MUCV(Multi-Purpose Utility Command Vehicle)...The Dirtybus...

[dirtygoat]

A lot of the materials I've used to build everything has been donated from buddies... The square tube that I framed everything out with was all free, that was a huge help cost wise... I also got all the propane, water and electrical out a a motorhome that was getting scrapped and bought the guy a bottle of booze... Me and the boys spent several days stripping everything we could out of it and saved a lot of money... Another member on a different forum was scrapping a 5th wheel and I grabbed a ton of stuff from it for free... My wife just shakes her head when I show up with a truck load of stuff...

I will tell you this... I knew I was taking on a big project, but building an RV from scratch is way more involved than you could imagine... It's really tough to wrap your head around everything until you're deep into the build... I thought cutting up a blazer and building it from scratch was crazy, I had no idea...

Would I do it again??? Hell yes...

 

[76zimmer]

diggin' the progress Dirty....is that PEX you used for water plumbing?

 

[dirtygoat]

Thanks...

It's old pex, it came out of the motorhome that we stripped... The fittings are older, I had to use a flaring tool to make it work...

 

[87burbid]

Just cruised through all your posts, awesome build! Been around camping buses for the last 30 years, my dad built 3 of them, first one was simple, a 24' 1968 cornbinder with a 392 and a 5 speed. That thing has been from Canada to Mexico, California to Florida several times and its amazing where you can take it, up in the mountains. Its still as solid as the day it was built, they are definitely built like a tank. Then he decided he wanted something a bit bigger so he built a 35'1980 chevy bus, it ended up with a 3208 cat with a 5 speed. The last one is a 78 gmc city bus, 40' long and 102" wide. It is by far the nicest one although its not an off roader, too long and too low.

 

[magik235]

Outstanding progress. I can appreciate the complexity of your project.

 

[dirtygoat]

Thanks guys...

After this one is done, I'd like to build a greyhound or something similar as a retirement couch... I like the taller roof and all the undercarriage storage they have... I'll keep this one and spend a few years building a really nice luxury coach...

 

[dirtygoat]

Finishing up the last of the foam insulation on the exterior walls... This is in front of the fridge where the passenger seat will eventually go...

Did a little work last night on the bedroom area... Almost done welding up the framing for the upper storage and framed in the bed platform... Installed the foam insulation on the back walls, still need to treat the osb with carpet and install them... Should be nice and cozy back there...

 

[dirtygoat]

Got the galley upper cabinet welded up, needs paint, plywood bottoms and aluminum diamond plate doors... The wall separating the galley and head got the white vinyl treatment... Water pump and t stat panel installed... Diamond plate behind stove needs trimmed then installed...

The rain was coming down big time today, so here's the temp shop to keep me dry...

Stopped for lunch... Old skool bologna and cheese...

Installed the storage shelf under the stove that I got from Dusty...

Still looking for a U shaped extrusion to cap the end of the wall...

 

[pblaze725]

Cap the wall w/ PVC?

I'm glad to see some updates.

 

[blazinzuk]

Have no clue how wide it is but here
http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/tube-lock-base-6-foot-length/covering-accessories

I am sure you could find something

 

[dirtygoat]

Have no clue how wide it is but here
http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/tube-lock-base-6-foot-length/covering-accessories

I am sure you could find something

That looks perfect, but they don't give the size... Might have to call them...

EDIT::: I called and it's 1 1/4" on the inside, I need it to be 2 to 2 1/4"... That's what I'm looking for though, just like that but wider...

 

[yellowK20]

Wrap a 1x2" in the same carpet that you used on the wall and screw it down,

 

[dirtygoat]

I still have some time before I need to address the trim... Covering wood with carpet on corners that are exposed to getting bumped all the time might not be on the menu...

I did spend the last few days putting in some hours on the bus... It's hard to show the progress, most of it is boring stuff that just has to get done... I'll try and snap some pics...

 

[blazinzuk]

I still have some time before I need to address the trim... Covering wood with carpet on corners that are exposed to getting bumped all the time might not be on the menu...

I did spend the last few days putting in some hours on the bus... It's hard to show the progress, most of it is boring stuff that just has to get done... I'll try and snap some pics...

Those of us who have done huge projects appreciate the boring stuff.

Some one who has not done something big like this may not realize its 90% boring stuff. So post up the boring stuff man. I dig it.

 

[magik235]

Those of us who have done huge projects appreciate the boring stuff.

Some one who has not done something big like this may not realize its 90% boring stuff. So post up the boring stuff man. I dig it.

..... I know what boring stuff is like but it is still important.

 

[ashman]

Those of us who have done huge projects appreciate the boring stuff.

Some one who has not done something big like this may not realize its 90% boring stuff. So post up the boring stuff man. I dig it.

plus, you never know which boring stuff will lead someone else to a solution to the problem they are working on. also, more pics are better... always.

 

[dirtygoat]

I'll try and click off some pics of the "boring" stuff...

But, this should tie you over for now...


Working on getting the upper shelves/cabinets buttoned up...

Storage above the sleeping quarters...

Fridge area is looking good...

Vanity/medicine cabinet area getting some love...

Mood lighting in the back where the magic happens...

Light installed under the shelf above the dinette area...

Little bit more carpet and trim needed...

Temporary shore power... Need to find a little lock door thingy...

Coat rack/key hanger, that's been floating around for a while, finally got a home...

About 30 lbs of venison summer sausage and Mt Dew in the bus fridge... Bring on the Zombies!!!

My stash, shhhh...

Luckily I didn't let out the magic smoke when I hooked everything up... I've never figured out how to put the magic smoke back into things after I let it out...

Slowly getting the sheet metal that hides the wiring installed...

Cut in for bedroom lamp...

Everything is layered, one piece over the top of another... Its making everything nice and solid, very snug fit... I can still take it all apart to get back into something if need be...

More sheet metal work...

It'll look really good after the square tube is cleaned up and painted hammerite black...

 

[dirtygoat]

Wall fishin'... I use to spend hours everyday doing this in customers homes...

No pooping in the dark for this guy... I could even enjoy a magazine while camping...

Trimming out some of the diamond plate...

Trimmed the diamond plate behind the stove... Gonna trim the cabinet doors the same way...

Working on the sheet metal that covers the wiring loom running thru the upper galley cabinet...

Working on the furnace cabinet...

Now it's time for some panels to close it up...

Making some progress...

View from the front seat...

View from the rear driver side...

Rear view mirror...

 

[dhcomp]

looking great!

 

[Smokinthehippies]

thats the most unboring boring stuff ever.