Newbie By Faith

[IWC Bus]

Good Evening all and a Happy 2017,

We are from Staten Island, New York and we are taking the plunge into converting a school bus into a Motorhome. I have also wanted a Motorhome for many years and I had a Ford F450 charter bus. I kick myself every time I think about letting it go without attempting to convert it.

I have converted several vans as a young adult and now I will do a 2000 International AmTran with a DT466 inline 6 cylinder turbodiesel, Allison Automatic, Air Brakes, High Top with Belly Storage school bus.
All constructive guidance will be acknowledged.

I have already named the 2000 International AmTran -I won’t complain(I.W.C.).

Reverend Williams

 

[EastCoastCB]

AmTrans are great. I love mine, even though its a bit crusty.
Welcome to the the forum. Post up some pics of this beast when you can.

 

[IWC Bus]

AmTrans are great. I love mine, even though its a bit crusty.
Welcome to the the forum. Post up some pics of this beast when you can.

Thank you However I have to fly down to Florida to pick it up.

 

[cadillackid]

Thank you However I have to fly down to Florida to pick it up.

thats the best way drive your bus a long way so you can. learn it and know what may if anything be wrong with it..

1. fly to florida
2. pick up the bus
3. go DIRECTLY and buy a gallon of oil, 2 gallons of coolant, a gallon of trans fluid.

4. go NEXT to a tool store.. harbor freight, walmart, etc.. and buy a 3/8 and a 1/2 inch socket set, a breaker bar , a full set of wrenches and 2 extra large crescent wrenches.. buy some work gloves too.. (you'll want them at the diesel pumps), a nice BRIGHT flashlight! and make sure you have at least 1 (preffered 2) 5 lb fire extuingishers, tire pressure gauge.

5. check ALL your fluids for a baseline... check your tire pressures..

6. Drive and stop drive and stop. - till you learn it. drive the first 20 or 30 miles, then stop and observe your gauges.. temp (NEVER ABOVE 230!!!!), Oil pressure (at least 10 PSI for every 1000 RPM).. Air Prtessure (if air brakes) Never below 80 while bus is running.. should be 90-120) stop and Look for any leaks.. a couple drops of oil or trans fluid is normal..

drive another 50-75 miles.. then stop and check all your fluids again (coolant check by site glass.. dont open while hot!)..

7. leasrn your bus.. its top speed, how it likes to cruise, etc..

have fun!!!
-Christopher

 

[WanderWoman-SKO]

thats the best way drive your bus a long way so you can. learn it and know what may if anything be wrong with it..

1. fly to florida
2. pick up the bus
3. go DIRECTLY and buy a gallon of oil, 2 gallons of coolant, a gallon of trans fluid.

4. go NEXT to a tool store.. harbor freight, walmart, etc.. and buy a 3/8 and a 1/2 inch socket set, a breaker bar , a full set of wrenches and 2 extra large crescent wrenches.. buy some work gloves too.. (you'll want them at the diesel pumps), a nice BRIGHT flashlight! and make sure you have at least 1 (preffered 2) 5 lb fire extuingishers, tire pressure gauge.

5. check ALL your fluids for a baseline... check your tire pressures..

6. Drive and stop drive and stop. - till you learn it. drive the first 20 or 30 miles, then stop and observe your gauges.. temp (NEVER ABOVE 230!!!!), Oil pressure (at least 10 PSI for every 1000 RPM).. Air Prtessure (if air brakes) Never below 80 while bus is running.. should be 90-120) stop and Look for any leaks.. a couple drops of oil or trans fluid is normal..

drive another 50-75 miles.. then stop and check all your fluids again (coolant check by site glass.. dont open while hot!)..

7. leasrn your bus.. its top speed, how it likes to cruise, etc..

have fun!!!
-Christopher

I took Christopher's advise when I picked my skoolie up in the fall. It helped me learn my bus and it made sure that I didn't run out of fluids on the 1000 mile ride home!

Sandi
www.thismidwifetravels.com

 

[EastCoastCB]

Thank you However I have to fly down to Florida to pick it up.

What part of FL?

 

[IWC Bus]

What part of FL?

I have PRINTED it out and studying it. Oh, it will be Hudson, FL

 

[IWC Bus]

Hudson, FL

 

[cadillackid]

Did ya get it at BGA school busses?
My DEV came from there
Christopher

 

[EastCoastCB]

Hudson, FL

That's what I figured.

 

[IWC Bus]

Did ya get it at BGA school busses?
My DEV came from there
Christopher

Yes BGA Sales

 

[Rusty-SKO]

Yes BGA Sales

Get their DOT inspection for $200/ piece of mind on a long trip.

DOT