The Deed is Done

[Slow Rider]

As a certain canary (whose initials are BK)  has already sung, it is all over but the crying, cause the deed is done..........

Today I purchased an MC8 serial number 1441.  I violated one of the cardinal rules and bought an ex church bus.  I feel okay though, since it was BK who vouched for them. 

I always wondered why new bus owners seemed to float above the ground. There are two reasons, first you are just so darned happy, the other is you already have begun to experience the loss of weight in your wallet that is bound to continue.

Well the insanity has begun,  cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war, hmm wrong movie, oh well the insanity has begun though........

Frank

[Kwajdiver]

Frank,

Just jump in the fire with everyone else on the board.

Bill

[Barn Owl]

Frank,

When are you going to bring it home? Will you be going through Roanoke? Let me know if you do. We could meet for lunch and celebrate. Dennis (Hi Yo Silver), also lives here, I bet he would show up to. I think he is getting close to making the crossover from Busnot to Busnut very soon.

Again, congratulations,

Laryn

[bubbaqgal]

Frank, I am really glad you have joined the company of nuts, er busnuts.  When you were talking with Dallas last night I was yelling yippee in the background.  Now, just don't start what many people do.  "Did I buy the right one?  Should I have waited? Could I have found one cheaper?"  Just relax, enjoy and tell Sue that we all think you made the right choice.  I'm really happy for you!  Cat

[oldmansax]

Congratulations Frank!!!!! I hope you all are as happy with yours as we are with ours!

TOM

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Congrats Frank!

I hope to see it real soon....   Just ask, if you need me. We are not that far away.

Nick-

[Gary LaBombard]

Congrats Frank, you made a good choice and with recommendations from BK you will not have the problems some of us Newbies have had or have.  Enjoy your bus, will you be able to attend the Delaware rally with it??  Come on down with the seats and all in it if they are.  We can all get in there and strip a few out so you can sleep on a blow up mattress etc.  Come early too.

Congrats again to you both.
Gary

[Hi yo silver]

Nice going, Frank!  Hope you enjoy it for years and years.  As Laryn said, let us know if you're coming through; we'll buy the coffee.  I'm hoping it will happen for me before long.  Laryn, it's looking like it might not be this week as I hoped, but negotions are looking favorable. 
Dennis 

[Ncbob]

Well Frank, don't be surprised if your collective feet (meaning the family's too) don't hit the ground for a while. You have just joined the ranks of, in my opinion, of one of the most elite, but without much fanfare, groups in the country.

Certainly there's going to be some tough work ahead getting it back to a shell and then there's the planning about raising the roof, where the windows will be and the interior layout and supportive stuff.

It will take the courage of a lion, the patience of Job and the tenacity you've never known before but before long you'll realize the you're not alone.  You have the legions of bus converters in whose shoes you are now walking right there with you for help and support.

In all my life and for all the experiences I've had I cannot recall knowing or rubbing elbows with a finer group of people.  To a man, or a woman, you'll find the knowledge and assistance you'll need for the "journey".

Enjoy every moment and congratulations. And most of all, WELCOME to the wonderful world of Bus Converters!

NCbob

[Len Silva]

Frank,

Just so you know, there will be a better deal on a better bus next week!

Congratulations and best of luck,

Len

[DavidInWilmNC]

Hi Frank,

Contrats on your 'new' bus!  I wouldn't worry about it being an ex-church bus too much.  Mine is too, and most if its issues are minor.  You'll learn how to take care of 'em if you don't already know just like most of us have.  I hope you don't have much else to do (like working on the house, yard, etc.) 'cause the bus is going to be the center of your attention for a while!  Have fun with it.

David

[Dallas]

Hey, Frank, I know where there's a really cool GMC PD4103.

It's already got a crappy conversion so I'd be happy to clean it out and trade you.

Of course, I would have to have a moderate sum for my labor! LOL


Dallas

[Dreamscape]

Frank, I have one question, have you made THE LIST yet? I hope you have fun with your new addition to your family. It is an exciting adventure, and worth all the effort. Just have fun, enjoy and most of all be safe! Best of all BK guided thru the process.

Please keep us all informed as you progress, take lots of pictures as you go along and document all you do. Don't worry about keeping tabs on what it will cost, it might scare you.

Many Happy Trails, hope to meet you and your wife somewhere down the road,

Paul

Dreamscape

[TomC]

Congratulations on joining the bus conversion family.  It'll be the biggest project you'll ever do-only thing bigger is to build your own house.  Couple of suggestions-don't try to cram to much in-nice to have space.  Converting is like playing chess-you always have to be planning your moves in advance so not to box yourself in and have to take things apart to continue.  When wiring- except for the items on the roof (3- roof airs, 2- fantastic fans, TV batwing antenna, 5- halogen puck lights) I ran my wiring down the lower part of the left wall on the surface.  I can just lift up the wall covering to get to it.  I also ran 5-3 wire extension cords from the engine compartment to the drivers compartment for add ons.  DON'T use Romex-the solid core can break with the vibration and movement of the bus. I used light weight water tight conduit and pulled stranded 12 gauge through.  Get your windows and insulation in shape first.  The combination of stripping the interior, fixing any rust, blocking out the windows that won't be needed, insulating (highly suggest blown in foam), getting your plumbing and electrical in will easily consume your first year.  Get your floor plan done, then start!  Good Luck, TomC

[FloridaCliff]

Frank,

I know you have been chomping at the bit for this moment, so enjoy it and have fun with all

the dreaming, planning and all that comes with it!

Look forward to hearing about all fun.

Cliff