Bluebird Bus Conversion Project & Cross Country Trip

[Sea Aych]

Wow! Really really like how the bus is turning out! Keep up the good work - you're set to have a pretty amazing trip!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Getting some more things done, our departure date is coming up fast! We are leaving on Saturday, the 31st

Got the front end torn down, getting a new water pump and some fresh belts



Also scrubbed the roof and installed a 100 watt solar panel to help keep the house batteries charged up







Lindsey working hard on getting curtains up





Plumbed the sink. Made a simple copper faucet and installed the foot pump underneath. Works pretty well surprisingly



And we painted our stripes metallic copper, adds a little retro flare and covers up the letters

[LuckyHenriksen]

I have a friend with a really nice KTM 400 duel sport in Orlando for kinda on the cheap. Its the 2 stroke version but in great shape. I was going to pick it up myself as just something to ride, but you have to mix gas. If interested let me know, I think he was asking $1250 for it.

Man that's a great price, but im just not into 2 strokes. Still tempting though... Thanks for letting me know

[Vedubin01]

You are absolutely right about the Honda genny being a nice addition, but I am working with a small budget, and I would rather spend the couple thousand on a dual sport motorcycle to haul along behind then the generator. I think my basic battery bank and inverter setup should give us plenty of power, all I need to run is the fridge, a few lights here and there, a small fan, and lots of chargers for phones and computers

I have a friend with a really nice KTM 400 duel sport in Orlando for kinda on the cheap. Its the 2 stroke version but in great shape. I was going to pick it up myself as just something to ride, but you have to mix gas. If interested let me know, I think he was asking $1250 for it.

[timmyr77]

this is the coolest thing ever!

[LuckyHenriksen]

Looks like a blast. I second some1 else's comment on replacing that mid mounted diesel generator with a modern Honda generator. Would make powering all you shiz much easier.

You are absolutely right about the Honda genny being a nice addition, but I am working with a small budget, and I would rather spend the couple thousand on a dual sport motorcycle to haul along behind then the generator. I think my basic battery bank and inverter setup should give us plenty of power, all I need to run is the fridge, a few lights here and there, a small fan, and lots of chargers for phones and computers

[LuckyHenriksen]

Can't go wrong with either Cat or Cummings. How much was initial cost and then you added $? Since you are not for hire and non passenger this is all on a Class A license under 13K GVWR correct?

I paid $2000 for it initially, right now I have approx. $4800 total invested, including the purchase price, the expensive fridge, toilet, stove, and building supplies. I still haven't added up the cost of the battery bank/solar/inverter/charger setup, or the cost of having some preventative maintenance done. I'm guessing I will have about $7K invested by the time we are ready to roll. It's been at a truck repair shop for the last few days having some things taken care of, hopefully I get it back by this weekend. Then we can finish up the interior and I can wire up the very simple electrical system.

You are correct, this is a not for hire vehicle titled as an RV. I do not have a CDL. I am legally allowed to operate it just like any other motorhome with my standard license

[golde30]

Looks like a blast. I second some1 else's comment on replacing that mid mounted diesel generator with a modern Honda generator. Would make powering all you shiz much easier.

[mrsleeve]

That is kind of what I was thinking, if the engine goes and I still want to keep the bus I think a newer inline cummins or even a Cat would fit nicely, the 555 is enormous so there is quite a bit of room in the doghouse. You are correct about the bell housing
.

Yeah I know the 3208 is not that much better than the cripple nickel, but it is much more reliable. I dont think you can repower with a more modern Inline in a F/C as there is not enough length in the engine bay. You might be able to swap into a 5.9 cummins or a more modern pickup truck V8 diesel power plant. The other idea is go over to 2 stroke detroit either a 6v92 or 8v92 but then there is the NOISE, which was what powered all the PT's up until 95 other than the 42 and 43 foot coaches in 95-97 they got the 60 series detroit. The 40 foot PT kept the 2 strokes until 97, the 98+ LX/LXI's coaches got 60 series detroits rated at 500 or ISM cummins ratted at 450 or 500. It gets a little more confusing after about 2003...

Yes I have been stalking the wanderlodge market for best part of 24 months, if its been up for sale in the last 18 months I have known about it more than likely. Just spotted a 93WB/PT parked at my local walmart 2 days ago, it was for sale in FL 3 months ago, I should have jumped on that one as it was a steal for what it is...

Cat over the road engines that were in pusher motor-homes dont have the greatest reputation for power or reliability even the last of the 650hp C15's has had lots of issues. I dont remember just what it was or is about them, but IIRC they seem to be a little under sized to the job in most all of the motor-home applications, and turned up a little hot to make up the difference....

[M-technik-3]

Can't go wrong with either Cat or Cummings. How much was initial cost and then you added $? Since you are not for hire and non passenger this is all on a Class A license under 13K GVWR correct?

[LuckyHenriksen]

As bad as a 555 is, a 3208 isn't exactly light years ahead. I would run the triple nickel till she's done and consider repowering with a medium duty inline 6 if space allows, IIRC you should have the SAE2 bellhousing so that opens it up to a lot of motor options.

That is kind of what I was thinking, if the engine goes and I still want to keep the bus I think a newer inline cummins or even a Cat would fit nicely, the 555 is enormous so there is quite a bit of room in the doghouse. You are correct about the bell housing

Cool project. There was a older front engine bus for sale for eon that had been converted to an enclosed car hauler with a sleeper.

I have seen some pretty sweet projects with the rear of the bus either hinged like a big garage door orcut off to make room for a flatbed. Makes a great base camp for motorcycling too.

[M-technik-3]

Cool project. There was a older front engine bus for sale for eon that had been converted to an enclosed car hauler with a sleeper.

[Axxe]

As bad as a 555 is, a 3208 isn't exactly light years ahead. I would run the triple nickel till she's done and consider repowering with a medium duty inline 6 if space allows, IIRC you should have the SAE2 bellhousing so that opens it up to a lot of motor options.

[mrsleeve]

Well shit I dug it up it was @ coach craft In Columbus GA but they have since sold the 3208 F/C set up. I think it was the 210HP N/A variant though.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Oh dear god I thought yours was new enough to have avoided the possibility of having a Cripple Nickel in it. I am so sorry for your impending doom that will await you at some point in the future. Hopefully latter than sooner...................................

I would not use one for a boat anchor it would fail at even that static and most mundane of jobs. I remember the outfit my dad worked for ever, having a few in the 10tons and them having a natural proclivity of coming apart in the greatest and most glorious of fashions. Seems to happen when running close to red line and then backing off the go juice.................

You should look into finding a used 3208 for replacement. I will see if I can find the one I ran across recently for a F/C for ya.

Yes I've heard lots of stories about their failures from the old timers at work. But I've also heard a lot of good things about them lasting a reasonable amount of time. I am confident that this one will bring us home. If it does fail, to the scrapyard it goes