Vermont to ????

Casper the Ghost · 02-14-2018, 07:33 PM

Hello there folks!
I'm not only new to this forum, but I'm pretty new to the entire concept of skoolie conversions- so new in fact, that I don't even own a bus yet. I'll probably be pestering folks on this site with the most annoying questions like "whats the best engine in your opinion?" and "What transmission should I avoid", but I also hope to learn enough to contribute in a meaningful way- wether that be through sharing my trials and tribulations through an eventual conversion that I'd like to jump on this spring.

Anyway, I'll extend a preliminary thank you to all of you who may be helping me out in the next few months.

If any of y'all are passing through VT, hit me up.

-James

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2018, 07:38 PM

Welcome!
Transmission is easy- ANYTHING but a 545 is good.

Hit me up if you're ever down here in the Sunshine State!
I'd LOVE to visit VT!

PNW_Steve · 02-14-2018, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Welcome!
Transmission is easy- ANYTHING but a 545 is good.

Hit me up if you're ever down here in the Sunshine State!
I'd LOVE to visit VT!

CB is a 545 hater!!!!

Kidding. That really is good advice.

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

CB is a 545 hater!!!!

Kidding. That really is good advice.

Definitely a 545 hater. Sure its "ok" on flat ground at city speeds. But its the worst choice of transmission possible, period. Literally any other available transmission is a HUGE upgrade. And the engine will live longer without the at545 slipping constantly and creating heat.

o1marc · 02-14-2018, 07:45 PM

Before you start asking those 'ANNOYING QUESTIONS", start reading all the threads that are active in black in the list to the right of this page. Most of the questions you will ask are being currently discussed. Welcome to the addiction. I also don't have a bus and it's wise you stopped here first before buying a bus only to find it's not wha you really needed. My complete plan changed once I learned a bit.

Casper the Ghost · 02-14-2018, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Welcome!
Transmission is easy- ANYTHING but a 545 is good.

Hit me up if you're ever down here in the Sunshine State!
I'd LOVE to visit VT!

Right on, living in SoFlo for a bit when I was a teenager.

PNW_Steve · 02-14-2018, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Definitely a 545 hater. Sure its "ok" on flat ground at city speeds. But its the worst choice of transmission possible, period. Literally any other available transmission is a HUGE upgrade. And the engine will live longer without the at545 slipping constantly and creating heat.

Don't sugar coat it CB, tell us how you really feel?

Casper the Ghost · 02-14-2018, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Before you start asking those 'ANNOYING QUESTIONS", start reading all the threads that are active in black in the list to the right of this page. Most of the questions you will ask are being currently discussed. Welcome to the addiction. I also don't have a bus and it's wise you stopped here first before buying a bus only to find it's not wha you really needed. My complete plan changed once I learned a bit.

Thats the plan.
I'm hoping to have a much better idea of what will fit my needs by late march and buy by early/mid April.
Do they make a skoolie methadone?

WanderWoman · 02-14-2018, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper the Ghost

Thats the plan.
I'm hoping to have a much better idea of what will fit my needs by late march and buy by early/mid April.
Do they make a skoolie methadone?

Welcome... ask all the annoying questions you want, LOL. That's what we're here for. There are 2 cool search options up at the top... the internal search and the google one, where google actually finds things on this forum better than the internal search option.
I can't wait to see what you buy and build.
Sandi
The WanderLust Bus

Casper the Ghost · 02-14-2018, 08:13 PM

Thanks Wanderwoman!
Good looks on the search bar, thanks!

Casper the Ghost · 02-14-2018, 08:31 PM

Also, I just fell down the rabbit hole with the search function.
everything's going to be alright...
thanks again

Robin97396 · 02-14-2018, 08:35 PM

So, when you're having this bus fantasy what exactly do you see yourself driving? Is it a 40 ft bus or a shorty?

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2018, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Don't sugar coat it CB, tell us how you really feel?

I love you Steve.

Happy Valentines day!

Casper the Ghost · 02-14-2018, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

So, when you're having this bus fantasy what exactly do you see yourself driving? Is it a 40 ft bus or a shorty?

I think a 40-footer may be more than I want/need. I spent some time in a 40(fish) foot converted city bus traveling from Portland, OR to Costa Rica and the size certainly created some issues. Of course I know there are some differences between a school bus and a city transit bus.

I think I'd like to find something around 28' flat nose style. I'm saying that, but I also have no idea what the benefits, or the draw backs for that matter, would be for such a rig. I think thats why I'm here: to learn.

Do you have suggestions for something in the 28' foot range?
Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated!

-J

EastCoastCB · 02-14-2018, 09:11 PM

I like the conventional engine, standard type buses the best. Lots of them in the smaller sizes too.

WanderWoman · 02-14-2018, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper the Ghost

Also, I just fell down the rabbit hole with the search function.
everything's going to be alright...
thanks again

You're welcome

Robin97396 · 02-14-2018, 09:34 PM

There is a 28' model called a TC2000. If you find one of these in model year 1997 or older it will have a mechanical engine, but later years are computer controlled. It's a FE with about 23' of floor space from the back wall to the back of the driver's seat.

I have a very similar model, the TC1000 at 26'. The advantage of this model is the interior floor is completely flat with no wheel well intrusions. This is done via tiny wheels on my bus. I have 19.5" wheels compared to the TC2000 which has 22.5" wheels.

These models are very manuverable because of the cantilevered ends. Less wasted space inside because it's a box.

I'm not saying this is your perfect bus. Like many things you just need a place to start.

Casper the Ghost · 02-15-2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

There is a 28' model called a TC2000. If you find one of these in model year 1997 or older it will have a mechanical engine, but later years are computer controlled. It's a FE with about 23' of floor space from the back wall to the back of the driver's seat.

I have a very similar model, the TC1000 at 26'. The advantage of this model is the interior floor is completely flat with no wheel well intrusions. This is done via tiny wheels on my bus. I have 19.5" wheels compared to the TC2000 which has 22.5" wheels.
.

Right on thanks!!
And you're right: gotta start somewhere!

weboughtabus · 02-15-2018, 03:25 PM

Welcome to the community! My wife and I just joined the craze in NJ. We spent a lot of time searching and reading and lurking our way through these forums. There's a dearth of good information to be had in here and plenty of great people who are willing to share their expertise and experience, if you're willing to ask and listen. We just bought a 2004 E350 Corbeil accessible bus to skoolie around in. Like Robin97396, our bus has an almost completely unobstructed floorplan. We have a small ramp area between the first two rows of seats and a small notch for the diesel filler. Once we fill the ramp, we'll have basically an uninterrupted 8'x12' area to build off of.

I see you're in Burlington-my wife and I love it there! We've been making annual journeys up that way for the past 4 years or so. We've been camping in Little River and staying in a hotel in Essex Junction on most of our trips. Fingers crossed that we have the bus in shape to drive it up, this year, as we're planning to bring the dogs and they'll be a lot more comfortable in a skoolie than a tent (they're spoiled city dogs).

Casper the Ghost · 02-15-2018, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

Welcome to the community! My wife and I just joined the craze in NJ. We spent a lot of time searching and reading and lurking our way through these forums. There's a dearth of good information to be had in here and plenty of great people who are willing to share their expertise and experience, if you're willing to ask and listen. We just bought a 2004 E350 Corbeil accessible bus to skoolie around in. Like Robin97396, our bus has an almost completely unobstructed floorplan. We have a small ramp area between the first two rows of seats and a small notch for the diesel filler. Once we fill the ramp, we'll have basically an uninterrupted 8'x12' area to build off of.

I see you're in Burlington-my wife and I love it there! We've been making annual journeys up that way for the past 4 years or so. We've been camping in Little River and staying in a hotel in Essex Junction on most of our trips. Fingers crossed that we have the bus in shape to drive it up, this year, as we're planning to bring the dogs and they'll be a lot more comfortable in a skoolie than a tent (they're spoiled city dogs).

Well, be sure to hit me up if you make it up this way.
Its been less than 24 hours and I already feel (cautiously) more informed. What kind fo budget were you working with for the purchase and to make your rig livable?

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