Bought a Bus

[TeacherJoe]

Well, we did it. Will do a fly and drive to fetch it, but probably not until April.

2005 Thomas, 23’ b to b
Cat C7
Allison 2000
47k miles
No rust, Texas bus

We wanted small for maximum flexibility in national parks and such. We’re stoked obviously and will share our build.

Joe

 

[ermracing]

Cool looking rig! How long will the return trip be?

 

[TeacherJoe]

Cool looking rig! How long will the return trip be?

1600 miles.

Joe

 

[Tango-SKO]

Not familiar with the C7 but that bus looks great! And it appears to have MUCH better windows than your typical (leaky) Skoolie arrangement.


Best of luck on the trip home and keep the pix coming!

 

[BlackJohn]

Great looker Joe, now study up on that C7.
Let the fun begin, congrats!


John

 

[alpinekid]

@TeacherJoe , aw shucks you got the size bus I wanted. I settled for a E350 but I really wanted a real bus frame with the engine out front, but as short as possible. It is easier to park but I hate working on the engine of a van.


have fun on the build. I'm only a few weeks ahead of you. I'm still working on changing all the fluids, filters etc.

 

[TeacherJoe]

Great looker Joe, now study up on that C7.
Let the fun begin, congrats!


John

Thanks, John. I understand that the C7 loves premium filters and fluids. There’s an aftermarket inline secondary oil filter that can be installed upstream from the HEUI system and an upgraded oil cooler gasket that may be good PM. I need tires too. Otherwise this thing is awesome shape.

Joe

 

[EastCoastCB]

My wife's uncle is a fleet manager and has had some C7's with injector and HEUI problems, so those are probably good ideas.
If I were you I would totally get to know that engine extremely well. Sounds like you're off to a good start.
Take the journey easy and enjoy the scenery!

 

[TeacherJoe]

I guess Step 1 is deciding what to do with rear heat and a/c. If I take them out, would anybody want them?

Joe

 

[EastCoastCB]

I need AC and wouldn't turn down a heater!

 

[TeacherJoe]

I need AC and wouldn't turn down a heater!

I’m guessing I want them out. This thing is so tiny I need all available space.

Joe

 

[EastCoastCB]

Mine's almost the same size but I'm not going to live in it. Mostly just haul my dog around in it and maybe camp a few weekends per year.

 

[TeacherJoe]

I learned the history of the bus. First it was used by the federal government at the White Sands Missile Range. Then it was bought by a nursery school in Texas. Now it’s mine. Things take a funny path.

Joe

 

[Motobus]

I REALLY like your bus.

 

[ThorrsHammer]

Very nice bus, Joe. Enjoy!

 

[EastCoastCB]

Edit- nevermind

 

[TeacherJoe]

I’ve been playing with layouts. Our floor space is 14.5 x 7.25. Any suggestions?

Joe

 

[Tango-SKO]

Once again...if you can keep all your wet connections on one side of the bus (preferably the driver side) your life will be much simpler. Running water & drains across from side to side can be a real bear. And campsites are set up to service drains and fill tanks that are on the driver side. You can go against the flow but it just makes for unnecessary complication.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Once again...if you can keep all your wet connections on one side of the bus (preferably the driver side) your life will be much simpler. Running water & drains across from side to side can be a real bear. And campsites are set up to service drains and fill tanks that are on the driver side. You can go against the flow but it just makes for unnecessary complication.

Definitely drivers side. I would also suggest that you place them further after rather than forward.

I have stayed at a handful of places that had the hookups at the back of the site.

First one I stayed at caused me to go out and buy 2 sewer hose extensions and a 50amp power exten$ion cord.

 

[TeacherJoe]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll look at keeping wet connections to one side. However I’ll not be hooked up very often to city water or electric. Small gray tank under sink, gray tank under shower, compost toilet.