The Conversion of "Freedom" , our permanent bus home...

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Have a look to see if you wiper motors are air driven or 12v / 24v electric. A lot were made by Trico air operated wiper in those days. They look like these below<br><br><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trico-Folbe...shield-Wiper-Motor-Air-Operated-/320993066092" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.ebay.com/itm/Trico-Folbe...shield-Wiper-Motor-Air-Operated-/320993066092</a><br><br><a href="http://www.wiperman.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.wiperman.com/</a><br><br>I like the air operated stuff much easier to fix in the middle of nowhere.<br>Geoff</span></strong></em>

 

[Clan Graham]

Hey Rokguy .... You said <span id="post_message_1279260225"></span>

<span id="post_message_1279260225"></span>

<span id="post_message_1279260225"><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;"><br></span></strong></em></span><span id="post_message_1279260597"><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;"><br>

</span></strong></em></span><span id="post_message_1279260597"><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Yeh, On the foam board thing I think you would be better using 9mm (3/8) plywood. Are you going to leave all the windows in place?</span></strong></em></span><span id="post_message_1279260597"><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">

</span></strong><span style="color: #888888;"><br></span></em></span><br><span id="post_message_1279260597"><em><span style="color: #888888;"><span style="color: #000000;">Really ?&nbsp; I figured the foam board would have more insulating value than 3/8" plywood. This is good, as plywood is less expensive.</span><br><br><span style="color: #000000;">We are planning on leaving the windows as is. We love the open look, and do not want to change that. We will be using nice quality black out shades to cover ALL of the windows. This allows us to have them open, or closed for security.</span></span></em></span><span id="post_message_1279260597"></span>

 

[Clan Graham]

cygvan .... You say

<span id="post_message_1279260632">clan...dont be afraid of the blue foam board Pactiv (expanded polystyrene) from lowes or the same in pink Owens Corning from Home Depot.</span>

<br><br>I will be using the blue foam board. I just was looking for an easier way, than having to remove those rivets !&nbsp; LOL<br><br>I am concerned about the price of the reflectrix .... It may be helpful, but WOW is it expensive !

 

[Clan Graham]

So what do you guys want to see from this build thread ?&nbsp; There are two ways I can proceed :&nbsp; One is to show the progress as each step is finished. Make it a surprise.<br><br>OR, I can list all of my plans, schedule, and product choices here for all to contemplate .... then show it as it gets done.

 

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Hi Clan,</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Will be nice with the windows still in place. <br>I still think in the long run 9mm + plywood and poly insulation in the voids is the way to go. Wood is a good insulator. Straight forward cheap way to fit out. <br>Note. I mentioned with the insulation in the skin voids.<br><br> As you bus is relatively heavy spec you don't need to worry to much about the GVM.<br></span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">My biggest concern with a bus fitout like yours is the roof insulation or lack of it.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Just a thought...Problem with school bus specced heavies is their lack of headroom which doesn't lend itself to adding much insulation internally to your roof.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">I've seen plenty bus conversions downunder which have the roof arched up from the gutters to create a false outer skin with insulation in between or a simple full length roof rack shading the original somewhere to mount the solar array aswell.</span></strong></em><br><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Geoff</span></strong></em>

 

[Clan Graham]

OK ... I realize I will be wiring everything, as the insulation is being done. This means I need help with wiring suggestions. Any reason Romex will not be just fine ? Should I wire for 12v as well as 120v ? Any reason ALL wires can not be on the same single circuit ?&nbsp; Unless plans change, the only electrical device will be : lights, laptops, flat screen, espresso maker, microwave, PS3, chargers for wireless, etc ... And they will NOT be used at the same time.<br><br>Please remember my electricity will be from a pair of 8d batteries, charged by a 4000w generator. Thanks !

 

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Show it step by step.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Pictures are worth a thousand words.<br><br>I would only use stranded cables for all wiring. look in electrical thread on forum.</span></strong></em>

 

[Clan Graham]

Kool stuff rokguy .... <br><span id="post_message_1279260832"><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;"><br>

</span></strong></em></span><span id="post_message_1279260832"><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;"><span id="post_message_1279260832"><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;"><br>I still think in the long run 9mm + plywood and poly insulation in the voids is the way to go. Wood is a good insulator. Straight forward cheap way to fit out. </span></strong></em></span>

<br><br></span></strong><span style="color: #888888;"><span style="color: #000000;">This is how I plan on doing it. but what is the 9mm you are referring to ?</span></span><span style="color: #888888;"><br><br><span style="color: #000000;">I am just too tall to do roof insulation on the interior. BUT, I definitely am looking to score a free bus locally. I am going to raise the roof by 4 feet. So this new roof will be easy to insulate on the interior. I will do this with 1" foam board most likely.</span></span><span style="color: #888888;"><br></span><strong><span style="color: #888888;"><br></span></strong></em></span>

 

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">As you can see already we all have our preferred materials and ways of doing things.</span></strong></em><br><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">So to answer....if you give us components / &nbsp;lists we will just winge against their merits and each others ways and slow your progress.&nbsp;</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Just build it the way you decide you want it and show us with step by step pics pictures.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Good on you for giving it a go.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Geoff</span></strong></em>

 

[Clan Graham]

LOL rokguy !&nbsp; Too many chiefs huh ?&nbsp; I have most of my ides cemented. But I do not want to do anything really important ( insulation ) without at least asking peeps who have already been there !

 

[cygvan]

oh hey clan yeah i think i read that too quick lol..<br><br>rivets can be a pain. you could jsut put everything over the panels but..i think you find that more difficult in the long run. and not the best method.<br><br>the reflectix is expensive ill give you that. 25'x2' high is like $23. save a few bucks and get the 25'x4' which is $43. (both at lowes) and cut in half. (this of course assuming you only use it under the windows and dont need it elsewhere).<br><br>perhaps you hit up some forming contractors (or other contractors) to see if they have any 3/4 plywood to donate to your cause.&nbsp; maybe a traditional lumber yard rather than big box would be empathetic and let you take some stuff thats been sitting and not purchased cuz it looks funky (but isnt).<br><br>maybe even some insulation contractors could hook you up. <br><br>if you need to rivet stuff...most small inexpensive rivet guns go up to 3/16" rivets.&nbsp; 1/4" or higher would need a larger rivet gun. you can find them cheaply at harbor freight though. i thought id mention it since rivets might be in your future.&nbsp; that 3/16 - 1/4 cutoff info will save you time when looking for the right tool lol.<br><br>dont use romex. use stranded. you can get it anywhere and its rated for moving vehicles. the romex is solid which according to the "powers that be" can get stressed inside the outlets and other connections and break.&nbsp; i happen to agree with this.<br><br>what i found out when looking for AC outlets to do my wiring was that the outlets rated for 20 amps (which look like regular 3 prong but als have a sideways slot on one of the prongs) also tend to have CLAMPING terminals in the back in addition to screw terminals. CLAMPING terminals make a world of difference when connecting stranded wires. the difference between them and the standar 15 amp outlets is that the 15 amp ones have the screw terminals but with PUSH IN ports. you cant push stranded wire into them. and the screw terminals found on but just arent good to use with stranded.&nbsp; the ground wire is an exception but can be handled with a good ring terminal (some will freak at that).<br><br>when i ran my AC lines inside the van i used 12/3 SJOOW wire. i placed it into the grey flexible liquid tight conduit and used the coordinating outlet boxes and connectors (for 90 degree angles or straight angles into the boxes). coupled with the leviton brand of 20 amps outlets and a square D breaker box rated for my application, i have a great inexpensive and safe AC system.<br><br>be glad to tell you more if you want...just pm me if you wish.<br><br>

 

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">9mm is approx. 3/8 inch plywood in thickness. I forget the U.S still use imperial measurements.</span></strong></em><br><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Wow</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">I thought this was going to be a simple bus conversion but after reading your planned 4ft (1200mm) roof raise this is a biiiiiig job. Do lots and lots of research and reading first before going down this road.<br></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Definitely worth asking Leftcoaster on the forum about this.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">A friend I helped fit out his Silver Eagle coach was original going to buy a cheaper city commute bus to do this, thinking of the money he would save. Turned out after several quotes on material and labour it was cheaper to buy a good high roof coach with a flat floor.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Are you going to cut below the windows (normal practice) to do this roof raise.</span></strong></em><br><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Hence the Eagle.&nbsp;</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Geoff</span></strong></em>

 

[Guest]

Are those rolling papers on your drink? <img title="Crazy - :crazy:" class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/crazy.gif">

 

[Clan Graham]

I guess the bottom line on reflectrex is, is it worth the $100 it would take to minimally do my bus ? <br><br>And cygvan ... you say "rivets" .... Oh hell no ! LOL&nbsp;&nbsp; I would prefer welding anything, over riveting. But I am too new to know much yet.<br><br>Oh man ... I thought this would be more simple than needing to use a breaker box and conduit. This is why I was thinking the sealed Romex, and a simple inline breaker. I don't think I will need over a single circuit.<br><br>

 

[Clan Graham]

Hey Geoff .... [QUOTE<span id="post_message_1279261084"><br><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Wow</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">I thought this was going to be a simple bus conversion but after reading your planned 4ft (1200mm) roof raise this is a biiiiiig job. Do lots and lots of research and reading first before going down this road.<br></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Definitely worth asking Leftcoaster on the forum about this.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">A friend I helped fit out his Silver Eagle coach was original going to buy a cheaper city commute bus to do this, thinking of the money he would save. Turned out after several quotes on material and labour it was cheaper to buy a good high roof coach with a flat floor.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Are you going to cut below the windows (normal practice) to do this roof raise.</span></strong></em></span>[/quote]<br><br>Although there is always more to any project than a person foresees, I have worked all kinds of construction all of my life. And I can easily do what most will struggle with. I do plan on cutting the bus off below the windows. Getting it up on the roof is easy enough. And welding it down is also simple enough. This is not much of a worry to me.

 

[Clan Graham]

Rolling papers ?????? Who me ?&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/angel.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Angel - :angel:">

 

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Good onya Clan,</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">You can buy a cheap air rivet gun and run it off your air equipped bus. I often run air powered tools using my trucks air tanks to power it.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Geoff</span></strong></em>

 

[Clan Graham]

Wow .... as much as I know about construction, I am humbled by how little I know about buses ! LOL<br><br><span id="post_message_1279261771"><em><strong><span id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " dir="ltr">Good onya Clan,</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">You can buy a cheap air rivet gun and run it off your air equipped bus. I often run air powered tools using my trucks air tanks to power it.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Geoff</span></strong></em></span> <br><br>Yeah ... may as well go ahead and laugh .... But I would have NEVER dreamed of using the bus as a compressor !&nbsp; Air tools .... I have air tools !<br><br>

 

[rokguy]

<em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Look under your bus for a third dry air tank probably already has the Nitto style fitting on it.</span></strong></em><br><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">If you have three one is a wet tank, one is the main air supply dry tank, and the third usually up around the engine is an emergency brake release tank. Use that one.<br> The diesel engine is essentially a big air pump and idling it to power air tools is no big deal.</span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Also great for changing flats and wheels.<br></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #888888;">You might find an air supply diagram on the net for your bus too, very helpful.&nbsp;<br></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #888888;">below is a pic of the third tank on my KW. and a PDF air systems manual.<br><br></span></strong></em><br><em><strong><span style="color: #888888;">Geoff</span></strong></em>

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Clan,<br><br>I understand your need to raise your roof, it's a good idea specially since you have the know how.&nbsp; I'd like to point out that you might find yourself in tricky situations at times if you raise it too high. I believe the legal height &nbsp;is 13' 6". This will guaranty&nbsp;that your bus will&nbsp;fit under&nbsp;all of the&nbsp;major highways overpasses, however there are&nbsp;a lot of lower,&nbsp;older overpasses off major highways. For instance you&nbsp;might find that they are much lower under&nbsp;older train tracks. &nbsp;An other thing to consider is that&nbsp;some cities&nbsp;(for example &nbsp;New York City)&nbsp;will not allow vehicles&nbsp;on certain roads with a roof of a certain height.&nbsp;<br><br> In the planning stage you have an idea where you will be driving but are you absolutely sure that you will&nbsp;never find yourself facing&nbsp;a tunnel&nbsp;too low for your bus&nbsp;to fit under.&nbsp; An other important thing to keep in mind is the height of the roof that most gas stations have over their&nbsp;gas pumps, some are lower than others.&nbsp;School buses gas tanks are not very big considering their low MPG so you might not&nbsp;have the luxury&nbsp;to wait until the next gas station to fill up.<br><br>I don't want to burst your bubble, I just&nbsp;want to make you aware of some of the things you might encounter.<br><br>Take care<br><br>Nicole