At the three-year mark
During the early January weeks, we built drawers and doors for the bathroom cabinet and a table for the hallway that M will decorate and cover with resin. We also made some seats that will fold out with that table. One of them we installed already.

Securing the refrigerator
We built a cabinet to secure our refrigerator in place. Since the back of the fridge is visible from the outside, we painted the window black. If we had anticipated the fridge’s final position, we would have covered the window during the roof raise, but our plans changed.
To save 6 inches of living space, we positioned the fridge cove above the fuel tank fill. This allowed us to utilize the space underneath for a drawer. We also created additional storage for a step stool, which will help us access the upper cabinets more easily. Furthermore, we relocated the AC duct to the front of the bus, which required some cutting in the overhead areas. We installed a 110v outlet and ran the wiring beneath the bus to connect to our electrical cabinet. Finally, we were able to place the fridge in its designated cove, clearing up space in the bus.







Vacation work
We had some vacation days left from last year, so we decided to bring the bus into the driveway to work on it for a week. After installing additional electrical wiring, we finished the roof boards inside the overhead compartments. However, it started raining, and we discovered a significant leak. We managed to seal it off and to prevent any future issues, we also installed a drain behind the insulation and covered it with plastic. After that, I added a plywood wall over it. Hopefully, this will do the trick.


Time for some seating
Next, we covered the wheel well and added insulation over it. After that, we began working on the booth seats. The back supports of the seats on the driver’s side are angled at 100 degrees and are taller than usual to enhance comfort. Additionally, these seats can be converted into an extra bed.
The booth is raised to provide a better view out of the window, and the space underneath is utilized for storage. We designed one of the benches to accommodate a dog kennel, complete with windows so the dog can see outside.
Since we had to wait for the other paint to dry, we decided to paint the kennel. Although we know dogs are colorblind, it seemed like a fun idea, and now our dog has a bunny to bark at while we’re driving.








After building the booth, C indicated that the overheads on the other side should be removed because they make the living area too claustrophobic. So we cut out almost a day of work in a time span of mere minutes. But we wasted enough time and money in other areas of this bus that it’s hardly noticeable. Except for the dust…. We tried SOOO hard not to have to cut or sand in the bus! Now, there is a nice gray layer on top of everything….
With the booth on the driver’s side in place, we made an additional seat area on the passenger side. This seat will be a seat/table/couch conversion. It could also be turned into a bed for a kid-size person. Underneath this seating area, we will have shoe storage and electrical components. Those will take up a lot of space, and we will have to put those in before the kitchen to know if we need to overflow this into an overhead or kitchen cabinet. The booth on the door side is a bit smaller to prevent the claustrophobic feeling we discussed, plus it will give us a bit of floor space next to the driver’s seat that we can pile in when we enter the bus.

With all that seating in place it was time to put in the ceiling planks and the flooring so we can trim the sides of the booths.

Then everything was ready for the main electrical system. After MONTHS (and months!) of research and help from fellow skoolie owners, we finally managed to get our system together. This is by far the most expensive part of the conversion. In order from most to least expensive:
– 2x24v 280Ah LifePO4 batteries (https://a.co/d/2OhUXVa)
– Victron multiplus 24V 3000VA (https://a.co/d/gEVu6FK)
– Solar Charge controller
– Lynx distributor
– Orion 24v 70 amp DC converter
– Smart shunt
– Smart Dongle
– MK3 interface
– 110V fuse block
– 24V fuse block
– 12V fuse block
– 150amp circuit breaker
– 4x 100Amp mega fuses
– Solar panel fuses
– Buck step down regulator
– Other small wiring and odds and ends
– Automatic fire extinguisher for electrical cabinets
For a whopping total of $5100(!). Add almost $2000 in solar panels that we purchased last year, and our electrical system is just over $7000. Happy birthday to me…. (Note: that is a mid-range cost for a skoolie conversion in the south.) So, if you want to try this as well, start saving or go live in the Pacific Northwest instead of in 100-degree AC-required weather in Texas…..
One of the batteries arrived the day we would return the bus to storage. I am glad it did because it is BIG and HEAVY. It fits under the planned electrical cabinet perfectly! Secured it in place with blocks. And since we were working on electrical anyway, we figured we’d also put the Multiplus in place. But, of course, there is a ¾” difference between the drawing and the actual built dimensions because we decided to put a piece of plywood over the wheel well. Meaning the multiplus does not fit. Sigh. And we have no other place to put it unless we put it above the batteries, and that’s not a good idea. Or we put it in the kitchen, which makes fitting the stove a serious issue.
Getting SO tired sometimes. Anway the option is to raise the both floor 2 ½” (might as well add the extra ventilation space now) and have relative short legroom, or raise the whole booth. Basically starting from scratch. The table is in place already and we really don’t want to move that at this point.
What’s next? Probably the rewiring of the solar panels and electrical installation, then the hallway wall, followed by the air-conditioning installation. There is still so much to do….