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Old 09-16-2016, 04:48 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Amarillo Tx
Posts: 142
Year: 1999
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444EIEIO
Rated Cap: 8 window?
nOOb intro

That's me, the new guy.

I'm in the Panhandle of Texas and have been bitten with the idea of building my own skoolie bus. I can do most anything wood working, am capable with household wiring, can do most motorcycle repairs and will try automotive tasks IF someone tells me what and how to do it. I'm not a mechanic but I can follow instructions. So - Thanks in large part to the friendly, helpful atmosphere of this forum - I'm on the lookout for a short school bus and am ready to dive in.

does this sound like a good place to start?

Bus #: 723 - Conventional Style - Passengers: 22 Passengers W/ 3 Wheel Chair Spaces - Engine Size/Type: DT 466 - Diesel - Battery: Yes - Engine In Front - Runs - Transmission Type/Condition: Allison/Fair - Air Brakes - Automatic - Approx. Mileage Reads: 130,045**Not Actual Mileage** - Interior Condition: Fair - Wheel Chair Lift, Condition: Fair - Interior Problems: Normal Wear - Body Condition: Fair - Approx. Hub Reads: 162,953 - Inspection Sticker Date: 04/17 - Body Problems: Oxidized Paint, Surface Scratches, Minor Surface Rust - Tires Condition: Good - A/C

I'm soon to be 57 - all that's behind me. The bus will be for me and my camping pal Buster the dog. My darling wife will go along 1 time. I would like to bring along a motorcycle.

I plan to gut the bus and go from there. Naturally I need a good platform to build upon. I'd like to have a bus that I could drive to semi-primitive camp sites. No need for a 4X4 or a Unimog -I hope.

Advice is appreciated.

MIke

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Old 09-16-2016, 05:15 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 938
Chassis: GMC or Chevrolet, I hope
Engine: gasser probably
not much of a mechanic here, but welcome.

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Old 09-16-2016, 06:18 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Richmond Virginia
Posts: 932
Year: 1984
Engine: 366 Big block Chevy! :) w/ Stick shift
Welcome Mike, sounds like an exciting time
The older i get the more i suspect being a good mechanic means me not complicating things and just replacing the bad part with a nice new or at least good working part. Seems too simple but it has been working well for me for some time.
I wish i could show off my wood working skills; i framed a bed with a hand saw and some found lumber. It holds my mattress but sure wont win any prize pig awards.

glad you're here
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Old 09-16-2016, 08:49 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oklahoma aka "God's blind spot"
Posts: 2,446
Year: 1989
Coachwork: 1853FC International/Navistar
Chassis: 35' Retired Air Force Ambulance
Engine: DT466, MT643
Rated Cap: 6 souls and a driver
Welcome!
Just so we're clear...
You're not talking a one-way trip for your wife, are you?
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Old 09-17-2016, 03:55 AM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Dowdy Lakes, Colorado
Posts: 1,444
Year: 1989
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner ER
Engine: 3208 CAT/MT643 tranny
Rated Cap: 87
Quote:
Originally Posted by milkmania View Post
Welcome!
Just so we're clear...
You're not talking a one-way trip for your wife, are you?


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Old 09-17-2016, 04:30 PM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oklahoma aka "God's blind spot"
Posts: 2,446
Year: 1989
Coachwork: 1853FC International/Navistar
Chassis: 35' Retired Air Force Ambulance
Engine: DT466, MT643
Rated Cap: 6 souls and a driver
Are you?!?!
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Old 09-19-2016, 08:43 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Amarillo Tx
Posts: 142
Year: 1999
Coachwork: International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: T444EIEIO
Rated Cap: 8 window?
Well........

Quote:
Originally Posted by milkmania View Post
Welcome!
Just so we're clear...
You're not talking a one-way trip for your wife, are you?
I'll be nice, Thought you should know the wife says this is a crazy idea.

I was out at the lake this weekend in the tent with the dog. Sure woulda' been nice to get away from the flies and take a shower.

The bus I'm looking at goes up for sale this thursday. Maybe I could get it for a couple grand or less? Then its a 9 hour drive home.

Wasn't the full moon magnificent?
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Old 09-19-2016, 10:33 PM   #8
Bus Nut
 
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Richmond Virginia
Posts: 932
Year: 1984
Engine: 366 Big block Chevy! :) w/ Stick shift
Full Moon

Yes this full moon was magnificent.
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