Howdy (from Fresno)

[Carlyn]

I have been haulin' this bus around for 15 years. It's a '63 4WD Dodge Powerwagon. I understand it's only one of three known surviving.
I want to either convert it to a self-contained living space or tiny home (THOW). I do not have the skills to go it alone
I need contacts for people or companies who are willing to work with me.
I don't want it to just rust away.... :'o(
[couldn't figure out how to post a picture here but I did put a few in a 'pictures & albums']

[Missourileo]

Hi Carlyn,
That is an awesome rig you have there!!! It's a beast. If you upload the pics on to a site like photobucket or flickr, you can post them directly in here using the IMG link. I'd like to know more about that rig.

[Carlyn]

hey, thanks for the speedy reply and tip. I'll try to get around to doing that. ;o)

[Tango]

Sounds like you have a real jewel there! And definitely worth bringing back to life and putting to good use.

Ditto on the pix...I gotta' see this sweetheart.

[Carlyn]

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/member...albums745.html

[Missourileo]

That thing is so cool. Just a really neat bus.

[crazycal]

Very cool bus.

[Tango]

Simply irresistible! Fantastic find!

[Carlyn]

here's a video I shot today
Library Slideshow by carlynmurdock | Photobucket

[Carlyn]

Now....where and how do I start the reno process?!

I think I should address the rust situation first?? Any advice on how to do that?? (-_-)

[montanatown]

WOW!! A country girl and a 4x4 Dodge Powerwagon bus. Ya, just got to love that combo.

Hi, Carlyn, welcome to the site. Where to start all depends on your budget and just how much you want to do yourself. With the right tips and guidance ( and Patience! ) you can do a lot of the work yourself. If you choose to I think there are a lot of places around you that will be able to work on it for you if you wish. A little searching on google we should be able to find some. There's lots of good resources here and plenty of folks with good tips if your willing to ask and read through the posts. I have been doing more reading than posting because there's tons of material on almost every aspect and with a little reading and looking at some of the pics you'll figure out whose advise is worth listening to.

I myself would focus on the mechanical and physical restoration first no matter what you plan to do in the end. Protect and save what you can now before its to late.

For me that thing is SO DANG COOL I wouldn't do to much to mess it up from its original design. I would have it cleaned up and restored as much as possible.

So tell us what you would like to do/what your vision and or ideas are and the information you seek will start coming out of the woodwork.

[REDD]

That's BADASS all the way! Good luck with your project.

[dond]

[EastCoastCB]

Oh man, that's one SWEET rig.

[Tango]

What else could anyone want!? Super sweet classic with a lot going for it.

[Carlyn]

still trying to get the video to be accessible!

'63 Dodge PowerWagon 4WD Bus Video by carlynmurdock | Photobucket
http://vid484.photobucket.com/albums...psgrzgz4mj.mp4

[Carlyn]

http://s484.photobucket.com/user/car...?sort=3&page=1
http://s484.photobucket.com/user/car...on%204WD%20Bus

[M1031A1]

Ok, watched the video, have some answers:

1 - YES you NEED new tires!!!!!! YIKES!!!!! Anything over 7 years old is in need of replacement!

2 - What a beautiful piece of history you have! THAT is a go-anywhere, do-anything bus! If you are serious about converting it into a 4X4 home, read up on what others are doing with their buses on the site. The issues they come up against - with me it's heat in Texas at the moment - and the solutions that they figure out will save you lots of time and $$$.

If it were my bus, and I was planning on living in it full time, a complete rip-the-walls-down-to-the-outside-metal-from-inside is the way I would go. The complete picture of what you're up against will come to light. The needed repairs/sealing/water-proofing requirements will be self-evident at that time. I'd save the overhead shelves and re-use them to help with storage. Storage is a PREMIUM on any bus, and yours in particular. If you want to keep the windows, that's up to you. Me, I'd replace them with better windows and block out any unneeded windows with steel and seal up the seams. The more insulation you have the less energy required for A/C in the summer and heat in the winter. In this case more insulation is best.

Those are my initial thoughts. Things like electrical and plumbing will come later. Getting started is the most important step.

GREAT start so far!

M1031......

[Tango]

I can't get over what great condition that old girl is in! Was it in cold storage all these years? Just outstandingly cool!

[Carlyn]

ok -- good. Thanks for letting me know you could view the video! I appreciate all your words of advice... Just wish I could find someone locally who could help me.

Hopefully, I won't need to replace the wheels -- only the tires. Wonder how much 6 of those tires cost!