Skooling Simplicity. A 2.5 foot raise, Colo Sprgs.

[Mash-SKO]

Well, we finally have our bus !!!

She is a 1988 International S1800, Thomas bus with an MT643 Tranny, a DT466 Engine and an electric retarder.

We picked her up four days ago from the school district we belong to. She was $1500 And apparently sha has pretty good "new" tires.

 

[Mash-SKO]

Skooling Simplicity

Our first video of the progress being made.

http://youtu.be/AyPEjOZ6FTk

 

[Hank's P-O-S]

You got a great deal on a great bus!

looks like a nice rig.

 

[Mash-SKO]

You got a great deal on a great bus!

looks like a nice rig.

Thabk you !

 

[Robin97396]

Yeah, nice deal. It's so fun to build a bus while the kids are little. I've never raised a roof myself but it looks like you're doing a nice safe job of it.

 

[Mash-SKO]

Yeah, nice deal. It's so fun to build a bus while the kids are little. I've never raised a roof myself but it looks like you're doing a nice safe job of it.

Thank you. We have no idea what we are doing. We are following the lead of most of you here. So, if anyone here sees anything we are doing wrong or we could do better please let us know.

 

[cowlitzcoach]

It sounds as if you have gotten a really nice bus for a very reasonable price. That is about what a dealer would give on trade in.

Which is why most dealers do not have much of anything on their used lots for an asking price of less than $4K.

Since you got the bus directly from the school district where it has been in service you will not have some of the issues people have had with buses that have been forgotten in some used inventory for months.

I would not worry about changing and fluids or filters until you get ready to take it out on the road.

I would check the coolant pH. You want the pH to be nearly neutral. Anything above or below neutral can cause issues with electrolysis and scale build up. If your bus has a water filter I would change it out with a new one with a coolant additive package in the filter. If you don't have a coolant filter add a coolant additive like NAPA's Nacool.

Good luck and happy trails!

 

[Mash-SKO]

It sounds as if you have gotten a really nice bus for a very reasonable price. That is about what a dealer would give on trade in.

Which is why most dealers do not have much of anything on their used lots for an asking price of less than $4K.

Since you got the bus directly from the school district where it has been in service you will not have some of the issues people have had with buses that have been forgotten in some used inventory for months.

I would not worry about changing and fluids or filters until you get ready to take it out on the road.

I would check the coolant pH. You want the pH to be nearly neutral. Anything above or below neutral can cause issues with electrolysis and scale build up. If your bus has a water filter I would change it out with a new one with a coolant additive package in the filter. If you don't have a coolant filter add a coolant additive like NAPA's Nacool.

Good luck and happy trails!

Noted !!!

I will pass this along to the one who understands this part (husband) and THANK YOU. Keep the tips coming please.

 

[wauto]

Nice clean bus and a great price. Wasn't Baret looking for some blue bird windows?

 

[Mash-SKO]

It has been a little while but life has been crazy with a new born and a new peraon we are homing at the house. We will keep the updates coming as we go.

https://youtu.be/Ax20M8bygJs

 

[Docsgsxr]

The screws you have that are stripped, take a cutting disc on a grinder, cut a + into the head, then hit it with a hammer and a cold chisel, as for the insulation, there will be the same fiberglass throughout the roof. The top insulation is where I found my mold, so I'd recommend a respirator even if it is a large particulate one from a hardware store and safety glasses. Keep the kids away until it is out and you have cleaned it good!

When you cut the remaining ribs for your roof raise, get a 7" cut off wheel for your circular saw, that way it is a straight and smooth cut.

Great job so far!

-Doc

 

[Mash-SKO]

The screws you have that are stripped, take a cutting disc on a grinder, cut a + into the head, then hit it with a hammer and a cold chisel, as for the insulation, there will be the same fiberglass throughout the roof. The top insulation is where I found my mold, so I'd recommend a respirator even if it is a large particulate one from a hardware store and safety glasses. Keep the kids away until it is out and you have cleaned it good!

When you cut the remaining ribs for your roof raise, get a 7" cut off wheel for your circular saw, that way it is a straight and smooth cut.

Great job so far!

-Doc

Thank you so much for the tip. I AM STRUGGLING with the damn screws !!!!

Have you raised a roof then ? And if so, is there a li k wbere we could look at it ????

 

[Docsgsxr]

I haven't done a raise on mine yet. I won't have it until next weekend. But look at the broccoli bus, I think Aaron did his, and he seems to be pretty spot on with engineering.

 

[Mash-SKO]

The beoccoli bus ? Where do I find it ??

 

[Docsgsxr]

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/the-broccoli-bus-9394.html

 

[Mash-SKO]

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/the-broccoli-bus-9394.html

Thank you. !!!!

 

[Mash-SKO]

Ribs

We got our ribs !!!

 

[dbhost]

Mmmmmm ribs, tasty ribs....

Okay not quite... awesome though. Can't wait to see it done!

 

[Mash-SKO]

Mmmmmm ribs, tasty ribs....

Okay not quite... awesome though. Can't wait to see it done!

Yeah me too !!!

Things are moving SNAIL speed with the weather not cooperating and, well, neither are the kids ....

 

[livinthelife-SKO]

I get the snails speed... Don't let it side track you though. It's looking great! Can't wait to see more. Colo springs.... Got FAM on westernslope side