While I'm procastinating and stalling mounting the new polished stainless front skin(i'm such a coward at this the mistakes will show if I screw this up ;D) I decided to finish the rough in and wire pulling for all of the 120vac circuits. There are many new photo's at my site If you get bored help yourself, as always comments are welcome! Have a great weekend I'm headed to the ball park to watch the youngest son play baseball! I came back, such a ding bat here right now getting to the ball park.........the photo's are at my site at the bottom of this post!
MD,
Great pics and a super nice job. Are you going to be spraying foam in the walls and overhead?
John
Pat
It looks like you have the same opening windows I ordered. I got mine from Motion in northwest US, is that where you got yours? If so, do you recall what length you had the original Prevost windows cut down to to install the opening windows below? Did you do the install or did you have a glass shop do it?
Man, if I tore things down as much as you, I would have been overwhelmed. I didn't and I have been working on my conversion for 5 years this September. Your project is looking very good, I am impressed.
Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage XL
Missouri
I am changing the 4 rectangular headlights on our 85XL to 4 round headlights and am going to fab new bezels for them.
Where did you get or how did you make that mold for the bezel you have on the table in the photo?
JohnEd, yes I'm going to spray foam and do it my self.
Rob, yes those are Motion windows also I have a drawing from Motion I'll post it at the bottom for you. I've been overwhelmed at times at that point I slow down and think about it (procastinate) then finally suck it up and do my best, which sometimes becomes a redo but more often than not the results turn out satisfactory!
Joe, I made those light fixture cans for the headlights which are rectangular by the way. I purchased 16 gage carbon steel plate, after measuring the area where they weld into the bus, I sheared them to size then bent them on my sheet metal brake (two of the best tools I purchased when starting this job were the shear and brake)! I cut the end plate and welded it on the back side closing one end of the can. I then took a piece of cardboard and made a template to match the contour of the corner curve of the bus, and cut both the top and bottom of the can to match, making these two cuts with a jig saw using a metal blade. I also bought 1 1/2" X 1/8" bar strap. I turned the can upside down placing the strap (allowing it to over lap each end of the can about 2"). I clamped the flat bar strap down to the table and rolled the can and spot welding it as I went matching the curve of the can rolling it down as I went. I then cut the 90 degree corners mitering them then welding and grinding the weld down...............it was easy! The first can took 4 hours to make the second one about 2 hours.
Pat, I scan your site often and think to myself......"Self, maybe, just maybe I can do as good as this guy!" I didn't go near as far into it as you did, but I did the best I could for being a poor bus owner. ;D
Can't wait to see it when you start covering things up! 8)
Paul
Pat,
Glad to hear you are going with the spray foam. I guess it is to be expected as you are doing a first class job so far and spray is the best.
I had an ulterior motive.....the spray, two part, foam hardens in a sealed chamber where the small cans do not. If you fill a small chamber with foam it will stay hard in there forever....according to the Mfr. I saw you had a lot of framing above the foam level and I thought to ask further if you were going to drill holes in the tubing and fill them with foam. Previous converters came to the conclusion that convection flow inside the tubes would increase their ability to transfer heat.
Just think'n
John
Pat, I have watched your progress for many years. Kudo's for keeping the faith and moving forward! The hours that you have poured into your coach would be interesting to look at.
A small recommendation would be to get some epoxy primer on your fiberglass and bondo/sealant before winter. I have found that PPG DP series two part primer is some of the "best" prep coat that money can buy. If you use it as a base, you can actually mud and use filler primer on the top. Prior to paint you can re-apply the DP primer as the final sealer.
Always incredible pics Pat!! Not just incredible workmanship but a ton of forethought involved!
Thanks for the nice comments! I've been browsing over at the Eagles site this morning......EricSC I have about 50 questions for you!!!! Eric's bus is simply incredible.....kitchen and bathroom cabinets are awesome. Looking at the finished ceiling, and the detail (the mirror, the different colors of leather and the wood was beyond my comprehension) The counter top the entry steps and the dash are all professional quality. Eric if you ever get time I do need some questions answered!
Scott, I'm not so sure about forethought as much as it is gaining the nerve to go to the next step! I've done quite a few things several times!
Zeroclearance, painting of any kind won't start until I drive it for awhile to make sure the skin responds to the rigors of traveling, then I'll have it painted (one of the two things I'm not doing to this conversion).
JohnEd, I won't be drilling any chassis for foam, at this point......I just want to finish! I've had many idea's that I would have liked to tried, some good and probably some way out in left field! After 5 years, I'd like to drive it and do some traveling!
Paul, by the time this is over I'm pretty sure that you have also accomplished what you intended with your bus which looks Great! At times I think I went way in over my head or spent to much doing this, I don't have any in tensions of selling it any time soon! I just wanted it to last when I was finished.
Eric if you want to email me the address is on the profile! ;D
Pat,
Just a fine job that as others have said is a pleasure to keep up with and see your ideas and progress. Can't wait until you, Ktky Steve and I get to camp together, With a big, big cooler of brew as we admire all these years of work we all did.
Good luck, keep the photos coming, stay safe.
Gary
Thanks Pat
Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage XL
Missouri