Green as grass but not for long ;?D

[Fearnoevil]

Hello all, my names Russell and I reside in Iowa (for now) and I just bought my first vehicle to be converted into an rv (a '04 Ford E450 20 passenger transit van). While I have a ton of building experience (plumbing, home remodeling and other assorted xp) this is my first try at this and frankly I can tell that there's a whole lot to be learned if I want to do this right, which I do ;?). So I'll read as much as possible and try not to ask too many dumb newb Q's, but I am excited and want to hit the ground running asap (but that will be governed by the fact that I'm operating on a somewhat limited budget, lol). So I'll be willing to learn whatever I can from anyone willing to give me some advice, and I really look forward to this journey which, I hope, is just the beginning of a whole new way of living!

 

[blkjak]

welcome....blkjak

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Welcome to the forum.

There is a whole sub-culture of people who convert school buses into campers. They call them skoolies. You should try to find a few of their forums as well.

Also there are a couple of books on the process. Search Amazon for "The Bus Convertors Bible."

If you plan to add solar power to your rig, pay particular attention to postings here by Sternwake. That's a man who knows what he's talking about. Also google "Handy Bob Solar"

Regards
John

 

[Patrick46]

Hi Russell!!

Welcome to the forum!!

It sounds to me like you've already got the basic building skills already at hand to do the job right, so don't be afraid as this ain't no rocket science building a conversion. (unless you're building the Taj' Mahal of van conversions!!)

Whaddaya do for a living?? What part of Iowa are you in?? And kids, critters, or hobbies??

oh...pictures. We LOVE PICTURES!!!


Hello from the Oregon Coast!

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome!!!! Let me throw out a wild idea that may or may not apply to you--every-bodies circumstances are so different. If it works for you keep it, if not throw it out!

There are two ways to do your conversion, 1) plan it all out meticulously and then build it all out perfectly and only them move in. 2) Throw your crap in there and head out, building it as you go! The ideal is probably somewhere in between them! But you can get moved in with a surprising little money and work and then do the conversion when you know what you really want. With all the room you have you could go to a thrift store and buy some bunk beds, dressers, drawers, sink and vanity and a desk and have a great little home (use"L" brackets to attach it the walls and floor) . It'll cost you very little and when you're done just give it all back to the thrift store!

My thinking is the sooner you can move in, the sooner you stop paying rent and the more money you have for the conversion!!

We're really glad you're here and we love questions!
Bob

 

[Fearnoevil]

Thanks for the warm welcome, I'm feeling more at home already ;?D

Optimistic, yeah I've visited a few skoolie sites and there is certainly some great info, just wasn't sure if my transit bus qualified, strictly speaking, as a skoolie, lol. And also I certainly am interested in putting some solar panels on the roof at some point, so thanks much for that info!

Patrick, I live in Iowa City, IA and currently work at a manufacturing plant as a line technician. I have a lovely daughter who is out of the house now and living in Florida, and I got one critter, a hairball named Schrodinger who thinks he's a dog, lol. As to my bus, I do want to make my rig as nice as monetarily possible, but considering my planned budget of around $3k-4k it won't be the Taj, lol. I do want it to be as clean as possible, and with that goal, it's quite probably I will end up way over budget knowing my proclivity for going overboard, heheh. I'll get some pics up soon and I plan on keeping a log or blog on this project somewhere.

Akrvbob, I probably fall into the "plan it all out meticulously and then build it all out perfectly" camp, although I can live with getting the majority of the work done and then tinkering/improving as I go if that ends up being necessary. I do plan on using mostly used/recycled/found material as much as possible, both due to my budget and that it fits a philosophy I'm beginning to adopt based on the principles of permaculture.
But basically I have a timeline between 2-3 years before I can sell my house and hit the road, and then I'll be heading west, Oregon, Colorado and Washington on the top of my list (I've lived in OR and ID in the past and just love the west coast in general). However, short term I'd like to be ready to take a road trip down to FL to visit my daughter in 8-10 months, God willing and the creek don't rise ;?D

---

By the by Patrick, where at on the Oregon coast are you located? The southern Oregon coast is actually one of the places I've picked as a possible spot to settle down in my "golden years", lol. I've spent a lot of time in the Portland area as a kid and still have relatives there, but the weather's a bit too damp for what I'm looking for, but other than a few ski trips to Bend (last one about 20 yrs ago) that's as far south as I've gotten. I'd really love to get down to the Rogue River area and explore between Medford and the coast as see if it's what I imagine it to be, vamos a ver, eh ;?D

 

[Patrick46]

I'm in Coos Bay...about 100 miles North of tha California border.

I am ON the coast...no two ways around it, and with it comes all the coastal benefits, and disadvantages too.

It DOES rain. Sometimes, like during the winter monsoons (Jan-April), we'll have weeks where it almost never stops. And it's not the rain that gets ya, it's the damp inside your body and the chills it creates that'll drive ya nuts!

however...

the days like it is now....are glorious!!! It's nice and warm, but it's not hot. The ocean breezes bring a sweet sea smell to the air, along with the smell of things growning. This is considered a temporate zone here. It rarely get's below 30*, and it rarely gets into the upper 80's...and with the spring rains, things grown like CRAZY around here!!

We've been here for 26 years now, and it takes awhile to get used to the climate. But once you DO acclimate, you never leave.

 

[Ryannis]

Welcome Fearnoevil!!

 

[compassrose]

Thanks for the warm welcome, I'm feeling more at home already ;?D

Optimistic, yeah I've visited a few skoolie sites and there is certainly some great info, just wasn't sure if my transit bus qualified, strictly speaking, as a skoolie, lol.

Go to www.skoolie.net as there are a few transits there.

 

[Fearnoevil]

Patrick, yes indeed, that weather is one of the reasons I've considered that area, not too extreme in either direction (kinda like the Goldilock zone, lol) but that rain is something I'd like to avoid if possible. That's why I'm thinking a bit more inland, say Grant's Pass area, but still close enough to the coast for a quick day trip, plus the rivers (for kayaking), mountains and forests (for hiking/camping) and skiing to boot, just sounds like paradise to me ;?D

Thanks Ryannis, I've been following your Intro thread and love your new home-on-the-road. It's pretty much what I want to transform my transit bus into (just won't look as nice, lol, but it'll do for a start ;?) Btw, your name is very unique, similar in a way to the one I gave my lovely daughter, Rhiannon (yep after the song, well that and Welsh mythology ;?).

Compassrose, thanks and yes I have been to that site and I just signed up the other day so that I can now post, just seem to be spending most of my spare time here for now, so much to learn and plans to make in preparing to dive into this makeover. I can't wait to get started, but gotta plan it out and get it right. Also thanks for the link to that blog, is it yours? Very nice and lots of good advice, cheers ;?D

 

[wayne49]

>> I got one critter, a hairball named Schrodinger <<

Do you keep it in a box?

Great name.

-Wayne

 

[Fearnoevil]

Ahaaa, yes he does have a box which he occupies often, however I am never certain whether or not he's in it at any particular moment, and I am loathe to peek as I fear the consequences, lol. Btw Wayne, you are one of the few who get that, (yeah, the name just appealed to the geek in me, heheh) ;?D

---

I think I will start a thread in the "Miscellaneous Vehicles" forum, starting with a bunch of pics I took today. I'm still drawing up various floor plans, but I hope to start at least removing seats and hardware this weekend. Thanks again to everyone for all the encouragement and warm welcomes ;?D