5 Things You Should Know Building A DIY Bus - SKOOLIE CONVERSION TIPS
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- I put together 5 Tips I think every person building or considering building a bus should know.
Hope this helps answer some of your questions.
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Tip # 6 -don't hit the road without an emergency fund for a wrecker $$$$$$$$$$$, hotel room, and the mechanic. Tire service is not cheap, either.
Yooooo true
Unless you can do it urself
Thankful my husband is a retired bus inspector and an old wrench himself. He found us a short bus with a brand new engine for peanuts . He's going through it before we do anything. Also brand new tires🤷♀️ guy is a keeper.
Facts!
ABSOLUTELY! Great tip!
I haven't bought a bus yet but have my eye on one. I really love your #5 advice. Almost all of the schoolies you see on UA-cam are perfect vehicles that looks like they have spent so much money on or they are some kind of master carpenter. I'm thinking about just using premade furniture for the most part.
"I'm not out in Florida or Arizona or whatever" I am, and I draw the line at AC, you can rip the AC from my cold, broke, hands 😂
lol
So many great tips for a “new to the bus life” person! THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
For those with the pro-A/C view, there are inverter A/C "window" units. This type of A/C is WAY more energy efficient than traditional A/C window units and while they can be a bit more expensive, one for a bus would probably cost around $300 - $500, not the thousands he mentions here.
Kick rocks
Lots of great information for those people thinking people about building out a bus for living - even for those of us who it’s not a realistic option - I still enjoy watching your videos and learning stuff.
Thanks for sharing, Isaac
Thank you Collette
Thank you for sharing the great advice;. I haven't purchased any vehicle yet. I have started watching the van builds all decked out and thought i want something like that and then started watching Cheaprving and realized i don't need it all decked out, that i want to go out cheaper first to see what i need in my build.
You are a natural teacher Isaac. Good job. Love listening to you teach!
Great tips 👌 Thanks again much love to you ❤️ and Jaylena ❤️ I hope and pray 🙏 🤲 that she is feeling better 🙏
She is :)
You're the man, the realness is comforting.
Watched & saved. We have the bus but are going slow....really slow. And on a shoestring budget. Loved your tips!
You got this!
Solid advice Issac, really great tips! Can’t wait to see you building out your home bus! I hope Jaylena is starting to feel better. We missed her last night for her live but her health and Embers health is the most important. ❤️
I am stoked to start my own!
me and my partner own a seven window 7.3 turbo diesel and we love it !!! great tips isaac 👍👍
Oh my I would looooove to find one of those
Great tips, Love this video! Praying for Jaylena & baby & you. Hope she is feeling better🙏🙏
Thank ya Barbie
Great job as usual .I love how you try to help everyone and you are truly a rare person, wish you the very best. Love watching you and Jaylena also.much love ,take care.
Thank you :)
Much appreciated Issac.
Good words of advice. "Be realistic". That small statement speaks volumes.
Of def!
My added #6 tip lol. Build your bus to your expectations. Don't let people tell you you can't do this or do that. It's not their bus it's yours! I have had so many tell me l am stupid or l don't know what I am talking about. Just because they can't see it or understand it,... it isn't your problem. It's their's. I'm planning on putting in a aluminum folding deck on the back. It will be so cool! But wowwww the mansplaining l have received!!
Ha ha ha aluminum is awesome! It’s light and doesn’t rust. I’m trying to learn more about it
It can be really frustrating when you have a vision and other people can’t or won’t see it then when you’ve done it they’re like ‘oh, that’s cool.’
@@martymaloney1032 totally agree!!
@@isaacturnerit my bus has aluminum walls and studs! No fiberglass.
Thanks Issac for the Info. I think when we cross paths you will be impressed with my build as my first bus conversion, anyway till next time your friend from Canada, hope everything is going well with you guys I have been praying for you and do have GOD be your guide though these crazy days we are living, like I always say "live free or die trying" ;)
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This is the best "tips" video I've seen. Thank you so much for all the info and the timely manner in which it was delivered!
Pretty damn down to Earth if I may offer my opinion. Realistic and, acceptable. I found value in this
Thank you Isaac. Your advice makes sooo much sense. My vehicle is an ex rental so was already built out re shower/toilet combo, so I didn't have any choice, but toilet necessary, shower not. You have so many other important items to spend $ on. I've been almost 4 yrs in my vehicle and I have definitely found out what I need and what I can do without. If you have x amount of $ to spend on a vehicle, I still wouldn't. Save it for future under bonnet repairs, running costs.
My insurance costs me $58.70 NZ, per mnth. So helpful Isaac. Thank you. LOVE to Jaylena and yourself...👍🙏🙏🙏💜💜❣
Thank ya
This is really a bare-bones practical video about good advice, the best way to know what you want get your bus or some stuff in it that you’re going to use daily and hit the road and build as you go
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Thank you for taking the time to teach so many people 😊 I'm so glad Jaylena met you !!! You are awesome !!!
Thank ya Angie
Most of these 5 facts I wouldn't have thought about. Thanks for the heads up.
Thank you Issac, it's true about being realistic. To start build the bed, take it out and see what you want and need. Than build it out the way your needs are. I need a shower and a toilet lol. But you can cook outside for a bit. Propane stoves is better for sure. Do you need the oven, 4 or 3 or 2 burners?! If you are traveling to Arizona make sure it's not during the summer, cuz than you'd need the AC. When it's 120° outside, who wants to be outside then. Lol. Great job giving the people the information.
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Nice! on weeks where you don't have a build going on, but still need content, these video's are exactly what you need. you can get more in depth on previous videos, where what you did, or what wasn't really seen in context. there are a lot of first timers looking for how to vids. and having experience you do in builds, it's a perfect fit. way to step up your youtube game. can you touch on water tanks, grey tanks, and plumbing for those, in your next how to? how's Jaylena, and her build, doing?
Good tip!! I’ll add that to the que
You just answered so many questions for me and gave me so many things to reconsider, thank you so much!
This is really good advice. Watching alot of videos most definitely put pressure on you to make it the way you see. But your advice is more attainable to actually have one. Thank you for your time and advice.
Great tips, Isaac. I made a slatted bed frame, too. It's a good idea, even in small rigs like mine. 👍 I didn't want to do custom electrical in my SUV so I bought power stations instead.
Can I ask what kind of power stations and where you got them?
@@marionkyman I have a Jackery 500, an Inergy Apex (they offer the Flex model now), and a Montex X-1000. I got them all online.
You really covered some great information. Your comments on design and overdoing it on your first build is so true. I have a basic van build and am ready to change it already. I love your last build. It's really beautiful 😍 Thanks for sharing 👍🏽
I really like the way you laid everything out, you were real and didn't waste any time getting to the point. I agree with you that people have a problem saying, "I don't know (or I need help)." The International DT466 is a solid choice for a commercial diesel engine (good 1st commercial engine). They are in most smaller International school busses. The engines in the International and Freightliners busses are all really good, however you need to learn how to drive them correctly. If you are running them at 2500+ rpm because you want to try and do 80mph on the freeway, you are going to blow up your engine. The way I was taught: 2000RPM all day and night, 2200RPM every now and then when you really need to, 2500RPM never! There are some costs that come with commercial engines, like the 5 gallons of oil that I go through when I change the oil in the DT466.
You should do a maintenance video. How to change the oil... dump and inspect the rear end... maybe drive lives and u joints. Hanger bearings. Maybe explain when shocks springs and leafs should be replaced. Alot of people dont understand how easy it is.
I take my bus to a shop for all that so I couldn’t make that video
Amen 🙏 Issac I’m with you Power Stroke Diesel you’re Amazing 😉 you know your stuff 🌟
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You are so right. I built my bed, but wish I had seen your bed build video sooner. Somewhere down the road is a bed rebuild. Appreciate you.
Great advice Isaac! You are so knowledgeable when it comes to building a bus! I hope Jaylena is getting better. Prayers and God bless.
Thank you Debbie
"It's about the experience, not building an Instagram photo." ✊🏽✊🏽
Great tip vlog. Honestly, I will never be building a bus myself but I watched no. 1 because it's
your channel, (smile) and besides, I love expanding my brain with knowledge! But who knows,
maybe one day I will know someone who needs this knowledge & I'll be equipped to help them.
Love & hugs to you & Jaylena! Please tell her I said hi, & that I miss seeing her sweet face!! 🤗
Thank ya Wanda :)
Isaac, these were really great. You are not repeating and others have not said this. Thank you!!
Thank you jean
Isaac, I don't know much about electrical, so I had Lone Star Skoolie Conversions in San Antonio, TX do my electrical to include a 5000 BTU AC unit in my bus. Due to the fact that I live in the south where the humidity and heat is very high, air-conditioning is a necessity.
Holy moly that sounds good expensive
As a 13 year old child who's only plan for money is being a web designer this is quite possibly the greatest advice i could have been given. Thank you for eveything, ik im not the smartest tool in the box, but do know that i just wanna experience it more than anything.
Great tips Isaac. I pray Jaylena's on the mend. Stay safe my friends
I’m in MA had to register my shuttle bus as a van and bring to the RMV. Glad my vehicle was from here otherwise it might have even harder. It was an old commercial vehicle.
My plan was eventually to register it RV -now I’m just gonna keep it registered as van to do a no build layout.
Keep it Simple
Fosho
Shower: I used mine every day. 1 and 1/2 gallons of hot water (heat it on your stove) in a converted weed sprayer makes a superb shower. Tutorials to convert the weed sprayer online. Cost me $35 for a great spray shower with max pressure, and could even use it outdoors. Put your porta potty in the shower stall when you're not showering. Easy peasy. With all the disease going around, it makes sense not to have to use public restrooms. I traveled in a high-top van for years, full time, and like I said, took a shower every morning and could use the potty anytime I wanted. Loved it. I agree on the fixed bed with garage beneath. Divide garage into inside-access (drawers for clothes and stuff) and outside-access for the nitty gritty stuff. Massive amounts of storage, even in a van. If you want to have people over for a meal, use an outdoor folding table unless you have a really big bus.
As a person who's been homeless off and on for over 10 years in cars, a van, bus, stepvan, etc; sounds like heaven. I see the IG van/skoolies, I see the people building them, talking about struggle, and yet I'm homeless in a car, trying to budget.
I have a small settlement coming my way, I'm getting either a bus, van, or stepvan; I want a diesel motor for sure. I have zero money for insulation, all the fancy gadgets. I'm more concerned over space, a bed, and storage. I know for a fact I can build something that will totally fit my need as an artist for sure too. My first build, is so I can survive, experience, and thrive. Working, while paying for a car, food, showers, etc. You end up broke, get a van, screw rent. Lol
Wonderful tips and advice ISSAC. I have been very impressed with every bus you have built because you put so much pride in your work along with many long days. You’re for sure a pro when it comes to converting buses. You put your heart and soul into every build. I think you are a great bus guy and I think you will be a GREAT DAD.I hope and pray sweet JAYLENA is getting better.Give her my love.👍👍💕💕
Thank you
Thank you for sharing your experience. It was very helpful.
Thanks for watching
My 2005 Blue Bird Vision at 38 feet long is insured with Shelter liability only while I'm in building stage so I can move it around if I need to, is $89 for 6 months. Personal Use less than 1000 miles a year. I'm also middle aged and have a perfect driving record in Oklahoma.
Fantastic tips!! Great advise!! Love that each bus you have done are so different. . Thank you Isaac. Hope Jaylena is feeling better ❣️
Thank you for watching
Well done Isaac🏆. I am one of those people who is thinking gas because I know about them, but the lifespan of the motors when running diesel has me re thinking it. But I also know when shit collapses, I can build a gasafier to run a gas engine easier then making biodiesel. 🤷♀️. What's a girl Todo? Lol
Isaac this was a good video for people getting into bus life. There’s a lot of those out there I watch that do things you were telling in the video, insurance,engines builds, your helping people in these life styles if they take your advice. Stay strong my friend.
I love this video you kept it 💯 all the way through.. the crazy thing " in my opinion" lol is that your tips are common sense 😂 you explained it like if was an actual stick home.
We bought the bus and after all the research decides to empty it and basically glamp with very basic we had already for when we tent camp. So we could see what we really need and want to make it work for us. I loved your video and you had some great points.
This is the smartest thing to do!!
THANK YOU for the tips dude. #2 We are a statefarm family. Used it for yrs. They are awesome.
Thanks again for answering a lot of questions I've wondered about. Much appreciated!
Regina
Tell Jaylena and Ember hello and give her a hug. Miss seeing her bright sunshine face. #5 was good. I spent many summers camping at different lakes and other areas. We had a tent & a sleeping bag. All of kids would bathe in the lake. My shower i have for my van is a collipsable bucket with a battery powdered shower. They fold up and stay in storage. Less is always better.
Thanks for watching
Great information! I'm about 75% into my build and still learning every day. Thanks for sharing ☺️
Tip 6: pay the cost/spend the time to get a mechanic to check the vehicle if you don’t have the experience. It will be WELL worth it. We were told that the mechanics were perfect, turns out there was no oil in the tank, a belt needed to be replaced, there was leaking, and the door stopped working on our way there.
“I’m personally pro toilet”. 😂🤣 yes absolutely. Me too
Ha ha ha
Great video with great advice. Do you have another automobile, a cheap truck or car, that you can use to cut gas expense for short trips, errands like grocery & laundry? As long as it's paid for, you should only have to put minimal liability insurance on the vehicle. I have a yr. 2000 that runs really good-(we bought it new, has 375,000 miles on it, have kept oil changed every 3,000 - 3,500 miles, has good heat & air, I keep brakes & pads checked, & it starts on every turn, so we use it a lot still, but only keep liability on it. It's a Malibu, & a lot of those are still on the road, as they are a well made gasoline GM vehicle. Taxes less than $8.00 annually. It's quite economical to run. YOU ARE SO SMART BUILDING BUSES. Ember will be so proud of her Dad.
Stay safe. Prayers for all. 🙏
7.3 is very reliable but the ls 6.0 in Chevy are reliable for about 500k or more and progressive insurance does good with conversions I have full coverage plus renters insurance and all my after market stuff covered but I have a van build my next will be a bus in couple years but enjoy seeing your builds maybe in couple years I'll just buy one of your buses I know I would be getting a well built bus conversion
Stoked to see the bus ya build!
What a great video you put out for all. Lots to learn and I like what you said, build for yourself.
1987 BlueBird MicroBird Chevy 30 unleaded i bought for $2000 and I’m scared to death. Edit. Now that I'm living in it in all its original moldy and some rust areas. I see this dream moving forward. Thank you Walmart $80 midea a/c system.
Thank you thank you thank you!!! I never thought about the bed mold issue!!! Spot on great advice also regarding the bus matters most!! Great video!
I love your realness I appreciate it!
Great Advice ... I agree ...simple simple on first build.
moving back home to family in Oregon and gonna start looking for busses and starting the build in maybe a year or two. this video has been very helpful :D
Hey Isaac, we enjoyed this video so much and appreciate ur advice about converting a skoolie. We have taken these 5 tips into consideration and have decided to step back on our build and are gonna see what we are really gonna need and want in the bus. Also, we are not gonna be able to do our own electric so unfortunately we will have to find someone to do it. Thanks again for sharing this video.
Also, when you got the bus insured, did you get it insured first or registered as an RV? We are not forsure what needs to happen first. TIA
Thank you!!!! Amazing information to help me!!! Glad you were to the point with out the BS!!! Thank you again.
😃 thanks for sharing this information!
Prayers for you guys 🙏❤️
Thank you!
Wonderful advice. Thank you! Love and light to you, Jaylena and the kitties!
Thank you!!
Genuinely very helpful video. Thanks for sharing man!
Excellent tips across the board. Appreciate what you are doing! Keep up the great work!
Thank you!!!
AWESOME Video Isaac,Very informative,& well explained!
Thanx for sharing!Much Love & Respect for the 3 of Y’all!!!
💙❤️💖
Thank you Rita
Very good information!!! Thanks!! I have always said if I had a bus that I would take it to a mechanic first and foremost.
I wish I had seen this before buying my skoolie. I have a '98 Star Craft with the 7.3 power stroke. It's registered as a van because the conversation is not complete.
You can re register it next time :)
Absolutely love this video! ❤️ So many true facts that people need to know. My build has had some big issues that I didn’t know about. Do your research!
One hun do!
This is The First everyone should watch. Such a good job explaining things to consider, and expect. Good Job Issac!!!
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Some solid adivce on bus life- thank you!
Love the tips 100 percent right on.love you're work on al buses
Awesome video my dude. Ive bought my first skoolie and I'm in the process of having it gutted and the engine worked on. Unfortunately I've already run into mechanical problems but the same transportation company I bought it from is the same one I work for. So they're look into it and gut it for me.. I found your tips and videos very insightful as well as useful. The main thing I pulled from this one is if you approach the build as a task rather than a journey it'll chew you up and spit you out. Respect the process and it'll respect you. Thanks man!!
Ha ha ha Fosho
Such great, practical advice - well done!
This is a great video! Down to earth suggestions! Learning from you as I build.
Heck yeah 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you Issac another great video, Cheers from Napa Valley
Great video!!! I just bought my first bus and have big plans…..But….
On one hand I’m wanting to fix it up nice and make it look good like the ones in all the videos!
On the other hand I’m just wanting to go simple and see how much I actually use it. I’m not living out of it just camping, short road trips, hunting and fishing trips.
I don’t want to throw a bunch of money into it just to sit in the driveway.
Awesome video, great value packed tips👍
Great tips and advice Isaac, these tips are also good for van lifers with big, or any full sized vans too, especially on needed spaces, toilet of sort (even if just a bag in a bucket), if no room for a shower, there's truck stops or gyms, but also get a portable campy shower with a collapsible 5 gallon bucket to keep on hand in case as well, and especially the electric, etc. Thanks Isaac, not sure when or if will yet about getting a bus, but for now, I'm working on my van conversion build (my 2nd van and 2nd van conversion build I bought back in May 2020 and started the conversation build in September 2020, my first one had bought for $400, build it out some good and simple, ran good with typical maintenance and had almost for 2 yrs then suddenly the tranny went, so I bought the one I have now for what a new tranny and labor would have cost) now still working on my van conversion build yet, slowly but surely getting there while most of my time is caregiving for my elderly dad, if I wasn't caregiving in general, I may have had my van close to being done. But life happens, and at least I'm taking the time to do my van conversion build better than my first one, the first one I had to rush a bit more, I was in the midst of an apartment lease renewal and they (the new owners) were going to jack up the monthly rent to double (from $650 to $1300 per month with nothing included, I didn't make even that close in total monthly income, so I didn't renew the lease and I've been doing Vanlife since) anyway, be blessed and safe too sending you, Jaylena and baby Ember lots and lots of love hugs and prayers daily to y'all 🤗💖🤗💖🤗💖🤗💖
Thank you for the love. Sending some back at ya
Excellent advice. Thanks a lot!!
I’m in a minivan and I think this can go for any vehicle you way want to use. Tip 5 is on point. My 1st build I did a simple setup. After 6 months on the road realized I hated it! Tore it out and did a completely different build. Tip 5B would be reuse your materials! My 2nd build cost me almost nothing as I repurposed everything I could.
For electric I didn’t want to deal with it so I went with a portable power station and solar panels. Sometimes asking “how can I make this as simple as possible” will save you so many headaches. Granted it be cheaper to build and install your own but is an option if you don’t need a ton of power. I don’t, just enough to run a small 12v fridge, some fairy lights, and the occasional laptop, phone, or other USB device.
I am looking to maybe upgrade to something bigger one day, really enjoyed your video and great advice!
One of my favorite vids of yours. Thank you, brother!
Thank you for watching
Man, great video dude. Learned a lot from it. Plan to purchase a bus this summer and chill. Build a bed and change the floor. Maybe build it in phases. Once again, great video Issac.
Great job. Very informative. Thank you.
You,re a life saver, Thank you so much!
Thank you for the honesty
Great information Isaac!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge it’s very valuable!!!! 👍✌🏻
Thank you for watching
Tip 5 was super valuable! Really got me thinking about being simple with it!
Great information Isaac , your the best 😊💕
Thank you
Mark my word,this video is gonna go viral! Ya baby! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Very informational. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! This was definitely helpful
Perfect tips!! I especially think tip 5 is the best!
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Thanks for the tips! Always helpful!
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for your informative videos. I’m studying to convert my 7 X 16 cargo trailer to toy hauler.