Bus sleep-over
July 16, 2009
Chris wanted to have some friends over before we leave for TN. There were 7 kids in all (including Chris and Nick) and they stayed on the bus. They had set up tv's with Xbox's and we also set up the portable air conditioner. The A/C worked good and kept the interior cool. I posted a few pictures so you can see the kids. I'm not sure how much sleep they got because everytime I checked in on them, they were NOT sleeping...LOL.
Posted at: 09:10 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Electrical fixed (I hope...)
July 16, 2009
Took the bus back to the shop and whatever was causing the volts to drop is now fixed. (I hope).
Posted at: 09:07 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Electrical setbacks...
July 15, 2009
Well, I have the bus at home but have to drop it off again tomorrow. I originally dropped it off last week to have the blinkers fixed! While it was having electrical wiring work, I had them add a 12V outlet for phone, GPS, etc. I also had them install wiring for a radio/CD player. They called on Friday and said the bus was ready to be picked up. I got there, paid the bill and then went to drive home. NO BLINKERS... I went and spoke with the mechanic who worked on the bus and he said he had no idea that he was to work on the blinkers! I told him that was the main reason I brought the bus in and showed him the work order (which he had a copy of) and it clearly stated at the very top "BLINKERS". It was almost 5PM and he said to leave the bus over the weekend and he will work on it Monday.
I call Monday afternoon and it's still not ready... I call right before 5PM (closing time) and they say it is ready for pick-up. I arrive yesterday morning and the bill is $260... WOW! Keep...
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Tags:
bus wiring
Posted at: 04:18 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
10 days away...
July 10, 2009
Well, we are now only 10 days away from the big move! Big-Bird is in the shop getting the blinkers fixed (gotta have em for the trip) and I pick her up tomorrow.
All major issues have been addressed: new alternator, tranny fluid leak (bad gasket at the pan), leaks in the roof (water coming in at emergency roof exits and A/C mounting bars), all fluids changed, blinkers, seats, etc.
She is running great and I pray for a smooth journey. Heather has been packing for weeks now and there are many boxes ready to be loaded. I'll start loading on Monday!
Posted at: 02:51 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Door modification.
June 29, 2009
I chose to modify the front door. I wanted it to open in a more traditional fashion rather than the jack-knife bus style. It was easy to do and I like the extra room it gives in the entry. I used salvaged metal from the seats to support the modification. It works well and the door opens and closes nicely. I've been having computer problems and have not been able to post to this site. Hopefully the problems were just temporary and do not return.
Posted at: 01:26 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
New Drivers Seat
June 22, 2009
While a new drivers seat was not a priority, I couldn't pass up the good deal. I was on craigslist and saw a pair of captain chairs for $75. Out of curiousity, I called the number and inquired about them. They came out of a mini-van and are like new. While I didn't need the pair, he wouldn't seperate them and just sell me one. So I offered him $40 (sight unseen) for the pair and the guy said yes. They are in fact in great shape and I have installed one as the drivers seat. It's perfect! Nice and comfy and the arm rests will come in handy for highway driving. Now I just need to figure out what I will do with the other one?
Posted at: 10:11 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Starting to pack!
June 18, 2009
With the move just a month away, Heather has started packing/boxing things up! 
My concern is making sure "Big Bird" is in good running order. Nothing would be worse than getting stuck on the side of the road along with everything we own. 
Posted at: 05:43 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
New alternator
June 16, 2009
I had to shop around for an alternator for the bus. I had to choose between new and rebuilt. The cheapest rebuilt I could find was $130 and it was only 100 AMPs. With the air conditioner and lift and the fact that the original one was 130 AMPs, I chose not to go that route. I bought a brand new one for $179. It's a Bosch 12V 160 AMP. I bought it from Carl at TRS Electric off of Silver Star Road. He has the contract to supply them to Orange County for their school buses and he gave me mine at the same price they pay, $179.
It wasn't the easiest mechanical job I've ever done due to the lack of work space. I couldn't get to it from the front or underside and had to get at it from inside the bus under the doghouse cover. With limited space and view, it was hard to see (especially since I am blind in one eye). I'm very happy that it is done!
Now the electrical system is working normally and I can run everything. Well, almost! I still have not been able to figure out why the turn...
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Tags:
big bird, bluebird, school bus blog, tc2000fe
Posted at: 10:56 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Alternator
June 15, 2009
I took "Big Bird" down to the local NAPA auto parts store on Friday and had the batteries and alternator checked out. The batteries were a little weak but passable. The alternator is shot and was only putting out 5 volts. The plan is to remove it and have it rebuilt. I found a local shop that rebuilds alternators and I will be contacting them tomorrow.
Tags:
bluebird tc2000 fe bus alternator
Posted at: 02:26 AM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
Bus Tables
June 8, 2009
The table hardware (wall brackets, leg hinges & cup holders) came in on Friday.
Today I went to a friends shop where he built the two tables needed for the bus.
Thanks Mark, you did an awsome job!!! Mark Ely is an awsome carpenter/cabinet maker. He was trained in the old ways and can build anything. I can see why he is in high demand. Building these two tables was childs play and he wipped them up in no time. Mark provided the materials, all of which he had laying around his shop. Thanks again Mark, much appreciated!
Not much else is going to be done to the bus for the move. I have moved a few windows around placing one of the "emergency exit" windows up front where we will be. I did the for two reasons: 1. No reason to have the emergency exit window back where are stuff will be. 2. I plan to make a template that will easily slide in and out of the emergency window for an air conditioner. The wall a/c unit will only be put in when we are stopped for the night at camp grounds. It will be stored under one...
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Posted at: 10:44 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
