Hello from Michigan- Short Bus Conversion

[simplylivin]

Hello!

We are excited to join this little skoolie community. we just picked up a 1994 diesel short bus from a brew tour company, and we are getting really excited to tear into and start the conversion.

Some initial questions...
1. There is some rust on the frame and body because it is a 1994 from Michigan. In one spot specifically it is rusted through the joint between the body and the frame. Any idea how much this cost to get fixed or who to contact in the greater Grand Rapids area?

2. In my research I see that most people re-insulate their buses. Is there a way to tell if the insulation is bad or rotted out without ripping off the panels to see it?

3. I have a little concern with it being diesel and needing it to start in potentially cold temperatures. Has anyone had major issues with it? We are planning a year long art tour through out the country and want to see a lot, but we are leaving in the fall and hoping to stay north as long as we can before it gets too cold, but Im afraid if we are off the grid somewhere or not plugged in, that we will get stranded because it wont start. Is it just dependent on the bus as to how cold it can start?

Any help is appreciated,
Thanks

 

[roach711]

Way more information needed.

 

[Carytowncat]

Welcome! Glad you are here

Can you share which motor the bus has?

What areas do you plan to be at during winter, and what temperatures do you expect?

I look forward to seeing pictures of the bus and your art

 

[TheCog]

Hello from WOTM...bus is a gasser but pickup has a old school 6.9l IH. Healthy glow plugs on a manual switch are key to starting mine in cold weather. When temps get below 10*F I plug it in about 2 hrs before starting to warm the cooling system and it responds well...after all who doesn't like a hot shower on a cold morning.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Depends on how rusted it is. A friend spend six months converting a bus up in michigan. When he got it here and bought a home he couldn't sell the bus because it was so rusty it wasn't any good anymore. Every single part of the bus was rusting though.
Post up some pics of the damage.

If you have rust through the frame that's real bad.