1994 International Thomas 7 window w/c

[djdalfaro]

Yeah!!!
So I won my second attempted auction, and I'm super stoked to get started on the conversion. Unfortunately I won't be able to pick it up until after my family vacation which starts in 2 days, so I won't have better pics/details until then. On to the details (some of which I got from the gentleman with the school district transportation dept).

The Bus:
1994 International Navistar 3800
DT408
Automatic Transmission (I'm assuming an AT545 until I can crawl under and see it myself)
Hydraulic Brakes
A/C
208k miles
Everything runs (was still in service until auction ended)

The Body:
Thomas 7 window with wheelchair lift and door in rear passenger side.
16 Passenger (I believe this is 16+2 w/c, I'll find out when I pick it up)
Rust-Free (claims the gentleman, it's from the Dallas area so I believe him)

The Plans:
Strip down to metal
Treat and protect
Insulate and finish
Will be used for family road trips and weekend camping.
Attached are my prospective plans (what I've got so far). Please let me know if you see anything I've missed or messed up.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Very nice choice. That is a great lil bus.

 

[Kmart75]

How did you make that floor plan?

 

[djdalfaro]

How did you make that floor plan?

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f10/how-does-this-floor-plan-look-22707.html


Third post. In short Visio.

 

[Mark_In_MA]

Looks like a solid bus.

Your rear bedroom is interesting.

3 bunks, and a fold-out sofa - so I'm assuming 5 people?
I wonder if you might have a problem with having to walk all the way around the 3 bunks when you gotta go in the middle of the night. It seems like you might end up with a bit of an audience while conducting your business.

I'm not sure you mentioned what you plan to do with the your windows, but if you have a wall in front of those three bunks, you're somewhat cutting off the last couple feet of your bus. You're walling off the rear of your living space, and it might end up making the whole thing feel a bit cramped. (On a similar note, you're also giving up a nice corner spot, with two windows, just for the toilet.)

 

[djdalfaro]

Looks like a solid bus.

Your rear bedroom is interesting.

3 bunks, and a fold-out sofa - so I'm assuming 5 people?
I wonder if you might have a problem with having to walk all the way around the 3 bunks when you gotta go in the middle of the night. It seems like you might end up with a bit of an audience while conducting your business.

I'm not sure you mentioned what you plan to do with the your windows, but if you have a wall in front of those three bunks, you're somewhat cutting off the last couple feet of your bus. You're walling off the rear of your living space, and it might end up making the whole thing feel a bit cramped. (On a similar note, you're also giving up a nice corner spot, with two windows, just for the toilet.)

Actually 6 people, but the youngest is 4, so I'm planning on cramming him in somewhere. I'm thinking I can probably fold down the dinette into a SMALL bed.


So my thought process was to put the places that get used the least (bunks, bathroom) out of sight. So in a sense, anytime during the day when the toilet is used, its got complete privacy, and the bunkroom allows people to get changed in privacy as well. I get what you're saying about walling it off. I'll be sure to build a cardboard wall before I make any permanent decisions.



My hope is that by leaving the windows in the front uncovered (except for the utility closet) it might still feel open.

 

[Johnny Mullet]

I also have a 7 window bus and it's the perfect size!

 

[djdalfaro]

I also have a 7 window bus and it's the perfect size!

I've seen your video walkthrough, and I wish I had some of that Amish craftsmanship to tap into.

 

[Seriousracer]

Yep I like my 7 window.

Depending on how you do the rear wall it doesn’t feel cramped at all mine is six foot from the rear bulk head

 

[djdalfaro]

Yep I like my 7 window.

Depending on how you do the rear wall it doesn’t feel cramped at all mine is six foot from the rear bulk head

Got any pics? I placed mine there in my plan to allow me to dodge the wheel wells when walking.

 

[jjhwick119]

Sorry I wasn't available to assist with the pickup, but make sure and let us know how it went! I'm guessing you should be on your way home now

And we want some more pictures!

 

[djdalfaro]

Sorry I wasn't available to assist with the pickup, but make sure and let us know how it went! I'm guessing you should be on your way home now

And we want some more pictures!

No worries. I adapted and over came.

 

[jjhwick119]

How'd it go? Do you get the bus home alright?

 

[djdalfaro]

UPDATE


Today was a long day but it was a good day for a maiden voyage.



So the day started at about 1:45am. I woke up a full 1:15 before my alarm (nervous excitement), and was on the road in a rental car by about 2. I drove from my home in Taylor Lake Village (SE Houston) to Sherman (N of Dallas). Unfortunately due to my exhaustion from my families 10 day road trip (got in yesterday at 6pm), I had to make about 5 stops for coffee and stretching along the way. This was expected though and planned for so I got there right about 8am just in time for the finance office to open.



Got the title signed over while the transportation guys finished taking out the video hard drive and PICKED UP THE KEYS! Dropped off the rental and got driven back to the bus and I started the return drive. I got on the road about 9:30am for the return drive. Due to the slow nature of the bus, the rain that TS Bud dropped on us, and a few accidents on I45, and my need to stop and stretch, I hit Houston during rush hour in the rain. It was miserable and I didn't make it home til 7pm.



Pros-
Bus starts w/ NO problems.
Bus ran w/ NO problems, had plenty of power.

Coolant temp never topped 200.
Wipers worked (Thanks TS Bud)
Throttle control is awesome for long straight highways when you're the slowest vehicle on the road.
Cops don't notice yellow school buses even if they have no plates.
The 7 window size is easy to maneuver at gas stations and easy to back up.
I love having all the mirrors. It really eliminates blindspots.
I have 2 separate A/C systems. I might delete one and add on board air.
I have an air ride seat (manual pump)
I have a video system (maybe I can figure out how to add a screen and a few more cameras)





Cons-
One of my hatches leaks.
My lift door leaks (can see daylight around seal)
64 mph is so slow.
Driver windshield wiper sags a bit when "parked"
One side mirror has a delaminated section so doesn't reflect perfectly.

When windows get fogged up/dirty/rainy, sometimes its hard to see all my mirrors/blind spots. (Maybe rain-x?)
Need to play with heaters/defoggers/and A/C to ensure its working and I know how to operate.
All my seats are 2 person, and I need a couple 3 person ones for my design plan. (Maybe)
AT545. This is fine for now, but I know when I start tweaking the engine, I'll want something stronger.

Loose connection on voltmeter (batteries are good though, just occasional stumble)


All in all, I'm very happy. Extremely tired, but very happy. I'll add more thoughts a and pics once I've rested.

 

[EastCoastCB]

All your cons are just normal bus stuff. All par for the course, man.
Leaky hatches and leaky WC doors are SOOOO normal on these things.

I just bought a bunch of steel, PM me if you wanna panel over that leaky hatch and I'll have you a piece cut and primed.

 

[djdalfaro]

All your cons are just normal bus stuff. All par for the course, man.
Leaky hatches and leaky WC doors are SOOOO normal on these things.

I just bought a bunch of steel, PM me if you wanna panel over that leaky hatch and I'll have you a piece cut and primed.

Thanks for the offer. ATM I'm thinking I'll keep the hatches. Maybe turn one into a skylight or fan and leave the other for rooftop deck access. Maybe by the time I've stripped the ceiling (Thank you Thomas for using screws), I'll have decided what I want to do.

 

[jjhwick119]

Awesome man! Always good to hear that the trip home was uneventful!

Congrats on the bus, and let the madness begin!

 

[EastCoastCB]

Thanks for the offer. ATM I'm thinking I'll keep the hatches. Maybe turn one into a skylight or fan and leave the other for rooftop deck access. Maybe by the time I've stripped the ceiling (Thank you Thomas for using screws), I'll have decided what I want to do.

Think real hard on it. I've owned 4 buses and never had a roof hatch that didn't leak.

 

[djdalfaro]

Pics!

I did a quick once over and took a few pics.

Things I've noticed:

Power steering leak
No rust
1 AC condenser is not hooked up. Not sure why or which one it corresponds to, but no worries, I'm planning on deleting one of them anyways.
190hp trim DT408

 

[djdalfaro]

More pics!