Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRUCK CONVERSIONS, MDT's & HDT's FORUMS > Bus Conversions
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-22-2018, 05:37 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
93 Blue Bird

I just bought my first bus that I plan to convert. I've never taken on a project this big and it seems like the more conversion videos I watch, the more overwhelming everything becomes.

I get to thinking about plans, then materials, then costs then functionality and synergy with the rest of the design.... and on and on and on.....

Any way, I was hoping to get some pointers from experienced converters. What obstacles did you face on your first conversion? If you could have gotten any advice what would you have found most useful? How do you manage the overwhelming amount of projects, costs, deadlines?

Thanks for reading! Hope to hear from you guys soon. Any questions you have of me I would love to answer
RaiderLewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 11-22-2018, 05:48 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
jcussen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2,812
www.busconversionmagazine.com
__________________
Foretravel tag axle 40 ft. 500 hp/1550 ft/lbs ism 1455 watts on the roof. 600 a/h's lithium down below.
jcussen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 05:51 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,055
You might also want to check YouTube for bus conversion or skoolie. There are several folks posting about their bus conversions. Some are pretty clueless but you will see ideas and problems.
nothermark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 06:04 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
So it's pretty normal for me to feel totally overwhelmed?
RaiderLewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-22-2018, 08:10 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,055
From what I have seen. sort of. Sooner or later some of the problems sink in. OTOH none are insurmountable. The way folks go about surmounting them is often different and more creative than what the RV motor home industry does. It can also be much more cost efficient as much of the expensive bling can be ignored. It really depends what your end objective is. If you do it please post pictures. Based on other build threads lot of folks here would both enjoy it and be able to feed you suggestions and encouragement. FWIW I'll give you a couple of suggestions. Buy a PEX crimper. They have come down in price to significantly less than using all shark bite connections. Figure out how to design your own electrical system. It beats buying a Yeti box. Help is available here.
nothermark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2018, 06:25 AM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
[Mod Edit]
How about a few pics. What engine 8v92?
mike brez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2018, 08:53 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike brez View Post
[Mod Edit]
How about a few pics. What engine 8v92?
We are finalizing the sale in a few days and I'll have all kinds of pictures. It's the Cummins 5.9 in it.
RaiderLewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2018, 08:55 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by nothermark View Post
From what I have seen. sort of. Sooner or later some of the problems sink in. OTOH none are insurmountable. The way folks go about surmounting them is often different and more creative than what the RV motor home industry does. It can also be much more cost efficient as much of the expensive bling can be ignored. It really depends what your end objective is. If you do it please post pictures. Based on other build threads lot of folks here would both enjoy it and be able to feed you suggestions and encouragement. FWIW I'll give you a couple of suggestions. Buy a PEX crimper. They have come down in price to significantly less than using all shark bite connections. Figure out how to design your own electrical system. It beats buying a Yeti box. Help is available here.
Thanks for the pointers! I'm putting together floor plans right now.
RaiderLewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2018, 10:20 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
jcussen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 2,812
Good luck. start at the bottom, tank, plumbing, generators. wiring etc. Had a 72 gmc and a 64 gmc and a old wayne conversion, Most were okay but still needed work, Lot of satisfaction in doing it, but a lot of frustration involved. But the first time you show off your coach, well worth it.
__________________
Foretravel tag axle 40 ft. 500 hp/1550 ft/lbs ism 1455 watts on the roof. 600 a/h's lithium down below.
jcussen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2018, 06:28 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Ernie Ekberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Weatherford, Tx 76086 USA
Posts: 1,715
Send a message via AIM to Ernie Ekberg Send a message via Yahoo to Ernie Ekberg
Is this a schoolie or transit bluebird?
__________________
Ernie Ekberg
Foretravel
Mineral Wells, Texas
Ernie Ekberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 12:40 AM   #11
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ernie Ekberg View Post
Is this a schoolie or transit bluebird?
Schoolie
RaiderLewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 12:46 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
HoneyBadger's Avatar
 
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Pacific Coast, Washington State
Posts: 469
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaiderLewis View Post
Schoolie
Schoolies are awesome for traveling off the beaten path since they have high ground clearance, but you have to get creative in dealing with your tanks without the storage compartments that highway busses have.

Best of luck and post plenty of pictures of your build.
HoneyBadger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 06:06 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Ernie Ekberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Weatherford, Tx 76086 USA
Posts: 1,715
Send a message via AIM to Ernie Ekberg Send a message via Yahoo to Ernie Ekberg
I hope you are young and have plenty of money- this project could take a while.
A lot of campgrounds have restrictions on what type of vehicle they allow.
__________________
Ernie Ekberg
Foretravel
Mineral Wells, Texas
Ernie Ekberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-25-2018, 06:57 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
gbstewart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 400
Go to Skoolie.net
gbstewart is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Angry Bird :: 2000 Blue Bird Wanderlodge LX A.R.F. iRV2 Owners Registry 0 12-30-2016 02:29 PM
Jury Finds Blue Bird Corporation Liable for Fraud DriVer RV Industry Press 6 11-23-2010 09:42 PM
Bird Watching and Bird Photography HUMMINGBIRD Hobbies, Passions & Pastimes 28 11-23-2010 02:35 PM
Blue Bird NADA price guide Greg from Pittsburgh Class A Motorhome Discussions 4 01-01-2009 05:35 PM
81 Blue Bird Peabody Bus Conversions 3 10-12-2008 04:21 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:16 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.