Well its been along time in the works but the ole girl is finally home. Spent the last couple of days cleaning out the accumulation of years of crap that got stored in it. Believe it or not it runs and drives. Still has the original Buick straight eight. Eventually it will have a diesel but for now we'll see how this works. The plan is to convert to an RV. Been collecting needed items for a year and a half while figuring how I was gonna get it home on a budget. I will try to post updated pics as much as possible. Its all vacuumed and hosed out now to figure which way to insulate...foam board or spray foam. I know what way I want to do it but I'm afraid the spray foam is going to be out of my price range. Stay tuned . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That is going to be one cool RV. At least you don't have to strip the inside out. Get an estimate on the spray foam insulation. It's not too bad and it's worth it. r
You might want to take a look at Bernard Juchli's Flixble bus. Bernard, Jay Leno's Manager at The Big Dog Garage, is Swiss, a licensed aircraft mechanic and one heck of a race car driver. If you "Google" Bernard, you get all kinds of neat information. The film clip gives just a small peek at a beautiful bus restoration. http://www.travelchannel.com/video/jay-lenos-big-dog-garage
Thank you old dawg! Very useful information! I've been studying every picture of others that have been converted ....mainly "Happy Max" from the movie RV. I love how they did that one! But I'm surprised that with all the work inside that they didn't address the roof sections above the side windows. If you've ever seen the movie pay close attention to the scenes where Robin Williams climbs up on the roof. He walks on a cat walk that runs down the center of the roof that is spaced up off the sheet metal. You'll notice how beat up it is the whole length of the bus on both sides. Don't get me wrong ...its a beautiful bus but that's how close I've studied it. There are so many different directions I could go with the interior. A couple of main features I MUST KEEP. the center track lighting as well as the cylinder shaped lights that ran up between each window on the side walls. Each of these light systems use a cast aluminum end cap that I have been polishing to keep me busy till I have a set direction. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Keep all your systems' guts accessible. Trim weight in whatever you're doing whenever possible. Use tape on the floor to lay out the big stuff. Put water needs in the same area, even on 2 sides of the same dividing wall. Same with propane - simplifies piping layout. Make everything absolutely water tight first. Don't look at the mountain; just this weeks' to do list. Enjoy the process. Don't skimp on the tires. Buy a wrecked RV / fifth wheel for... gosh, everything you'll need and more little things you haven't thought of. Have fun!
My thoughts exactly Guitard! I love this stage of builds.....the initial layout and planning to make sure this system doesn't interfere with that system. I have access to buying totalled out vehicles including RVs . So I'm waiting for the right diesel pusher rv wreck to come available. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That will be a cool diesel pusher. I fear spray foam because its hard to undue if you need to for service. Also afraid it might promote rust. That being said, I firmly believe sound deadening will be vitally important to your build.
Barn find I definitely agree with the lack of serviceability with spray foam and if for some reason I want to reroute plumbing or wiring later on then it will be a nightmare. I'm leaning toward foam board for between the supports and spray foam in areas that won't possibly need to be reversed. Believe it or not the roof and walls don't "ring" as one would think without insulation. Yes it will help deaden noise but I'm also looking for R factor to help keep it cool when out west in the summer. The foam board may not be as high of a R factor but will be cheaper and easier to work with. Thank you to everyone for your input. I do appreciate other ideas and opinions. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Welcome to the Flxible world! here is my 46 as I bought it and my plan for it. I chose to make it into a trailer because of its many rust issues and the fact that if I make a trailer out of it, I will have one less engine sitting and doing nothing most of the time.
I just LOVE those Flxibles..............since I first saw one in the '50s as a kid! Congratulations on your project. Will be looking forward to the build updates. Ray
Thanks Steve. I already checked out your plans on your build before I posted this. I dig it. I read that you have a vintage truck to pull it with...very cool. If mine wasn't so damn solid then I would copy you. It would be bad ass pulled by my COE. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The Jalopy Journal
