new year projects

cody · January 01, 2009, 06:52:42 AM

OK, the time for excuses is over, here we are well into 2009, all those projects you said you were going to do this year, how are they coming, or are you just sitting on your keisters claiming you've not got the money, no time, no urge, whats up with them lol. Well, anyway, now is the time to think about what to do for this year, what you can do to improve your health, your bus, your family, have you given any thought to including me in your will? lol Ok people there is no time like right now to see just what you can do to make your lives better and the lives of those around you, if we all did just a couple small things just image what the cumulative impact would be over time. While your making that list and checking it twice, keep in mind that there is a sawdust piler hanging around the board that after he gets rolling again only needs a cup of coffee to get motivated to do strange things like make that shelf that momma has been harping on, or that valance that you always thought would look nice over that window that you never got around to finishing, stuff like that. We each have something to contribute.

Stormcloud · January 01, 2009, 08:16:57 AM

Whaddaya mean 'well into 2009'?? Cody, its not even noon yet !!! lol. Hope everyone had a safe new years eve.

Mark

cody · January 01, 2009, 08:25:31 AM

lol, see how fast time goes by when your having fun.

Stormcloud · January 01, 2009, 08:27:38 AM

My contribution this am will be in keeping Juan Valdez in $$$$, it's time for a refill.

Busted Knuckle · January 01, 2009, 08:39:11 AM

Well lets see. For starters I wanna buy at-least 2 more 45' SETRA's (one ADA equiped), then I wanna go ahead and convert one of our 40'ers for Mom & Dad to enjoy. After that I want to make a Limo, Day Coach, & personal use coach out of the '90 Setra I have sitting here that is in better shape than the '99 model dad & I looked at the other day! (it was on Ebay and didn't meet the reserve @ $56,400.00 + I'm here to tell ya THAT'S WHEN 2 FOOLS MET! 1 for bidding it, & 1 for not taking it! + I told the seller I thought that too!) And when were done there (while relocating to the new shop wherever it's going to be in between!) Then I want to start on the NEW lake house on the vacant lot next to the old lake house up on KY Lake before tearing down the old house and putting in a shop to keep the "Toy buses" in when not using them! And after all that if I have time I may even rebuild one or 2 of my mustangs! Oh yeah after I repaint the dually!
So since ya asked when ya com'n down to help? I'll start the BIG coffee pot in the shop!

BK

cody · January 01, 2009, 08:53:00 AM

BK, how does spring sound for that, as soon as the snow is gone up here we'll fire up the bus and head your way. Hey guy, I went to the post office cause I got a notice of a package there, lol, libby is so tickled about her "betty Crocker" apron she spent last night calling everyone about it lol, and I tryed to get her into a game of cards, thinking by winning a hand I could peal a layer off of her, then came to my sences and realized how much it would cost to have my clawed out eyes put back in lol. I'll bring the heavy guns for whacking nails, is there room for another bus by the lake house project?

Busted Knuckle · January 01, 2009, 09:02:34 AM

Quote from: cody on January 01, 2009, 08:53:00 AM
BK, how does spring sound for that, as soon as the snow is gone up here we'll fire up the bus and head your way. Hey guy, I went to the post office cause I got a notice of a package there, lol, libby is so tickled about her "betty Crocker" apron she spent last night calling everyone about it lol, and I tryed to get her into a game of cards, thinking by winning a hand I could peal a layer off of her, then came to my sences and realized how much it would cost to have my clawed out eyes put back in lol. I'll bring the heavy guns for whacking nails, is there room for another bus by the lake house project?

That's gonna project #1 a solid parking pad next to the power pole! (w/a pipe run to the septic tank!)
It's also why I wanna leave the old one up, until the new one is done for shelter, cooking, relaxing, laundry, ya know all the conveniences of home that are already there! LOL!

BK

Dreamscape · January 02, 2009, 04:24:34 AM

I'm waiting to hear when our windows are going to be delivered! Anyone have any ideas when?

Been real busy this past year, too much to list!

Already got started on this years projects by installing some kitchen cabinets and flooring past couple of days. Now if we could just get this thing liveable, and the price of fuel stays low, we just might be able to do some real camping with no hookups!

Paul

travelingfools · January 02, 2009, 06:20:59 AM

Our "goal / plan " for 2009 is to leave the bus parked as much as we can stand and get the conversion done before fall. At that point we hope to move it somewhere south into Florida in an RV park so we can fly back and forth and enjoy the bus and the warm weather. That will also give us no excuse to not go to Bussin' 10 in a bus ! Staying in the van was "fun" but.....

Just a note for all you investors. One of the driveing points in this is the constant cheap flights to Florida we've seen all winter so far. So just like when diesel skyrocketed as soon as we bought a bus, you can expect airfares to do the same as soon as the bus is parked in Fla...lol

cody · January 02, 2009, 09:42:11 AM

Paul I was just out in the shop looking at your windows, we've got way to much snow to be mobile here for quite a while but I could ship them your way if you wanted, I've got some crating that I can use and could crate them 2 to a crate and ups them your way if you want. that way you could work on that project as you had time.

Dreamscape · January 03, 2009, 03:30:48 AM

Cody, Thanks for the offer, but no thanks!

I've got plenty to do to keep me busy until all the snow thaws, believe me.

I was just crakin' a joke, trying to motivate you and your wife for a trip south after all your medical issues are in check. Just let me know far enough in advance so I can make sure I'm not off somewhere in the wild blue yonder!

If I run out of stuff to do I'll let you know, in the meatime go to my website and you'll see what I mean.

www.uniquebusconversion.com

Be safe and stay warm,

Paul

WEC4104 · January 03, 2009, 05:29:09 AM

This spring's project is to complete the renovation to the bathroom. Shower walls are currently down to the studs, with the next plumbing 95% finished. New vanity top and sink faucet are sitting in boxes, waiting for the old stuff to be removed. Bathroom window has to be re-framed along with the wall installation. If I really get ambitious, I have thoughts of building a new medicine cabinet that will follow the roof contour of the GMC's curved roof.

chargePlus · January 03, 2009, 12:07:48 PM

Hey Folks,

My goal is to get our 4103 out of the driveway and onto the road. We bought our "gem" and have used just a couple of times.

There is a long list of items that I want to have done, I don't have the tools or expertise to complete most of the tasks, otherwise I would. If you can think of a system should be checked, you can be sure our bus needs it checked and repaired.

There are so many things I want to do on the bus that if I list them all (I've already deleted the lists twice) I'd write a novel. Suffice to say there are a lot of projects, plus the ones I don't know about yet. I'm sure you all know that drill.

Welp, it's time to get started. The projects won't complete themselves.

Happy new years.

- John

belfert · January 05, 2009, 08:11:30 AM

In 2008 I pretty much completely gutted my bus and replaced the plywood flooring. I then had VCT tile installed and put everything back in. It was a HUGE job and one I hope not to repeat again. I got a LOT of help from my friends who go on trips with me.

My number 1 resolution for 2009 is to start projects as soon as it warms up and not wait until July like last year. Last year we were working up until almost time to leave on getting everything working.

For 2009 my projects are much less ambitious than last year:

1. Highest priority is to figure out why rear tailights are shorted. We jury rigged them to work on last trip of 2008.
2. Get steering gear rebuilt.
3. Replace governor on air compressor.
4. Install new AGM house batteries and fix transfer relay in inverter.
5. Replace entrance door. (This should be easy as I have the new door already and removing the old one is a cinch.)
6. Fix problems with driver's window or replace the window.
7. Fix problems with Motion windows not sealing to bus. (Low priority as they are fixed with ugly bead of caulk for now.)

Most of these are pretty easy things to do versus last year.

Jeremy · January 05, 2009, 09:29:23 AM

My big job for 2009 is to finish the side slideouts. There are three of these and since they are essentially identical they are being built in parallel. I am building them from scratch (ie. not using off-the-shelf slide mechanisms), and I would estimate that they are currently about 25% done - the upper slide beams have been manufactured and two of the four beams have been installed. The (much more complex) lower beams are being built at the moment, and are probably half done so far, after which they need to be welded and bolted into the frame of the bus. About 80% of the structural steelwork around the openings in the side of the bus is done, although the actual openings will not be cut and windows removed until the last moment in order to keep the bus weathertight as long as possible. After that the slide rooms themselves need to be built, and everything installed.

Realistically all that will take me deep into 2009, but hopefully I will also progress on other fronts as well, so that once the slides are complete I can actually start driving the bus again and complete the rest of the conversion without it needing to come off the road again.

Jeremy