I will post a few pics of the Dina. I took these with my phone, havent found the cord for my camera yet. So, when I find it I will post more. I will post these one at a time. So, here goes.................
Steps, not totally finished
1more
::)
:o
:D
Very nice. Those windsheilds are BIG. Tom Y
thanks, and yes they are!
Nice I mean NICE!
forgot this one
Looks good Ruthi! When did you start this project?
Yes, those windshields are sure BIG.
Paul
Great photos, but having seen Ruthi & Ken's bus in person, the photos do not do it justice. It is a beautiful conversion. Jack
Jack, thanks, and I do think you are right, pictures just dont turn out right. We started the outside mid summer, and the inside mid November.
What wood did you use for the steps?
tongue in groove laminated flooring. The ceiling is done with the same stuff.
What a beautiful Coach, i cant what to see it in person,
John
PS What ceiling?? How about a photo?
Great looking unit. Like others have said "HUGH WINDOWS"
That is a great looking coach, can't wait to see it in paint and all finished up. Jason
us too, lol I will try and get a pic of the ceiling and post, super busy right now, as Ken is getting ready to hit the road.
Here is a pic of the ceiling, although it doesnt really show it good.
ceiling with infinity light.
Ruthi, Can you explain the infinity light please?
You ceiling looks great! I had a similar idea but nixed it, wish I wouldn't have after seeing yours!
Infinity lights are made with lights built into them along with mirror reflecting. There is one row of led lights in it, but when it is on and you look at it, it looks like the lights go on and on, row after row deep. It looks like it is several feet deep rather than 3 inches deep. There is one mirror on top, pexiglass on the bottom with lights in the middle. Pretty simple, but looks really cool. You can buy them ready made, but they are pretty pricey, we built ours. I love the way our ceiling turned out. It has a really high gloss, and looks much better on the ceiling than the floor.
Wow, I don't know where I've been but that is a cool idea. http://lightenergystudio.com/infinitymain.html (http://lightenergystudio.com/infinitymain.html)
It looks like the effects are pretty much endless.
Thanks!
;D Thats it, pretty cool, huh? I saw them on line for sale, and then I got to thinking, and researched how they are made, found out, and Ken built it. It the ceiling like that, makes a neat soft light for night, watching tv, etc.
You've got an infinity mirror! I had that idea for my bus a couple of years ago but couldn't decide if it would look cool or tacky. When it's turned on...does it give the the bus an extra sense of space at night time? Or even during the day? I'd be really interested in knowing.
Jeremy
PS. Wooden planking on ceiling looks really good too. Is that done with laminate flooring material?
yes. on the flooring, high gloss, and yes it does look spacious at night. It definetely isnt tacky, that, and the ceiling flooring are my favorite things we have done.
Anyone wants to make one, google how to build an infinity light. That is how I figured it out. We used pexiglass on the outer part too for safety.
Hello Ruthi & Ken. It was nice to talk to Ken the other day. I love the pictures of your bus, but seeing it in person is much better. You two have a beautiful coach and have done a fantastic job. Can't wait till my southern run next month so I can see you.Ken and of course the Dina. I hope you all have time to stop by tomorrow on your way to NC.
I don't share that site with my wife, the honey do list is already too long! ;D
She'd probably want that in the bedroom to mimic stars at night! ::)
Paul, that is too funny. Rusty, thanks for the compliments, and you are right, much better in person. Jack came by and visited, hope to have more busnuts come by and visit. It is cool to meet up. I dont know what time Ken is coming that way, but he will give you a call if it isnt too late. Glad to have you come by and visit anytime. See ya soon.
Dreamscape, while I am thinking of it. I wanted to say that we enjoyed the article on your bus, it is beautiful and well thought out. Thanks for sharing. ;)
I think you should write an article about the Dina and submit it for the Centerfold section of BCM. Spot on about Dreamscapes article. I enjoyed it too! Dreamscape are you coming to the Palmetto Cove Rally?
Thanks, Mike said he would like to do that. Got to finish up and get some paint on it first tho.
Here is a few more outside pics.
spare generator
new led tail lights
new headlights
back of bus
Quote from: ruthi on April 10, 2010, 03:57:23 PM
Here is a few more outside pics.
What are the mirrors mounted to? Are they mounted where the original mirror bracket was bolted on? Where did you you guys get those mirrors?
Quote from: James77MCI8 on April 10, 2010, 01:17:03 PM
I think you should write an article about the Dina and submit it for the Centerfold section of BCM. Spot on about Dreamscapes article. I enjoyed it too! Dreamscape are you coming to the Palmetto Cove Rally?
We wont be coming to the Cove Rally, maybe one day we'll make it. I would like to attend every bus rally, but not for another year or so, then we can really hit the road. Right now we're parked and I'm trying to get a degree in Web Design.
Thanks for the ata boys! I think ours was the first centerfold that wasn't finished, which was kinda hard to put it out there. :-\
I agree with the Dina article, you need to make it happen! Being a centerfold is a dream everyone has! ;)
I like the outside view a lot, both the overall style and the details. The tubular grille for the generator that matches the shape of the front bumper is especially neat. It may be just the angle from which the first photo is taken, but it looks like your bus has a lot more ground clearance than most - it reminds me of the long-distance buses that cross the Australian outback (and they often have tubular steel on the front as well, to deal with stray kangaroos).
I'd be a bit concerned that two of the three rear lights aren't aligned correctly, and personally I think chrome exhaust stacks look awful on any bus, especially on a modern bus such as this - but that's just me. Taking everything together, I'd be proud to own your bus.
I look forward to seeing the finished bus complete with it's paintjob - hopefully no more than two colours in a simple and modern layout that matches the style of the bus? No big swirly-patterns, fades or (god forbid) murals please!
Jeremy
Brian, the mirrors are mounted the same place as the old mirrors were. We got the mirrors on eBay. We were on the road at the time we bought them, and took a gamble that they would fit, as we weren't 100% sure. But they worked out perfect. Jeremy, the original tail lights were on the radius, with the same effect. The new lights are led, and they are much more visible, as they are super bright. There are lights in the bumper as well, and the third brake light will be mounted above where the hood opens. As for the chrome exhaust, to each there on, but, we love the look of the chrome stacks on it. ;D Thanks for the compliments on the rest of it tho. We are very proud of how it is coming along. As I said before, I am proud of the work Ken is doing, and how hard he has worked. He is gone so much that when he is home, he is working almost around the clock. So, considering not starting the interior until mid Nov. it has been crazy. The outside of it was started last summer, and we had a friend help with that work. If you know how the Dina looked originally, you would see all the modifications that have been made to it. As for the paint, we have already picked out the colors that will be on it, just waiting for out ship to come in to afford the paint, as we didn't pick the cheapest color ::) We still have to finish the two bedrooms inside, and build the front entertainment center, once the windshield delima is figured out. All the essentials are in tho, toilet running water, hiding tanks, shower, hot water etc.
Ruthi,
That ceiling sure is a TOP NOTCH, Not many out there that nice,
John
thanks john
Quote from: Jeremy on April 11, 2010, 02:26:37 AM
I like the outside view a lot, both the overall style and the details. The tubular grille for the generator that matches the shape of the front bumper is especially neat. It may be just the angle from which the first photo is taken, but it looks like your bus has a lot more ground clearance than most - it reminds me of the long-distance buses that cross the Australian outback (and they often have tubular steel on the front as well, to deal with stray kangaroos).
Dinas ride really high normally, but their Dina rides really, really high. I believe Dina did this because the roads in Mexico sometimes require high ground clearance.
It isnt as high as it looks. The road it is parked on is not level.
Quote from: ruthi on April 11, 2010, 05:51:10 PM
It isnt as high as it looks. The road it is parked on is not level.
When I was at your house, it sure looked a lot higher than my Dina. It may have been partially an illusion because the Dina was parked in the yard when I visited.
Also, it was pretty empty then too. Weight has brought it down some.