I am pretty sure we found our new home
- Thread starter bLEEp
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frater secessus
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Shuttle buses just beg to be lived in...
Optimistic Paranoid
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Just make sure you won't have problems insuring it before you lay down any money . . .
bLEEp
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Well we pulled the trigger.
It is a 27' e450, I know a lot of you do not like the fords due to the plug issue. I had a mechanic go over it with a fine tooth comb and all is well. The plug issue is remedied by an aftermarket kit they install. Bushings, I think they are called to hold the plugs in place. I looked through a few forums and read some big truck articles and as long as the kit is installed the V-10 will run for quite a long time, 3-400k is what most of the big truck guys I spoke with told me. Front and rear heat and AC, cruise, an emergency exit that will be transformed to a skylight, a great sound system, good tires, brakes are great. They removed the seats and handicap lift for us, and paid us to take them so that saves a ton of time. The cockpit has both driver and co-pilot seats, that was on thing we really wanted as well. It the best mileage, but we plan on staying in certain areas for extended periods of time with bicycles and a little minibike we found strapped to the back. The best snwas owned by the state so I have every record from the day it was purchased, which is a big plus. Mrs. bLEEp had no trouble driving it on its maiden voyage of about 120 miles through the foothills of the ozarks and the V-10 handled the hills better than our Subaru Impreza.
So now comes the fun part. First things first we need to buy solar panels, batteries, wire, controller, inverter and so on. I am hoping Got Smart can be of assistence with that part.
We already have some of our cabinets from habitat for humanity as well as a two burner stove, dishes and what not. We plan to put the bed in the back left leaving the door where the handicap lift was open to somehow become a small fold out patio.
I am trying to figure out how to load photos so please be patient as I post from my phone lol.
Oh yea.... it's got 166xxx miles and is a 2000. Lots of windows which we like as we will def not be doing much stealthing it in this beast.
So excited I could jump for joy!!!
If you want to rail on the v10 please just don't bother, I know a few of you despise them and I respect that. However, I did my research and spoke to many mechanics who work on these everyday for the city of St. Louis and others large cities. They all told me they had never had one throw a plug with the repair on it, the kit negates this problem and EVERY single guy I spoke with said the v10 is a solid workhorse and if taken care of will treat us well.
Lotsa love and safe travels to all.
bLEEp
It is a 27' e450, I know a lot of you do not like the fords due to the plug issue. I had a mechanic go over it with a fine tooth comb and all is well. The plug issue is remedied by an aftermarket kit they install. Bushings, I think they are called to hold the plugs in place. I looked through a few forums and read some big truck articles and as long as the kit is installed the V-10 will run for quite a long time, 3-400k is what most of the big truck guys I spoke with told me. Front and rear heat and AC, cruise, an emergency exit that will be transformed to a skylight, a great sound system, good tires, brakes are great. They removed the seats and handicap lift for us, and paid us to take them so that saves a ton of time. The cockpit has both driver and co-pilot seats, that was on thing we really wanted as well. It the best mileage, but we plan on staying in certain areas for extended periods of time with bicycles and a little minibike we found strapped to the back. The best snwas owned by the state so I have every record from the day it was purchased, which is a big plus. Mrs. bLEEp had no trouble driving it on its maiden voyage of about 120 miles through the foothills of the ozarks and the V-10 handled the hills better than our Subaru Impreza.
So now comes the fun part. First things first we need to buy solar panels, batteries, wire, controller, inverter and so on. I am hoping Got Smart can be of assistence with that part.
We already have some of our cabinets from habitat for humanity as well as a two burner stove, dishes and what not. We plan to put the bed in the back left leaving the door where the handicap lift was open to somehow become a small fold out patio.
I am trying to figure out how to load photos so please be patient as I post from my phone lol.
Oh yea.... it's got 166xxx miles and is a 2000. Lots of windows which we like as we will def not be doing much stealthing it in this beast.
So excited I could jump for joy!!!
If you want to rail on the v10 please just don't bother, I know a few of you despise them and I respect that. However, I did my research and spoke to many mechanics who work on these everyday for the city of St. Louis and others large cities. They all told me they had never had one throw a plug with the repair on it, the kit negates this problem and EVERY single guy I spoke with said the v10 is a solid workhorse and if taken care of will treat us well.
Lotsa love and safe travels to all.
bLEEp
GotSmart
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You made your decision. You researched it well, asked the right questions, and are happy with bucking the tide of opinion here I can respect that.
I will be available after 2 pm today to go over solar options. Just call.
John
I will be available after 2 pm today to go over solar options. Just call.
John
Congratulations! Really looking forward to your build thread and photos!
bLEEp
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Thank you John!
For the price we payed we could not ask more. I took everyone's opinion VERY seriously as this is our new home. I spoke with about five separate bus mechanics in three separate large metro areas and they all said the same thing, yes it can happen, however; with these little threaded bushings it totally fixes the problem. Both STL and KC run the e450 v10s and all of them that are still in service have had this upgrade. Also both airports and that casino (the wife said I could not go in hahaha) use them as shuttles assured me that this is a permanent fix.
I will def. be giving you a jingle today. We got back from the city yesterday to find the neighbor who bought the building next to us cut down two 100+ year old trees right into our backyard so it was a bittersweet afternoon. All the poor critters and birdies lost their home of generations
"Pave paradise, put up a parking lot". I can't get to angry as we rent, but my gods, all to put in a parking lot for a mechanics shop. Wait till you see this beast and find out what we paid ;-)
I found out the sales director is a Harley enthusiast and the head mechanic backpacked Mexico into Peru and then western EU. It worked well.
Thanks everyone and we look forward to meeting each of you, making some new friends and music around the fire.
Be well everyone.
The bLEEps
For the price we payed we could not ask more. I took everyone's opinion VERY seriously as this is our new home. I spoke with about five separate bus mechanics in three separate large metro areas and they all said the same thing, yes it can happen, however; with these little threaded bushings it totally fixes the problem. Both STL and KC run the e450 v10s and all of them that are still in service have had this upgrade. Also both airports and that casino (the wife said I could not go in hahaha) use them as shuttles assured me that this is a permanent fix.
I will def. be giving you a jingle today. We got back from the city yesterday to find the neighbor who bought the building next to us cut down two 100+ year old trees right into our backyard so it was a bittersweet afternoon. All the poor critters and birdies lost their home of generations
"Pave paradise, put up a parking lot". I can't get to angry as we rent, but my gods, all to put in a parking lot for a mechanics shop. Wait till you see this beast and find out what we paid ;-)
I found out the sales director is a Harley enthusiast and the head mechanic backpacked Mexico into Peru and then western EU. It worked well.
Thanks everyone and we look forward to meeting each of you, making some new friends and music around the fire.
Be well everyone.
The bLEEps
Optimistic Paranoid
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Just out of curiosity, what does it cost to have the spark plug inserts installed? Do they pull the heads to do that, or can they do it in the vehicle?
bLEEp
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Optimistic Paranoid said:
It had already been done when I purchased the vehicle. From what I can tell by looking at the install it seems they screw directly into the head. I do not believe they have to pull the head. But do not take my word for it as I am not engine inclined, hence me spending so much time talking to teks about the reliability of the kit.
I read a lot about it on ford forums and work truck forums as a lot of people really seem to like the v10 for various hauling and work truck applications.
bLEEp
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LoupGarou said:
We are going to get the temporary travel tag to go to the HP inspection station. It must have a toilet, running water and a sink, as well as a permanent bed and food prep areas.
Also a source of power, which we are ordering and installing the solar this coming week.
I have spoken to a few folks who have gotten the certification and as long as we meet all of those requirements they will assign a new VIN, then we go back to the HP station and they install the new VIN tag designating it as an RV.
It will only seat 6 right now so it is no longer considered "commercial".
I am sure we will have to jump through a few hoops, but we are young, full of energy and ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish our dream. I know it can be done, I know it has been done, as I have a few friends who've done it, and we are tenacious as can be regarding this project. Any further advice I should more than welcome from anyone who has been through the process. We surely appreciate it.
bLEEp
^ You've done your homework. That's how it's done in Missouri.
If you haven't, insure the vehicle for what it is, NOT for what you plan to turn it into. Say nothing about a conversion. Save all your receipts, especially for big ticket items. This will help assign a value to the effort. A value is needed for the insurance policy coverage and Missouri's property tax.
Once the conversion and RV certification is completed, then attempt to insure it as an RV.
If you haven't, insure the vehicle for what it is, NOT for what you plan to turn it into. Say nothing about a conversion. Save all your receipts, especially for big ticket items. This will help assign a value to the effort. A value is needed for the insurance policy coverage and Missouri's property tax.
Once the conversion and RV certification is completed, then attempt to insure it as an RV.
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