Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 11-07-2016, 09:41 PM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Grand Rapids
Posts: 2
Year: 1994
Hello from Michigan- Short Bus Conversion

Hello!

We are excited to join this little skoolie community. we just picked up a 1994 diesel short bus from a brew tour company, and we are getting really excited to tear into and start the conversion.

Some initial questions...
1. There is some rust on the frame and body because it is a 1994 from Michigan. In one spot specifically it is rusted through the joint between the body and the frame. Any idea how much this cost to get fixed or who to contact in the greater Grand Rapids area?

2. In my research I see that most people re-insulate their buses. Is there a way to tell if the insulation is bad or rotted out without ripping off the panels to see it?

3. I have a little concern with it being diesel and needing it to start in potentially cold temperatures. Has anyone had major issues with it? We are planning a year long art tour through out the country and want to see a lot, but we are leaving in the fall and hoping to stay north as long as we can before it gets too cold, but Im afraid if we are off the grid somewhere or not plugged in, that we will get stranded because it wont start. Is it just dependent on the bus as to how cold it can start?

Any help is appreciated,
Thanks

simplylivin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2016, 09:58 PM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
roach711's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi (Detroit area)
Posts: 1,968
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Eldorado Aerotech 24'
Chassis: Ford E-450 Cutaway Bus
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 19
Way more information needed.
__________________
The Roach Motel
roach711 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2016, 10:09 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
Carytowncat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Richmond Virginia
Posts: 932
Year: 1984
Engine: 366 Big block Chevy! :) w/ Stick shift
Welcome! Glad you are here

Can you share which motor the bus has?

What areas do you plan to be at during winter, and what temperatures do you expect?

I look forward to seeing pictures of the bus and your art
Carytowncat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2016, 05:08 AM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
TheCog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: West of the Mississippi
Posts: 42
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Shuttle Bus
Chassis: Ford E350
Engine: Ford 460/7.5l
Rated Cap: 15
Hello from WOTM...bus is a gasser but pickup has a old school 6.9l IH. Healthy glow plugs on a manual switch are key to starting mine in cold weather. When temps get below 10*F I plug it in about 2 hrs before starting to warm the cooling system and it responds well...after all who doesn't like a hot shower on a cold morning.
__________________
Certified Zip Tie Mechanic
TheCog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2016, 06:22 AM   #5
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Depends on how rusted it is. A friend spend six months converting a bus up in michigan. When he got it here and bought a home he couldn't sell the bus because it was so rusty it wasn't any good anymore. Every single part of the bus was rusting though.
Post up some pics of the damage.

If you have rust through the frame that's real bad.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.