BUYING, IMPORTING, CONVERTING AND REGISTERING AN AMERICAN SCHOOL BUS AS A UK MOTORHOME

STRIPPING OUT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • Why choose an American Bus
  • Buying and Importing a US School Bus
  • Amazing Spaces
  • Blog
  • Stripping out
  • Interior
  • Construction
  • Planning
  • Electrical
  • Utilities
  • Seats
  • Floor
  • Engine
  • Exterior
  • Underside
  • Headlamp
  • IVA Test
  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Original Photos
  • Artwork
  • Links
  • Misc Stuff
  • Update November 2021
The first step is to strip out the interior.  You will need to grind out the rusted seat bolts.  The lino and plywood floor is glued to the underlying metal floor with the world's strongest glue!  You will be left with lots of holes in the metal floor where the bolts were.  I used small strips of glass cloth and epoxy to seal them. There was a bit of rust, but nothing too serious. I left the roof as it was - it was in almost pristine condition and already had insulation behind it.

I managed to sell the old seats on eBay to a woman who had an American Diner in France and who wanted genuine US seat.

You will need an angle grinder to remove old bolts and rivets
The original 29 seats
There was one smaller seat at back with the heater underneath it
2 Seats removed
2 Seats removed
Unbolt then driver's seat
Watch out for compressed airline to driver's seat
Unbolt the driver's seat - hard to grind off some bolts
Where the seat leg was
Seats out
The plywood was rotten where there was a leak from the heating system
Seats and flooring removed
The lino is really hard to get up!
Old flooring removed
Grind off the side panels.
Under driver's seat
Under driver's seat
Seats removed
Used a hotair gun to make it easier to lift lino
You will need one of these
You will need one of these if you are grinding stuff. Seriously!
Lino partially lifted. Plywoodm underneath
Floor near front door. Cut plywood so engine cover stays in place
Inspection hole for Diesel tank underneath.
Emergency exit
Cover seat boltholes with Glass cloth soaked in epoxy resin
Glass cloth for filling holes
I removed the GPS tracker unit
Old GPS tracker
Mountings for seats
Remove old insulation
Rubber water heater hoses going to rear
Grind off bolts
Old insulation
Seat bolt holes
Floor removed
Remove elliptical mirrors
Bonnet mountings for elliptical mirrors
You will end up with lots of this!
Seats removed
New yellow cover made for inspection hole
Remove upper side panels
Side panels removed
Side panel with old insulation removed
Disconnect rear door alarm
Disconnect rear door alarm
Keep rear panels and repaint. Leave off until you have done electrics!
Disconnect alarm wiring on emergency windows
Grind off rivets on side panels
Glass cloth and epoxy holes covered
Holes filed with glass cloth and epoxy
Some rust by door entrance
Treat any rust before painting
Paint floor with black metal paint
Old side panels to go to recycling
Ready to start construction
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  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • Why choose an American Bus
  • Buying and Importing a US School Bus
  • Amazing Spaces
  • Blog
  • Stripping out
  • Interior
  • Construction
  • Planning
  • Electrical
  • Utilities
  • Seats
  • Floor
  • Engine
  • Exterior
  • Underside
  • Headlamp
  • IVA Test
  • Home - Skoolie in the UK
  • Original Photos
  • Artwork
  • Links
  • Misc Stuff
  • Update November 2021