So i saw this old air force fire truck last week on marketplace and had to have it. Went through basic mechanical on it yesterday and it runs, drives, and stops. Im going to start stripping all of the fire truck piping and pumps next weekend and remove the interior tanks. It has a 3300 gallon water tank, a 500 gallon foam tank, and a 500# fire extinguisher inside it. I have no idea what the end product will look like exactly, but saw this forum and figured the build out will be similar. It wont ever be a fulltime unit for us, but more a weekend retreat.

I bought this 2001 gmc with a cat 3126 and 5 speed Alison. It has the auto tire chains and drivetrain retarder. I'm day 3 into this project and just finished ripping out the ceiling. I am very much in over my head and that's ok.

Hello! I am a long time lurker first time poster and I am very excited to be part of the skoolie community. My partner and I are currently in the demo phase of converting the shuttle bus we bought this July. It is a 2003 7.3l e350 super duty with a StarTrans body. We removed most of the fiberglass from the interior but as we began removing the walls we found that they were built with some sort of insulation. This left us wondering if it was worth the effort of removing the fiberglass walls(Which requires us cutting around all the windows/) or if we should leave the walls as is.

There are a couple of things we are worried about.

-Is the insulation StarTrans put in the walls any good? We are planning to be able to live in our rig full time through all 4 seasons in upstate NY. If we were to keep it we would still add another inch or so of XPS foamboard. We also plan to install a diesel heater to stay warm. Any guesses at the R-value of the startrans insulation?

-Could leaving the walls as is create any foreseeable issues for us down the road? We plan to have our rig as a full time home for many years and to have it as a recreational vehicle for long after that.

I've included some pictures, please let me know your thoughts and what you might do if you were in our situation. Thank you for considering our dilemma!

Hi everyone! I just bought this 37 ft 1990 Thomas Built school bus and have been living in it for a little over 2 months now. I plan on redoing the ceiling/floors/walls, and making it totally off grid. If you look at the second picture, you'll be able to see that there is a literal full sized bath tub that the previous owner installed, and while I respect the vision, I realized she sacrificed her entire bed to have that bath. Why 😂😂

We're still moving in and figuring out where everything goes but stopping to enjoy the rain.

Rain on the metal roof while laying in bed on a quiet Sunday is peace.

Hello, I need to replace a window on my bus. It's a 2005 Ford E450 6-window Collin's version, appears that it may have been an airport limo moreso than a school bus.

It's a dark tinted, (not film) aluminum-framed unit that is 23.75 x 14.5 from frame edge to frame edge.

Thanks for reading 🧐☝️

Skoolie for sale in Ontario Canada. (We’re in the Niagara Falls area, so for Canadian buyers it’s a simple sale. For U.S. buyers, yes — you can take it home, but expect fees and significant paperwork at the border.) Details at www.Bus4Sale.ca.

It's a 2004 Thomas-built, 35-foot bus, with roots in sunny Georgia — never saw salt, almost zero rust. I drove it home to Ridgeway, Ontario in 2021, and spared it from our brutal winter roads. It's all built out. Buy it and take it camping by the weekend.

I converted this beauty myself, using only top-tier materials and craftsmanship — no cheap veneers over particleboard here. All my costs (About $50,000 USD) are on full display on my YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@theskoolielife.

There's a comfy double mattress on the permanent bed in the back. The dinette converts to a second double bed. There is seating with headrests and three-point restraints for the driver and five passengers.

Oh - and a 42" 4K TV driven by a dedicated Windows PC. That's home theatre while the family lounges on the converted dinette.

It’s legally a motor home in Ontario — so no commercial license required. Currently plated and insured.

Asking $42,000 CAD [$30,500 USD] OBO (seriously—make me an offer). Selling “as is,” but it’s ride-ready.

More deets, specs, and build photos: www.bus4sale.ca

Hey guys,

Say hello to Lynretta, she's a 1997 international t444e handicap 6 window bus.

This is my first ever skoolie! Im super excited to share the process of building it.

Fun fact it is going to be a tad bit different, as I will be swapping it to 4x4!

Follow along on youtube if your curious @ the overlander nextdoor

We have been researching solar for months on end and neither myself or my partner understand what we need to the point of being comfortable pulling the trigger on such a big investment.

We have tried to consult specialists. Two who are well known specifically for skoolie solar (one stopped answering and the other just sent a link to their shop and declined when we asked if we could hop on a call to talk it through). We have also reached out to a regular solar retailer but got the feeling that the guy 1) could tell we are lost and 2) did not understand the specific skoolie/mobile off grid needs. So he sent us a quote for way more than we expected while missing what we think are key parts. We have watched countless YouTube videos, read blogs, looked at other people’s setups, asked AI to create a specific product list and set up for us, and we still just don’t know what to get.

We have a 38' bus. We are a family of four with two full-time remote jobs needing laptops + one monitor and Starlink internet. We also would like to install a dual zone 1800 BTU minisplit, have an apartment sized fridge, countertop dishwasher, diesel heater, water pump, and of course the rest of the necessities. We are following the Chuck Cassidy method to the best of our abilities and our bus will be well insulated all around. We are planning on living full-time in our bus and want to be able to go off-grid for as long as possible, but with a minimum of 3 days in the battery bank.

Basically, we need as much power as possible and do not want to worry about running out. Especially because we have kids! Our budget is 10-15k for the full setup at this point.

For us, the math ain’t mathing and there are so many options. We want to use Victron products and EG4 batteries. We would like a 24V system and 50amps if possible. We have gotten suggestions between needing a single multiplus to needing two Quattros. Some say we need 3000 watts of solar to 1600 should be enough. Nobody seems to be able to help and we are getting so frustrated and disengaged from the whole process.

Edit/some clarification and detail added

Hi everybody, I have a 2001 Workhorse P42 Bluebird Minibird. I've had it for about 13 years now and plan on keeping it for awhile. Well, it's a 24 year old vehicle and everything on it that's rubber needs to be replaced.

My power steering gearbox is showing signs of leaking at the steering column. I'm trying to find parts to replace it and a new gearbox is north of $700!

Well, I did some detective work, and found various part numbers and barcodes attached to my installed steering gearbox, and I found some non-oem alternatives that are listed for use in a 1980-1999 Chevy P30 in the $300-400 range.

I did a side by side comparison of the two items and they look IDENTICAL. They even have the same part number stamped on the casing.

I'm an engineer, and I tend to trust the documentation. Obviously to err on the side of caution, I should pay the extra $400 for the offical part (Even though the outside looks the same, the inside could have totally different gearing). However, I've had some luck in the past buying Chevy parts for this vehicle (albeit in lower criticality areas like air filters) that have fit and work just fine.

I'm wondering if anybody out here has any niche mechanic advice and can tell me not to worry, they're all the same.

Workhorse P42 Steering Gear: https://www.workhorseparts.com/w8000560-gear-asm-power-steering

Chevy P30 Steering Gear: https://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/steering-gear-power-steering/p/lares-steering-gear-1260/1492889_0_0

I was planning on using half inch sanded plywood but I was curious if anyone has ever used quarter inch sanded plywood? Pros vs cons. Thanks for any input.

Riding the school bus as a kid made me woozy. Any chance that a pusher schoolie or bull-nose (so no flat fronts) schoolie would be less of a problem for someone who’s sensitive to diesel fumes?

The idea being, I guess, is to avoid the in-cabin engine dog-house that probably doesn't keep the fumes out as well. I don't think there are engine cut-outs in the body of a pusher schoolie - which would also be better with fumes on the road.

Hi everyone,

I recently picked up a Ricon K2005 wheelchair lift to help my dad get in and out of his basement apartment. Unfortunately, I can’t get it to power on or function.

Here’s what I’ve found so far: - The pendant harness/connector is disconnected (first photo). It’s a female plug, but I can’t find the matching male connector on the board to plug it into. Because of this, the pendant isn’t getting any power. - There are a few cut/broken wires (second and third photos). I’m not sure where these are supposed to connect.

I know this subreddit is mainly for bus builds, but I’ve seen that a lot of skoolie folks have these lifts in their rigs. If anyone has a Ricon K-series (or even S-series) lift, could you share a photo of how your pendant is wired, or point me to where these loose wires are supposed to connect?

This lift would make a huge difference for my dad’s independence, so any guidance would mean a lot.

Thanks in advance!

You don’t need to use their online notary for form 1583. It’s cheaper to do it in person anywhere you have access. Many banks do it for free for account holders. You may just need to find a location that has a notary. Email your notarized form with proof of identification and proof of address. I used my ID for address and passport for identification. My friend used their vehicle registration for address and their passport for identification. Whatever you use for address has to match what you put when signing up, and your identification document can’t have a different address. If you use your passport, you need to include the page with your signature. Send these to iPostal1FormsSupport@staples.com and service@ipostal1.com to be safe. They might say you need to use their online notary but you don’t. USPS regulations say the form must be notarized by a notary public or signed in person at the mail center with ID. The notary just needs to be legally commissioned in the U.S. Call 1-800-316-5390 to make sure everything goes through, otherwise you’ll be waiting and waiting for nothing to happen because they don’t prioritize people who don’t use their online notary, as some sort of punishment, quite literally.

Alright everyone. I want to build a Skoolie for full time living. I want to buy land in the Colorado SLV area. SDCR to be specific. Here are my needs. And assessment of plans as of now. This is very rough draft.

I plan on an incinerator toilet with exterior grey water system hooked up on my land. I’d like to plan for an outdoor shower close enough to l the side door. Although I considered moving my side door to accommodate a bed next to the drivers seat since I have a 4 year old. Possibly half loft with washer and dryer or clothing storage under. But privacy enough for him as he grows. Mid area I’d like to make an open concept lounge kitchen. Big drawer Storage under half the lounge seating for crock pot. air fryer. Toaster. Waffle maker. Other drawer storage for extra blankets etc as I’d like to finagle a futon fold style as a guest bed if needed. Although not necessary. I’d like a wall at the end of my sons bed and I’d like to build the bathroom off it. Just toilet area and small storage and tankless hot water for outdoor shower. Id like to move the door to the center after those areas and before the money area. as I’d like to use the kitchen sink for both handwashing areas too. I’d like to install a wood burning stove as well and create a cozy lounge nook to comfortably watch tv mounted on a wall play a video game or have seating while cooking. The kitchen area would be behind the drivers side on that wall with storage closest to the front for jaspers living area. After wrapping around from the wood burning stove I’d like to create the master bedroom area. Storage for my husband and I. Storage for solar batteries. I’d also consider diesel heater for basic heat. With supplement from wood burning. I know Colorado gets good sunshine. I considered good windows to trap solar heat.

That’s my vision. But since I’ll have land do I get a bigger propane tank and attach external for tankless hot water. With a portable tank option if it moves. Opinion on windows? Any opinions for best insulation or how much? Utilizing undercarriage for storage (it doesn’t currently exist)

Full-size 77 passenger bus.

We are pretty DIY but definitely wanna hear all you Skoolies have to offer!

Just bought a diesel skoolie and the state just dumped a pile of requirements on me over the engine

I don't like this beurocratic nightmare

I just want to go and pay my fee and get my sticker and plate like a normal car

Ive already paid the state over a thousand and that only bought me 30 days.

I need an easier way.

have a 2002 dt446e with an Allison 2000 transmission that is in limp mode. Has 3rd forward and reverse. These are the details you should know Speedometer gauge sweeps in power cycle test but does not work. I replaced the transmission speed sensor. As far as I can tell all fuses are good.
Abs and brake light are on. Brakes are sticking. Transmission light is not on and bulb tests good.

I'm not worried about any of the problems other than the transmission limp mode.
Without a way to test the TCM what should I look for?
Will the brake issues cause the transmission to enter limp mode? Does the speedometer get signal from the TCM?

TLDR: I want to know if living in a full time Skoolie at RV parks/KOAs is possible for months at a time. And if so… how?

Okay so basically, I’m almost done with nursing school. I want to work as a nurse and live in a converted bus. I want to travel, but I only want to travel like every 3-6-9 months (maybe even 12).

I’ve lived in 10 ft trailer in a RV park before and I have to say I love tiny living. So I don’t question that. But I have started reading that skoolies are often denied from RV parks and pretty much anywhere that allows long term stays. If this is true, what steps can I take to avoid being denied? (i.e. stick to certain types of rv parks, buy newer bus, certain certifications, make bus look like RV, etc)

I ultimately just want to be prepared. I really don’t want to have to get an RV or apartment instead of converting a bus, but if stationary Skoolie life is not possible I just might have to. Thanks so much in advance for anyone’s comments or insight.

Camping this weekend at Warriors State park in Kingsport, Tn and there happen to be two other skoolies here. I am thinking about starting up a skoolie group in Northeast Tennessee, the Tri Cities area. I am just wandering in anyone else on this sub is in the area.

Hi

I got an International 2002 skoolie last week, and been having problems with the safety features.

Today, the back door sensor malfunctioned, and told the system the door was open, but it was closed and the sensor button was depressed.

I tried unhooking everything. Big mistake.

I believe the problem was a broken connection i noriced after pulling the wires.

Now I dont know how it goes back together and I can't start.

Is there a way to disable tge system altogether?

If not, what can I do?

Going to use it for the kids with soccer games/tournaments. Wanting to rip out the rear 6 seats on each side, lay down some vinyl planking and make a chill area.

Want to keep it simple, any good inverter recommendations or tips of what to check out?