Intro

[Whywalk]

Hi, All.
I've been lurking for a couple months and decided now is as good a time as any for an introduction.
I'm 60.
I've always wanted a school bus--blame it on The Partridge Family--and, finally, in early September, I found a shortie in the right place at the right time...and I jumped.
It's a 2003 MicroBird--Blue Bird--built on a Chevy 350 chassis. I believe it's a 6.0 Vortec. It's gas powered, 5 window. (I see tons of posts here about diesels, and very few about gas, so I've been hesitant to post that. Sort of like all the debates about smart phones: you have what you like, and I have what I like; it's not a competition.)
I spent at least a month trying to get insurance (which I finally did, with a commercial policy--until I complete the remodel). I've pulled all the seats and, thanks to some awesome how-to (with an air chisel) videos I found links to on this forum, I'll be removing a boatload of rivets in the interior ceiling and side panels this weekend.
Weather is turning wintery here and I'm looking for somewhere to park her close to work so I can continue the transformation and, hopefully be done and on the road (to wherever) by the end of 2018.
I love seeing everyone's builds and look forward to more inspiration and ideas and sharing my updates as well.
So happy to have found my skoolie...and this community.

[Tango]

Welcome! --- Always nice to see some youngsters getting on board. Just keep reading. Nearly everything you need to know is on this board somewhere. And if it isn't...there are plenty good and knowledgeable folks who will jump in to help.

[Whywalk]

Originally Posted by Tango

Welcome! --- Always nice to see some youngsters getting on board. Just keep reading. Nearly everything you need to know is on this board somewhere. And if it isn't...there are plenty good and knowledgeable folks who will jump in to help.

Thanks! I've seen YOUR name pop up in posts 😜

[PNW_Steve]

I had a talk with the service manager at a good sized bus barn about their short buses. They had retired all of their diesel cut aways and replaced them with GM 6.0 gas powered rigs. He loved them. He said that they were getting 150k-200k miles out of them without many significant service issues and they get almost as good of fuel mileage as the diesels that they replaced.

I am a BIG diesel fan. I currently have 3 diesel rigs in the driveway.

If I had to have a gas powered pickup or van it would have to be a 6.0 GM.

[Whywalk]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

I had a talk with the service manager at a good sized bus barn about their short buses. They had retired all of their diesel cut aways and replaced them with GM 6.0 gas powered rigs. He loved them. He said that they were getting 150k-200k miles out of them without many significant service issues and they get almost as good of fuel mileage as the diesels that they replaced.

I am a BIG diesel fan. I currently have 3 diesel rigs in the driveway.

If I had to have a gas powered pickup or van it would have to be a 6.0 GM.

Thanks for the positive comments !

[JDOnTheGo]

Howdy and Welcome Whywalk! Are you planning a camper or full-time home or ??

[Whywalk]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

Howdy and Welcome Whywalk! Are you planning a camper or full-time home or ??

Thank you!
I'm planning on a full time home.
I've been interested in--and following--the tiny home community for almost a decade. Having a skoolie, to me, is the best of both worlds.

[Whywalk]

Originally Posted by Tango

Welcome! --- Always nice to see some youngsters getting on board. Just keep reading. Nearly everything you need to know is on this board somewhere. And if it isn't...there are plenty good and knowledgeable folks who will jump in to help.

Thanks!
LOTS of good info here!
Great people, too ✔️