New to the whole thing

[Kishmc]

Hi, I have just stared the process of finding a bus. Every time I do a search for anything bus related I end up here so I thought I would jump in and join.

I am looking forward to this adventure.

[Robin97396]

Welcome

We're always looking for new blood. What kind of build are you intending.

[Kishmc]

Thanks for the welcome

I am looking to convert a shuttle to serve as a small wheelchair accessible rv. My husband is a wheelchair user so we need something with a working lift. The first thought was a box van as it has an open floor plan, but how to get him in and where would he ride was the issue.

It dawned on me one morning that if I could get my hands on a shuttle that was already equipped with the lift I was one step closer to getting to where I want to be which is traveling as much as we can.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Kishmc

Thanks for the welcome

I am looking to convert a shuttle to serve as a small wheelchair accessible rv. My husband is a wheelchair user so we need something with a working lift. The first thought was a box van as it has an open floor plan, but how to get him in and where would he ride was the issue.

It dawned on me one morning that if I could get my hands on a shuttle that was already equipped with the lift I was one step closer to getting to where I want to be which is traveling as much as we can.

If you get a short full size chassis bus, you'll have a lot more room and they're build a good bit more sturdy than the shuttles.
Here's my WC/special needs shorty-

[Robin97396]

Those are easily available. I'm sitting in one right now. Wheel chair lift, completely flat floor. They're usually medium size buses in both dognose and front engine models. They can be most easily recognized by their slightly smaller tires, which accommodate the flat floor.
These buses are interesting projects. It's more work than most of us think it will be, but it's all hand done. You'll know your bus well by time you get it finished.

[EastCoastCB]

My shorty isn't a flat floor, its got full size 10r22.5's.
But there's a WIDE aisle and plenty of room for WC's.
Was CHEAP at an Aurora CO auction on Public Surplus.

[EastCoastCB]

Also- lots of box trucks/vans have lifts on the rear bumper that could probably be used to get in and out if in a WC.

[Kishmc]

What is the ceiling height on yours? I need it to be 6' plus while he uses a chair he also stands up. We are a complicated bunch

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Kishmc

What is the ceiling height on yours? I need it to be 6' plus while he uses a chair he also stands up. We are a complicated bunch

I got lucky and scored a high headroom model. My big bus only had 6' headroom, then I raised the roof ten inches. The shorty has 6'4" or 6'6", I haven't actually measured yet.
But yeah they make high headroom school buses.