Just Listed my Bus on e-bay

[JackConrad]

Chaz,
    I could not agree more.  Even if it cost me as much to build something myself, that feeling of "I did it" is priceless. It seems the younger generation wants to buy everything and buy it immediately.  For many of them, it cannot be done on a computer, they do not have a clue how to do it.  Jack

[bowmaga]

now now, jack.  I still hope I'm considered that younger generation...and I'm going to do it myself along w/ 3 of my younger generation friends....and i hope that after this weekend...I don;t think to myself.....why didn't I just buy a newer one with out problems....already done!  Truck is loaded with supplies.  The fun begins in 3 hours.

[BusMom]

Half the fun of buying our bus was thinking about all of the fun (and some of the frustrations) of doing it ourselves.  We know it's not a profesional job, but it is what we want.  As we have gone through the process of updating the conversion we have enjoyed looking at the different things available to us.  Also we now know what has been done and how it was put together.  I think we have learned more about our bus since we did the conversion ourselves.  Plus it has been fun.  Now we are at a point where we get to take the bus out on trips with the kids which was the whole point for us!

[tekebird]

I don;t agree,

there are alot of younger people who have the skills and desire to do a conversion themselves.......as well as older folks too........

but those who have families at home, other hobbies etc find that many suitable and almost perfect coaches are out there

I hear the I want it my way alot....but outside of 8" roof raises and things like that I have not seen much to show any radical design changes from your average coach conversion

For those of you that have these radical designs...post pics.

[tekebird]

keep in mind there is a huge difference in buying a professionally done conversion and someone home conversion ( in most cases)

I rarely have seen a professional conversion system...and think to myself  WTF were they thinking..........while I see that all the time on home conversions.


again, unless the conversion is part of your hobby or you desire to build you bus.......fiscally and time wise a already converted unit makes more sense......even if you have to change a few things.

Additionally you generally find a professional converison has low miles and has not been rode hard and put away wet like 90% orf the used buses on the market.


I do agree however that those who do it themselves ofeten have the power of knowing things more intimately which is a positive.     

[skipn]

Tekebird,

    Radical....to me the pict attached is radical to you probably not

   Thanks to Barn Owl for the link to this.


Skip

[tekebird]

Skip I was talking about the conversion....not absurdly poor taste in bolt on truck parts.

"there's No Accounting for taste"

[buddydawg]

The reason I am converting my bus myself is because I want to.  There is nothing special or unique about it, I just prefer to do things myself.  When I am finished I can stand back and look at what I accomplished.

On the other hand if I had the capital I might buy one of the many deals out there and modify it to suit my taste.  It would be nice to have one where the main systems are in place, to me, that is where the work is.  The cosmetic things can be completed in short order.

Jack, there are a few of us young'uns that dont have to have instant gratification. (if you are considering 35 young, I hope you are!)  Although, I will have to agree with you that for the most part my generation wants it now.

[tekebird]

SOme examples of special needs:

Belfert: needs to haul a bunch of buddies and ,Rocket equpment (right) to the desert....so needs a easily cleaned interior with loads of storage space below.  he would not be able to find a professional conversion or probably not even a home conversion that would suit his needs.

Someone with 6 kids......outside of an entertainer sleeper coach probably will not find one to suit their needs, although I do know of a prevost that fits the bill

Someone with an accesabilty issue thats a crap shoot.

your average person....can find something that will suit them nicely.

How many of you designed and built your own homes?  % wise very few I am guessing of the 1800 memebers  

one might think considering the ammount of time you spend at home that would be a more likely place to do it your own way.

[tekebird]

some weeks or months ago there was a thread on what this one has morphed into.......where people were honest enough to post the manhours and in some cases money they have in thier self conversion.....

[buddydawg]

I don't have alot of money invested so far but it is coming now that I am starting to buy the major components.  Hours invested are growing exponentially but, I don't mind.  I actually enjoy the hours spent working on it.  I know that is not the case for everyone and those people should explore other options.  One thing I like about the way I am approaching the conversion is I'm paying as I go.  It's all mine.

[Chaz]

I don;t agree,

As usual.
But Teke, you ain't the only one with an opinion. When it's personal taste and choice, why can't you leave it be??
I respect your right to feel the way you do on what you like, but just because I may not feel the same way doesn't mean you are wrong and I am right. Your seeming to always needing to have the last word and others tastes and opinions are wrong can get on ones nerves a bit.
I agree you know a bit about bus's, but please just offer the useful information you have and leave out the stuff where a person's personal taste and reason for doing what they do out of it. You are not them.
Case in point:

Skip I was talking about the conversion....not absurdly poor taste in bolt on truck parts.

"there's No Accounting for taste"

By the way, this is NOT a "Flame", just a observation that I have seen time and again. I appreciate your offering of good tech info, but ........... "easy man".

Buddydawg and Bowmaga,
  We do allot of writing back and forth here and most times never know how old a person is or who they are. It's GREAT to see some of you young "whippersnappers" having fun and creating with your hands!! As you did mention, there aren't allot of you anymore.
  I am one, shall we say, who is "middle of the road".  (48 years old) I'm also a blacksmith that has had the wonderful opportunity of hanging around some of the older blacksmiths to learn. The older guys typically love to share their knowledge to keep their hobby/passion/business going. It's a big plus for us with less knowledge. I'm glad you're here and interested in having this kind of fun and feelings of accomplishment. It's a real kick when someone asks you "Did YOU do that?" 
And of course the head swells just a bit with the big "s**t-eatin grin". LOLOL

  I hope the value does come back to our hobby/lifestyle at some point, so when we need or have to sell our babies, there will be enough "cake" there to invest in our next project. (or if we just plain "need the money")

Just a long winded .02
    Chaz

[JackConrad]

How many of you designed and built your own homes?  

  My wife and I have drawn the plans and built our last 3 houses, incluing making all our cabinets, trim and door jambs. We also did all the electric and plumbing.  The only thing we did not do ourselves was finish the concrete after we helped pour it and charge the AC system after we installed it.  Jack

[FloridaCliff]

How many of you designed and built your own homes?  % wise very few I am guessing of the 1800 memebers  

Make that 2

Cliff

[Chaz]

I'm right there with ya Jack and Cliff!!! But then, I think allot of you seen my house. (pretty unique)  See the HGTV video at www.amstudio.us .
 Chaz