Been bus shopping but found a really nice 24 ft step van with an Onan, roof AC, 4 batteries etc. Was a Snap On truck, now a mobile boutique. Big chassis, duals, 14k GVW (P30), engine size 454. New tires, batts and on and on. More details soon and pics too.
Did a preliminary layout on paper for the conversion. Q bed, large shower/ toilet room, res. refer, conv/micro, small kitchen and room for our 2 recliners!!! Van is clean, no rust, good body/glass etc.
Purchase this week if it continues to look good.
These are measured by cargo room so it's very close to the same overall size as our current 28 foot CL A.
Gains are;
All steel body
A bit more ground clr. for our exploring
Built for us, fits our needs :)clap
" Has new tires, wheel alignment, new electrical & lighting, new fuse box for generator and AC, 4 new batteries for engine & interior fixtures................."
The vinyl wrap peels right off.
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.wixstatic.com%2Fmedia%2Fe59684_f1044a99ac5f4e23864af2a030487601.jpg_srz_630_355_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz&hash=a38c75881061205777820ef28b91644b5c9e80b1)
I thought the wrap sold ya. :laugh:
What is the resale on a step van conversion?
:)ThmbUp good job
and the sign said "long haired freaky people need not apply"
so I tucked my hair up under my hat and went in to ask him why
he said "you look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do"
so I took off my hat, said "imagine that, me working for you"
Brings back memories of travelling North America in a self converted school bus with a wood stove for heat and cooking, myself, exwife and our three month old daughter. Best three years of my life.
Built for us, fits our needs :)clap
By far, the best part.
Whatever you decide, enjoy and good luck. :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
Terry
Cool idea! :) Are you going to install Windows?
This is very funny and an eye opener for me.
This van is advertised as a 24 footer. The very nice lady who owns it dutifully measured it from bumper to bumper and advertised honestly, to the best of her knowledge as a 24 footer. It does measure 24 feet out side, bumper to bumper BUT not inside from the driver's seat to the rear wall..It's 18 feet!
Having never measured our "28 foot" motorhome and armed with the knowledge that this van is ONLY 18 feet I sallied forth to measure our actual living space...From driver's seat to rear wall. The envelope please....19 feet!!
I layed out a preliminary floor plan and we'll be just fine with a foot less, AND no door on the PS wall! :)rotflmao
Windows? maybe Firefox...Hahaha, yes windows will placed as needed.
And plumbing? Holding tanks?
And, and, and all that stuff!! Planning on all electric at least at first. Maybe wind up with a Wave Cat though, we'll see.
No step van, just wasn't in good shape, has electrical problems.
I just bought a bus, will pick it up soon.
2000 Bluebird TC1000. 5.9 turbo Cummins, 190k mi., front tires 2014, rears 2010, 2014 state insp. Very clean. Dual AC and heat, CC, tilt, radio..
Picked up a 4k BF Onan today. The float needle was suck shut but she's running sweet now.
Cool. Be advised them seats are HEAVY. The metal is Super duty (drill bit investment). Part of this new adventure will be air brakes. Do you have jack and jack stands big enough?
Have you found http://www.skoolie.net/ (http://www.skoolie.net/)
Dave
Owner is pulling the seats for me, replacing the reds with ambers and make it road ready for trip home. I had a CDL for many years and yes, air brakes are a different animal. No pressure to push fluid, just move the peddle to open a valve essentially.
Big jack and stands are in my shed. I have a very good bus guy available to me also.
Congrats Don. Looking forward to the renovation thread.
Some may not know but bluebird made/makes? RVs.....they are called Wonderlodges....do a search on Ebay or else where.....very high end quality motorhomes.
my ebay search below
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Other-Vehicles-Trailers-/6038/i.html?_vxp=mtr&_sop=2&_nkw=wanderlodge&_geositeid=0&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH
Oh yes, there are a couple out there for sale, nice AND expensive.
Bought the Onan, a toilet, 4 position load center (only use 2), 12 position 12v fuse block, female 30a receptacle for the gen. line.
Today: Fridge (new), shower pan, sinks, a faucet, some cabinets(CL).
Pics or it dint happen.
That's what Stripe used to say anyway. i??
Could have taken a pic of the box it's in but :P
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203439004?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=203439004&R=203439004
Water heater .. check!
Nice :)
The FedEx fairy came today
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_1411_zpsb1aa7f9e.jpg%3F1413341548813%26amp%3B1413341552715&hash=0d3d2526ac91bd485d6c0aa0bf88c5837c92fdae)
One piece at a time!
Does the handicap lift work? That is a sweet addition since I will be in a chair sooner than later.
To the best of my knowledge the lift works. I will be available soon as I can pull it out.
After it's out, I was going to put it up for sale.... if I can palletize it you can have it for the shipping. No idea how big it is and how much it cost to ship...yet.
I spent a few weeks in a WC and I'd love to pay it forward, I know the hassles.
Rick, I just nosed around Ebay, there's some locally to you for $500ish. FYI
I have nothing to put it in and I can tell you that it is very heavy. You may want to have a forklift handy or at best an engine hoist but rigging it to a hoist might be dangerous. Why don't you want to keep it in there? You are going to have a lot of fabrication to do once it is out to replace the hole it leaves..
I appreciate the offers but I am not there yet and I am trying to prolong the move as long as possible. There is no way it would be able to be put into an older motorhome, just too much weight on one side plus the way the older ones are built they have no real support for that kind of weight outboard of the frame rails. You would have to go with a light duty one available for that purpose. That one you have there is far from light duty and is made to handle any circumstance. That is going to be basically the same as a lift gate for a truck with more safety features.
That area will be the bedroom!
The big azz 12v cables for the lift will feed the Onan under the floor. The lift has it's own battery, run through an isolator. the bus batteries are around 1200 amps X2. I am adding 400 more amps to that.
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzap!
Put the bed on the lift! Indoor/outdoor sleeping depending on the weather. That would be novel. Push a button and watch the sunrise from bed, all kinds of possibilities.
In some areas that sleeping arraignment would make a nice bear feeder :)rotflmao
While searching for a bus, I contacted my MH insurer to inquire about overage... No problem! Gave the info. for the bus I was considering and even got a price quote.
Now I find THE bus and they won't touch it!
Lib Mut, no
Prog (via phone), no
Titan, no
Nation, no
INF, no
CSI brokerage, no
State Farm, no
Spent a good part of a day talking to many ppl.
Following a helpful hint on Skoolies.org I went online to Prog and using the described methods was able to get insured!
I had NO IDEA this would be an issue. I've never had trouble having ppl take my money :laugh:
Tuesday I am going to try to convert the title from bus to RV, then ins. should be easier to get although most insurers won't insure home converted units, must be pro-built and they want interior pics. Solution: send then pics of a factory rig, any factory rig. ;)
Did you try Good Sam?
I am covered for now. If I can get an RV title, then I'll try RV insurance places. The insurance industry is weird, some consider a school bus as unsafe when used as an RV. School buses are built like tanks. Built to survive a roll over.
I am liking this bus so far. Adequate power and good MPG. Driven 90 miles and by the gauge it's about 10mpg, all uphill coming home and a little stop and go 10mi trip.
We have Progressive and are happy with the rates.
Progressive just canceled me after a week! They don't do buses on the non commercial side. So I applied listing the vehicle as newly titled.. A "motorhome coach". Same price same coverage. We shall see Hm?
11/14 EDIT: Canceled again!
Applied again with the Prog. Commercial side. Time will tell.....again...this is getting ridiculous.
If this keeps up, I'll have a very expensive boat anchor. N:(
Just scored 4 of these:
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tristatebattery.com%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2F9A31.jpg&hash=58ab69d6998e24ecb17cd4b96e8fbc6d30e001f8)
Very friendly price. 100 ah, 1060 ca. :D
Care to share the price and supplier?
Sure, my friend Joe knows a guy in California that deals in batteries from various sources.
$35 each.
http://www.remybattery.com/Intimidator-9A31-Group-Size-31S-AGM-Battery-P4445.aspx
That is a fantastic price , But the freight charges would ruin it for anyone needing shipment ! Frank My last ones from Pep Boys were in the $100.00 range ea
All 120v electric including Onan in and working....NO SMOKE!! NO SPARKS!! (https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_1432_zps3949d23b.jpg&hash=2ba2246a3ab468cb2cf8f92ed4c44dfe13396dd2)
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_1437_zps2a0f3a26.jpg&hash=3ed0358a58b96998470b89362dc2192bd3eb1cd2)
Gen is backwards for easier service access. No room on body side so slither under and sit up to work on oil/points etc.
Need a pipe to stack with muffler.
Pics! Nice work.
Put a 10 gallon spun alum. gas tank to the rear of the gen. Fills through a hatch inside the wheelchair lift door. Next= pick up batteries tomorrow, 12v wiring, then on to plumbing...
Grey and black tanks roughed in.
Black is hooked up.
All batteries paralleled together for about 500ah.
Fridge is running through the invertor, 12.89v mid day, will check in the morning for voltage level.
12 v to the TV outlet.
Sunday is rest and football, taking Mary out for lunch.
Mid day volts today=12.84.
Nice job so far! How much standing room do you have in that bus? The very few converted school buses I was in were older ones, and at 6'2", I had to cock my head to the side so my head wouldn't hit the ceiling...never mind the AC units...lol! Are the new ones any taller inside?
Kev
6'3'' on this one, lower at the wall. There are some hi-tops out there. Motor coaches are taller.
Are you going to build any kind of enclosure for the generator? That is in a really rough spot as far as road crap getting on the generator.
Big ol' mud flap in front of it but may do that Rick.
Ummmmmmm Build a box.....Trust us. D:oH!
I worked as a utility lineman for over 30 years and other than a van, rarely saw a Onan with a cover on it. I plan on a some sort of deflector at least.
So far I have installed/built:
Onan with 10 gallon gas tank.
17 gal. black tank in and functional.
35 gal. grey tank.
40 gal. fresh tank and pump.
4 batteries/charger and 600w inv.
Bed frame.
Shower pan.
Toilet.
LED lights.
Kitchen sink.
Res. refer.
All 120v done, 2 circuits and outlets.
7 gal. elec. water heater.
Large cabinet.
Portable propane/elec. cook top.
Toaster oven.
We are keeping the bus look and keeping it simple. Later there will be some wood paneling and other stuff but the bus shines through.
Only 3 windows are going to be non op.
Soon:
Finish fresh water piping.
Finish grey plumbing.
12v wiring, lights and outlets.
AC through rear wall above bed.
Window coverings.
Floor coverings.
Trailer hitch and wiring.
TV and ant. stuff.
Heat is by Mr. Heater or 120v electric unit, both portable.
The bus has 2 big ACs for OTR cooling and 2 engine supplied heaters.
We have about 21 feet of floor with no wheel wells. Our living room is 7.5 X 7.5 feet.
Full bed with batteries, water, WH, etc under it...lots of storage.
3 X 4 foot shower, toilet in same 4 X 6 ft. room.
This vehicle is built very strong. All steel walls, roof and floor. 600-900 mile range, awesome visibility and drivability.
:)ThmbUp
Hey Don you know the rule It aint happening without pics Frank
Sounds awesome, DonD! :)ThmbUp
Judging from your specs you are not planning to do much boondocking or camping away from electric or water I am guessing. With a vehicle of that size I would have gone for at least 100 gallons of water and more waste capacity. I notice that almost allmof your appliances are electric, that ten gallons of gas will go quick to keep all of that going. Not criticizing, just observations. Then again, I grew up roaming the deserts and backwoods so you can see where my priorities lie. W% :D :D
Oh, As a lineman I would guess your Onan's were mounted up high and out of the road grime, salt, mud, stones. You will want a waterproof box. otherwise you will be spending a lot of time diagnosing problems.
Our trips are 4 nights avg.
We researched this very thoroughly and chose this bus because it's only about 27 feet and has the gear mentioned.
We love lots of short trips, one every month medical issues permitting. A 40 foot bus would have had room for large tanks and such but then add my 20 foot car trailer and I'm too big for many CGs and NPs. True we do not boondock much but with this less overhang rig, more off hwy. maybe possible.
The bus has 2 AC systems tucked under the floor plus the usual air tanks and plumbing, limiting the room available. All but the waste tanks are inside under the bed, leaving the interior very open.
The elec. items need little run time. The WH=40-50 min. The toaster oven....not much. The rest have a propane alternates.
5.9 Cummins, 3:54 ratio diff will give us almost double the MPG of our SW.
The 2 Kool 4 Skool Bus is our Goldilocks rig.
"I plan on some sort of deflector at least."
I forgot that this was a short bus, I was thinking loooong bus with tons of room. That is an excellent rear gear, what transmission is in it? Must be something with a low first gear.
Allison 545, non OD unfortunately.
Hooked up the sink drain to the shower drain and added muffler to Onan. Next grey to holding tank.
Pics are coming.
You know the rules Don...
Yea I was to get an mental picture of what you are talking about....but no pics ???
I cant make heads or tails of it without the pics. W% W%
That is not a bad trans. 3:45 first and a 5:03 reverse give good grunt for maneuvering around the site and you can get lower stall convertors for them to lower your rpm at cruise. Borderline in the strength department on a large vehicle, rated to 30,000 lbs. but that is best case scenario. Treat it well and make sure it has a large cooler on it and it should be good. The first thing I would do is get an oil sample after running it for a bit and send it off for analysis. That will tell you the true story on the condition of the trans as you got it.
http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/dondq/library/2%20Kool%204%20Skool?sort=3&page=1
Ok. I see pics...... Guess it all did happen..
Very nice work Don. :)ThmbUp
Very nice. I can't believe the whole floor is E-track rail! I would be using that to lock stuff in. How long is that?
Oh its a Wonderlodge :)clap
looking good :)clap
my Wonderlodge search
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Other-Vehicles-Trailers-/6038/i.html?_vxp=mtr&_sop=2&_nkw=wanderlodge&_geositeid=0&_trksid=m194&ssPageName=STRK:MEFSRCHX:SRCH
OK, got cancelled by Progressive for the 3rd time!
Have a broker working in it.
Through the wall AC in and working. needs to be sealed and trimmed.
Have an agent from Nat. Gen. and one from Farm Bureau working on ins. for me.
Got an OK from N.G. still waiting on F.B. :)clap
Sighed with AZ Farm Bureau, cars, house, bus.. Bus $116 for good limit liability. :)clap
More pix as I go along; http://s1352.photobucket.com/user/dondq/library/2%20Kool%204%20Skool?sort=6&page=1
Ready for a trial run...All systems are operational.
:)ThmbUp
Recliners and floor lamp in and ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_0099_zpsxmxouvm4.jpg&hash=8d7a3ba595233882f83c54d752f8374b51440a18) TV is on the opposing wall.
Whats the bungee cord for Don?
That is his clothesline over the laundry tub. i??
The bungie's just hanging there, no reason.
Hangin out. Got it
:P
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2FIMG_0117_zpsqxqva30c.jpg&hash=4033282dffcf051dfb24849e2ced919826c7ca5b)
:)rotflmao
Is that another one of Mary's creations? Looking good.
Yes, it is an insert that goesinta the lower e door window so ppl can't see in. I added the FP Skoolie!
Let the painting begin!!
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_0124_zpse11yxav5.jpg&hash=2f498d8e77a46808bbef907ccbf3160d44c5d59a)
:)ThmbUp
... this work I've also just :-[
Thomas
Getting there. Another stripe in blue next. Other side will be a pro. mural of outdoor scene.
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_0135_zpsogucl7sw.jpg&hash=cabf916deb0cb25ac5a0ff3ee17c4cbd75f0b69e)
My first fuel fill up since I got her home. Drove 312 miles, mixed driving some idling and just a few miles trailer towing with 2 axle car hauler and car. Took 17.9 gallons to bottom of fill neck.
Gonna like this 5.9 Cummins.3/19/15. Correction on MPG. I must have used Common Core...2 tanks avg is 11.5!
Looks great!
Looks much better , Good Job! Bobby
Battery/invertor test.
Running a 4.5 CF (1.5a) residential fridge through a Xanrex 2000 invertor (.8a).
Fired it up Wed. at 2pm. The fridge, an XM radio, amplified speakers for the XM (unk. amps) and the invertor on all that time and right now I'm at 12.5v, 51 hours so far. Began with 12.6v. I have 4 GRP 31 100+ah batteries, DEKA brand AGM sealed units and 1 GRP 24 unk. AH. The lone unk is under the bus in a box and was dedicated to the wheelchair lift.
I use a Xantrex 1750, less battery power than you, and swear by Xantrex. After numerous years of living and cruising on boats, and depending upon Xantrex inverters and Heart interfaces I would not use any other manufacturer.
Problem on the water- you cannot pull over to the side of the road to investigate.
Saw your offer for the smaller Xantrex unit for $100.00.
Anyone looking for an inverter, this is an excellent offer.
My opinion
Terry
the Cummins is an excellent engine, nothing fancy about it just a good designed engine.
If my engine would ever die I would get one of these and do a swap.
Nice design
This 5.9 is the 185 HP version, MPG is very good, power is adequate.
That is the 12 valve engine is it not? There are quite a few things you can do to that engine to get better power and still retain dependability and mileage. But if you are happy with it now then leave it alone and it will serve you well for 350,000 miles with no problems.
the horsepower is not the number you should look when you speak about diesel performance, it's the torque, the 12V should have about 420 lb-ft at 1500 rpm which is huge !
And you can tune the 5.9 with very less effort to gain a lot.
My 454 should have about 380 lb-ft but takes 1/3 more fuel.
24v.
Still easy and doable to get more power. There is the electronic way with programmers or throw in a set of RV injectors. The injectors were stock replacements for big RV's as they are called and also for marine use so they will not affect dependability. I put a Quadzilla XZT on mine back before they went out of business. It is a small improvement in power and torque at 75 HP and roughly 100 lb/ft of torque but you definitely feel it. I was also surprised when I gained a solid 4 MPG. It all depends on how you drive when you make modifications. If you use the extra power to the fullest your mileage will be really bad but if you drive normally it will actually improve because you are not at full throttle trying to get up to speed and you use less throttle to maintain speed. I have a set of RV injectors waiting to go in and I will probably stop using the programmer at that point. Or I may just use the timing advance program which does not add fuel.
Installed 200w of solar today. Nice to watch the volts go up while unplugged.
Our first real glampout is Monday and Tuesday night at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood AZ.
246 miles on 18 gal fuel.
3 tank avg. is now 12.5 mpg.
I keep a volt meter plugged in to a 120v outlet and today while playing with my BF Onan I see high volts w/o load...150v at times!
I had just cleared some debris from the needle seat so she was a bit friskier than usual. I had to adj; the speed screw/gov. spring tension to get her back to the proper volts with and w/o a load.
Range is 132 w/o and108 with.
Keep an eye on your output, 150v is a bit rough on appliances.
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_0221_zps2dbuvdwj.jpg&hash=7a43b34a9a7b3ea233ad403ee02ebacacc46485f)
(https://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1352.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq658%2Fdondq%2F2%2520Kool%25204%2520Skool%2FIMG_0222_zpspoun5lly.jpg&hash=65c06bc60f1979ee1f0f8d3219936864efacff13)
What is on the wipers? Is that why you put up the pic or where you just showing off the good looking front end? :D
Wiper covers.
New blue paint here and there.
Never saw wiper covers, do they stay on all the time or just when it is not raining?
They come off when the engine starts. Protect from UVs. A piece of foam pipe insulation works well also.
Keeps the blades from sticking to the WS.
If I could replace my HR with anything, it would be exactly what you are doing DonD. :)ThmbUp :)ThmbUp :)clap
Quote from: DonD on April 08, 2015, 12:41 PM
They come off when the engine starts. Protect from UVs. A piece of foam pipe insulation works well also.
Keeps the blades from sticking to the WS.
Good idea Don, Thanks. Of course I will be the guy on the side of the road pulling them off when it starts raining since I completly forgot them when starting out. D:oH!
I hear you Rick...BTDT!
12 mpg is our current avg.
The Onan uses about .5 gph at 1/2 load.
I got a Scangauge for the 5.9 and it's cool tool.
The 5.9 uses about .3 gph (warm) at idle, .4 gph with one AC on and .5 gph with both ACs running.
I did get axle weights and with 2 ppl., full fuel and water the rear is 9,647 .
Front is 9,640. I guess my backyard wt. calcs. are very close! :)clap