Allison MT600 series (MT643) Service Manual
Allison's MT643 transmission is a good choice for a skoolie. It's still a 4 speed with the same ratios as the AT545, but with a much higher power capability and a lock-up function in 3rd and 4th gears. Combined with a rear axle ratio of 4.44:1 or lower, a bus equipped...
Identifying your Allison transmission at a glance!
Choosing a bus with the right transmission is critical! Doing an upgrade after the purchase can be extremely expensive, and often exceeds the purchase price of the bus. Unfortunately, the most popular transmission found in a bus is also the least desirable, the...
Comparing Harbor Freight Generators – Predator 3500 vs 4375
I recently had the opportunity to compare the Predator Super Quiet 3500 and Predator 4375 generators from Harbor Freight. I put them through their paces to see which one is the best deal for someone building and living in a Skoolie, van, tiny home, or RV....
Painting Our New Bus Roof, Great Results For Cheap
Let's be honest, there are a lot of opinions out there when it comes to the best way to do your roof. Some folks use expensive elastomeric coatings like TropiCool or Lizard Skin, and just as many ignore the issue entirely and paint their whole bus black. We're in the...
Best Heat For Your offgrid Skoolie, RV, Van, or Box Truck Conversion?
I don't know about you, but we don't like being cold and It doesn't take much to get me grumpy about the temperature, especially as it drops below 50. Well, we tried a few things and ultimately found the solution that works for us: a DIY diesel air heater! These old...
Removing the old floor in our new Skoolie conversion project
Another progress update! Pulling up the bus floor. I think I've found the easiest way to do the type of floor I have. Of course, that doesn't make it easy. I talk about the reality of dealing with heat and why insulation is so critical in a full time conversion too....
International/Navistar T444E Service Manual
The T444E is one of the most popular engines found in school buses between 1994 and 2004. This engine was used as the base platform for Ford's 7.3 Powerstroke as well, sharing almost all mechanical components. The T444E replaced the 7.3 IDI that was produced between...
Cummins B Series Operation and Maintenance Manual
The 12 valve, mechanical Cummins 5.9 engine is very popular in school buses between the late 1980s and the late 1990s. Originally introduced in 1984 for agricultural uses, it earned a solid reputation for reliability and longevity. This engine was also very popular in...
Allison AT545 Transmission Service Manual
The AT545 is the most popular transmission in school buses in the 1980s and 1990s and is generally a very reliable unit if you accept its limitations. Nearly every bus equipped with the Cummins 5.9 or Navistar T444E in a front engine configuration will be using the...
Adjusting The Air Brakes On Your School Bus
The majority of Skoolie owners don't have any experience with big truck technology. One of those strange things is air brakes. While some buses have hydraulic brakes just like you would find in any normal car or truck, most are air powered. This comes with a different...