hello from louisiana

[kevmo]

Hi I'm kevin from louisiana

I'm here to gather info before getting into a build
I'm going to be looking for a flat bb or thomas that I can Raise the roof because I'm quite tall
also would really like info on wireing and plumbing. I feel like that's the part I'll have the hardest Time with

Dream7
live out on the road and still have a decent job fingers crossed

[bansil]

Welcome
lots of info here, start by making a list of what you want and what you want to do, then work on each item, 1 at a time

[SassyLass]

kevmo

Originally Posted by kevmo

Hi I'm kevin from louisiana

I'm here to gather info before getting into a build
I'm going to be looking for a flat bb or thomas that I can Raise the roof because I'm quite tall

Look up cowlitzcoach's posts. He is a wealth of information about virtually all makes and models. Especially helpful to me while trying to choose the "perfect" bus and power package that will suit my intended use. You might want to look for the 12" (vs. the 9") windows. They will have a 78" headroom to start with. You can tell in a pic- the top of the windows/drip rail is NOT in line with the drivers window in the 'taller' busses. The drip-rail lines up on the 'shorter' buses.

also would really like info on wireing and plumbing. I feel like that's the part I'll have the hardest Time with

Browse the "build" threads and how-to's. there are a few very talanted folks on here. I guarantee you'll get so many new ideas you'll have a tough time choosing favorites.

Dream7
live out on the road and still have a decent job fingers crossed

Good luck in your quest!

[cowlitzcoach]

Don't limit yourself to just Blue Bird and Thomas buses.

Carpenter was still making buses into the late '90's. They made a pretty good bus body with some exceptions that won't matter if you are raising the roof.

Ward/AmTrans/IC are pretty good buses as well. The government ordered hundreds during the '90's that all had the extended roof options that had an inside height of I think 82". It was at least 78".

Going back a little farther Superior and Wayne made pretty decent bus bodies as well.

The most important thing to decide upon is which power package you want and which power packages on which you would settle, and which power packages you really don't want.

Let us all know if you have any specific questions about a particular bus.

Good luck!

[austin1989us]

I saw a flat nosed bluebird on the shreveport/minden craigslist page. Check it out.

[austin1989us]

1988 Bluebird Bus

[Scooternj]

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

Ward/AmTrans/IC are pretty good buses as well. The government ordered hundreds during the '90's that all had the extended roof options that had an inside height of I think 82". It was at least 78".

And if you're looking for a flat nose, the 3000RE has plenty of space to access the engine in the bay, with very minimal contortions, and great cooling. I'll second the 78" roof clearance. With how I plan to lay my floor and ceiling when I'm done, I'll still have plenty of clearance, and I stand 6'.

[The SnoBall Effect]

Which part of Louisiana? We are from the New Orleans area.

[kevmo]

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

Don't limit yourself to just Blue Bird and Thomas buses.

Carpenter was still making buses into the late '90's. They made a pretty good bus body with some exceptions that won't matter if you are raising the roof.

Ward/AmTrans/IC are pretty good buses as well. The government ordered hundreds during the '90's that all had the extended roof options that had an inside height of I think 82". It was at least 78".

Going back a little farther Superior and Wayne made pretty decent bus bodies as well.

The most important thing to decide upon is which power package you want and which power packages on which you would settle, and which power packages you really don't want.

Let us all know if you have any specific questions about a particular bus.

Good luck!

Thank u all for the welcome

The thing is I'm 6'6 (78"") I've been looking and I haven't been able to find any lifts that are finished or there all sheet metal with no windows I'm sure there ar some but I haven't been
able to find it
my question is are there any close to finished and where do u get the windows and what kind

[austin1989us]

Just cut the sheet metal and install some RV windows

Amazon.com: rv window

[kevmo]

Lafayette area

[austin1989us]

Originally Posted by kevmo

Lafayette area

I was born in Lafayette! My family is from Morgan City.

[Scooternj]

Originally Posted by austin1989us

Just cut the sheet metal and install some RV windows

But, be careful where you cut. Taking out too many window pillars is a recipe for disaster. For something like this, doing your own roof raise and reskin would be preferable, because 1) you know where the pillars are, and 2) you also know how sturdy the raise is. If you're uncertain about doing it yourself, read through wmkbailey's build thread here. He did his raise and conversion by himself, with some pretty innovative techniques.

[nat_ster]

Roof raise and house windows is the best bang for the buck.

Some trip buses cut every second pillar out and install large 4 foot long sliding RV windows. So therefore cutting out every second rib should be fine.

At your height (6.6) I would not mess around. Do a 24 inch raise, vault the ceiling, and enjoy. You will be able to look out the window standing up vs laying down. lol

When mine is done, I will have a rub rail every 16 inches on the new skinning steel. This will make it hard to tell it was not factory.

I will also have a nice 24 inch by 24 inch window over the headboard of my bed. This window will be installed in the new skin steel.

I will also have a 30 by 30 window at the back of the bus where the door used to be. It will also be over the bed.

I have already installed 6 residential windows in the new skinning steel at the front of the bus. They are two 4 foot high by 5 feet wide, two 4 foot high by 2 feet wide, and two 30 inch high by 5 feet wide.

For reference, my current build.
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...ime-10138.html

Also go read as many build threads as you can. The information inside each one in invaluable.

Nat

[kevmo]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

Roof raise and house windows is the best bang for the buck.

Some trip buses cut every second pillar out and install large 4 foot long sliding RV windows. So therefore cutting out every second rib should be fine.

At your height (6.6) I would not mess around. Do a 24 inch raise, vault the ceiling, and enjoy. You will be able to look out the window standing up vs laying down. lol

When mine is done, I will have a rub rail every 16 inches on the new skinning steel. This will make it hard to tell it was not factory.

I will also have a nice 24 inch by 24 inch window over the headboard of my bed. This window will be installed in the new skin steel.

I will also have a 30 by 30 window at the back of the bus where the door used to be. It will also be over the bed.

I have already installed 6 residential windows in the new skinning steel at the front of the bus. They are two 4 foot high by 5 feet wide, two 4 foot high by 2 feet wide, and two 30 inch high by 5 feet wide.

For reference, my current build.
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...ime-10138.html

Also go read as many build threads as you can. The information inside each one in invaluable.

Nat

Thank u all

Nat Ur build is awesome so far and will no doubt be amazing when finished. All I can say is thank god living in the south we don't have that big of a rust problem.

So far 2 people have sugested standard home windows but my concern is bumps and water. 1 The roads around here are pretty bad and busses are rough riding will they crack. 2 with the rattling and heating will the windows stay sealed enough to stay water tight. Now that being said I honestly have no clue one way or another, please let me know your thoughts

Thanks

[SassyLass]

Here's a thread with some links to various window specs/technical details for comparison, and several opinions on the subject:

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f13/ho...olie-8697.html

[kevmo]

Thank
I think I'm going to go with the canibalization option there a ton of old FEMA Trailers still sitting in a field close by that you can buy for a few hundred bucks

Has anyone else used a donor rv for things like
Water heater, black and gray water tank, stove fridge table

[M1031A1]

Kev,

Watch Houston Auto Auction. There are some buses coming up soon that may fit what you are looking for in your price range, just sayin'.......

I work for Katy ISD in Katy TX......

[jazty]

Originally Posted by nat_ster

When mine is done, I will have a rub rail every 16 inches on the new skinning steel. This will make it hard to tell it was not factory.

I had thought about doing the same thing, but wasn't sure I liked the look. I still may do it one of these days since I have the rails just lying around. The rails might look nice with accent paint on them, or something.

Originally Posted by kevmo

Thank
I think I'm going to go with the canibalization option there a ton of old FEMA Trailers still sitting in a field close by that you can buy for a few hundred bucks

Has anyone else used a donor rv for things like
Water heater, black and gray water tank, stove fridge table

How long have these trailers been sitting around? I received a free fifth wheel the other day that has been sitting around in a field for years. It's in bad shape. Everything is rusted out and nasty. I wouldn't want to use any appliances from it. It's just a shed now.

On the other hand, I really like the propane stove I got from an old camper that was well cared for. Hardly a lick of rust and the paint is in good shape.

[kevmo]

Katrina and Rita were 10 years ago so probably 8years