School Bus Only Thread

[natedog39]

Originally Posted by Capt_Gruuvy

I thought about a bus with a wheelchair lift on the side in hopes that it could lift a motorcycle up to bus height. That might require a light bike.

Anyway, a thought.

Any lift equiped bus I've ever dealt with ,the lift has a capacity of 800 lbs.
Some wheelchairs are very heavy.

Here's mine.

[natedog39]

Hey Danger, how about some powertrain details.

What's she packin?

[SgtDuster]

Originally Posted by natedog39

Any lift equiped bus I've ever dealt with ,the lift has a capacity of 800 lbs.
Some wheelchairs are very heavy.

+1

A power weelchair can weigh 500lbs + with a "passenger"

[Tmaximusv]

I'm inspired. For me, I would look for any early 90s Bluebird with a 360 Intl 6. Best would be the 6 spd manual to go with it. I drove that config bus for 2 years in rural MN and it was an amazing sled, even with a bunch of noisy kids! Especially fun when the little ones in the back row hit their heads on the roof from a big bump.

But seriously, Bluebird chassis and bodies are unbeatable - none better. The 360 inline 6 is an amazingly simple and reliable engine and has all the power a body needs for decent cruising. I could routinely get the but up to 65 without any trouble. Best reason for the 360 is that it doesn't have the PS/444 with ECU and all of the attendant potential for electronic mayhem our shop manager was always crying into his beer about.

Good on ya, mate. Only change I would wonder about would be changing the rear door into a double (side by side) for easier loading.

[Danger4u2]

Originally Posted by Tmaximusv

Good on ya, mate. Only change I would wonder about would be changing the rear door into a double (side by side) for easier loading.

When time allows, I want the back end to open this big. Draw bridge like this I found on the net or a roll up like storage buildings have. I would make it roll above the top of the bus and build a cowling for it.


I have a CRV Honda that will fit with this set up. Look how they dove tailed the floor.

[triplenickel]

Have you considered a cage behind the passenger area?

[Danger4u2]

Originally Posted by triplenickel

Have you considered a cage behind the passenger area?

I've thought about it, I should say I've worried about not having it. With the tool boxes and the configuration of the seats it would be complicated to build a cage/partition. Best bet is not have any crashes. Or bring along many friends to sit behind me, in the event of a crash everything will hit them and their bodys will cushion the blow to me. The 5 bikes on the sides of the isle sit in Condor wheel chocks bolted to the floor. I haven't done it yet but I think I can fit 4 bikes in the isle. I have 1 free standing Condor wheel chock and I'm watching Craigslist for 3 more. All bikes get a 4 point tie down. Tool boxes are bolted to the wall and floor. Gear, tents, boots....................are stashed between the wall and the bikes, near the back of the bus. If I do have a crash I'm hoping the bikes will contain most of the items from flying/sliding forward.

[Capt_Gruuvy]

Originally Posted by natedog39

Any lift equiped bus I've ever dealt with ,the lift has a capacity of 800 lbs.
Some wheelchairs are very heavy.

Here's mine.

Exactly. Add a galley & head from a donor tent trailer and that thing would be perfect-ish.

[Sniper X]

There is a guy here who sells used School Buses on Cl pretty cheap. He sells full sized ones for 1200 and I may sell my camping trailer and buy one. I'll convert it to an RV of course.

[EvanADV]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

There is a guy here who sells used School Buses on Cl pretty cheap. He sells full sized ones for 1200 and I may sell my camping trailer and buy one. I'll convert it to an RV of course.

Where's he located?

I've always loved the idea of a Skoolie conversion.

[Hardware02]

Originally Posted by Danger4u2

I've thought about it, I should say I've worried about not having it. With the tool boxes and the configuration of the seats it would be complicated to build a cage/partition. Best bet is not have any crashes. Or bring along many friends to sit behind me, in the event of a crash everything will hit them and their bodys will cushion the blow to me. The 5 bikes on the sides of the isle sit in Condor wheel chocks bolted to the floor. I haven't done it yet but I think I can fit 4 bikes in the isle. I have 1 free standing Condor wheel chock and I'm watching Craigslist for 3 more. All bikes get a 4 point tie down. Tool boxes are bolted to the wall and floor. Gear, tents, boots....................are stashed between the wall and the bikes, near the back of the bus. If I do have a crash I'm hoping the bikes will contain most of the items from flying/sliding forward.

Actually, fabbing a partition out of expanded metal would be pretty straightforward.

[Hardware02]

Originally Posted by natedog39

Any lift equiped bus I've ever dealt with ,the lift has a capacity of 800 lbs.
Some wheelchairs are very heavy.

Here's mine.

The lift is neat, but it adds weight and takes up space, plus it's mechanically complicated when compared to a lightweight folding ramp.

[nadams]

Originally Posted by Hardware02

Actually, fabbing a partition out of expanded metal would be pretty straightforward.

I wonder if you could buy something pre-made? For example, what they use on prisoner transport busses to separate the inmates from the driver/wardens. Then it would even have a nice passthrough door.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by EvanADV

Where's he located?

I've always loved the idea of a Skoolie conversion.

Somewhere near Albuquerque New Mexico. His cl ads are in the albuquerque cl.

[Hardware02]

Originally Posted by nadams

I wonder if you could buy something pre-made? For example, what they use on prisoner transport busses to separate the inmates from the driver/wardens. Then it would even have a nice passthrough door.

Probably, but building one from scratch would be so easy and that includes a door.