Quick opinions

[LargeMargeInBaja]

My suggestion:
* go for it!
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If this will be your first or near-first build, consider it a 'throw-away'.
'Yes', you can fall in love with it, you can invest an insane amount of time getting everything perfect, top-of-the-line appliances and gear.
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But it is your 'learning path'.
Years from now, you may look back upon the upcoming days with bewilderment, thinking 'I was sure dumb back then!'.
And this's OK.
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As you develop your RequirementsStatement, any rig probably would work just fine as a foundation.
Then, as you learn and grow, your housing needs evolve.
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I think any of your listed choices are adequate for your base to grow.
'As long as the tires hold air' (a euphemism for 'drivable'), you have my blessings.
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My suggestion;
* avoid believing 'this rig is my forever rig'
As soon as you get it done, something else might catch your eye... and then, sure as shootin', you are off-n-running all over again.
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I been through this once-er-twice.

[cadillackid]

fantastic you got your bus!!! did they require DOT number and all that? or did you just hop in and drive it away?

[MNbusboy]

They did require a DOT number, and they were not happy with me for bidding without one. They also would not even consider letting me register the bus directly as an RV in Vermont. They said it has to be registered as a MN non-commercial vehicle, unless a bidder could show a registered address and bidder registration for another state.

The FMCSA website clearly said I did not need a DOT number as a non commercial individual, but I registered anyway. For my company name I put my name, for my company type (LLC, Sole Proprietorship, ect) I put Other and the "not a company, just an individual". I registered as a bus transporting non-paying passengers for non-commercial purposes. Good enough to get the number. I then filed the form to surrender my DOT number, saying I am ending commercial operation.

LargeMarge: That's exactly how I see this bus, and what I am trying to get my wife to see. Our dream bus is a rust-free, high roof, with lots of under body storage. This bus is from MN but the rust isn't too bad, 6' ceilings BEFORE insulation, and no underbodies at all. My goal for the build is Good, not Great or Perfect. I plan to insulate, but not a ton. I plan for some plumbing, but just clean and grey water. I plan for some electrical, but not sure how much yet. I want to get it framed and a few basics installed so we can take it out, then I will keep working on it during and between trips. There's a lot I would like to do, but I don't want to spend 2+ years building a bus that isn't my dream bus.