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DIY RV-Adventure vehicle

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  • capt.joe

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    We decided to buy a bus and convert it into an RV. Little does the wife know, but I plan on some hunting adventures while we are home schooling on the road towing an old jeep. I picked this thing up from a church in Milton. It has a 7.3 Powerstroke and an Allison 4 spd automatic. I have pulled the seats and laid subfloor. We have an idea on a floorplan. I want desert tan paint. The wife wants a fancy metallic 2 tone. I'll post pics as we go
     

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    Droshki

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    We decided to buy a bus and convert it into an RV. Little does the wife know, but I plan on some hunting adventures while we are home schooling on the road towing an old jeep. I picked this thing up from a church in Milton. It has a 7.3 Powerstroke and an Allison 4 spd automatic. I have pulled the seats and laid subfloor. We have an idea on a floorplan. I want desert tan paint. The wife wants a fancy metallic 2 tone. I'll post pics as we go

    There's actually quite a lot of information on the internet about people doing this conversion. I'm sure you can get some great ideas.
     

    wildrider666

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    Use light weight materials where ever possible. It critically important that you don't exceed vehicle weight limits with the build, fluids, contents and people included in totals. Make sure tire weight limits exceed your fully loaded weight or you will have frequent blowouts! Think out multipurpose use: dining table+bed+outside picnic table. A roof rack+viewing platform. Picnic table legs can double as viewing platform corner safety rail corner posts.

    You may want to call around and see if there is a wrecked RV/trailer available that you could cannibalize for tanks, fridge, stove, heater, water heater, converters, AC and so on. A lot of trailers age badly externally with low wear and tear inside.

    Insulate all tanks and lines outside the cabin. Fresh water tank size is very important if your going to spend days away from hookups. A good quality portable space heater will save a lot of propane in cold climates if you have A/C hookup.

    Build in a hidden secure gun/valuables storage area! If your full time on the road, a AAA Road Service Plan or something like it may be worth the cost. Check vehicle insurance policy for road assist fees for towing ect. Not standard on most policies anymore.

    That 7.3 diesel is a great engine. Use a additive due to mandated low sulfur diesel fuel and add anti gel in cold climates. These can be found "combined" in one container. Some engines have a reservoir for sulfer additives, otherwise just dump in tank @ proper treatment level. Anti gel MUST BE ADDED TO THE FUEL TANK. Keep on top of the fuel filter/water seperator. Learn how to drain it and reprime fuel lines and keep a spare filter on board.
     
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    MAXman

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    I don’t have much technical knowledge to add but I’ll point out the most obvious camouflage paint job:

    A236CD83-FB56-40C0-8219-9B0FF63C29E0.jpeg
     

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    wildrider666

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    7.3 Power Stroke Tip. The valve cover gaskets are VERY EXPENSIVE because they have electronic fuel injector connections that run thru them. Unfortunately those connection can get a little loose inside the cover and the engine will crank but never start! There is a simple fix you can do yourself for .50 Cents, two quarters to be exact. You pull the covers and insert a "cut quater" into the clip and it will keep the connection tight. It may sound strange but IT WORKS GREAT! Might be something to add a note to the Busses owners manual for fail to start. The only other 7.3 issue I know of was a Recall for a cam shaft position sensor (another crank but no start).

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tlGU213vnto
     

    capt.joe

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    Thanks for the tips guys. Ive been busy pulling decals with the heat gun. Got called back to work so I have to wrap it up soon. Interior is mocked up. I found a deal today on a new door and electric awning arms.
     

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    capt.joe

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    Ive been hard at it. Laid floor, painted the kitchen cabinets and added onto them. Put a roof ac in also so I can work more than an hour at a time in this heat.
     

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    Sporter

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    There's a place just outside of Mossy Head towards Defuniak Springs that has wrecked RVs on occasion. I'll look for a name/number next time I drive by it. Could be a good source for the tanks/toilets/etc you'll be wanting.
     

    capt.joe

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    There's a place just outside of Mossy Head towards Defuniak Springs that has wrecked RVs on occasion. I'll look for a name/number next time I drive by it. Could be a good source for the tanks/toilets/etc you'll be wanting.

    Thanks, I would love to find some salvage rv stuff
     

    FrankT

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    I am thinking school buses are not built for off road so make a poor host for an Adventure vehicle so some heavy duty mods may be required..good project.
     

    capt.joe

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    FrankT, I wish I could afford a front loader axle and a transfer case. But I will be dragging a cj5, bicycles, a harley sprint built for dirt, and maybe some paddleboards
     

    capt.joe

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    I'm leaning towards an enclosed trailer for security. You got me to thinking, if money wasnt tight they sell MRAP axles on ebay for $3500 a set. That would be sweet! She seems to like 55 mph. I read that I need a tranny cooler and a huge electric fan. I dont like the small size of the radiator
     

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    freedom1965

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    Awesome job. Do you have a finish date in mind? We have home schooled our kids and my wife has always wanted to do what you have planned. Great investment in your jus future, that kind of education is priceless. Good luck.
     

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