.

I also spent some time this weekend removing some of the reflective material from the side of the bus. I am planning to coat the lower panels of the bus with an epoxy bed liner. I believe the reflective decals are made by 3M and they are very challenging to remove. I started with a heat gun and putty knife. That removed most of the decals but there was quite a bit of residue remaining. Next up was the pressure washer. It took off any remaining bits of the decal and some of the adhesive. Lastly, it took good old fashioned elbow grease, a putty knife and some gasoline on a rag to get the last remaining bits of glue.

The weather on Saturday was nice so I made a beer run in the bus just to remind myself why I am doing this project. I really enjoy driving the bus. The roar of the engine, sound of the air brakes, and the gentle ride are fantastic. It has been so much fun working on the bus and I can’t wait until we start using it for some adventures!
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