Bus Conversion Amateurs need help

[lakeisland]

We are new to the bus conversion game.  We have a 1974 MCI - runs great - mechanically OK, but need help with the conversion.  The seats are now out and we are looking for someone to help us totally convert it.  We are in St. Petersburg, FL.  If you can give us any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.  Our email is lakeisland@yahoo.com.  Thanks Ren and Ann

[Ace]

Hi Ren & Ann! I'm not a professional converter but would be willing to help in any way I could. How much are you looking to spend and what kind of time frame are you looking at? Do you have a place to work on it or are you needing a place? Hmm, I have a great place with flat concrete after Monday!   

I don't have all my tools but they are not far away and I  have a good friend that does good cabinetry work a half mile from home but if your just starying out, you won't need anything like that yet!

First thing you need to do is get water IN the bus and get a floor plan in mind!

Let me know again if I can help or do!

Ace

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hello Ren and Ann,

Welcome Abord!

You will find all the help you need here with our talented cast of Bus Nuts!

Two things I think you did right so far- 1- It sounds like you purchaced a mechanicly sound bus, 2- your starting out on this board!

Lots of Luck to you both!

Nick Badame-

[DrivingMissLazy]

Fred Hobe and Jack Conrad are both in Florida and both are more than capable of helping you with your conversion also. They are both on this board and hopefully will respond to your cry for help, and welcome aboard.
Richard

Hi Ren & Ann! I'm not a professional converter but would be willing to help in any way I could. How much are you looking to spend and what kind of time frame are you looking at? Do you have a place to work on it or are you needing a place? Hmm, I have a great place with flat concrete after Monday!   

I don't have all my tools but they are not far away and I  have a good friend that does good cabinetry work a half mile from home but if your just starying out, you won't need anything like that yet!

First thing you need to do is get water IN the bus and get a floor plan in mind!

Let me know again if I can help or do!

Ace

[FloridaCliff]

Ren and Ann,

Welcome aboard, its a fun ride.

Jack and Ace our two guys who I would not hesitate to get the job done for Me.

And I can be one picky dude.

Fred's on the mend right now, but he's another stand up guy, and a Icon in the Bus Conversion Business.

Whatever or Who you decide on, spend plenty of time working out your ideas on paper. 

Trust me, its much cheaper to change ideas with an eraser......

FYI-I am just north of you near Wildwood, look forward to meeting you both some day.

Best of Luck

Cliff

[lakeisland]

Thanks so much for replying to our SOS.  We just got back in town and didn't expect and answer so quick.  We would love to talk with ACE or Jack about the conversion.

Our email is lakeisland@yahoo.com.

Thanks so much for your assistance.  This is a great site

We are very excited about this bus conversion process.

Ren and Ann

[Gary '79 5C]

Welcome to the group again, and a few thoughts,
1. Look Look Look at all the conversions you can.
I did and many things I thought were initially important, later I did not value the orig idea.
It is incredible as to the ingeuinity and creativity of people. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed so I look to what others have done.
2. Paper dolls on your coach's floor will be cheaper than the constructed walls.
3. For me keep it simple, however I have many backup's which others may not value.
4. You have sought assistance with a great group, I am new to the group as well, to bussin as well, I have owned a conversion for 20 months. Wife thought I was crazy buying the bus, but she loves it and enjoys the style of travel. Still thinks I am crazy though....

I love the Lakeland area, having been to the Air Show several times. I marvel overt the aircraft owner community as well. I have not been to our PF facility in Lakeland for several years, as I am employed by Campbell Soup ( No Commercial Intended). Wonderful people at that facility.
Enjoy, make it fun, It will all be worth it in the end.
P.S. I am not a converter, but purchased a conversion, Alas I do not have the time to invest while I am toiling away towards retirement, I do not think I will have the energy when I retire to convert a bus. My hat is off to you...

Best of luck....

[lakeisland]

Thanks for the encouragement Gary.  We are really looking forward to this renovation.

I am still trying to get back in touch with ACE and the guys that responded to our SOS.
Hope they can get in touch with us soon.   We are excited about getting started.

If you know of some website that would be great to look at the different designs inside,
just let me know.  I already have the basic design sketched  out.  If we can get someone
to do the wiring, plumbing, then we will be glad to help with the constuction on the
inside. 

Happy Busing.
Ann

[steamguy56]

This seems to be a good place to let everyone know that I stopped by Fred Hobe's house on sunday to check on him. He was up showing me the busses on the place, the accident scene, that fall could really hurt the average person, but all Fred said was that his recliner feels alot better right now, than all that work out back does.
                                     Danny

[NJT 5573]

Ren and Ann. Quickly, any bathroom that is not over a cargo bay is gonna be hell. Make the drains and vents fit the holding tanks first.(sink, toilet, shower). The rest is pretty easy.

[white-eagle]

jack conrad is out of town until Sunday or so, but i told him you're lookin for him.  Plan on some response sunday or monday.  you couldn't find a better person to work with.  i had him scout out my bus before we bought it, and he's written some great articles and books about his own experiences.

you might also want to look at George Myers books and videos on coach conversion.  he's got some real great books on electrical, plumbing etc.  www.coach-builder.com. 

Good Luck!

[Ednj]

Here,s one to be careful of but they do have a nice web site with lots of floor plans.
>
Walker Private Coach, Inc. will retire... 

Now we will be designing and building higher End Custom Motor Coaches ..$300,000 to $2m
under the name of Next Level Coaches, L.L.C.

[JackConrad]

Hi Ren & Ann,
   We just got home from a bluegrass music festivival.  Check your email box for my phone numbers and give me a call. I would like to discuss your project with you.  Jack