New to the forum, introduction and some questions! (warning: lots of pictures)

[Gary LaBombard]

Are you sure this isn't an Eagle in Cognito wishing it were a Prevost??  Sights like this sure look familar!  I was under the impression that Prevost did not have these issues, or so I have been told.
Gary

[Lee Bradley]

I put the stainless steel back but I put it on the bottom of the frame tubing so I have a 1 1/2" void between the stainless and the plywood flooring.  I then installed 1 1/2" polystyrene in the void (before the flooring) and sealed around the edge with expanding foam.

[John316]

Anja,

Welcome aboard. Looks like you have yourself a project. As long as you keep at it, and don't get burned out, I think you will enjoy it. It is great that you don't mind learning. I like that kind of spunk.

God bless,

John

[robertglines1]

If its any encouragement the bus you have is one of the easiest to convert...Prevost support is great...just have your serial number when you log on to prevost car  web site and you can get wireing and air for your particular coach..I just paid 179 dollars for windshields delivered to house:just a example,were there in two days...shop for parts but will find that prevo is competive and delivered to your home...just ask ?? there is no stupid Question but the one not ask....

[divinerightstrip]

Anja,

Welcome aboard. Looks like you have yourself a project. As long as you keep at it, and don't get burned out, I think you will enjoy it. It is great that you don't mind learning. I like that kind of spunk.

God bless,

John

Thanks, John. Thankfully, the spunk is an inherent part of my nature - it couldn't leave me if it tried! I just do my best to channel it in the right direction. Whether or not a bus project is the right direction is open to debate... again, to the outsider, I seem crazy!


I have to thank you all immensely for the words of encouragement.
I remember my thought when I had first bought my bus: that if I waited around for the "perfect" bus, or the "perfect" time to buy a bus... well, then I might as well kiss my dream goodbye, because there is no such thing. So, when the bus came to me, I jumped right in.

For some reason, the hustle and bustle of life, deadlines, clients, and projects has been clouding my view of reality, leading me to forget my "no time like the present" mantra!
Thanks to an encouraging email from a forum friend, I decided to ditch my "to-do" list, and I headed down to visit my bus.

I started late, and I finished up even later, but I managed to pull up my carpeting and wooden panels and start doing some work to the frame.





Here are some nasty before pictures for your enjoyment.

I tagged the beams that had been thoroughly rusted through for removal, and went at the other rust spots with a wire brush.
Now, as for cleaning up that thick layer of grunge that is covering everything under the floor, pressure washer and some "purple power" ??

I figure, now is also a good time to find that air leak, so I'll air it up next time I'm down there, (tonight!) and also cut out those rusty beams.


Alright, I'll post some "after" pictures once I finish cleaning up this rust, weld in some new beams, and apply some nice rust-inhibiting paint. Then you all can make fun of my welding!

That's all for now, folks!
-A

[wal1809]

That is going to be a sweet ride right there.  It was funny to see the dark picture with the light on inside.  It reminds me of some other projects I have done.

[John316]

BTW, folks. Her posting name is, "Divine Right's Trip." Run a wiki on it, if you wander what that is all about....

God bless,

John

[wal1809]

What welding rig are you using?  Are you TIG ing the welds?  I had an old guy teach me how to weld after years of mud daubering.  He told me I was not looking at the pool (Molton metal).  He told me to pay attention to the pool and slowly push that pool where you want it to go.  If the pool is rising then you not hot enough or going too fast.  If it is caving in then your burning too hot or too slow.  His other best advice was to grind the area prior to a weld.  That is huge in terms of making a good weld.

If I may be so bold and go out on a limb here to speak freely. I would learn how to make a good weld or get somebody to teach you or do it for you.  Why cut out metal and replace it with a poor weld.  A weld that looks bad is bad and has no structural signifigance.  You got one shot at fixing it correctly right now.  You do not want to have to go back later and tear out what you got to go back later.

[divinerightstrip]

What welding rig are you using?  Are you TIG ing the welds?  I had an old guy teach me how to weld after years of mud daubering.  He told me I was not looking at the pool (Molton metal).  He told me to pay attention to the pool and slowly push that pool where you want it to go.  If the pool is rising then you not hot enough or going too fast.  If it is caving in then your burning too hot or too slow.  His other best advice was to grind the area prior to a weld.  That is huge in terms of making a good weld.

If I may be so bold and go out on a limb here to speak freely. I would learn how to make a good weld or get somebody to teach you or do it for you.  Why cut out metal and replace it with a poor weld.  A weld that looks bad is bad and has no structural signifigance.  You got one shot at fixing it correctly right now.  You do not want to have to go back later and tear out what you got to go back later.

I currently use a MIG welder. Though, I can use both.

Please, always be so bold. !!!
I actually am not as terrible as I am pretending to be, I am just giving myself a hard time. I took a class and learned how to weld in High School, and also have a great crew of friends to support me. !!
True, if I am going to do it, I'll do it once, and do it right, though I will do it myself. I'm not too proud to ask for a hand, though if need be!

And yes, my user name is referring to a favorite book of mine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Right%27s_Trip
Thanks John !

[Busted Knuckle]

Anja,

OK, forget the technical advice. I want to know who the cutie is behind the steering wheel in the first picture. Surely you did ot think you could simply slip that pretty lady past this crowd with someone raising a question. I just surprise dit took so long.

How can you even see me in that picture? LMAO.

Trust me it ain't easy! I hadn't even noticed until Will pointed it out! LOL!

Check the other side? Are you referring to the front of the bus? Is there the same metal over both wheel wells?

I think he means right and left sides. And probably yes over all wheel wells!

To be honest, at this point I am thinking of stripping the entire floor out, starting from scratch, and doing as muddog16 had suggested (an idea that I have been tossing around in my head) and start from the true bottom up.

That would be my suggestion!

I'll continue to post updates on here as I move forward with the project!

Yes Please DO! We love BUS PORN! (bus pics of any kind! )
And yes you will get expert advice from some of these guys! (Bob, Pat, Rob, and several others have Prevo's, and Pat, Gary, Steve and several others have done some extensive metal replacement projects!
And some of us other clowns (me, Kyle, Cody, etc ) will just babble as we see fit!

Yer off to a great start and be sure to ASK, we will answer!
  BK 

[zubzub]

Just a little heads up from somewhere who has been there.....as the weather warms up and if it gets a little wet that big old bus looks like it is going sink into the ground.  It is pretty hard to get a bus out of wheel  wallows, especially when pointing up hill.  If you are going to be working on it for awhile consider getting enough wood blocking to stop it from sinking in and also to have it high enough up so that you can safely crawl under there and do brake maintenance etc.... A final point would be try have the bus as un "racked" as possible while doing any welding flooring etc....don't want to build in "rack"  could make for some obnoxious squeaks/handling in your future.

[wal1809]

You see I am confused.  I thought the OP was a dude and that was his girlfriend or daughter int he front seat.  I just figured that out and yes you are a cutie.  You don't see many 23  year old cute girls owning, rebuilding and driving a bus.  That is pretty kewl.

[wal1809]

Oh I forgot to ask.  I read you had it towed home.  What is wrong with motor/transmission?

[divinerightstrip]

You see I am confused.  I thought the OP was a dude and that was his girlfriend or daughter int he front seat.  I just figured that out and yes you are a cutie.  You don't see many 23  year old cute girls owning, rebuilding and driving a bus.  That is pretty kewl.

Haha thanks.

Oh I forgot to ask.  I read you had it towed home.  What is wrong with motor/transmission?

So glad that you asked.
Let's play a game, shall we?

Tell me what this is!

[wildbob24]

Anja,

I'll take a shot at it:

Looks like a connecting rod with a spun bearing

Bob