Cycosis builds a Skoolie

[cycosis]

Aaand its begun. Earlier this summer I picked up a bus off an online auction that ended up being from the Lethbridge school district.

Its a 2000 Bluebird TC2000. 35 feet long, 48 passenger. 5.9 L cummins, 545 Allison transmission with about 200k. Not bad.

The plan is to completely strip it down, address potential rust, then build an awesome festival/RV that is future proofed for little ones as they're likely in the next couple of years.

It will have a full kitchen (Stove, sink, hot water, fridge), HVAC (A/C and heat), washroom (Sink, toilet, Shower), fresh/gray/black water tanks, a small battery bank, and generator.

Build schedule is about a year.

The day she came home:
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_0182_zpsdawwy0gf.jpg

Look at all those nice seats:
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_0352_zpscczdjbab.jpg

F*@$!! You seats:
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/14199697_825950717810_5152974361146240594_n_zpseljbrn84.jpg

Good clean template:
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/14233145_825950702840_5175446470401637902_n_zps2ovhvtp5.jpg

Worst part so far: Removing hundreds and hundreds of rivets:
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_0868_zpsicd3lkm8.jpg

And currently this is where I am at. Just starting on the walls. Again, more rivets:
http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_0872_zpsootq5d8e.jpg

[cet]

This is awesome. Looking forward to how it turns out.

[EK 2.0]

Ok...this is really cool....

In for updates and progress!!....

[n1zm0]

Subscribed, awesome project!

Is it staying yellow? Matte black 3M? :D

[JfuckinC]

haha fuck i think about doing this so often... 4x4 short bus would be the dream :love:

Subscribed :poosie:

[NoPulp]

I have family that did this, its awesome! They work excellent

[Shlade]

In for this!

[ExtraSlow]

Fuck Yeah.

[cycosis]

Originally posted by n1zm0
Subscribed, awesome project!

Is it staying yellow? Matte black 3M? :D

Flipping between white or aqua blue. Roof will be white with ceramic beads to reflect heat. There will be some type of mural on the sides.

Two new front steer tires were $400/each :eek:

Most of the appliances/systems are already acquired. If anyone plans to do a coutts run to the border anytime soon, I have some fantastic vents and a fridge waiting to come up :D

[D'z Nutz]

This is going to be so cool!!!

[sputnik]

Originally posted by n1zm0
Is it staying yellow?

Is it even legal to register a school bus that is yellow that isn't actually being used as a school bus?

I thought you were required to paint it a different colour if it was for private use.

[sputnik]

What was the purchase cost of the bus?

[cycosis]

Originally posted by sputnik


Is it even legal to register a school bus that is yellow that isn't actually being used as a school bus?

I thought you were required to paint it a different colour if it was for private use.

Dont think it matters in Canada. In many states in the US it most certainly does.

I had to remove the school bus lettering, and black out the top marker lights for when the door is open.

Purchase price was a bit higher than I would have preferred as I got into a $10 increment bidding war with someone which lasted several hours. That being said its still a great price considering the year, engine, tranny, kilometers and body condition.

$4400

[sputnik]

$4400 is a pretty good starting price considering it came with a 200k 5.9L Cummins engine.

The engine and transmission alone is probably worth around $2500-3000.

The cabover style is also really awesome!

Looking forward to watching the build process.

[cycosis]

Originally posted by sputnik
The cabover style is also really awesome!

Looking forward to watching the build process.

Its quite ideal even if I run into engine problems as I can work on it with a roof over my head :D Theres quite a bit of room under the doghouse. Only big issue so far is a small coolant leak in one of the brass lines...

[01RedDX]

.

[cycosis]

Cause it started at 1600. As the auction nears close, it would hit a 3 minute countdown. If anyone bid in those 3 minutes, the 3 minute count down would reset. This went on for hours :rofl:

[AndyL]

So, where's the hot tub going? ;)

[legendboy]

roof!

[The_Penguin]

Originally posted by cycosis
Aaand its begun. Earlier this summer I picked up a bus off an online auction that ended up being from the Lethbridge school district.


Man, this triggered a memory of a model my car-nut Jr. High school buddy built in (probably) 1974
Not the exact one, but Google found something similar.
Can't remember what Mrs. Penguin said to pick up at Safeway, but I can remember this...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/22/56/ee/2256eea26d74083670de395fabc0531b.jpg

[cycosis]

More progress yesterday. Just exhausted after fighting all those damn rivets. Walls out, insulation out, most cleaned and ready for spray foam insulation. Getting the walls, roof, and underbody done with closed cell foam, 2" thick. Should put it at roughly R13-15.

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_0872_zpsootq5d8e.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/Mobile%20Uploads/9D2788B0-C601-4FB0-B64B-A851CAA9946B_zpsz5gvqwqw.jpg

[jacky4566]

Originally posted by cycosis
Cause it started at 1600. As the auction nears close, it would hit a 3 minute countdown. If anyone bid in those 3 minutes, the 3 minute count down would reset. This went on for hours :rofl:

That's an interesting approach. Idk why eBay doesn't enact something like this to kill all the snipers. Its so bullshit to lose an auction by 0.02$ because they sniped it with a bot.

[cycosis]

Interior and under carriage insulated! Should get about R-10 / 12

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/Mobile%20Uploads/6BED3260-22AD-404E-9A66-1ED65D949CE7_zpstg8hngqe.jpg


http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/Mobile%20Uploads/16AD3B14-F5D6-4663-BE0F-5A2FC5EC9ED8_zpse4uddckj.jpg

[ShermanEF9]

Easily one of the coolest builds i've seen on here. can't wait to see the progress!

[brucebanner]

Awesome build! Looking forward to the updates.

[loweg]

Originally posted by jacky4566


That's an interesting approach. Idk why eBay doesn't enact something like this to kill all the snipers. Its so bullshit to lose an auction by 0.02$ because they sniped it with a bot.

yahoo japan does this

[nismodrifter]

Dude this is wicked

[Gestalt]

Wow. This is going to be amazing.

[Assunta]

Do you have a tight plan drawn up? I just finished up a City of Calgary van build for my brother in law and he never had a firm plan so we faffed around a bit. He also bought the van partially finished so wiring it up after the walls were closed was a royal pain. If you haven't already done so, consider leaving a couple of empty conduits in the walls or open cable corridors for last minute changes.

Are you going solar?

I'm looking forward to seeing your build.

[cycosis]

More progress finally that the weather is getting nicer. Been a good few months since anything was done to it. Gotta start cutting holes in the roof now for the roof vents and AC

The floor is now fully treated with an acid bath to convert any left over rust that was under water logged plywood. Today I coated it with a rust inhibiting paint layer.

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_2047_zps7j7ncycn.jpg


http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_2048_zpsnytpluw0.jpg

[cycosis]

Roof vents in :)

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_2054_zpsilfesbyl.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_2055_zpsap9zdxny.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_2056_zpslxsdq39k.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_2057_zpsqpvfx24e.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/IMG_2058_zpsvmjzyuq6.jpg

[FixedGear]

Sweet dude! :thumbsup:

[Kijho]

Do you know who FunForLouis is? Built a sick bus (actually he bought it, someone had built it before him) and fixed up a few things - Then took it on a HUGE roadtrip from USA to Mexico with a bunch of his friends. He daily vlogged that journey on his YouTube. He got pulled over a bunch in Mexico for many reasons and they had to bribe the Police there..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJUXCwJmT4E&t=5s


This is super awesome, following along :thumbsup:

[craigcd]

I love skoolie builds and look forward to watching this.

What kind of fuel economy will this bad boy get? Is it going to cost a fortune to driver around?

[craigcd]

Originally posted by Kijho
Do you know who FunForLouis is? Built a sick bus (actually he bought it, someone had built it before him) and fixed up a few things - Then took it on a HUGE roadtrip from USA to Mexico with a bunch of his friends. He daily vlogged that journey on his YouTube. He got pulled over a bunch in Mexico for many reasons and they had to bribe the Police there..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJUXCwJmT4E&t=5s


This is super awesome, following along :thumbsup:

The people who built the bus have a decent VLOG: Expedition Happiness

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDfAt3KEBpjVWsDkBY_OdAg

[Shlade]

any updates?

[cycosis]

Update! Had no time at all over the last 2 months to work on it as not only did I take possession of our new home, but we also got married last week! Super busy! Before that all happened, I cut out an even bigger chunk of the roof. The reason for this is I'm 6'4" and can't stand up. The skylight is about halfway down (part of the old emergency exit) and raised up about 5 additional inches. Thus I will have my stove on one side, and my sink on the other. No other need to stand than those two activities :) Also have the whole sub floor in too. Im moving over the next few weeks so again not much progress but starting up end of July through August, this is all I have planned!

Also, went to go fill er up with diesel and the whole gas cap cavity was completely filled with spray foam ahha. So yeah, that was fun....

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/floor1_zps50dgktis.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/rofo1_zpsythcjfei.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/roof2_zps8gzpcbsj.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/roof3_zpsui4ggip6.jpg

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac171/Brennonkaczmarek/gascap_zpsumvmwbtb.jpg

[flipstah]

Ever thought of expanding the roofline a bit so it's not as cramped?

[cycosis]

Roof raises are way more complicated than I am wanting to do. I have no plans on full timing in this thing, just a festival wagon. So aside from cooking and cleaning dishes, which I can now do standing up thanks to the skylight, I have no other use fro standing. Bare in mind Im 6'4". Anyone 6' or shorter would have no problem standing up anywhere.

[D'z Nutz]

cycosis, any updates to this? I was just thinking about this the other day.

[ExtraSlow]

Agree, would love to hear an update. Actually told my kid about this because they are obsessed with school buses.

[cycosis]

Updates will begin again in March when we start building again. Having a kid made life busy!!!!!

[ExtraSlow]

Kids will do that.

[cycosis]

And were building again!!!!

Some disappointing news: Some fucker stole my toilet, water pump, door locks and who knows what else from my bus. It was stored on an acreage out in Priddis. Not visible from any road. Someone was scouting the house I guess and they saw an easy opportunity. But get this, they left the gas range, the water heater, tools etc.

Who the fuck steals a toilet???? Oh well. Bus has moved to secure RV storage and all parts are now in my garage locked up. Lesson learned.

I have tons of parts on order. I grabbed one of those Firman 3100 Watt inverter generators on sale at costco.ca for an awesome price. Framing starts this long weekend. Its gonna be a long summer but hopefully the interior will more or less be done come the fall.

Rough floor plan. So much to take into consideration with plumbing limitations.
https://i.imgur.com/I0qJm14.jpg



Scored this sweet silgranite sink on auction! $170!!!
https://i.imgur.com/JpFQLu2.jpg

[cycosis]

Update: Busy long weekend. Still busy purchasing components, refining design and getting into it finally. Got the butcher block counters, some discount China special drive tires, installed the rear lock, started deleting windows, got the roof reflectix (thermal break) up and also got the ceiling furring strips up. Next weekend is the front lock, finish deleting the windows we dont need and then on to framing.

https://i.imgur.com/bIOk2CB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6BAJQam.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eVt6NeI.jpg

[D'z Nutz]

Awesome, I was just thinking about this project this weekend too. Looking forward to more updates.

So would you have rather they stole the toilet or leave something in it for you to clean up? Haha

[cycosis]

I just don’t understand the logic. Why leave the more expensive items that were just as easy to remove (everything was still in original packaging)?

Was going to aim to cutout the roof for the next skylight this coming weekend but the weather looks like shit

['93 SR-V]

What ever happened with this? Did you get it finished?

[cycosis]

What ever happened with this? Did you get it finished?

Covid happened! Been out of work for awhile so its not a priority. Itll get done when it gets done!

[cycosis]

Noticed I didnt post an actual update though. Popped some windows out and started building out the inside from the front. We worked on it 3-4 days week last spring but then called it quits for the year come summer as our little dude was only 1 and we wanted to spend more time just watching him grow up. The plan was to keep building this spring but then yea, COVID. Weve used it a few times to camp in as is which has been fun.

https://i.imgur.com/Q8h6pBy.jpg

First up was a couch with storage underneath

https://i.imgur.com/mIKmGf9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qnkFLOX.jpg

Then I built a raised dinette that converts into a bed. Sorry for the potatoe quality images. Also got the base cabinets in for the kitchen.

https://i.imgur.com/yTujp3t.jpg

You can see in the top right is our propane fireplace. Also got the counters mounted.

https://i.imgur.com/iztpzZZ.jpg

[cycosis]

Long overdue. Build is back on. New hole in the roof for another skylight so I can standup when showering.

https://i.imgur.com/ANv0Ww7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Avrfgg7.jpg?1

[ShermanEF9]

Super glad to see you are continuing this build! Its been fun to follow.

[ExtraSlow]

Yes cool build keep us updated.

[Kijho]

Awesome!!

[haggis88]

YES! I fully love these conversions and if I had the time/space/money/skill I'd definitely be all over one of these

[cycosis]

Some interior update shots. Fridge cabinet, closet, and beginning of shower almost framed out.

https://i.imgur.com/4Tv5Xt1.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/Hhs13Az.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/jV57qMd.jpg?1

[cet]

That's looking awesome.

[Doozer]

Great build! I'm curious: how do you deal with all the feeds like plumbing, electrical, etc. Did you run those lines first, was there some already there, or do they all get added afterwards from underneath or something? How do you account for that?

[cycosis]

Great build! I'm curious: how do you deal with all the feeds like plumbing, electrical, etc. Did you run those lines first, was there some already there, or do they all get added afterwards from underneath or something? How do you account for that?

Once im done framing, all the systems get run. There lots of room behind the walls/underneath to run all lines/cables.

Electrical has been the biggest education lift. While im sourcing the components and Ill wire the 12 volt, ill have an rv tech review everything 120 volt to make sure its safe. Gas is being installed by an HVAC tech to keep things safe as well. Plumbing should be too hard with pex.

[spike98]

Once im done framing, all the systems get run. There lots of room behind the walls/underneath to run all lines/cables.

Electrical has been the biggest education lift. While im sourcing the components and Ill wire the 12 volt, ill have an rv tech review everything 120 volt to make sure its safe. Gas is being installed by an HVAC tech to keep things safe as well. Plumbing should be too hard with pex.

How cold weather friendly it ends up with depends a lot on line placement. Outside walls isn't really desirable as typically unless its hit with the open air, its cold in RV's. Make sure you run the stuff in close proximity to the heater ducts to prevent any freezing if possible.

[cycosis]

Im a fair weather camper. This thing will not run when its at risk of freezing.

[SJW]

Surely you'll be installing a lube warmer no?

[cycosis]

Got the roof painted this weekend. Also did an oil change/new filters.

https://i.imgur.com/eEOKSFp.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/M2gx4te.jpg?1

[90_Shelby]

You're spraying it and doing all of this work on your front street?

[JfuckinC]

my favorite part is the build happening on the streets of a suburb. Have you had any whiney neighbors yet? haha, i fully support it. cool build.

[cycosis]

You're spraying it and doing all of this work on your front street?

Prepped to spray but got too windy :(. Was all rolled and brushed.

- - - Updated - - -


my favorite part is the build happening on the streets of a suburb. Have you had any whiney neighbors yet? haha, I fully support it. cool build.

Neighbours love it! I give all the neighbour kiddos tours all the time. The bus is never out front for more than 72 hours as per bylaw. Everyone loves seeing updates so far.

[ExtraSlow]

Having people put working in the street, interacting with thier neighbours, now that's a community.

[cycosis]

Got lots done this weekend.

Propane fridge vents installed

https://i.imgur.com/QkoIzHZ.jpg?1

Water inlet installed

https://i.imgur.com/SAM9KU5.jpg?1

Bunk bed framed

https://i.imgur.com/ctqBKZe.jpg?1

[nismodrifter]

Lookin good man. This is wicked. Love the ikea beds components!

[cycosis]

Lookin good man. This is wicked. Love the ikea beds components!

Yea theyre upcycled from when I cannabilized an old ikea bunk bed to make a cabin bed for my kid for Christmas :) Almost threw the slats/rails out last month hah

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

I'm really enjoying this. There's someone a block over that I think is doing something similar, but with a smaller bus.

[cycosis]

Very productive weekend. Framed out the bed (no pics), got the roof deck installed which is 7.5' x 12', got the air conditioner installed and got the solar panels mounted.

https://i.imgur.com/wjb1YC9.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/s5KYkNI.jpg?1

[ExtraSlow]

Sun deck is neat.

[Chantastic]

This is amazing!

[brucebanner]

Great progress!

Roof deck? That the party location?

[cycosis]

Great progress!

Roof deck? That the party location?

Eventually, the wife and i want two hammock stands up there once were at our destination. Still trying to figure out how id get a canoe up there safely...

[ExtraSlow]

Hammock stands on the roof deck sounds awesome but I'd forever be concerned about them shifting off the edge. But of course, the people that use my hammock are fucking animals, you hopefully camp with more reasonable humans. If not, maybe a 1x2 as a lip around the edge. :guns:

[Doozer]

Hammock stands on the roof deck sounds awesome but I'd forever be concerned about them shifting off the edge. But of course, the people that use my hammock are fucking animals, you hopefully camp with more reasonable humans. If not, maybe a 1x2 as a lip around the edge. :guns:

I'm assuming they'd be like foldable poles that would bolt to the deck and fold down, or something like that. Or maybe be removable but bolt in place. I don't think I'd trust any free-standing hammocks that high up.

[cycosis]

Slower weekend.

Got the electrical system mapped and the rest of the components ordered.

https://i.imgur.com/FQpoRXN.png


Got the composting toilet roughly framed out. Has a 3d printed urine diverter.

https://i.imgur.com/41Uzd4M.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/ZkldTYc.jpg?1


On demand water heater installed.

https://i.imgur.com/jWYfFFE.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/JrgX4BS.jpg?1

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Since I don't necessarily want it in my search history, what's a composting toilet?

[cycosis]

Since I don't necessarily want it in my search history, what's a composting toilet?

https://i.imgur.com/AsKPAhD.png


lol, but basically yea. We opted to not have a black tank, only fresh and grey. So in the toilet box, is legit a homedepot bucket that will be lined with a plastic bag for 'solids' and urine is diverted via a catch tray to a separate jug. The solids get covered in saw dust/peat moss. There is a dedicated fan venting the toilet box out the roof so there will be no smell.

[ExtraSlow]

Best solution for that bus. ExtraSlow Approved.

[killramos]

If you are going to shit in a bucket… why even bother doing that inside the bus?

[arcticcat522]

Bumper dumper.....bahhhhahahahaha

Great name

106493

[killramos]

That is exactly it

[haggis88]

Since I don't necessarily want it in my search history, what's a composting toilet?

106521
106522

[cycosis]

Some more progress this weekend. No pics of some of the work done on the closet and bunk bed, but I did get the grey tank hung (temporarily as it still needs to be plumbed) and had all the gas lines run.

Grey tank is held up by 6 x 1/2" threaded rod and some unistrut bolted directly to the frame.

https://i.imgur.com/DpVS8M2.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/Ucyc7hL.jpg?1



each gas appliance has its own shutoff for servicing. I'll have flexi hose installed to actually connect each appliance. Leak tests will be next weekend.

https://i.imgur.com/HNf8xzu.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/r4x6PvQ.jpg?1

[cycosis]

More updates.

Overhead kitchen cabinets in. Counter tops finished and sink test fit. Lots of plumbing happening.

https://i.imgur.com/bYSbQmo.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/ukAgh8T.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/y7q1IYL.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/n87GGnt.jpg?1

[JfuckinC]

this is fun to follow haha, looks cool man!

[cycosis]

Grey tank now has the drainage gate installed!!! Also finally got the sink all plumbed. Never done any plumbing before. Hopefully no leaks!!! Only took 4 damn trips to homedepot.

https://i.imgur.com/huRzgCK.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/u1qo7tm.jpg?1

[cycosis]

Lot more done this weekend electrical wise. Got all the 120V run and tested. Inverter is not hooked up yet to the battery bank but its mounted in the electrical centre. Also got the power centre installed. Made some big 4/0 cables to join my batteries. Rear bed is more or less done. Did a water test on the whole system and there are no leaks so that was a fun milestone.

https://i.imgur.com/FiC3ihd.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/jww4r6Z.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/r91vswX.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/obYN2ps.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/ELza23V.jpg?1

[spike98]

Hard to tell but do you have a bypass for your Hot Water Tank and a low point drain for winterizing?

[Kijho]

This is so cool

[Shlade]

Found this unit while driving around had to do a double take thought it was yours
107564

[cycosis]

Looks to be ina very similar stage to mine.

We did some camping in June and early July with the rig and now im taking a month off. Got a huge leak in one fo the skylights that I have to figure out.

[cycosis]

Update! Not too much progress this spring as Ive had too many projects on the go.

Ive made a lot of progress wiring in the 12v lighting zones and switches. I also wired in a soft start to my rooftop AC so now it fires up very easily which is exciting. Also got some rv roof tape to try to seal up one of the sky lights thats been giving me some leaks. We'll see how it holds up after todays rain.

Started to make progress on the interior ceiling:

https://i.imgur.com/PVXTcKt.jpg



Holy hell it looks so much better with most of the wires covered up. Having functional lights is a luxury!!!

https://i.imgur.com/BfcN7pb.jpg



AC shroud test fit. Feels like an amazing milestone to have cool air out of that thing.

https://i.imgur.com/81iFIjY.jpg

[sxtasy]

Looks great! I like the lighting, nice work.

[ShermanEF9]

This is really starting to look awesome. Thanks for the updates!

[D'z Nutz]

About time you updated this!

[Kloubek]

The ceiling really adds a feeling of completion. I mean, it's obviously not complete, but that's a big step.

Love this project.