Planning ahead

[Lucci65]

Hello everyone, call me Lucci. I am 56yo living in Austin TX and finally decided to follow my dream of full time living in a Skoolie now that the kids are grown, it will be just me and the dog.
I am still searching for the "perfect" mid-size School bus to buy. Yeah, I finally understand about the anxiety of buying something I have only seen pictures of, the right engine, right transmission, rust, tires, etc... Arghhhh!! But it's just a matter of time. Meanwhile I have been buying parts (solar panels, batteries, inverter, charger wires, plumbing, etc...) and storing them so I will have most that I need once I find "Dream Life" the bus.
I am a contractor so i believe my skills will help a bit on the build.
I hope to very soon be sharing pics of it and starting the adventure. And definitely looking forward to meeting and learning from you all.
Meanwhile if there are anyone building a skoolie in or around Austin I would be more than happy to help on the weekends.
Good times ahead!!

[Rwnielsen]

Hi and welcome to the fray
I've been on this site for only a short while but I find the info here is generally top notch. I'm a contractor (elec) as well and hoping to retire someday soon. There's an awful lot of things I'm not too familiar with an this is great place to learn.
Buckle up and enjoy the ride

[Lucci65]

Thank you Rwnielsen,
I am a general contractor originally from Brasil but lived in Long Beach CA for 15 years. Yes, much to learn but I'll get there. Can't wait!

[peteg59]

Welcome to the site.

You will find answers to many of your questions on the site.
It can be a breeze for some, and a real serious mistake for others, that actually get started on a build.
I sincerely hope you maintain your enthusiasm for the build, as you get your hands dirty in the process.
Good luck, and post pics if you can...

[Lucci65]

Originally Posted by peteg59

Welcome to the site.

You will find answers to many of your questions on the site.
It can be a breeze for some, and a real serious mistake for others, that actually get started on a build.
I sincerely hope you maintain your enthusiasm for the build, as you get your hands dirty in the process.
Good luck, and post pics if you can...

Thank you! as soon as I have my hands on the right bus they will get dirty!
I am excited, scared, happy, nervous all at once. I think the worse really will be The purchase and getting it to home base.

[peteg59]

As you are likely aware, scoring the right bus with no major body rot, and a good/strong drivetrain, are the vital building blocks to having a solid, successful and long lasting skoolie conversion.

Plenty of great discussions on the site on choosing the right bus, through final conversion.

All it takes is the time to peruse the site for its "treasure".
And there is no charge for any of it!

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by Lucci65

Thank you! as soon as I have my hands on the right bus they will get dirty!
I am excited, scared, happy, nervous all at once. I think the worse really will be The purchase and getting it to home base.

Keep your eyes open on Katy school district and Cypress school district auctions. They do a great job of maintaining their busses. Very little to know rust. Good luck on a crazy adventure !!!

[LargeMargeInBaja]

Oi Lucci!
.
Could you open your search to include other vehicle types?
.
Many of the conversion skills discussed on this forum trans-fer to retired U-Haul trucks, walk-in bread trucks, and probably boats, too.
.
I read about a retired air-liner converted to a residence...

[cadillackid]

ive seen some bad ass stealth box truck builds!! the box on many of them is a blank slate with already-tall ceilings and that nice full roll-back door..