just saying hello....

leftcoastadv · Mar 31, 2013

Hello all... I just wanted to stop in and formally introduce myself. My name is Ryan and I'm not an addict... wait wrong group. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Let me start over. The wife and I and two cats live in a retired school bus. It has taken us about 2 years to build and for the last 3 months we have lived in it full time.  Currently we are parked near Prescott, AZ and will remain here for another few weeks while I work on our truck and the wife works on refilling the "war chest". So since I am not a wordsmith and I know everyone likes pictures.... here we go.  <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_X-6xg5lp_c/UP9DJkz99aI/AAAAAAAADs4/dWNo05FonnY/s640/DSC_2893.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w5uoAtzQs-g/UQB9ZViM8bI/AAAAAAAADtQ/nRAIAR8L-B4/s640/DSC_3381.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-.../g7Pj_JCc8sg/s640/2012-12-23_14-20-54_656.jpg" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AwpkHEHRg4w/UToh_AXQhtI/AAAAAAAAD6s/Oc7p2b30Kcg/s640/DSC_3992.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--KS9B2nt5Tk/UT_M9myEYBI/AAAAAAAAD8U/v5DekwJ0-dk/s640/DSC_4162.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--RUKVZ0BPXY/UToiDGCSNKI/AAAAAAAAD60/ZdUn6-BwuaA/s640/DSC_3988.JPG" class="bbc_img"> Some of these pictures are from 6 plus months ago but you will get the general idea of the layout.  <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bir-mlh895c/UQC2_A5FGjI/AAAAAAAADuo/sCP1N_oOzAU/s640/100_5035.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aA7c_GD-tpE/UQC0KxykYeI/AAAAAAAADuQ/W2jCwityz28/s640/DSC_2760.JPG" class="bbc_img"> We love the small wood/coal burning stove.  <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mIfjOcTry_w/UQC4MiEG4uI/AAAAAAAADvQ/JE0Tnko-rwY/s640/100_4976.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wczcjVuT3qQ/UQC6UJ0NmzI/AAAAAAAADvo/zCWKvIu2er8/s640/100_4825.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5v9J6w_uPBs/UQCFbq5auLI/AAAAAAAADtg/jDdimrlK5RY/s640/DSC_3400.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uCc4DFQYcrI/UQCwBQfWBmI/AAAAAAAADuA/Lx1IuvRndY4/s640/DSC_2880.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6qjRKLlPxz8/UQC8rqUDnNI/AAAAAAAADwA/A68qrBLjKo8/s640/100_4833.JPG" class="bbc_img"> This picture needs a bit of help... this is the bathroom. To the direct right is the toilet and further right is a 3'x3' stand up shower. I will post up a better picture soon.  <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gbb9slsboHA/UVhj7N_3OpI/AAAAAAAAD98/oBdYLgr8tV8/s640/DSC_3416.JPG" class="bbc_img"> Chest freezer and converted chest fridge.  That's pretty much it in a nutshell.  We're headed west from here and plan to spend the summer in Seattle.  Once we get on the move, I'll post some more pictures as we go along. Probably start a thread in the captain's log section.  Hope to meet some of you out on road. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">  - Ryan & Kali

AltTransBikes · Mar 31, 2013

Hello Ryan and welcome! I am just so darn impressed with what you're doing, it looks great. If I lived nearby, you'd never get any work done as I'd be constantly pestering you with tons of questions, lol. When you do a chance though, I'm curious about the wood/coal stove, how it works, cost, safety requirements. Also, not to pry into personal info but because you've done it and I've always been intrigued by the idea of retrofitting a full size bus: what might you advise about what to look for in searching out/purchasing a base vehicle and what would you think might be consistent in terms of someone budgeting for a similar project from start to finish? Again, kudos, you obviously have some serious skills, I'd be very proud. EDIT: See, I said I'd be pestering you with ? lol, How do you access the chest freeze/refer, counter lift up???

rvwandering · Mar 31, 2013

Welcome Ryan & Kali! You guys did a wonderful job - nice and cozy home!

Lostinspace · Mar 31, 2013

Great job. This has always been my Walter Mitty dream. Welcome aboard.

my_vantasy · Mar 31, 2013

Wow--talk about an estate on wheels!

c_hasbeen · Mar 31, 2013

Awesome, I hear those blue bird are certified for roll over protection! I would like to know a lot more about your coal stove if you do not mind sharing brand and anything else you care to about it

leftcoastadv · Mar 31, 2013

Thanks guys! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> It has been a blast building this thing, and I could not have done it without some help. Couch upholstery and tile work was done with the help of a friend. I just assisted and tried to learn something new.  The stove is made by a company called Fatsco. This is the "tiny tot" model. I believe the gentleman that builds these has a basic website. If I recall correctly, the stove was about $350.  It is cast iron with some stainless bolted to the back. The entire stove is bolted together and individual pieces can be replaced.  I originally found this stove on some live aboard boat forums. I figured if the boat guys are running them and not burning things down, it should work fine for us. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">  So far so good.  This little stove will boil water and flat cook us out of the 288 sq ft bus in about 25 degree weather.  Anything colder than that and the stove is working hard to keep things comfortable. We supplement with a "little buddy" propane unit on those occasions. Here are a few more pictures of the stove.  <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dJyaqVEOrBk/USrltUe7ppI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/22mDXxTjBzs/s640/DSC_3718.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VDXZkI6qZJU/UP8_HA-Ux0I/AAAAAAAADsM/ATBG7aThVp4/s640/DSC_0808.JPG" class="bbc_img"> <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cJhjHpd9IhM/UP8_EvPO9gI/AAAAAAAADr8/bIRzX_HGMmM/s640/DSC_0789.JPG" class="bbc_img"> I used class b vent pipe as the flue pipe. From a building code and possibly safety standpoint, this vent pipe is not designed to be a fireplace flue pipe. I'd recommend others not do as I did on this one. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> If I can ever find 3" double or triple wall flue pipe I will jump all over it.  For the past 3 months we've used the stove on a daily basis and not had any issues.  In real life this stove has to be reloaded, monitored and or stoked about every 30 minutes.  Earlier I mentioned coal but actually I've not mastered the art of keeping the fire under control with coal. Since I really needed to make some heat and not just experiment, I've since switched to charcoal briquettes and wood. It is far easier to keep things around 500 degrees and just let the stove do its thing.

leftcoastadv · Mar 31, 2013

AltTransBikes...... we have about 15k into this project including about 5k for the bus. As far as which bus to build from... well the options are plenty. Gas, diesel, auto, manual, dog nose, flat front, front engine, rear engine, mid engine, classic, new, air ride, spring ride, etc. As you can see, the options are endless. I could bore you to tears with bus talk. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">   If you are really serious about building a bus, I'd suggest you take a look at the <a href="http://skoolie.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">skoolie.net</a> forum. Tons upon tons of bus builds over there. Everything from mild to wild.  Our bus is as follows: 1992 Bluebird All American - 183,000 miles Rear engine, spring suspension. Rear engine gives us a better ride, more usable interior space and a ton quieter on the road. (Front engine buses are extremely loud) 8.3 liter Cummings diesel - all mechanical motor. no computers. mt643 automatic 4 speed Allison transmission. no computers.  Real world we get just a hair over 9 mpg at 55-60 mph.

KalaniStorm · Mar 31, 2013

Wow, looks like an awesome home! You could throw a party in there! haha It really does look very cozy and nice to be able to spread out and have some room. Congrats and safe travels!

rokguy · Mar 31, 2013

Hi Ryan and welcome, wow thats a really nice conversion you've done. Got to love those mechanical hummins Cummins. nice. Geoff

leftcoastadv · Mar 31, 2013

C... this one is for you <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-.../ZHXQS8evzwU/s640/2011-06-04_16-15-08_974.jpg" class="bbc_img"> 13 plus ribs from front to back. All designed to protect the school kids. They are bound to be one of the safest vehicles on the road.  AltTransBikes.... yes, the counter lifts up. They each work independently and have a gas strut that does most of the lifting.  <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J2nMXTVEqOw/UVj50-e5W3I/AAAAAAAAD-c/ikI5JS4dsgI/s640/100_4998.JPG" class="bbc_img"> Going back in time a little bit: <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HDWZpedZ_FY/Tj2Ab-bVTvI/AAAAAAAABe0/ShZbX6vhwK4/s640/DSC_2190.JPG" class="bbc_img"> Jungle gym of metal framing. <img rel="lightbox" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b4rs6xOiIHo/Tj2A7WnlyzI/AAAAAAAABfw/zCBxPZ8jnNw/s640/DSC_2202.JPG" class="bbc_img"> Rear bed with fresh water holding tanks.

leftcoastadv · Mar 31, 2013

Thanks rokguy. Ya... I do love this engine. She just purrs like a kitten. So much fun to drive. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

rokguy · Mar 31, 2013

Yeh nice pics,  Did you have to raise the roof or was it already high enough? flat floor? I was reading recently a bluebird wanderlodge website on conversions. very interesting stuff. seemed most had the 3208 Caterpillar engines fitted. Geoff

leftcoastadv · Mar 31, 2013

rokguy, we choose not to raise the roof although it would be quite possible and many before me have done so. If I had access to a fork lift or some sort of overhead lift I would have done it in a heart beat. Past that, me being right at 6' and the wife at 5'5" it was just not worth the effort/cost especially when it only benefited one of us.  I'm use to my head brushing the ceiling. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">  Some buses come with a "high roof" and I believe they are like 6'7". It would have been nice to find one of those but they are a bit rare.  Yes, a lot of the older wanderlodges had the cat engine from what I've seen. I really dig the wanderlodge up to about the late 80's. Past that and they quickly stopped using the school bus body. It is really cool to see all the similarities between the motor home and the school bus.

VanTrekker · Apr 4, 2013

Hello and welcome to the group!  What a wonderful machine!  Cool stuff! V.T.

ilovemyvan · Apr 5, 2013

Hello Leftcoastadv, I love your bus, it is so cool and beautiful. We lived in one for 8 years. I wish you as much fun in yours as we had in ours. Blue Skies Nicole

leftcoastadv · Apr 5, 2013

Thanks V.T. Great blog by the way... I've been following it for about 6 months.  Nicole, thanks for the compliments. Pretty cool to find another fellow skoolie dweller. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of your bus would you? <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">  So far it has been a ball and I can only hope we continue this on for 8 years.  <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> -Ryan

ilovemyvan · Apr 5, 2013

Hi Ryan, Here you go: <img class="bbc_img" style="left: 32px; top: 68px; width: 640px; height: 376px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAEx4U/Zfc-IO9ANe0/s640/Top-002.jpg?gl=US" rel="lightbox"> We lived in the bus full time but we were not travelling a lot. We were working at Skydiving Centers and we followed the nice weather. We always spend our summers in Gardiner, NY and the winters in Florida or Arizona. At first we had a storage unit on top but we decided that it was too much stuff and we got ride of it but we left the deck up there. <img class="bbc_img" style="left: 32px; top: 49px; width: 640px; height: 413px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAEx38/EnMH6JaZRQM/s640/Top-001.jpg?gl=US" rel="lightbox"> I'm sure I have pictures of the interior somewhere but not too handy at the moment, it was not nearly as beautiful as yours but it worked well for our needs. We left it very  opened, the joke was that we could pack a parachute inside on a rainy day. After 5 years we parked it in Deland, FL for 3 more years and continue to live in it while we built our own home. After that was done we had it moved (at this point the poor thing couldn't do it anymore) to our lot and used it for storage for a few more years. <img class="bbc_img" style="left: 32px; top: 42px; width: 640px; height: 428px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAEx4c/vxsD8CI1Reo/s640/Top-004.jpg?gl=US" rel="lightbox"> This tow truck driver was the best I've ever seen, it was a very tied fit. When we built our workshop we put an add in the Penny Saver that said something like "Free bus, you tow it and it's yours" We received over 30 calls. The following picture is to make you and your wife dream for a bit. It's our bus next to a double decker tour bus at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. We spend hours day dreaming about what we'd do with it. <img class="bbc_img" style="left: 39px; top: 98px; width: 640px; height: 316px; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...gI/AAAAAAAEx30/8y0X2j_1Kfo/s640/Top.jpg?gl=US" rel="lightbox"> I hope you and your wife are enjoying your new life and all the freedom that comes with it.  Blue Skies Nicole

leftcoastadv · Apr 8, 2013

Wow! Thanks for sharing Nicole. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> Very cool indeed.  I really dig the roof deck. That is something I've wanted to add to our bus for quite awhile now. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Maybe someday.  Take care. Ryan

Pikachu711 · Apr 20, 2013

Welcome to the group leftcoastadv!

just saying hello....

Help Support Van Living Forum:

Active member

Well-known member

Administrator

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Active member

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Active member

Well-known member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!