Budget Barbie Camper

[syntel]

We drove the bus from San Antonio to Houston - about 160 miles. The bus was governed at 50mph - what a slow trip. I brought a truck driver friend that's familiar with diesels and air brakes. We did a couple circles in the schools lot, tested the stopping ability of air brakes.

The few pictures are from pickup and when we stopped at McDonald's.

While driving I noticed that 50mph we are running at about 1750 to 2500 rpm. 1750 down hill, 2500 up hill. On level, we sat at about 2000 rpm. Based on that, can someone guess the axle ratio is and weather it should do 65 once the governor is increased (we'd like to govern at 70 so we can pass when needed).

We'll be pulling the seats out this weekend.

 

[cadillackid]

that 444E should run up to 2700 RPM. what size tires do you have? are they 11R22.5's?

sounds like you have AT545 transmission with so much variance in RPM... hard to tell what your slip ratio is .. 2000 RPM at 50 if your slip ration was zero on flat ground you might make 65?

you can call a navistar dealer with your VIN and they can tell you what rear gear ratio is in it. the governor is in the computer program, easy fro a dealer or anyone with the NEXIQ device to remove it.
-Christopher

 

[syntel]

An updated link:

http://www.txdmv.gov/txdmv-forms/doc_download/3447-assembled-vehicle-manual

ASSEMBLED AND REBUILT VEHICLE
MANUAL

11.2 Converted Trucks and Buses

 

[syntel]

We started pulling seats. It worked best with someone under the bus to hold the nut in place, and an electric drill to unscew them. Their were a few that we had to break loose with the socket, but then the drill would unscrew them in seconds.

The person that owns the lots wants the seats - he's going to sell then for scrap metal costs... It save m efforts of disposal.

I tool some interior pictures before demo. I'll get some more when I start next. I was thinking a pic from the emergancy exit in back every day... do some stop gap animation.

 

[syntel]

Where she is being stored and 1/3 the seats out.

 

[syntel]

We pulled the rest of the seats out. I use a 1/2" wrench under the but to keep the nuts from spinning. Inside we used a drill with a 7/16 bit to unscrew then. Most came out nicely. I had one that I drilled into the head was able to pop the had off. That other, we ripped the seat out tearing the head through metal.

We layed out blue tape to see what we might actually have. I did change up the layout.

 

[syntel]

We got out 90% of the floor. The area where the driver is at still needs removed.

 

[syntel]

More progress. The panels above the windows are gone, and the panel under the windows on the "passenger side" is gone.

 

[JDOnTheGo]

Isn't all the destruction "fun"!!!

 

[syntel]

Fun... Rivets are not fun to remove - they are some work. I question taking everything down, but from everything I've read, this is the proper way to do the bus...

Insulate so the AC is effective. We are in Texas.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Fun... Rivets are not fun to remove - they are some work. I question taking everything down, but from everything I've read, this is the proper way to do the bus...

Insulate so the AC is effective. We are in Texas.

Once you get the right tools rivets are easy.

 

[syntel]

Once you get the right tools rivets are easy.

Tool? What would you recommend? Links?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Tool? What would you recommend? Links?

An air chisel. They're $10-$20 at any place that sells air tools.
You will need a compressor to run one.

 

[syntel]

We got the other panel down. This time, we used a 7/32 and 1/4 cobalt drill bits and drilled out the center of the rivets. The head popped right off... The KEY here was to use an electric drill. For some reason a corded drill worked MUCH better (80-90%) while a batter powered drill (Dewalt) would only get about (30-40%). Anyways, progress. We were also loaned a generator.

 

[syntel]

We got all the ceiling and side panels down... Ready to deal with the rusty floor, insulate, and start building her back up.

I did buy a generator - generac 6500e... Electic start gas.

 

[syntel]

I ultimately used a grinder and ground of the rivet heads.

 

[syntel]

Today I got the decals off on the outside... I used a window scraper.. now I am left with the glue.

From my understanding use WD-40 to remove the glue. I will then be sanding the outside to scuff up the paint so new painted adheres well. I'll be wiping the bus down with either acetone or MEK to remove all oil residues and give it a cleaning before painting.

I don't know if we go with the Rustoleum exterior enamel, or do I go get an epoxy boat paint. I've used in epoxy boat paint once before. It's Ronnie, has great coverage, and should be extra durable.

 

[syntel]

Started to paint the bus today.

 

[stixNstaples]

I like the silver,reminds me of the Tin Man.

 

[jjhwick119]

Very sharp! I was considering a silver or grey. Cant wait to see it once your done