advice needed

Hey y'all, I bought a bus Nov 2023 and the build out is mostly done. The bus cost $10k, I've spent $5k on mechanics and $4k on the build out so far. Now the bus is in need of a new transmission and some work on the exhaust system which would be roughly $11k. It's drivable, but the transmission...

I used baltic birch plywood for all my interior walls. Does anyone have good insight on what paint I should use? Which brands and paint types are best. The walls are already primed. Will more affordable brands get the job done or is it worth spending extra on this for top quality paint? Thanks

Hey guys, Needing advice on what bus to buy. I'd like to buy one this summer, but am not sure on what will suite my needs the best. I'm not looking to travel in it, more of a park it somewhere and live in it; but I want it to be a desirable setup for resale value. I'm thinking I need to go with...

Hey! I’m new here. I bought a 1997 micro Chevy bluebird in May. I thought gutting it would take a couple weeks tops and here I am still gutting it in September… I biggest think is not knowing what I can take out and what I should leave alone. The rivets have definitely been the biggest issues...

Hi friends, Please be so gentle. I am just starting and have so much to learn. A 2013 IH IC school bus has just shown up on my Facebook marketplace. Here is the description: Super Clean 2013. IH. 35 Pax school Bus. Super clean 98k miles Drives like a new bus. Max Force Diesel. Auto...

Hi! My name is Kennedy. I live in Chattanooga Tennessee. I don't have a Skoolie yet but I'm making plans. I know nothing about renovating or any of this but I'm excited to learn. I'm going to get a personal loan to afford the renovations. I'm wanting to buy a Skoolie and get started in the next...

I’m about to delete a side of windows for the side of bus; housing the toilet, fridge, bed headboard, sink and back of couch. I’m also about to install furring strips then ceiling panels, after the rigid insulation install. I’m all over the forum threads following these, and my bus is parked up...

Looking at a 2004 International T 444E It has the 7.3 V8 with the 5 speed Allison transmission It has a working wheelchair lift Tires are okay but a little old 41,000 original miles it was a rural school bus only used for disabled children so that is why the milage is so low Clean title...

Hello! I'm looking to hear what your guys' solar recommendations are? I have a 29 passenger, 4 window long short bus. There will be two people living in it and a dog. Any insight or recommendations on what brands you guys like and maybe how much power or how many panels you think we may need...

Hi there, Not sure if this is the right place to post but I need help deciding if this is a good prospect. I’m in MN and I’ve read plenty of concerns about rust problems from this area so I’ve attached some underbody photos to check out as well. Here are the details. Price: $3500 Year: 2006...

Hi everyone! I'm looking into getting a conversion vehicle, and I really have my heart set on a skoolie. But, I would love to pick the brains of folks who have their feet on the ground in this realm of the conversion world first! The biggest thing I'm wondering at the moment is: how do...

First bus: $2500, 6 hour drive to pick up. "It’s a 2006 GMC 20 passenger school bus with 233,000 miles on gas motor has front and rear AC runs and drives good 2500 or best offer" Second bus: $3000, 3 hour drive to pick up. "International D444 2003 model with a 7.4 engine automatic with 123000...

So, I bought a school bus with an Indiana RV title which I have to transfer over to an Ohio title. I bought it over facebook marketplace. When I went for the VIN inspection, it wasn't there... I just took it to the state highway patrol to have the VIN found on the chassis to get a new VIN plate...

Hello everyone, I'm new to forums, but have been looking into the nomad life style for a few years. Looking things up on the internet is helpful, but a lot of what I see / learn sounds good on paper put i'm sure putting it into practice will be a entirely different game. I found a bus on the...

Hi everyone, We are looking to buy a skoolie to renovate. We are currently looking at a 2005 International RE 300 with DT466E and Allison Transmission rear engine. The reason we are so interested is a lot of the hard stuff has already been done on the bus and it is a great price. Exterior...

Hi All, I need some help with my driver's side window. Background: the driver's window leaked like a sieve, so I removed it, cleaned it and the frame, added new butyl tape and seam sealer, and reinstalled the window with more seam sealer. It still leaked something awful. I figured the window...

My wife and I have been working on our bus for just over a year now without much help, working off of advice from here and youtube. We've been confident about everything we've done so far, but now we're on the electric, and I'm sure I don't have to tell you that that's the scary part! I feel...

Should I buy this bus? https://imgur.com/a/e2azl7M (The photo of the engine is OLD and from the ad, parts have since been removed, see below.) Looking at a 2001 flat nose International with a dt466e and Allison. It was a corrections department bus, so no stop and go and I would assume decent...

hi! i’m new to this world and excited to start a conversion. i recently found a 1995 bluebird minibus for 3500 and was wondering if anyone has opinions on it. it’s got an allison transmission and 366 chevy engine. the owner has said it’s mechanically sound, and it has new tires and has a working...

Hello all! I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. One of my major life goals is to do a tiny home bus conversion to live in. I am getting a Shuttle bus for the conversion. I need to find someone who can do the full conversion work, all the carpentry, electrical, wiring, plumbing...

Hello everyone! I recently bought a shuttle bus and am converting it to a mobile living bus. I have run into a roadblock while trying to find a company that will insure my vehicle. I keep hearing that "it isn't common enough for them to insure it". Does anyone here have any experience with...

Hi Bus Gurus, I need some advice. (Before you ask, yes, I read the threads on window leaks & sealing.:smile:) To test my methods, I pulled out a window, removed the old bytul tape, cleaned all edges on the window & bus frame, applied new bytul tape (2 -3 layers) on all edges, & put the window...

Hi everyone, A school in my local area is selling their two school buses (identical apart from slightly different milage) as they've received funding to buy some brand new ones. Looking to buy for my first skoolie conversion and both buses they're selling are in really good condition, but...

1958 gmc 4104 motor was rebuilt about 25000 miles ago. $10,500. mostly converted with some solar and has been used to boondock which is our goal for off grid living. it's aluminum no rust. titled as an RV/antique. It is a detroit 671 diesel with a 4 speed transmission. It has air brakes. 35 ft...

I’ve got a 64 international Loadstar 1700/1703 bus with a v-8. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for it as in engine harness? Does anyone know if it has any clutch safety switches? I put a battery in it and turn the key and nothing would happen. I’m getting power to the switch is the a start...