Which Bus To Convert For Your Skoolie? 

Wanted to come back to this video and comment a couple years later. I watched this video on the day it came out and started building my bus platform wishlist. I refined it a little over the years since, but all of it was essentially based on this video. After years of searching, I just found my unicorn bus... an international CE300 27'10" with a DT466 and an Allison 2500 transmission that runs and drives like an absolute dream. I came back here to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything before I made my purchase. Thanks for creating a great reference library of video information we can keep coming back to again and again. I couldn't be happier with my future home.

You should make a spreadsheet about the different engines. It would be super helpful

Thank you for going over some of the common issues of the different sizes or styles of buses. Without going into it too far you’ve given more information than most of the videos on RU-vid.

One of the MOST Important decisions for a front engine is that if you drive gravel or dirt roads your intake and radiator is in the front getting clean fresh air , rather than the dust cloud that envelopes the last 1/3 of the bus . Keeping the rad dust free and clean air into the intake goes a long way to the life of your engine. Considering that the reasoning to build a Scoolie is to boondock , that means that likley these areas are off the pavement and may be 5-75 miles out in the woods. THANK YOU for all of these wonderful vids , very much appreciated. CHEERS AND SAFE TRAVELS Steve h.

Chuck you’re the only source I not only 100% trust, but enjoy watching. I found your videos a few years ago, and finally at 19 years old I stumbled across a bus and drove 6 hours to pick it up a couple weeks ago. This channel will be my bible for the project!

Be my friend! Be the guy I can call when my bus leaves me on the shoulder at 2 AM in Benson, AZ! 😉

Thanks Chuck! Super informative. I worked in a school department for 15 years, drove a school bus and was responsible for the fleet upkeep! You have pointed out some really solid logic as to why and what to look for. I am now a travel nurse looking to live in my first ever skoolie! I will be purchasing soon and this will certainly help. I've sent an email to chrome yellow in hopes I can have you all at least do a "rough in" so she is solid! Found you through Regrestlyss!

My new friend I am so happy that you and, Alysaa were friends. Watching you and, your team take that bare compartment of that schoolie and, transforming it in too the most amazing living space I have since yet. With your vlogs and, the wealth of knowledge you are sharing with your followers. This is going to be a fun and, very helpful for myself. Thank you for that also, do not want to hurt Alysaa's feeling by not saying: yes Alysaa's you were the one whom striped the bus bare and, worked really hard on the build. Now I think I am safe with Alyssa thanks again Chuck...

I've been looking for a bus well I started thinking about buying a bus for a couple of months now for my wife and I to convert it to a home and I never thought about tires so thank you no matter what my brother says I'm not wasting time watching RU-vid I just learned something

I'm so grateful for your videos! Finally some bus-building content I feel like I can trust!

Thank you for this information, Charlie. This is what was truly needed.

You are the most informative that feels like straight talk. Appreciate!

As a gasoline mechanic I can tell you explain so clear everything to anyone to understand.

Can’t wait to see you build your bus out. You have a great eye and design ideas for busses and you build them out nice.

So like your video style..so packed with info. This makes me pretty excited to see your series unfold. Thank you for providing massive value in information and tips

Thank you for this video! I'll be referring to this on my venture, finding a small to midsize bus. I'm hoping to find one very soon.

You're a wealth of information! I'm considering more a bus now than a van because of your shops build of Alyssas bus, and even moreso because of this video!

stretching out on the couch waiting for some good soap box wisdom

Keep putting out detailed informative videos like this and word is gonna spread and your channel is going to explode . Thank you

This, my friends is an AMAZING video. I would have loved all of this amazing information prior to starting my build. Senor Cassady here really knows his stuff.

Great video, I appreciate all your info and how you didn't dumb it down. I learned a lot from this.

found you thru Regretlyss. Glad I did. you are a wealth of information for someone just starting out and wanting to do it right. Looking forward to your next video.

That's was a very informative experience for me. Looking for the next bus, for the project. Thanks.

Appreciate all the info my friend!!! Thank you!!!

Dude as an army diesel mechanic, the drive train looks a lot like our LMTVs, only we got CAT engines. I’m just starting out researching Skoolies (cheap alt to living out in southern TX while I save up for a home for 5 - 10 years) this is VERY reassuring. I don’t live that far for NM too! Thanks dude ! I know for sure I can do personal preventive maintenance for sure now. You got a new watcher / subscriber.

I used to drive a rear engined International Amtran activity bus. I loved that thing. Rode really smooth and was super reliable. I would go with one of those for a skoolie

Good to see someone talking intelligently and very informatively about engines, tyres and rust 👍👏😁

Thank you for an exceptional instruction and teaching skills......I learn so much from you.....Again thank you..

Jeezzzz thanks for this video man 🙏 ❤ took a lot of notes!! Good information and keeping it entertaining 🔝

Really looking forward to this series, great start 👍🏻👍🏻

The best teacher ever! I just sent you an email via your site. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING ALL YOUR KNOWLEDGE,

Wow, I have been driving buses for twenty year, you gave the best explaination I have heard.

Amazing vid. Thank you so much for your knowledge and wisdom

I am learning a lot from your channel but mostly I am very excited to see what you make for yourself now that you are free of those restrictions

this has to be the most comprehensive, information-laden youtube vid i've ever found on this subject! ~so~ informative! thanks for taking the time to share this info!

Great info. As a diesel guy you’re spot on man. Awesome.

Very informative and entertaining! Thank you!

Totally bang on when it comes to lane position. I just bought a RE Bluebird and drove from Denver to mid coast Maine. I ran the pass side tires over the rumble strips hundreds of times. After about 1000 miles I had the hang of it. Having the motor 35 feet behind you is pretty great too from a noise perspective

I'm enjoying your series so far (2nd episode) and your experience comes across very well. So does your honesty in admitting prior mistakes, and choices based on your preferences. I really think you should publish a guide once you're finished this build. After all, the video content is probably 90% of the build. Go for it!

Hello, many years ago I was looking to convert a small school bus for myself and dogs but life got in the way and now that I seen most of your videos iam ready for the plunge once again. the price of living in an apartment nowadays I can take all that money and finish the project in one year. I been looking at lots of videos and yours have more interest in how you build your buses out. Lots of pros n cons living off grid sort of speak But I believe I'm going with a sprinter van instead and using the flooring system and spray foam in which you applied I still have to do more research and finding a van , but I will definitely keep your videos in mind when I finally get my project going. Keep up the amazing information in your videos.

So much valuable information!!! Thank you so much!

As someone coming from the van world into the bus world, this video is exactly what I was looking for, thank you! Excellent video.

Awesome information! Thanks!!

Thank you eternally for sharing! I'm checking out a potential buy tomorrow and you've gifted some tools to make the right choice. Love your videos! They're truly inspiring

Lot of great information, thanks. Great guidelines to help with a purchase.

You did a great job explaining the pros and cons of what to look for when buying a bus. Looks like you have a real gem and super excited to see your build. I’m sure it will be fantastic and maybe I’ll see you cruising down the road since I live here in Denver, too. Best wishes and can’t wait to see your next video. 🚌

Very good advice, especially for the folks that don’t know.

This is going to be awesome I can't wait

Thanks for sharing Charlie!.. 💙

Great content, agreed with the million mile motor thing.

Awesome video, great content oh, excellent presentation. Thank you for what you do!

Excited to see you've moved your 'girl' into the shop! Nice intro background in why you chose that type and what makes it ideal for you. Very rich in the information provided in all aspects (i.e. type, mileage, engine, transmission, and tires). You kept me very engaged and super impressed with all the knowledge sharing. Well done, Charlie ☺

Dude... Best informational video on school busses period! You sir, are a true expert and give the best advice. Keep the videos coming! I can tell you without a doubt I will get all of my skoolie learning right here on this channel.

GREAT VIDEO! Exactly what I was looking for thanks!

I like the soap box segment has continued on. I've been watching since you announced your debut on Regretlyss. I'm excited to see an expert work on nearly the exact same Thomas bus as I'm converting.

Your advice was well taken. My rust free Mesa Az., bus is a 2001 International 3000 , 24 foot, 6 window truck chassis. Though not my favorite it has a relative low mileage dt444e. It was a special needs bus and has air bag suspension on the rear. A major plus for a comfortable ride. I checked with a school bus transmission specialist and confirmed before progressing ...with changing tire and wheel size from 19.5 to 22.5 and putting on all new tires and used Alcoa alum, wheels(made a world of difference in looks). Also having the same effect as changing the differential. Engine went from 64 mph @ 2700 rpm to 70 mph @ 2200 rpm.

Just recently discovered your channel. In January we purchased two buses from our school district. Mine is a 1995 Thomas IH3800 with a DT466 Dad bought a 1994 T444E version. Both are manual transmissions. My bus is the one I rode a good part of my school career and Dad was the driver. It only has 144,000 miles. I’m in the process of slowly converting it into a weekend camper. My first objective was to get it painted and mechanically ready to drive. Love the 3800 chassis buses. I’ve got a few videos if your interested in checking the buses out. Great video and information here! Take care!

Thank you. This was very informative and helpful.

Wow 1hanks so much for this informative video!!!

Okay Chuck, you now have a new subscriber!!!! Good luck w/ the bus. I'll watch the build as much as possible.👍

So much information. Well presented and very enjoyable to watch. Thanks Charlie.

Thank you, once again, for all the great info!

Wow, I accidentally deleted my post but here we go.... great video ! Thank you so much for the "lesson(s)" in this, I had asked in another video if you had any links & then this hit me. You've spoke about things & it proves the labor of love you have for these busses. I'm destined to live on wheels & IDKnow what platform(bus/box truck?) I'm gonna go for but it starts right here trying to understand the in's/out's of the drive train & you've packed a course into 1 video ~ I appreciate that. peace & GB ALL

Just discovered your channel & enjoyed it. Learned a few things so I subscribed. Looking forward to this bus conversion. BTW: As a precaution, the company I worked for painted their wheel rims, light grey. It made it easier to detect a crack, normally turning black, than it would on a black rim. Mind you my bus had chromed wheels so did not apply. I drove a school bus exclusively on highway charters. (Cheaper than coaches). It had a Mercedes diesel engine with an Allison trans. (don't know any of the models) and it lasted till 318 thousands kilometers before problems started to show up & company unloaded it right away.

I learned a ton brother. Thanks

Thank you Charlie for giving us this information. It helps alot, I too like the dog nose. I want that extra protection in front. Thank you again.

Also found you thru Regretlyss. So far: THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE BUS GUY ON THE INTERNET. What a value filled episode. Subscribed!

Very nice informative video looking forward to the next video

Thanks that really helped.

A great rust inhibitor used my Mustie 1 is a mixture of summer chain saw bar oil and ATF. It might be worth your while yo do the bottom of your bud after you clean it.

Great video Chuck.

I'm TOTALLY new looking into getting a bus for a schoolie. Thank you for explaining things at a level us newbies can understand and test out when we kick tires😁. I'm also still going to have my mechanic look at it before I purchase. I've done this with my last 2 cash cars...it's worth it having no car payments to save up for repairs.😁

Thank you! your a great teacher and a really cool dude✌️🏞️

Great presentation THANKS for sharing

Very good advice mate thankyou

Your so smart..your an educator💁🏼‍♀️

I had a '62 Chevy with a straight 6 and it was a great running car.

Looking forward to seeing your journey on the old girl, awesome bus 👌

Thank you! ❤

Bro ! So informative, thank you for your knowledge and insights - just subscribed. I’m bus shopping , might hit you up for a build soon

Love the information!! Ty!!

I usually keep some starting fluid around, not necessarily to start things, although I have used it for that, but as a cleaner. It cleans very well and is cheaper than brake clean usually. As for the dog nose bus I have a super C built on an International 4300 chassis and one of the reasons I bought it is because I have that 5 or 6 feet of engine and substantial frame in front of me in case I, or someone else. does something stupid. Keep the good stuff coming.

Thanks for this info :)

Thank you!! awesome help..

So happy I picked this video. Want a skoolie and am searching for all the information I can get. Can handle the full size so this is the best option for me and my daughter 💝 Edit: a man who talks.my language. I wanna know what is under the hood first. Thank you for sharing all this!! No one has done this. Keep going this way. . great video ❤️

So much great info. Like many, I learned most of what I know about buses After buying my bus. Still have that first one, a 34ft shuttle on a F550 chassis, that I converted the inside of. And the biggest thing I would change if I could, is the engine. Mine having the computer controlled 7.3 diesel. Wish it was a non computer straight six. My 7.3 started to run rough, hard start. I took it to a shop that replaced all the injectors and she was running great again. Till I was Two States Away from that shop. Started having No Start issues, which eventually got traced back to the shop that changed the injectors allowing some oil to get onto the contacts of the Internal Wiring Harness, That oil burnt, breaking the electrical connection, and all injectors on that side of the engine stopped working. The tows, diagnostic troubleshooting and repairs, plus hotel cost while my Home was in the shop, was a major hit to my budget and planned travels timeline. A straight six has all the injectors, glow plugs, wiring, on the outside of the engine where it belongs, is easy to get at. Having these buried inside the engine and a computer controlling everything, makes it impossible for me to find and repair issues myself on the road. And this is what most videos won't talk about. Yes the 7.3 is great when it's running well. But when something goes wrong, it becomes a major pain in the A$$. Towing a bus is very expensive and many shops won't allow you to live in it while it's in their shop. Plus supply chain issues are causing longer delays in getting the parts needed to repair our buses once the problems are found, keeping us out of our Homes even longer when something breaks. During which complete strangers have access to All our stuff. Welcome to The Dark Side of bus life, the reality that's often left unsaid. And if you are not staying in one general area but actually traveling cross country like with my situation. Then having the shop that did the original work tow it back in and correct the followup issues, is not a realistic option. You will be hit with all the upfront costs of all followup issues. Plan and follow through, as best you can from the very start, to avoid problems on the road. Then plan ways to survive if/when life gives you an unplanned something you're not able to avoid, which will happen sooner or later. So such an event doesn't end your journey, chosen way of life.

Awesome dude, very informative. Guy knows his shit

Interesting , Thank You. From what I can tell , EVERY project MUST have a SOLID foundation , or there will be extream FRUSTRATION . A fine project to follow

Waiting on the hybrid engine bus era. Freaking LOVE our hybrid van. When will technology allow for that?

Great video

Dude thank you for your videos, looks like I'm going to Chuck Cassidy university !

Excelente video y con muy buena información Espero pronto comprar uno,,, Saludos desde Puebla mexico

Good take on bus purchase.

When we use to order our F150s and F250s, we ALWAYS ordered them with the 4.9L (300) In-line 6cyl. They had a lot of low end torque and would out last our V8s.

Looking forward to following you on your journey with this bus! Your so talented that I know this build is going to be amazing!! Are you worried about Gas prices being so high now?

Thank you

Ether won’t hurt a thing !!! I’ve had to use it every time I crank my international 684 tractor for the last 30 years, every time I crank it. Uses no oil, oil stays clear and clean between oil changes, engine does not smoke one bit. I’ve alway heard that ether was bad on engines, but it sure hasn’t hurt my tractor. I think 30 years is a pretty good trial period.

You da' man!!!!

Charlie, I'm buying a shorty bus just like Alyssa's. It's been renovated as an office, but I'm VERY, VERY, VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR "LUCKY" RENOVATION THAT ROCKS!!!! Can we talk shop pleazie weazie? BXS

I LOVE THOES OLD SCHOOL BUSES