Getting a bus-finally!!!

[Joe45]

It's a 2004 International CE200

• 7.3L Navistar T444e Diesel
• Allison 2000 Series Automatic Transmission
• 183,145 miles

Length is 32 feet.
Has a high ceiling, so no roof raise for me!

Getting it from Tony at AAA Bus in Phoenix, AZ


Went down this last weekend and test drove it. Started right up and had lots of power and speed.


Tony was a superbly friendly and helpful fellow! Pleasure to speak with!


I originally wanted an 8.3 engine, but that was only on the 40' buses, and those are just way too long for us. Also, picked the "dog-nose" option because of the approach angle and higher clearance for taking it on BLM land.


Plans are:

• Remove the entrance door, chop off the low hanging section of the entrance, and fabricate a new swing-out door.
• Remove bus windows and replace with sheet metal and RV style windows.
• Add two to three lower storage compartments.
• Grey water tank
• Fresh water tanks
• Composting toilet
• Solar System
• Remove rubber floor and add insulation layer. Not sure if I will be removing/replacing the plywood.
• Debating removing ceiling panels and adding better insulation, and then maybe reinstalling same panels.
• Removing wheelchair lift.
• Adding a roof deck with fold-down rails and access from inside using fold-down steps/stairs.
• Rooftop sleeping area using pop-up roof area to keep profile low when driving.
• Paint job
• Other typical stuff like interior, appliances, etc.
• Possibly manufacture a short rear balcony, like on a caboose.
• Mini wood stove

Bus will be used as my office/editing suite while at home (and traveling) and driven around the country during summers mainly, but sometimes other seasons.

We may wind up full timing in this bus, so I want to make it a good quality build. Drawing inspiration for the interior from sailboats and Airstream.


Should be picking it up in about a month. Can't wait to get started!

 

[Rovobay]

Nice. I have a 2004 almost similar specs. 8 window not 9 like you. also no A/C! My wheelchair ramp is in the back. Got mine on public surplus almost a year ago. 4/18/18! Hope you got a good deal on it.

 

[ermracing]

Sounds like a decent find. I would highly recommend removing the plywood floor. Even on buses with no rust, you will find some there. You should replace the insulation in the roof as well. Re-installing the stock metal panels might be a royal pain, but you can try. Wood ceilings aren't that costly and look nice too.

 

[Joe45]

PS
As far as removing the ceiling panels...


Seems like buses already have insulation in there, so it doesn't seem worth it to me. I was thinking of removing the ceiling panels, adding 'better' insulation, and reattaching the ceiling panels. But that seems like a whole lot of work for not that much gain.
I figure the existing insulation is fine. I could also maybe coat the outside roof with bedliner?

Also, perhaps line the ceiling with very short pile carpet or other nice material.



Just some thoughts.

 

[Joe45]

Howdy!
Mine has AC, but I don't think it works too good. I'll probably rip that out.

My lift door is right behind the entrance door.

 

[weboughtabus]

PS
As far as removing the ceiling panels...


Seems like buses already have insulation in there, so it doesn't seem worth it to me. I was thinking of removing the ceiling panels, adding 'better' insulation, and reattaching the ceiling panels. But that seems like a whole lot of work for not that much gain.
I figure the existing insulation is fine. I could also maybe coat the outside roof with bedliner?

Also, perhaps line the ceiling with very short pile carpet or other nice material.



Just some thoughts.

Something important to consider with bus ceilings is leaks. Almost every emergency hatch leaks. My roof also had a passive vent and a bunch of antennae that I removed due to water incursion. Water getting in can cause rust issues that would be hidden up in your ceiling and potential mold issues as it sits in your old insulation in a nice, dark, warm space. By getting up under those panels you can treat any water damage that may have already occurred and find any that's ongoing. After I pulled my panels down and sealed up my hatch and such I would go out to the bus during rain storms to check for leaks. You'd be surprised at how many tiny leaks you'll get. The odd rivet that wasn't as well sealed, seams where the sealant has dried, shrank and cracked, etc.

 

[Joe45]

Good points about the ceiling and roof.

I'm thinking reinstalling the ceiling panels will keep the structure stronger than replacing it with wood. Look like maybe inch and a half to two inches in there? That's good space for insulation.

Have thought of coating the roof with truck bedliner or some other sealant.


Good points about the floor too.


I guess maybe it is worth the pain in the posterior to do!

 

[o1marc]

The insulation in a bus is only good for about a 20* difference as well as the AC. It only needs to keep the kids cool for about 1/2hr or so. Park your bus in the sun and tell me how comfortable it is after 1/2 and hour? If you plan on any full timing, you will regret not insulating it better.

 

[Joe45]

The insulation in a bus is only good for about a 20* difference as well as the AC. It only needs to keep the kids cool for about 1/2hr or so. Park your bus in the sun and tell me how comfortable it is after 1/2 and hour? If you plan on any full timing, you will regret not insulating it better.

Yeah you're right. I live in Arizona-up at 7000 feet, and sometimes we go down to the valley, so the bus has to work both in very cold and very hot climates. I'll be installing a deck on top, which will shield much of the sun, but yeah you guys are right: it needs better insulation.



I'll do a search for insulation to see what's a good type to use.

I don't want to loose any of the height inside, as I am 6', so the insulation will have to fit inside where the stock one is now. Also, the floor will have to stay the same height-maybe sacrifice a 1/2" at most. So I guess I'll pull out the rubber mat and plywood, install new subfloor and some insulation. Thinking that if they installed 3/4" ply, I will go with 1/2" material-preferably something that is waterproof.

 

[o1marc]

You can get 1-1/2" of rigid foam in the cavities and have them flush with the rib. On the curved ceiling I'm using 3 layers of 1/2", because it bends to the profile easy. Some opt for spray foam insulation. It's a bit more pricey, messy and could involved a lot of detail work after installation if not done cleanly. Insulating the ceiling is easy to do with out losing height. The floor remember will have whatever thickness of insulation, 1/2" plywood subfloor, and then whatever thickness your final flooring product is.

 

[Joe45]

Looking this:


https://www.insulation4less.com/default.aspx?msclkid=314b6003abdb1b20abff3cb5d4cce0b1

 

[o1marc]

Looking this:


https://www.insulation4less.com/default.aspx?msclkid=314b6003abdb1b20abff3cb5d4cce0b1

We've been looking at that product for the last couple 3-4 months. I don't think anyone has any experience with it yet as it is a new product.

 

[Joe45]

We've been looking at that product for the last couple 3-4 months. I don't think anyone has any experience with it yet as it is a new product.

I may give it a try. If I do, I'll certainly post about it. I'll be documenting my build here and on YouTube.

 

[o1marc]

I may give it a try. If I do, I'll certainly post about it. I'll be documenting my build here and on YouTube.

I sent off an email to them asking their recommendation of their product to replace spray or rigid foam in our application. Should have an answer tomorrow.

 

[EastCoastCB]

We've been looking at that product for the last couple 3-4 months. I don't think anyone has any experience with it yet as it is a new product.

Not a new product. Its an old scam!

 

[Joe45]

I sent off an email to them asking their recommendation of their product to replace spray or rigid foam in our application. Should have an answer tomorrow.

Sounds good!
Thanks!

 

[Joe45]

Not a new product. Its an old scam!

How and why is it an "old scam"?

 

[Rovobay]

I used 1.5" rigid foam insulation and mounted inbetween the ribs of the roof and lost no height except for the t&g cedar boards I am using for the roof. The floor I used 2 inch foam and topped with 5/8" (or so) plywood. at 5'11" I can still walk straight up. insulation is lord in terms of temperature regulation.

 

[Joe45]

I'm looking at that now. The foam panels seem like a good way to do this, with some spray foam to fill in gaps.


Was looking at Peel & Seal, but I think it's asphalt based and I don't want that smell or fumes in the bus. Maybe it's good for the outside to help dead engine compartment sound.


So far, reflectix and the foam boards seem to be best choice.

 

[PNW_Steve]

From the insulation4less site:


Reflective insulation is the most effective when airspace exists between the insulation and the adjacent material. The R value of the system will vary dependent on the airspace size and the direction of the heat flow, and the conductive and convective properties of surrounding materials. We are not able to expand on the Characteristics, Values or Regulations shown in above chart. All pertinent technical information available is posted above. Please consult your local code official if concerned with an approval.

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There was a discussion about this insulation a while back and one of the folks called and asked what the airspace needed to be to achieve the R7.3 that they claim. IIRC: it was 5-1/2"…..