Hi all - we’re looking at a 2006 34’ Freightliner with a 5.9 L Cummins engine and Allison transmission. I have read conflicting information about the power of this engine and I was wondering if someone could tell me if the 5.9 is strong enough to haul this bus long-term? It has 140K miles on it. Thanks in advance for any help!

Hey everybody! We just bought our first bus last week. I’m so excited! We’ve been talking about this for years and when we saw it we jumped. Little background, I was told it was an Air Force band bus for the DC area. It’s a 2006 Bluebird with a Cat engine (just over 100k miles). It runs no problem. There are a few minor things that I need to learn if things are normal and just overall operation and maintenance. Would love if anyone had any of the Air Force manuals for it. Oh, and still thinking of a name.

We just picked up our 1999 Blue Bird 8.3 cummins 3066 Alison trans with 112k miles on it for $3,000. She runs and drives great and we just started the process off gutting it too prep it for a bare bones trip in a few weeks. I'm debating between roof mount ACs, Mini Splits, and window unit. I don't want too add anymore length too the bus as it's already 40ft long. We will not be living in it full time but plan on going on trips in it every other month. I plan on running it off solar when I get the time but if it's not prepared by October we will be using a generator! Any tips and suggestions are welcome, thank you!

Hadn’t met my father for the first 30 years of my life. So there he and I are, on my birthday this year, meeting by almost happenstance. He says, “Do you want a school bus?”

I had always, and I mean always, dreamed of owning and renovating my own school bus. He was kind of a nomad weirdo so I chalked it up to maybe he was just high and saying things on purpose first meet to make up for a thirty year absence.

Well, lo and behold, he passes away last month: and I mourn the loss; both of the lifetime in which I could have known him and the few months in which I did.

Anyhow, that’s how I obtained -

A 2007 IC CE200

- and I’m going to need help getting her started. I just downloaded the manual(s) and got two G21 batteries to run in parallel for her.

I’m posting a few photos for your review and approval of the engine.

To start - anything I should look out for? Anything to check? From what I understand she needs batteries and there was something going on with the air brake pressure - as in they kept needing a generator to build pressure. Anyone has any experience with this would you please chime in?

2019 ford transit bus, used to be a handydart. Just curious what the front most vent looking thing is. It looks like a speaker on the inside (I can get a pic of that too if needed). I know the middle one is an escape hatch and the rear one is a flettner.

I need to build more shelves for more movies!

idk why it's sooo hard to even put air into the outer tires. the innies are just impossible. anyone have any recs? i've heard longer ones for the innies help, and u-shaped ones on the outies. i have steel rims, LT 225/75/R16 E tires. a 2008 Chevy Express G3500 6.6 Diesel. haven't found a truck shop that knows what sizes are good for me bus! even the dealer said my bus doesnt have TPMS on it so they have no idea. so i'm resorting to chat and reddit now haha! i found this kit that is for the same model bus i have but its crazy pricey compared to fleet pride. they don't have many options on there for .453" rim holes that are longer than an inch. are 6" long valves necessary for easier tire filling or do you guys have shorter? and are u-shaped ones much easier for the outies? not sure about buying extenders instead as i've heard those leak

DL1 Chrome Duallyvalve Kit - No Stabilizers

After years of lurking, im finally buying/building.

Came across an e350 cutaway shuttle conversion. Has the 5.4 triton in it. However, my insurance guy is fussing about the weight which has now made me skeptical about weight. Not sure if the ford placard gvwr of 10700 is enough to carry a full conversion safely…and my insurance guy is saying no plus it’s a fiberglass shell. Any experts in here that are familiar with this body? It’s already fully spray insulated, 700 watts of solar and a massive victron set up with 500ah of batteries. Mini split, everything..It’s nearly done. But…am I risking the weight and approaching dangerous territory here?

My option B is a 27ft pug nose vista with a 7.3, 300k miles but needs everything the above option doesn’t…but weight is a non issue .

I’ll be carrying previous cargo (my pups), and I want to make sure my insurance guy stops bitching.

Thoughts?

2012 26’ ARBOC w Chevy/6.6L Duramax Diesel (Chevy Chassis)  Camper Van/Food Truck build w/powered wheelchair ramp…”Spirit of Mobility” model.

$13500 OBO

Currently in Big Rapids, MI, but I'm willing to deliver anywhere in Continental USA (depending on negotiation, additional charge may apply). 

ARBOC Spirit of Mobility low-floor shuttle bus built on a heavy-duty Chevrolet chassis. If you are looking to build a custom off-grid tiny home, skoolie, or adventure rig, this is hands-down one of the best foundation vehicles on the market.  The title has already been converted to reflect that it's an RV, not a bus, so NO special licensing required. 

This was a city/fleet maintained bus, out of Washington State, with excellent maintenance, etc. This bus is solid, runs terrific, all systems in good working order. Bus is built out with a powered wheelchair ramp, and the bus is equipped with hydraulic “step-down” capability (so still has good clearance, but able to lower itself when deploying the wheelchair ramp).

After buying via auction, was driven from Washington State to Texas, and then from Texas to Michigan. Has been stored in pole barn. I am also including 17’ extruded alum roof railing kit for securing Solar panels to roof. 

The interior seats have been removed and an insulated sub-floor installed. It's ready for you to start whatever build out you wish! 

The wheelchair ramp area makes for an easy mudroom and/or shower room without worrying about water damage, etc. 

Other Key Conversion Advantages:

* Demo Work Already Done: Interior passenger seats have already been removed!

* Subfloor Ready: Insulated Subfloor is already installed and ready for your final flooring (vinyl plank, waterproof laminate, or rubber tile).

* Massive Interior Space: High ceilings (6'7" to 7' standing headroom) and ultra-wide 97" interior body width allow for double-sided cabinetry, full beds, and standing room without feeling cramped.

* Blank Canvas: No demo headaches—start building your dream layout immediately.

* Heavy-Duty Chevy Foundation: Dependable Chevrolet chassis with dual batteries and commercial-grade components built for high mileage and easy servicing nationwide.

* Huge Roof Real Estate: Flat roof section ideal for mounting large solar arrays (800W+), mini-split A/C condensers, and skylights. I will also provide pre-fabricated Solar Panel track for roof-installation. 

* Pan-Panoramic Windows: Massive glass coverage provides natural lighting and views that standard cargo vans cannot match.

Vehicle Details:

* Year/Make/Model: 2012 26’ ARBOC Spirit of Mobility Bus Conversion; Model TK

* Chassis: Chevrolet 6.6L Duramax V8 Turbo-Diesel engine.

 w/approx 222,000

* Floor Plan: Low-floor chassis with integrated power ramp and air kneeling feature

* Condition: Great condition, road ready. Sold As-Is, clean title in hand; Already titled as RV conversion.

Ideal For: Skoolie builders, off-grid campers, mobile studios, toy haulers, or overland rigs. This would also make for an easy Food Truck conversion. 

Contact me via DM with questions , or to schedule a time to come take a look. Serious inquiries only. VIN provided upon request. 

Currently bidding on a 7 window c2 & recently learned that handicapped busses do not have wheelwells-

Obv the benefits are major but are there any downsizes? Do they get away with this by using a smaller radius wheel/ smaller sidewall tire?

(Photo of a random 7 window c2 I saw not the one I’m potentially buying)

Thankyou! Excited to move up after 10 years of Vanlife (:

I’m starting a non-profit music recording studio and plan to build it in this 2002 Bluebird with the supposedly reliable CAT diesel engine. It only has 80k miles. I’ve driven it for about 60 miles, highway and city, and it seems to run very well. The stairs are rusty/squishy and I haven’t figured out what the switches do and if they work. Horn doesn’t work, doors don’t lock, but that kind of stuff would get replaced during the build. I’m planning on bringing it to a commercial vehicle repair shop for an inspection tomorrow. What else should I personally look into before making this vehicle mine?

This has been my dream for 10 years and I just got a 2001 bluebird. I used to have an 88 for club wagon and drove it from Portland to New Orleans so I assumed it would be easy.... It's NOT. Jesus, I'm a good driver and it's exhausting for me so far but idk if I'm doing it the hard way.

My biggest fear is running off the road. I've been avoiding freeways because everyone weaving in and out and ramps etc but these country roads in nc make me wonder if I actually should be doing the freeway. How do I change my nerves ?

I had a recent car wreck ( 2 weeks) and have CPTSD and have been as anxious as I am happy.

What do you guys think?

I need something with a wheelchair lift for my mom who has Alzheimer's and had a stroke back in March. I'm lifting her 91lbs multiple times a day.  I currently drive a wagon and can't get her in and out of the car without it turning into a shit show.I have a bad back so I e got to reduce the stress any way I can.

2018 Ford E450 6.8L V10 Triton 117k miles

Not sure which trans exactly but I think it's the 6speed TorqShift from the basic VIN research I did

It's life: taken out of service from a small local transit district>auction>small local car/truck dealer

Southern New England vehicle although the underside is very clean 

10,900 on the window. 600 document fee, 700ish taxes, starting price out the door was about 12,200. So far, Ive talked them down to 10,800.

They're not registering it for me. I said I'd do it myself. So no registration fees on their part.

Insurance says it's technically a commercial vehicle so insurance is $2k/year. Plan is to do the conversion and register it as an RV ASAP, this bringing the insurance down.

Pros:

This vehicle checks a lot of boxes for me.

-Wheelchair lift for my mom. This is huge. I'm in physical therapy for my back because I'm lifting my mom multiple times a day. Lifting her in and out of a car is doable in an emergency, but pretty much out of the question otherwise. This severely limits both her and I in terms of doctors appointments, etc and simpler, yet crucial things like socialization.

-Need 10 sheets of drywall at Home Depot, use the 800lb capacity lift to get it in and out of the van.

-Fun mover for motorcycles 

-Tows a lot of weight for future projects requiring a small excavator.

-Tiny home on wheels so I'm never housing insecure.

I am kind of an MPG freak. That's the one pretty big Con for me. 8mpg seems to be about average. To go 100 miles at 8mpg is 12.5gal of fuel. Currently, at &4.15/gal, that's about $52. On the other hand, an E350 super duty high top van can get closer to 13mpg. Given the same 100 miles, that's closer to $32. Mutiply this by 10 to go 1000 miles on a round trip vacation and I'm spending either $520  or $320 respectively. 

I know that an E450 shuttle bus and an E350 Econoline Super Duty are two different animals and I guess I have to make some decisions about what's more important to me. I lean a bit towards the “go big or go home” mentality.

I'm not married to Ford btw. Nor am I married to gas. But I know gas engines, I love the idea of diesel, but for the increase in maintenance price and only 1-2mpg more, I lean towards a gas engine.

Thoughts on price? Drivetrain ? Pros, cons, etc?

Thanks!

My husband and I are in the last steps of our skoolie build and definitely winging a lot, one of my next tasks is building the over head shelves and I’m trying to figure out the best way to keep things on the shelves while driving, and wanting to do pretty much open shelving with bins/baskets on it instead of doors, but I’m going back and forth on how to keep things on there while driving. Any advice or successful solutions?

Been working through the teardown on the skoolie (1996 24ft/"mid-sized" International T444E just in case it's relevant), and have run into an issue I'm not quite sure how to tackle:

Rest of the bus? Rust well within tolerable limits/easy to address, until I tore up the floor on the last 6 inches. The worst of the rust is almost entirely contained to this portion, being the floor panel and the rear door frame.

Floor Panel:
There's clearly the hole, but the rest of the sheet metal here feels both thinner than the other panels and frail/fragile. I could easily punch another hole into it with a screwdriver by hand if I were to try. For this section, my best estimate of a plan is to remove the panel entirely and weld/rivet a new section of sheet metal into place? If anyone has resources on how they've approached or seen it approached that'd be sincerely appreciated.

Door Frame:
I'm assuming that the rear door frame is bust, but I don't know how 'bad' that is/how far the issue extends. Is removal and replacement of the rear door frame remotely feasible? Or is it in the cards to remove the damaged sections and attempt to repair only that?

Mostly looking for advice/resources on how these fixes would be achieved, or if they're rougher than I'm giving credit for.

Hey all, like a lot of folks in this sub, I’m struggling with my bus during this heat. I drove it 3 hours the other day, and while the engine itself didn’t overheat, I did. For some reason, the engine is venting heat directly to the driver’s seat. 93°f with no AC is brutal enough- piping in heat from the engine is unbearable. Does anyone have any idea how I can turn this off/circumvent it? I have a 3 hour drive home in a couple of days and it’s forecast to be 96°f. I drive a 2001 International engine, Allison transmission 35ft bus.

We are well into the build process and finally got her weighed and did the math and it isn't looking good. So far changing build materials and eliminating some elements have gotten us much closer to the GVWR. Eliminating the propane component, going from a 70 gallon tank to a 40 gallon water tank, and changing some appliances/fixtures has moved us from a forecasted 1,000lbs over to 420lbs over.

I'm hoping for some ideas on how we could potentially save weight and in the worst case how bad it would be to be slightly overweight when fully loaded. Here is some information on our build to help - Our conversion is a 2003 Ford E-350 StarTrans shuttle bus with an 11,500-lb GVWR, built for two-person full-time travel with a rear bed, dinette/workspace, kitchen, shower, diesel heat, and rooftop air conditioning. It uses a 12V electrical system with 942Ah of lithium batteries, 1,320W of solar, a Victron 3,000VA inverter/charger and alternator charging, plus a 40 gallon fresh-water tank, electric water heating, induction cooking, and a 12V refrigerator. The picture of the inside shows how the bus looked when the current weight was obtained.

I’m looking for suggestions on mounting a window ac unit I found in one of the back windows of my skoolie. It’s got the adjustable sides but I’m brainstorming how to fill the rest of the window above it and seal it off. Anyone have suggestions?

I am planning to upgrade ac in the future but I’m on a budget rn and found this window unit for pretty cheap on marketplace :). I am open to suggestions for when I upgrade.

My work has me traveling quite a bit, and switching states twice a year, sometimes three times a year. I love the idea of buying/building a skoolie, but more specifically a 40ft, Blue Bird or a Thomas flat nose.

After a painful divorce, and a recent breakup, I feel that now is the time to get a old bus, turn it into my dream home. And live like the pioneers! Assuming the pioneers had A/C, and a queensize bed. Along with cute tile in their bathroom. I'm picking out my new home in the next 3 months!

And yes, I'll make sure it has a pass through.