Bus #2
The Story
After finishing our bus in the winter of 2020, we decided to use our skills to build a second bus to sell. Enter bus #2!
Buses this clean are rare, but finding one in such impeccable condition with a passenger seat was an opportunity too good to pass up. After months of scouring the internet for the perfect platform for our second bus conversion, we found this gem in Miami, FL.
We contacted the dealership and flew to Florida. After driving the bus back to the Western New York area, we pulled it into our shop and spent the next 6 months converting it into the perfect dream home!
21 part Build Series:
During the build process, we documented every step in a 21-part build series. We sat down every week to discuss our product choices and show you what it takes to convert a bus like this into a dream home. Throughout the series, we shared our triumphs and setbacks and discussed everything we learned.
This bus has been designed specifically for off-grid capability. Over 1,000 hours of skilled labor went into the complete overhaul and customization of the interior and exterior of the bus. We put our five years of nomadic living knowledge into this design, emphasizing functionality and craftsmanship.
This bus was sold in December 2021. It was a one-time project that was built to sell. Please know that we do not accept client builds or builds for hire.
before & after
The Basics
The Vehicle:
2017 Ford e350 Starcraft Starquest
Miles: 43,500
Engine: Triton V10 6.8L
Dual Rear Tires
Drivetrain: RWD
Transmission: 6-speed automatic w/OD
Fuel: Gasoline
New York State Passenger Vehicle Title
Size:
Length: 23ft
Interior Width: 7.5ft
Exterior Height: 9.5ft
Interior Height: 6ft
Vehicle GVWR: 12,500lbs
Current Weight: 11,380
find all Amazon Available Components of this build here:
power (24v system)
(3) 350w Solar Panels for a Total 1,050w Solar Power
Custom Modular Unistrut Roof Rack
(2) 200ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Deep Cycle Batteries for a Total 400ah 12v Battery Capacity
3000w Pure Sine Wave Inverter Charge Controller
Shore Power Hookup with 30amp Plug
(9) 110v outlets. 5 of the outlets are USB equipped.
(2) Touch Panel LED Dimmer Switches
(2) Rocker Switch Panels
Marine Grade Stranded Wire Throughout
Blue Sea Systems Main Power ON/OFF Switch
Solar ON/OFF Circuit Breaker Switch
Victron Energy Lynx Distributor
50A MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Water System
75 Gallon Fresh Water Tank
18 Gallon Under-Mounted Gray Water Tank for Shower
25 Gallon Under-Mounted Gray Water Tank for Sink
Custom Fabricated Gray Water Tank Heat Shield
3 Stage APEC In-Line Water Filter with Faucet
Single Handle Kitchen Faucet with Pull Down Sprayer
Propane Water Heater with External Vent and Switch Ignition
Full Standing shower with Tile wall, a Teak Floor Mat, and Glass Shower Door
12v Water Pump
External Water Fill Hatch
1.5 inch Gray Water Cam Lock Dump Valve with Compact Dump Hose
Fresh and Gray Water Tank Sensor Monitoring System
Water System Fitted with Winterizing Kit
Applicances
21 inch RecPro Stove & Oven Gas Range
Thetford 565e Cassette Toilet
3.5 Cubic Ft Chest Freezer Converted to a Refrigerator Using Inkbird
23Qt 12v/110v Freezer
Dickinson p9000 Vented Propane Heater with Custom Fabricated Cabinet Heat Shield
Radiant Heated Floors with Thermostat
2 Fan-Tastic Ceiling Vents
Porcelain Sink Bowl
12.2 Gallon RV Under-Mounted horizontal Propane Tank ASME Certified
House Design
Standard Full Size 8″ Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
Den-Dry Mattress Underlayment
5 Way Convertible Furniture: Couch, L-Shaped Couch, Guest Bed, 2 Person Booth, 4 Person Booth
Handmade Drawers and Shaker Style Cabinet Doors
Cane Center Upper Cabinets Doors
Black Stainless Steel Drawer Pulls
Heavy Duty Drawer Slides Where Applicable
Drawer and Door Latches Where Applicable
Glass Shower Door
Black Glossy Fish Scale Tile Bathroom Wall
Teak Shower Mat with Custom Stainless Steel Shower Pan
4 Separate Bus Door Locks: Door Motor, 2 Barrel Bolts, and 1 Cane Bolt
1.5″ Ash Butcher Block Countertop Sealed with Waterlox
Pull Out Under Counter Cutting Board
Hinged Bed Platform to Access Storage Area Under Bed
Cork Lined Upper Cabinets
Cedar Plank Ceiling
(8) 12v Ceiling Puck Lights
Woven Ratten Hanging Pendant Light
Custom Pull Out Pantry Storage
Custom Freezer Box
Custom Heavy Duty Removable (Zipper Close) Upholstery Fabric Cushion Covers
Custom Cushions with 4 Inch High Quality Upholstery Foam
Handmade Herringbone Kitchen Table with Self-Supporting Leaf Extension & Custom Fabricated Removable Table Leg
Vented Freezer Box
Tank Linen Duvet Cover
Custom Headboard Accent Wall
(2) Turkish Kilim Throw Pillows
(3) Custom Kitchen Shelves with Copper Bar
Inset Knife Block
Custom Blackout Curtains with Magnetic Hem
Storage Compartment Lighting
Pull Out Pet Food and Water Dish Drawer
Hand Dyed Tufted Rust Colored Throw Blanket
Do you want A spreadsheet of every material we used in this build?
Extras
Remote Key Fob Entry System
WeBoost Drive Reach RV with External Antenna ($500 Value)
Moonshade 9ft x 7ft Awning
(3) Quora Distribution AFG Fireballs (Fire Extinguisher Alternative)
Invisible Magnetic Projector Mounts & Screen (Projector Not Included)
Interior & Battery Compartment Temperature and Humidity Monitor
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Exterior Trim-Lok Drip Rail Gutter
Custom Fabricated Exterior Access Doors & Panel
Eva-Dry Renewable Dehumidifier
