New to Skoolies

[Pizote]

Hello all - new here.

About me:

• I work in IT, getting close to early retirement
• I have owned travel trailers and currently own a 26' Class C
• I know how to weld and have done a considerable amount of mechanical work on my Jeep - inclusive of rebuilding differentials, electrical work, etc.
• I have remodeled my home twice so I am familiar with stick and nail construction from foundations, to framing, to electrical, plumbing, etc. Finishing work is -NOT- my forté

What I'm looking to do:

• Buy a skoolie
• Convert the outside to something similar to this picture - the classic Latin American "Chicken Bus"
• Convert the inside to an RV

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Conventional Bus 26-30'
• Preferably overpowered Diesel engine (don't know much about them, have read a lot here but all the model numbers are jumbling together)
• HD Transmission

Challenges:

• Order of Operations: what do to first, exterior or interior (very separate steps as I will outsource the exterior in Guatemala - cost and all even with the cost of transport)
• Changing registration type in California to a MH chassis rather than a BU chassis
• Understanding realistic budgets for the bus and for the interior. I can spend some money but don't want it to run into the home remodeling cost range. I also don't want to skimp - I want to do it right.
• Finally - gotchas: what to look out for.

Thanks in advance...

~Chris (Pizote)

 

[EastCoastCB]

Sounds like you'll fit in nicely here.

 

[Gustav]

I can't wait to see this. Even has the Bluebird logo! Welcome

 

[brokedown-SKO]

Ha, that's a cool looking bus. I love the effect of slightly rotating the slats between the windows even though I know how it's done.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Hello all - new here.

About me:

• I work in IT, getting close to early retirement
• I have owned travel trailers and currently own a 26' Class C
• I know how to weld and have done a considerable amount of mechanical work on my Jeep - inclusive of rebuilding differentials, electrical work, etc.
• I have remodeled my home twice so I am familiar with stick and nail construction from foundations, to framing, to electrical, plumbing, etc. Finishing work is -NOT- my forté

What I'm looking to do:

• Buy a skoolie
• Convert the outside to something similar to this picture - the classic Latin American "Chicken Bus"
• Convert the inside to an RV

Here's what I'm looking for:

• Conventional Bus 26-30'
• Preferably overpowered Diesel engine (don't know much about them, have read a lot here but all the model numbers are jumbling together)
• HD Transmission

Challenges:

• Order of Operations: what do to first, exterior or interior (very separate steps as I will outsource the exterior in Guatemala - cost and all even with the cost of transport)
• Changing registration type in California to a MH chassis rather than a BU chassis
• Understanding realistic budgets for the bus and for the interior. I can spend some money but don't want it to run into the home remodeling cost range. I also don't want to skimp - I want to do it right.
• Finally - gotchas: what to look out for.

Thanks in advance...

~Chris (Pizote)

View attachment 24810

See my shorty threads... You and I seem to have the same taste in buses.


I'd take any straight six up to 2003 as long as its a Cummins, International, or Cat.
Its hard to find higher HP shorties. My 04 IC (with 03 engine) has a 215hp DT466E with allison 2000. Its a "hot rod" by bus standards.
I've been wanting to give it the full big-rig chicken-bus treatment!!!!

Here it is at my wedding this March-

I'm the one on the far left in the blue and green kilt!