Not a bus but it is a conversion...

Ace · December 10, 2014, 04:12:41 AM

I put this link under the projects but don't think everyone goes there and I wanted to share the build. Shows how much work actually goes into a ground up build and this one happens to be first class for a home job!
Enjoy it as its kind of interesting.

http://s1203.photobucket.com/user/Goldbus/library/Truck%20Build

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Van · December 10, 2014, 04:32:35 AM

Nice! Congrats Ace!

bevans6 · December 10, 2014, 04:57:38 AM

Some high quality welding in the frame, that's for sure. Didn't skimp on the weight in the interior either, nice high quality wood furnishings. Nice deal.

Brian

TomC · December 10, 2014, 08:26:37 AM

Nice-all those pictures explain why I also went with a truck conversion. The only thing I would be concerned about is the structure between the tandem wheels hanging down so low (for the wheel well skirts). There maybe a time you have to go over a curb-and that is low enough to hit. Otherwise, looks like a good construction!
I had American Truck Body build my box. 32ft x 102wide with a 13ft garage in back and the bedroom over. They used 1.5" square tubing .125" thick welded on 16" centers. The box alone weighed 10,000lbs. Having this kind of construction makes it easily fixable. You're not going to believe how much easier and nicer it is to work on a truck. I've been REALLY enjoying converting my truck, as compared to my first transit bus. Keep us in the loop! Good Luck, TomC

Ace · December 10, 2014, 01:21:39 PM

Tom id have to check but that size square tubing sounds about the same as what was used here and same 16" centering.
I can't believe the computer generated blueprints I found on this build. Simply amazing!

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Bill Gerrie · December 10, 2014, 06:34:55 PM

Looks like it was very well built Ace. Love the interior finish.

Jim Eh. · December 10, 2014, 06:46:56 PM

Nice score. I can see why you keep going back to this one.

Ace · December 10, 2014, 08:00:10 PM

Thanks Bill & Krank! I keep asking myself why this took so long and why would the seller sell this truck since he used it on a weekly basis pulling a 33' loaded stacker? He still has the stacker but no way to pull it! He put so much into it but never finished it. Why? Gumpy thinks he got it to a point of assembly that was useable and just used it and gave up on finishing it. Is there something hidden that I'm not seeing in the build? The guy spent over $10,000 on misc hardware and over $10,000 on the solid oak cabinets. Over $8,000 on the frame stretch and $20,000 on the used truck back in the day. I have no idea what he spent on materials such as mild steel tubing for the box. The very bottom of box is stainless steel tubing as is the bay's and floor material in the bay's. All the aluminium skin, the VHB 3m tape that went on the box tubes before the skin, the insulation, and Oh, he rented s shop and he paid a crew to do all the work bringing the total he spent to over $115,000 and it's still not done!
Yea I think I got a pretty sweet deal at $52,000

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Oonrahnjay · December 11, 2014, 04:32:09 AM

Quote from: Ace on December 10, 2014, 08:00:10 PMThanks Bill & Krank! I keep asking myself why this took so long and why would the seller sell this truck since he used it on a weekly basis pulling a 33' loaded stacker? He still has the stacker but no way to pull it! He put so much into it but never finished it. Why? Gumpy thinks he got it to a point of assembly that was useable and just used it and gave up on finishing it. Is there something hidden that I'm not seeing in the build? The guy spent over $10,000 on misc hardware and over $10,000 on the solid oak cabinets. Over $8,000 on the frame stretch and $20,000 on the used truck back in the day. I have no idea what he spent on materials such as mild steel tubing for the box. The very bottom of box is stainless steel tubing as is the bay's and floor material in the bay's. All the aluminium skin, the VHB 3m tape that went on the box tubes before the skin, the insulation, and Oh, he rented s shop and he paid a crew to do all the work bringing the total he spent to over $115,000 and it's still not done!
Yea I think I got a pretty sweet deal at $52,000

Sounds like a good deal and a super place to start your finishing process. Keep us informed, please.

Timkar · December 11, 2014, 07:09:45 AM

Yes...Sounds like a really good deal. Hope you enjoy it...

TomC · December 11, 2014, 08:02:18 AM

Looked at the pictures-pretty nice! Only thing-I saw a gear shift lever in the cab. It is still a manual transmission? Course, a truck 10spd or 13spd is completely different then a very limited 4spd bus transmission. Good luck, TomC

Ace · December 13, 2014, 02:55:21 PM

Tom yes it's an Eaton 10 speed but there has been recent discussion started for a possible install of an Allison world transmission but that might be spring time!

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TomC · December 14, 2014, 10:10:55 AM

At least if you do change the transmission, it will be 10 times easier then on a bus. Good Luck, TomC

Ace · December 14, 2014, 04:23:22 PM

The demolition has begun!
Here's Susan cutting open the first of four cushions so she can recover them with something she likes!
I have half the floor up and material for new walls ready to go up, then new flooring, then by the time all that's done, Susan should have matching valances ready to go up.
Whew!
Then maybe in the mean time, water tanks, toilet, and a re-make of the shower that imo was put in wrong!
Sleeper area and central A/C are the biggest but maybe by the time it's hot again (like today) those will be done too!

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Tikvah · December 14, 2014, 05:21:23 PM

What about the truck sleeper area? That seems like a miniature redundant living room. What do people do what that area? I've often thought, in my next lifetime, I'd like a truck. . . but often wonder about that sleeper area.