Skip of fools

[Skipoffools]

Hi all, I decided to create a new account, for our new bus. Our last bus was called terrapin. This one does not have a name yet. Just got it 4 days ago and its already almost gutted (down to the bone this time). Pictures are lacking, but I will get around to creating a post for the conversion. Great to be back.

I'd anyone could help me edit my profile that would be great. It seems the site has changed.

 

[EastCoastCB]

PM Bansil, he's pretty helpful.
Like the name, man. What's your location? Always nice to see another deadhead on here!

 

[Skipoffools]

Southern Oregon!

 

[Robin97396]

So what kind of prize bus are you working on this time? Have you gotten all of the upgrades you wanted from your last bus?

 

[Skipoffools]

It's a 63 passenger, 1989 International, with a dta360. I wanted a diesel.

I'm still working on the Terrapin (also an 89, but 72 pass. Gmc 366 Gasser). It just had some moisture issues this winter causing the bamboo floor to buckle, so I'm in the process of fixing that.

I'm starting a collection!

 

[Robin97396]

Yeah, I know the feeling and I'm ahead of you. I've got three buses sitting in my yard. Two previous gassers and finally my diesel. If you've got the parking area they make such great storage containers.
I stopped doing the fancy floors and stuff. Just the basics here.

 

[Skipoffools]

What kind of floors would you suggest?

 

[Robin97396]

Personally I don't care that much about what the floors look like. This was a wheel chair bus and I very much appreciate the L-track all over the floor and walls. I plan to insulate from underneath the floor. This floor already looks like industrial linoleum and is not black rubber mats. The L-tracks are kind of ugly and they gather dirt in the gap but that's part of what attracted me to this bus. To be able to move things around inside the bus, rather than having permanent walls.
This was my fourth bus, so I'm basing my choices on past experience. If I find a good deal on another bus I can move all my things into the new bus in an hour or two. Of course I'd have to do the insulation thing again, so it's got to be a pretty good deal in the first place, but I don't see this as my last bus yet.
Strips of carpeting that you can toss at some later time are nice to use to cover things up and insulate slightly.

 

[Skipoffools]

Been a little while but I finally got the roof raised 24". I used self tapping screws to attach the hat channel, so I can drive (real slow) 10 miles down the road to the welder. I prepped it as much as I could to save on hours in the shop.

And thanks Elliot for the jack idea.

 

[superdave-SKO]

nice job, are you putting the old windows back in?

 

[Skipoffools]

I also picked up some redwood siding and vinyl house windows off craigslist. Removed the rear and driver heater. I plan on installing the rear heater below and redirecting hoses so we can at the least have defrost. Also in the process of downsizing the rats nest of an electrical panel.

Pictures later, my internet is slow.

 

[GreyCoyote]

That little 'un in the last frame is just as cute as a bug. Good to see you have lots of "help"!

 

[Skipoffools]

No we got 7 double pane fancy shmancy low e vinyl house windows. Not sure exactly how they will be installed yet but, I figure I'll add some framing and sheet the exterior with plywood, tyvek, and redwood lap siding. Then just case the windows like a house.

 

[Skipoffools]

Yeah she like to help, even after multiple metal shaving splinters. Just can't keep shoes on that girl.

 

[Skipoffools]

Oh yeah and anyone who has experience, ideas, or suggestions about skinning a bus with wood. I'm all ears.

 

[EastCoastCB]

nice name!

 

[Tango-SKO]

24 inches...???...that's a lot of roof raise!

 

[SpecialAgentAce]

I'm eager to see what comes of the wood/panel siding, to be honest. I've been thinking of doing the same for mine when I eventually get it.

For the roof-raise, did you go to somewhere special?

2 feet is a lot of extra headroom. What are you planning to do with all that extra space?

 

[superdave-SKO]

skin it with metal first, that should keep it rigid and water tight. then put your wood on. 18 g should work fine

 

[slaughridge85]

skin it with metal first, that should keep it rigid and water tight. then put your wood on. 18 g should work fine

what he said... you could probably even get away with 20 if the wood sheathing you're going to use is thick...