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 08-01-2018, 01:18 PM   #21
Mini-Skoolie
 
Nomadic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 24
Year: 1999
Engine: Cummins 5.9
I haven't updated in a while. Life(and death) has got in the way. This weekend is going to be a busy weekend. I will have running water, independent electricity, interior paint, exterior stripping, refinishing the countertops and attaching everything so I can drive. My best friend, who made my bus build possible, passed away suddenly last month. So, the attached image of the exterior design is a tribute to him. His last name was Bellairs, and whenever you asked him how he was, he always answered with "Livin' the dream"; and he meant it. So, I am getting the bus in order to drive up to Kansas for his service on the 11th, and then on to Colorado for further celebration of his life and spreading his ashes.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_1721.JPG   IMG_1775.jpg   IMG_1776.jpg   IMG_1777.jpg   IMG_1778.jpg  

IMG_1779.jpg  

Nomadic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2018, 01:42 PM   #22
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
My sincerest condolences. I lost one of the best friends I've ever had this year, too.
My friend Eddie helped me out BIG with my bus!

Sucks losing friends. I'm so sorrry, man.
"In the midst of life, we are in death".

Bellairs and Ed are probably having a great laugh somewhere out there in the ether of the universe.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2018, 01:51 PM   #23
Mini-Skoolie
 
Bigdaadio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: The Adirondacks
Posts: 20
Year: 03
Chassis: BlueBird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Ditto what Eastcoastcb posted-Bellairs and Eddie will keep a close eye on ya...
Nomadic thanks for sharing the pics, I just recently purchased a Bookmobile and have similar space, your pics have given me some ideas.
I presume Bellair was either a skiier or a purvuyer of fine edibles or both, wanting his final resting place in CO. 66' whether his age or year born is way too young!
The Bookmobile going to make it's maiden voyage to a Metallica in October...

Rock on and "live the dream".
Bigdaadio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2018, 08:51 PM   #24
Mini-Skoolie
 
Nomadic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 24
Year: 1999
Engine: Cummins 5.9
A lot of the bookmobiles I have seen are sitting on the exact same chasis and have the same engine/tranny. Good luck with the build. It's a really nice canvas to work with. My original plans have changed a few times, and yours will too. That's how you end up with the perfect bus!

And thanks for the words about my buddy. Steven Bellairs was his name. He was born in 1966. Yep, way too young. Steven had family and friends in Colorado and it's a beautiful state. He would ski when he went and when in Rome... do as the stoners do .
Nomadic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2018, 08:58 PM   #25
Mini-Skoolie
 
Nomadic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 24
Year: 1999
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Shared condolences for Eddie. So we do what we do and take them with us and live the life that was taken from them.
Nomadic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2018, 02:29 PM   #26
Mini-Skoolie
 
Bigdaadio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: The Adirondacks
Posts: 20
Year: 03
Chassis: BlueBird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Amen brother!
I have about 5 plans... probably will do the 6th..
Keep on... Thanks for reply.
Bigdaadio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-04-2018, 09:01 PM   #27
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Sorry for your loss but think the "Tribute" paint job is just an excellent idea. And yes...you gotta do the whitewalls! And can't really tell which color you are going for but know that the two closest '57 Bellaire colors were...


  • Larkspur Blue
  • Tropical Turquoise
Either one would be great. In '66, they were a bit more conservative.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2018, 11:38 AM   #28
Mini-Skoolie
 
Nomadic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 24
Year: 1999
Engine: Cummins 5.9
The color of my bus, under the old wrap, is close to Tropical Turquoise. I went with the blue because of the existing colors. The '66 is a reference to my friend's birth year. And of course... the whitewalls are a must. The fender cutouts will be faked with the wrap. The guy who is doing the wrap said he has a few more design surprises for me. We shall see! Thanks!
Nomadic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2018, 09:21 AM   #29
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Sounds pretty slick. Can't wait to see some pix!
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2018, 12:16 PM   #30
Mini-Skoolie
 
Nomadic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 24
Year: 1999
Engine: Cummins 5.9
It's getting there. Getting wrapped now.

So, I have most of the interior finished and functional. The rain has been insane. It is now stripped and about to get a new wrap. I am including the mockup which included the before photo.

My solar array goes up next. I have it set up at the house and 3.2 Kw of panels will be going on the roof. 6 Kw of batteries will be inside for the time being. And I am running a 24v system with a 2000 watt pure sine inverter. It is all working wonderfully at the house. I can't wait to get it on the bus.

The most recent virtual tour is below. I have done quite a bit since I did this. I will do another soon.
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=rXgmVHwY5ay&brand=0

I will be heading to Colorado and Vegas soon, but I am now in the process of starting an RV/Boondocker park with spaces for folks to work on their skoolies near Denton, Texas. I made another post about that. Check it out and give me some feedback.
Attached Thumbnails
DEEPBLUE_66bellairs-6.JPG   IMG_2333.jpg  
Nomadic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2018, 12:48 PM   #31
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,757
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
neat bus.. and especially HAIL to the Breville!!!
-Christopher
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2018, 01:02 PM   #32
Mini-Skoolie
 
Nomadic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 24
Year: 1999
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Yes, Breville makes wonderful life support systems. I used the old seat belts to keep it in place during travel. I have found those to be quite handy in securing items.
Nomadic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2018, 01:09 PM   #33
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
[QUOTE=Nomadic;296861
I will be heading to Colorado and Vegas soon, but I am now in the process of starting an RV/Boondocker park with spaces for folks to work on their skoolies near Denton, Texas. I made another post about that. Check it out and give me some feedback.[/QUOTE]

I think the idea of a common place for skoolies to get together and work on their conversions. Lend each other knowledge and labor.

I have been looking at properties for sale along I-40 for the same purpose. Unfortunately I am just daydreaming at this point.

Bus is looking great !!
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2018, 01:16 PM   #34
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,757
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
in my DEV bus i kept the floor tracks and i have the old snap in seat belt units that fit them.. they are extremely handy!!!
cadillackid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2018, 02:01 PM   #35
Mini-Skoolie
 
Nomadic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Red Oak, TX
Posts: 24
Year: 1999
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Another update

All of the old, ugly wrap is gone! A layer of silicone will be added and then the new wrap goes over it!
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_2361.jpg   IMG_2362.jpg   IMG_2363.jpg   IMG_2364.jpg   IMG_2365.jpg  

Nomadic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2018, 07:33 PM   #36
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
Sweeeeet! Lookin' bad a$$!
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

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 03:30 PM.


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