Full-Time Couple in a Short Bus
- Thread starter zelseman
- Start date
zelseman
Observer
We made it back to Oklahoma in time to driveway crash for a month or so and visit family which has given us a ton of time to do some much needed work on our bus.
First step, install our Espar D2 Diesel air heater.
We drilled a couple of holes in the floor and my father in law wipped out a floor bracket in about 7 minutes. Beats paying Espar for a plate that needed to be trimmed down anyways.
Easy Start Select Controller Installed next to the bed
Heater operational next to the drawers and kitchen cabinet; will likely finish out around the vent before we hit the road again.
This heater absolutely pumps out the heat and the I am really glad that we went with the name brand and not the Chinese knock offs. The quality is really apparent immediately. The first few nights have been warm and cozy with no humidity in the cab.
First step, install our Espar D2 Diesel air heater.
We drilled a couple of holes in the floor and my father in law wipped out a floor bracket in about 7 minutes. Beats paying Espar for a plate that needed to be trimmed down anyways.
Easy Start Select Controller Installed next to the bed
Heater operational next to the drawers and kitchen cabinet; will likely finish out around the vent before we hit the road again.
This heater absolutely pumps out the heat and the I am really glad that we went with the name brand and not the Chinese knock offs. The quality is really apparent immediately. The first few nights have been warm and cozy with no humidity in the cab.
TantoTrailers
Well-known member
Awesome stuff! I just installed one of those heaters in my rig, excellent choice!
zelseman
Observer
Our leaf springs are absolutely shot and will be replaced in the future with a couple of inches of lift (any recommendations?) Currently the bus has a 3 leaf pack on top of a 1-2 inch block.
We replaced the shocks in June, but the body still has a lot of sway and a pretty rough ride so we opted to search for some airbags for the rear axle.
We first looked at Firestone Ride Rite bags and actually got a show deal at Overland Expo East for a set and a few staff members of the vendor assured me that they would fit my 14 bolt. Spoiler alert...they were wrong. The kit from Firestone was for the pickup and not the commercial cab and chassis model. It simply did not fit. I also found out that the stock springs are so far gone that the rear end will need to be lifted up really high to get an air bag between the frame and axle. Also, the u-bolt fitment for the air bag will be extremely close to the u-bolts for the rear sway bar. Shouldn't be an issue.
We carted the Ride Rite's around until we could return them to a brick and mortar location, in Jacksonville, FL. We did more research including calling Air Lift and got nothing. Customer service reps won't wiggle on what may fit your vehicle, unless it's specifically listed on their website. We took a chance and ordered the Air Lift 88245 and the kit got put in storage in the bus until we got back to Oklahoma.
Installation was straight forward and was done in less than two hours.
Axle needs some clean up and a repaint someday, priorities...maybe when we install an ARB locker back there someday. Installed the air valves in the rear bumper.
Ride height was increased a bit and sway was reduced greatly. The sweet spot is around 75-80PSI for our location.
Before:
After:
Now it's time to relax for the holidays and wait on more parts to arrive.
We replaced the shocks in June, but the body still has a lot of sway and a pretty rough ride so we opted to search for some airbags for the rear axle.
We first looked at Firestone Ride Rite bags and actually got a show deal at Overland Expo East for a set and a few staff members of the vendor assured me that they would fit my 14 bolt. Spoiler alert...they were wrong. The kit from Firestone was for the pickup and not the commercial cab and chassis model. It simply did not fit. I also found out that the stock springs are so far gone that the rear end will need to be lifted up really high to get an air bag between the frame and axle. Also, the u-bolt fitment for the air bag will be extremely close to the u-bolts for the rear sway bar. Shouldn't be an issue.
We carted the Ride Rite's around until we could return them to a brick and mortar location, in Jacksonville, FL. We did more research including calling Air Lift and got nothing. Customer service reps won't wiggle on what may fit your vehicle, unless it's specifically listed on their website. We took a chance and ordered the Air Lift 88245 and the kit got put in storage in the bus until we got back to Oklahoma.
Installation was straight forward and was done in less than two hours.
Axle needs some clean up and a repaint someday, priorities...maybe when we install an ARB locker back there someday. Installed the air valves in the rear bumper.
Ride height was increased a bit and sway was reduced greatly. The sweet spot is around 75-80PSI for our location.
Before:
After:
Now it's time to relax for the holidays and wait on more parts to arrive.
zelseman
Observer
Thanks ?
You're not wrong! We use our truck to get to the trailhead and hit the trails on foot, bikes, or skis/snowboard and this is a rare occasion that we flew in to hike instead of driving.
Thanks for the kind words Chilli!
We can't believe that we fumbled around with a buddy heater and propane tanks for so long. This should be on the list for anyone planning to live full-time in a vehicle.
RAM5500 CAMPERTHING
OG Portal Member #183
Excellent work
zelseman
Observer
Appreciate it, it’s been a labor of love for 2+ years!
