I've been viewing Expedition Portal for a while dreaming of which adventure rig I was going to build. I didn't have a budget to actually build something, and a school bus hadn't hadn't even crossed my mind as something I would want. For work, I happen to need a vehicle that will sleep six guys for a cross country tour. Suddenly I have a budget and four (technically six) wheels to get me moving!
I was a big fan of Ozrockrat's FL60 ambulance. I almost contacted him to check it out for purchasing, but again the money and sleeping space didn't add up. I read his entire build thread and everything I could find on it. My girlfriend also wasn't too stoked on camping out of an ambulance, haha. Longterm, I'd like to put on a locking axle and a similar lift/tire setup. The end result being a rig that gets me on most roads and has room for the work guys to go on tour. Although, I'm not sure the $0.55/mile "writeoff" will work out in my favor and who knows what I will learn as I move forward!
The bus is supposed to hit the road on July 1. The initial focus is replacing the blown front suspension, refinishing the exterior and sealing the box/windows, and installing a sub floor. The next step is to create an electrical system with RV A/C, outlets, and a refrigerator. Focus on quality of these 3-4 items will allow a good base for any interior/exterior mods chosen in the vehicle's life. The budget doesn't allow for much more right now, and the 6,000 mile summer trip will burn through the rest of the life left in these tires anyways.
I didn't have much time to waste and bought the first school bus I looked it! In reality, I bought this particular bus because the motor/trans/frame are clean and interest me. The air brakes are the only thing that didn't add up.
2003 International 3800 School Bus w/ 193k miles
Blue Bird School Bus Body
DT466E w/ Allison Trans
Air ride rear suspension
Air brakes
Happy that the motor appears to be in great condition (key word being appears):
With some buddies getting it home some 190 miles (I'm the goofy fellow on the left):
The final resting place in my shop:
Fingers crossed!
I was a big fan of Ozrockrat's FL60 ambulance. I almost contacted him to check it out for purchasing, but again the money and sleeping space didn't add up. I read his entire build thread and everything I could find on it. My girlfriend also wasn't too stoked on camping out of an ambulance, haha. Longterm, I'd like to put on a locking axle and a similar lift/tire setup. The end result being a rig that gets me on most roads and has room for the work guys to go on tour. Although, I'm not sure the $0.55/mile "writeoff" will work out in my favor and who knows what I will learn as I move forward!
The bus is supposed to hit the road on July 1. The initial focus is replacing the blown front suspension, refinishing the exterior and sealing the box/windows, and installing a sub floor. The next step is to create an electrical system with RV A/C, outlets, and a refrigerator. Focus on quality of these 3-4 items will allow a good base for any interior/exterior mods chosen in the vehicle's life. The budget doesn't allow for much more right now, and the 6,000 mile summer trip will burn through the rest of the life left in these tires anyways.
I didn't have much time to waste and bought the first school bus I looked it! In reality, I bought this particular bus because the motor/trans/frame are clean and interest me. The air brakes are the only thing that didn't add up.
2003 International 3800 School Bus w/ 193k miles
Blue Bird School Bus Body
DT466E w/ Allison Trans
Air ride rear suspension
Air brakes
Happy that the motor appears to be in great condition (key word being appears):
With some buddies getting it home some 190 miles (I'm the goofy fellow on the left):
The final resting place in my shop:
Fingers crossed!
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I figure, I'll learn as I go and buy what I need 
