Estimate of costs for infrastructure, energy conversion, plbg, wiring, engine...

[TomC]

I originally bought my bus in 1993 from the guy that bought it from Portland, Or Metro for $4,000. He had already taken out the seats, but decided it was too big a job and I bought it. Before bringing down from Or, I had a mechanic change the wheel bearings from grease to oil, change the rear end ratio from 5.57 to 4.56 (4.11 wasn't easy to find), install Jake brakes, increase injectors from N55 to N65 (270hp and 675lb/ft torque to 300hp and 800lb/ft torque), change 12R-22.5 to 11R-24.5 (my tires and wheels from another truck). It was no money exchanged-I traded a '79 GMC Astro with 6V-92TA and 7spd for the work.
Then the fun began. I ultimately had everything in the engine compartment rebuilt or replaced, transmission rebuilt, new air bags, air steering converted to Sheppard hydraulic. What was a $4,000 bus to buy cost about $100,000 over the last 24 years. Still-cheaper than a sticks and staples motorhome. How many 1977 motorhomes are still on the road? Good Luck, TomC

[windtrader]

I originally bought my bus in 1993 from the guy that bought it from Portland, Or Metro for $4,000. He had already taken out the seats, but decided it was too big a job and I bought it. Before bringing down from Or, I had a mechanic change the wheel bearings from grease to oil, change the rear end ratio from 5.57 to 4.56 (4.11 wasn't easy to find), install Jake brakes, increase injectors from N55 to N65 (270hp and 675lb/ft torque to 300hp and 800lb/ft torque), change 12R-22.5 to 11R-24.5 (my tires and wheels from another truck). It was no money exchanged-I traded a '79 GMC Astro with 6V-92TA and 7spd for the work.
Then the fun began. I ultimately had everything in the engine compartment rebuilt or replaced, transmission rebuilt, new air bags, air steering converted to Sheppard hydraulic. What was a $4,000 bus to buy cost about $100,000 over the last 24 years. Still-cheaper than a sticks and staples motorhome. How many 1977 motorhomes are still on the road? Good Luck, TomC

WOW! That's enough to scare any new busnutter off to the hinterlands. lol

[Oonrahnjay]

WOW! That's enough to scare any new busnutter off to the hinterlands. lol 

      Yeah, congratulations for getting it done so much cheaper than so many of us, Tom.

[uncle ned]

  Or you can do like I did about 15 years ago.  Find a old camping trailer cheap and strip all the good stuff out.  Water heater ,furnace, bathroom fixtures and many more.

uncle ned

[TomC]

Yes I considered buying a couple of old RV's to use the old appliances. But-I guess I'm just eccentric-I wanted my bus to have new appliances that only I used. Also to have new warranties. Just my way. Good Luck, TomC

[Melbo]

We bought our bus in 2004 or there about partially converted and in round numbers have spent a little more than Tom has.  This included a repower to an L10 cummins with a ZF transmission.  It also includes one set of tires (new steers and six used) and one set of tires all new.  All the fuel we used. Rebuilding the transmission.  One set of tanks that we didn't like so we got a second set. All the appliances, batteries, inverter, roadside assistance, two house water pumps, radiator rebuilds, oversized transmission cooler, and a bunch of stuff I have not even thought of.  We put about 5 thousand miles on every year some years more.  So overall somewhere less than 8,000 a year all in including the cost of the bus.  So for about 1.50 a mile we have all the luxury of home anywhere we go even if there is no hotel available and IF there is a hotel available we don't have to schlep our stuff inside.  We know who slept in the bed last night and if the shower isn't clean we know who to blame.  Our food and drink is what we want when we want and we don't pay resort prices.  It always seems like a bargain to and we have fun being on the road.

Melbo

[Bobi]

Whew!  I'm alternately (or simultaneously) excited, dumbfounded and generally staggered by the enormity of what I don't yet know. 
You comments are awesome and most welcomed.  Thank you.