Odds n Ends

Well today we finally hooked up the water supply for the toilet. Works like a charm. As well I got the air tool connection for the tank done.

This is an example of a connection you can do on your air tanks.
My bus has two air tanks, main and accessory tanks. You'll want to use the accessory tank. Mine is only for the door actuator.

Realize this is the lowest point in the tank, water will collect here. Before hooking up the air line, connect an air chuck and give it a couple blasts to empty the moisture.

A regulator allows you to control the outflow pressure. Many tools do not use the high pressure you get in these tanks.

A couple shots of the pot in action.

Toilet Installed

Well finally got to putting in the toilet. Marine style hand operated deal. It was a bit of challenge to get everything to line up at the same time. Next phase is framing in the walls- wait until you see what I have in store for that...

Floors done/ Tanks Hung

Today made some progress- took yesteday off. Besause I needed time to figure out just how I was going to mount the black and fresh water tanks. No grey tank yet, that will be on the other side- have to figure out how to do put in a second battery bank first.

This is the main black water tank support rods.

Two holes in the skirting just behind the angle support.

This is my favorite glue- and all purpose glue. I beat this end of the rod- then used the gorilla snot as thread lock.
Used a couple scraps from the flooring to help with chaffing in the rivets.

I ended up threading the rod into the beam. Used a step bit. The tape kept me from going to deep.

The Black water tank was a bit of a challenge- ended up using both lateral and horizontal pressure to hold this baby in.

I decided on wood hangers- mainly because I can make lots of stuff from wood. Metal is not a prefered media. These are my "no welding" soltion.

I put a nice glob of gorillia glue at the ends of the threaded rod.

Tanks all hung- Still have give the 2bys a coat of deck sealer.
First coat down, scuff sanding not necessary with gymseal.

I used two light coat of Gymseal, toughest stuff for the money.

Flooring installed

Today I made a trip to good old home depot- grabbed the supplies for the floor. 6 sheets of luan, pack of r-2 foam 4' x 50' some great stuff foam spray, and some adheasive. We left the old plywood in place, reason was it was in good shape, and saves loads of time. I'd love to rebuild it ground up- but $$being the way it is this was the most cost efficent way to do things quick and cheap.
Preped ready to insulate and floor.

Foam insulation is in.

Rear view, I left heater in. We don't intend to be anywhere to cold, never hurts to have a heater

Got the big sheets in. I went right down the middle- most likely the edges will be covered by bunks and whatnot. Seams souldn't be a problem.

My super wife, checking out the work. Today was all about me- lots of measuring cutting- re figurin' and re cutin'.

All sanded ready for stain. Used 400 grit paper, just to tighten the grain. Be careful the vaneer on luan is really thin.

I'll do a secnd coat tomorrow get the floor nice and dark.

Stain coat one done- I had the remains of 3 different stains, threw them all together made a custom color.

Interior Paint

Well today we got out there and did the first stage of interior paint. What a difference a little paint can make. Almost like a new bus. I have a great sprayer and a steady and so our masking was minimal. I used a spay shield, a piece of cardboard...


All set, scuffed and ready for paint.

This is the front all masked and taped- the rest I edged with a simple piece of low-tech cardboard.

Half way done- cleaning up the sprayer, taking a short rest.

Our daugher Nikki- are those spirit orbs? Maybe just dust in the sunlight... or is it?

The wife checking out the paint.

Rear view

Jason my prep man admiring the new look.

I know many of you are asking- Black?- yes black. We are metalheads and are into skulls, bats, ravens anything dark and anti-social. Thats for us.

New Dash- Wiring

Today we spent the day, taking out the old ugly dash. Making a new one, tough job very detailed. One hint about wiring take lots of notes. Make sketches, use color patterns. Always, do one switch at a time. Tape flags can help, go slow this will take a while.



Got the dash all taken apart, now the hard part, making a new one.

Spaghetti anyone? The easiest way to do this was one wire at a time. The larger clusters, I made a sketch of the wiring pattern.

The holes were made with a router table. I used the old dash as a template. The drilled holes in the penciled boxes. Using a 1/4" straight bit, just went around the holes freehand.

Same for the cupholder hole, all done freehand.

The switch plate test fitted, looks like we're ready to wire. The hard part was making a sketch of each switch, with wire codes and colors. All installed, what a challenge this was.

The Dash light "skully"... long story....

The supervisor of production, my ever faithful dog Chester. 16 year old miniature lab.

The finished product, all set to roll.

Here my son Jason, took some liberties while removing the lettering- Might have to keep them...