Past Due Update

Have been working on the bus a little. Here is two weeks ago.

First bed made. This one took the longest as I had to plan as I went. 

A lot of the time was spent working on the far piece of plywood flooring. I had to cut access and storage doors that will match up with the framing.

This is today about a week after the above.

The second bed was easier to do. I just took measurements from the first, made all the cuts and put it together. I used screws and construction adhesive on the second one. Because I had to custom make the first one I will have to take it back apart and use adhesive.

I got a little excited and started building my first wall. it is currently held together by two screws and the base plate. Once I stepped back and looked at it, it dawned on me that I had not secured the front piece of plywood, nor had I hooked up the fresh water tank. So I will have to take the wall back down, only two screws, and hook up the fresh water tank, cut to access panels to the storage that will be between the storage closets, and secure the floor.

Building the walls was quite interesting. I could not use a level as the bus is not level. I tried to use measurements, but that did not work because the bus is not squire. The only way I could make sure the walls were straight was to use a carpenters squire, and measure each 2x4 off each other. 

It was raining on and off today so I had to stop working. That was OK because I went and got my tint cut for my windows.

I measured the windows so that the tint is just short of the gaskets. After I apply it I will use a black magic marker or black silicone to cover the edges. The Idea of custom fitting each window to me is crazy. Thanks to Offroad Outlaws for cutting my tint.

That's all until next time.

Update

I've gotten the sub-floor done on the bedroom area. I have not secured it to the floor yet as I have to hook up the fresh water tank before I permanently put down the floor. I have designed the floor to have access points to the get to the important things like water pump etc. What I have to do now is buy a water pump and hook it all up.

I am really stuck until I get that done, because I can't build out the bases for the beds or storage that will be at the foot of the bed. 

Any way here are the latest pics.

This is looking from the back passenger side to the front. I put another layer of insulation over where the windows were and a layer over the metal below the windows.

Passenger side looking forward.

The work takes so long because everything has to be a custom fit.

The area between the wheel wells will be storage with access through the top.

I still will need to cut off the front edge, but will need to cover the front first so the cut will be overlapping the front piece.

Looks good but can't really go forward until I buy water pump, plex hose, and connections. Then hook it all together.

Hopefully next update will be me putting in water pump, and plex line.

Until next time...

Score...

Great color and in really good shape.

Got some nice seats for the bus today.

Paid 75.00 + Tax for the set.

This is where I plan on mounting it. I was going to use the mount that came with it but it will not allow the chair to turn around, so I'm going to get one that does.

Great position for the co-pilot. Out of the drivers line of sight yet still close enough. I will be building a platform that will cover up the stairs so the co-pilot will not feel as if they are hanging out in the air.

I sat in the chair hoping it would not fall over, to get a feel for it. It was great because you could see out the right side window and it was a great view through the front window. Can't wait to mount it.

I could not wait, plus I have no place safe to put both seats so I went ahead and mounted the driver's seat. I will need to remount it as currently it sits way too close to the front for me. But that will be done at an other time.

Update

Have gotten some stuff done. Filled in with insulation the areas where the windows use to be. 

This took me 10 Hrs., to do. Each window had to be cut and trimmed individually. It took three layers of insulation to fill the void. I used construction adhesive on each layer and propped a board on it just to keep it in place long enough to cure.    

I did not take a picture of it but the first layer of insulation was one piece, the second layer was two scrap pieces, taped together, and the third layer (what you see now) was one piece. I did not want to waste any insulation, so I used odd sized pieces and taped them together.

This was the last one.  What a long day.

This is a pic of the insulation done.

After doing the insulation, I started to fur out the inside with 2X2's.

I went through about 5 or 6 drill bits doing this part. I pre-drilled into the wood and metal, but the area just below the window has some type of metal that would brake drill bits and screws like you would not believe. What a pain in the butt.

This was not too difficult. Just measure and cut. I was not too concerned about perfection or fit as it will all be covered up with oak plywood at some point.  I will be placing a layer of insulation between the fur strips before covering with oak plywood.

Next I started building a platform over the fresh water tank in the back. On top of the platform will be my two single beds.

Now its starting to get a little difficult. I am in no way a carpenter, so I am having to figure out things as I go. I may over engineer things because of my lack of experience. Hopefully it will at least all stay together.

There came a time in the Texas heat that I was unable to figure out what to do next. I had to take a brake, go cool down and eat lunch. Man was it hot.

Trying to figure out how to build this platform is a pain. I have to be able to have access to the wire chases on one side, the heater hoses on the other, be able to access the water tank for repair or maintenance, as well as build a stable platform that will hold up the weight of two beds.

This is as far as I was able to get. My beds will be on the left and right sides. They should stop just before half way on the wheel wells, then that is where the closets will start. At the bottom of the picture where the 2X4 is going left to right is where the wall for the bed room will be.

Well that's it for now. It may be a little while before I post again, as I have to move my stuff out of my house and place it into storage. That will have to be done before the end of the month. Fun Fun Fun.

I had a guy come out and quote me a price on window tent. $538.00 was his quote. I was figuring he didn't want the job when he stated several times "This is going to be expensive". When the guy trying to sale you something tells you that, you know he doesn't really want to do it.

Guess I'll be doing the tinting myself too.

Until next time....