Looking to get started

[SmellTheAsphalt]

Good morning I have been obsessed with the van life/schoolie life for a minute now and I am looking to start shopping end of year and start a conversion through the winter with intent of completion spring summer and selling off my belongings. I’m hoping to get one with a wheelchair lift so I can modify for motorcycles to be lifted in as well as one I could tow a car preferably with a flat trailer. Just looking to start a conversation and more to introduce myself. I have the skills to do this conversion as I currently make a living flipping houses and in the past year mobile homes so I definitely have the skills and while I have a life ending diagnosis I would like to unplug from life and drive off and see what I can while I can … the hardest part for me will be downsizing

 

[ewo1]

Welcome, there are so many threads here on exactly what you want to discuss, I'm sure you'll find a ton of information.

My personal preferences... Dt466 or DT530 if you can find one... allison 3000, must have A/c, I would stay pre-2004. The dt motors 2004-2006 are called the epa or EGR engines, great engine but EGR's don't like long idle times...

Then there is length, how long do you want or need.
also consider roof height, you will want to find a taller roof height. They are easy to identify by looking at the space in between the top of the windshield and the bottom edge of the upper "bus loading" flashing lights.

Again, my personal preference, International bodies.
Bluebirds are great but they tend to utilize more electronics on the body side as compared to International.
bluebirds come with quite a bit of "electronic" boards to deal with, Thomas bus bodies utilizes Body control modules which require special software to analyze and repair which makes removing extra wiring much more challenging.

freightliners too tend to me a bit more complex on their body wiring too as compared to international.

I'm not implying one is better than the other, just giving you my .02c on what I have found so far.

If you want complete independence then try and find the holy grail, a non computer bus with a good drivetrain... Most common would be the Cummins hooked up to an allison 3000.

Me personally, although they are a good solid engine, a cummins 5.9 is too loud for me and not enough power for me.

also don't get stuck on engine names only, look at that particular motor on the bus you like and ask yourself/find out how much horsepower that motor currently is setup for.
There are quite a few motors out there with less than 200hp and a nasty AT545 tranny that if you bought one, you will never be 100% happy with it.

My two internationals are 250 & 225 hp HT motors. HT stands for High Torque.

Don't get confused, easiest thing to do is write down on a sheet of paper exactly what your perfect bus would be and start searching. Get as close as you can to your goals and fulfill your dreams!

First bus

Hey all. I’m new to this and have had a dream for years to live in a converted bus. My problem is idk where the best place is to find a bus. I’m looking for shorter medium bus preferably. What are some good websites and places I could find a potential bus?

www.skoolie.net

 

[AlphaHare]

Also consider smaller van-based busses. A lot of them have WC lifts. Personal opinion - at least 5 windows, and a 6 window version if you can find one, but there are folks here with 4 window busses going full time, so....

And welcome!

 

[Mr P]

And.....watch out for....RUST. Rust UNDER the bus.