5 Things to Know Before Starting a Conversion | Vanlife Buslife

5 Things To Know Before Starting a Van or Bus Conversion
In this video you will learn the top 5 things you need to know before converting your bus or van. Michael from Navigationnowhere lays out the best tips to jump-start your next conversion.
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When you want to start a bus conversion, there are a few external factors that affect your build you want to consider. You will want to think about everything from location and timing to your personal skills and finances. If you want to have a successful and mostly stress free build consider these factors.
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This video will give you the groundwork to eliminate the external factors that will affect your bus or van conversion.
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[@jimmylynch7705]

It may be somewhere below but, the warranty also starts on appliances and components also starts on the day you buy them. So, you don't need to burn 6 months of a 12 month warranty while an $800 refrigerator sits in your storage room.

[@mariajoseandchase]

Biggest thing I've realized during our build is learning to enjoy the process and take it day by day. It drastically improves morale.

[@navigationnowhere]

Great point. The buslife is about enjoying every moment.

[@lindalai9092]

You would have to like doing that.

[@redsky8509]

When I built my Bus, I had to drive the bus to where I needed to get my supplies from. All I had was my bus and a bicycle.

[@StaindByJuice]

Your nosebleed on Jax's video made me subscribe to you lol. But also your genuinely kind personality made me come over. Hope you're having fun and enjoying nature.

[@navigationnowhere]

Haha, that nosebleed was out of nowhere. Thanks for coming over. Glad to have you!

[@johnnyohness]

Great advice....from a guy that has built one of the best conversions ever. Jax is one guy lucky to have you for a great friend.

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks, it’s fun to take on projects with friends!

[@anitablades6033]

Navigation Nowhere I think you are Very Kind !!! Glad you are finding a way to more than just enjoy all the work your doing. You Should still Make a Book on the Bus build, make money like Prouse does on his Solar and Medical books. Good luck and stay safe.

[@TraceAiken]

Another consideration to factor in is disposal: Where can you get rid of the gutted materials that are trash, and how do you transport that (seats, metal, wood, the works)? I live in an apartment complex and thinking of where to setup for a build.

[@navigationnowhere]

That’s a good point. Depending on where you are located trash or recycling could be difficult.

[@davidcunningham5422]

Your how to videos are amazing! People should be hiring you just for doing videos.... can’t wait to see what you come up with for Jax’s bus. Hope you enjoyed your time with us here in Canada.

[@navigationnowhere]

Canada has been great! People are awesome and long days are great for building.

[@DaleBetzandtheSlackerBus]

Another great video! Maybe at some point you could a few videos about the dark side of bus life.i.e. the strange people you meet on the road or what to do if you blow a tire in the middle of nowhere' You could title them Oh if this bus could talk! Just a though keep up the good work!!

[@navigationnowhere]

Dale! How’s it going? Yeah a video about the dark side would not be the worst idea. Thanks for the idea!

[@themelissaeileen]

Hey Mike here cuz of Kaylee & Jordan thenomadicmovement & Dean theskoolie. I saw you in their vids & had to subscribe. Such great info, ty for paying it forward & sharing the knowledge! Btw- you have a great speaking voice & flow, pls keep sharing!! Thanksgiving was awesome on your bus! Cheers Michael! Peace & love from Colorado - melissa eileen

[@francisa751]

Michael, your speech skills are above the average, you're in a good path, add travels and places and you'll be a hit.

[@navigationnowhere]

I plan on adding some info about travels and locations once I finish the current project and hit the road! Thanks for the advice. Thanks!

[@navigationnowhere]

I plan on adding some info about travels and locations once I finish the current project and hit the road! Thanks for the advice. Thanks!

[@themelissaeileen]

Heck yeah Mike can thrive & actually get himself out there, his knowledge is proper, correct & delivery is awesome! This is so good for conversion peeps, van lifers, & nomad living! Or people considering it! You rock dude, TY TY TY! Very helpful! Peace & Love Melissa in COLORADO

[@bobsayre7013]

Listen to this man of wisdom and of experience it'll save you a ton of money I've seen and had friends that have tried this and they have had the pitfalls that he's already outlined to check before you even start or even buy the unit very well put together program I'm subscribing even though I'm not building one

[@Japhill75]

Lol... all good points. I’m currently build my van out in the communal car park of studio apartment. All supplies stored and loads of the building in my tiny home. Hardware store is a bus and a train ride away as I don’t have another car right now and I get large items delivered for $30 flat rate. It’s not ideal... so your points are very good ones. It is amazing what you can do when you have to.

[@navigationnowhere]

Yeah, it’s hard to find the perfect building location but we make due with what we have. I built my first bus in my parents driveway. Haha

[@Japhill75]

Navigation Nowhere everything is a compromise 👍👍👍

[@stove7923]

WOW , Michael-you are so much better at describing actual things that happen during a conversion than Jax.Came to your channel through Jax, Now put Jax to Work!Looking forward to a new adventure with you ,-take care hope the wrist continues to heal.

[@navigationnowhere]

haha, wrist is doing great. Just a minor flesh wound, won't stop me. Excited to share more info about the build and adventures! Thanks for coming over.

[@Badgeweefixstuff]

Very good video well done 👍 Micheal 🇨🇦

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks Badge!

[@starrsy]

Great video and excellent points. I am fortunate to have a great space to do my build. Out in the country, next to a barn full of tools and supplies and a great brother who can give me a hand and show me how to do stuff.

[@navigationnowhere]

Thats awesome that you have that! Enjoy the space!

[@MrMinimalst]

Hey Michael! I've been watching the bus build for Jax and just checked out your bus living room tour. You do quality work and are innovative and your bus is the proof of that. I'm happy for Jax that he found you because his bus is going to be awesome. Have fun out there!

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks, I really enjoy building things and seeing what’s in my head come to life. Hopefully, we can continue that with the Jax build.

[@mariahreynolds6076]

Currently binge watching all of these videos, I'm planning a bus build out this winter... thank you for creating these resources!!!

[@themelissaeileen]

Mariah me too girl, me too marathoning Michael's vids

[@gigiteplitzky279]

Wow!! Getting ready to purchase and your videos are actually helping with my anxiety. I'm big on knowing as much as possible and you're hitting the mark. Schweet vids,thanks😁

[@gweinmann]

All true. I would like to add everything takes longer than expected. You will do things multiple times before it is right. Depending on where you do your build, you could have limited time to complete a task if the task exposes your bus to the elements. Doing something everyday is important, and if your bus is not near you, you cannot. Best advice, it will take as long as it takes, don’t rush it and don’t beat yourself up based on preconceived timelines. Oh, everything cost between $500-$1000. Don’t forget about the vehicle maintenance and upgrade costs, just sayin.

[@weswes.3485]

Good ideas mate, I’ve been watching Jax’s channel, it’s pretty clear you know what your doing. Jax is lucky to have good mates like you and Badge.

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks, Badge is awesome and Jax is fun to work with. Building cool things is always great but working with cool people makes the project.

[@angelrenate]

Are there standardized laws for seating in conversions? Like what's the legal way to strap in a carseat, and can you walk around on bus legally while on the road, etc?

[@elainemcnary625]

New sub. Jax sent me. Loved this video. You're a smart fellow👍

[@VjCClass]

Hey Micheal. I have a topic that I would like you to touch on or if you can simply reply with your knowledge and opinion from your experience. It has to do with the cost to effectiveness of the different types of insulation. My opinion is that the cost and level of difficulty to properly install spray foam puts it at the top of my don't do list for a few reasons that I'm not sure I am accurate in feeeling. In my build I intend to keep every last window, not one window delete. With that being said the best, highest rated insulation in the world is still only as good as the other links in the puzzle, all them windows. Then the amount of work, preparation and finishing touch up, void filling, scraping and clean up for spray foam just gives me a headache. So I Know I want to go with the sheets of foam board insulation and just fill any voids from there with spray foam insulation. As far as the windows I am going over ideas on replacing them with frameless glass panels for a better seal for an air comfort control system's efficiency. Also I have been looking at so many builds and just recently saw a build that made me think of something I don't think anyone has ever mentioned or seem to consider and that is how easy or difficult are their plans, processes, installs and equipment to take apart, repair, replace or upgrade. Thank you for your time.

[@rexj.weinheimer2279]

Thanks Michael, another well thought out and informative tutorial.

[@larryburch919]

The one thing I would like to add is completing one project at a time. I don't know if it's video editing, but every build I see there is 2 or 3 projects going on at the same time.

[@anitablades6033]

Glad to see you making Vid's , have a 1ton truck 8 ft. bed. doing the design for the layout now. Stay Safe. Write your books!!! They will Sell !!!

[@navigationnowhere]

Never really thought about writing books. It’s a challenge enough to learn to make videos. Haha Maybe that will be the next thing.

[@ineptOwl]

You my dude are very wise i appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge it's greatly appreciated wish you a life of success

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks, I just hope that the info helps people out.

[@ineptOwl]

Navigation Nowhere I wish I saw this before I built my friends 1940s firetruck we did it on a farm in SD it was miserable to drive and hour for anything we blew through his budget prolonged the build a whole winter poor guy turned out beautifuI in the end definitely worth the frustrating moments but there was totally an easier more efficient route we were both to stoked to critically think it was a learning experience for sure this video will help those eager beavers out there lol great job loving all the content keep on keeping man

[@LifetheWildRide]

Great advice. we are currently converting a bus now and are following you and Jax and have been for a long time. You both have great information thanks for sharing.

[@navigationnowhere]

Anytime, thanks for following along and hope the future info helps you in your build!

[@LifetheWildRide]

It will, Your bus is awesome we will be using some of your ideas for sure.

[@adequatebus8280]

To say nothing of the potential for conflicts with the zoning restrictions, and Homeowner's Association restrictions, that are often overlaid onto the build site: No R.V. parking, and especially no R.V. construction. You got a Permit for that, sir? - C

[@navigationnowhere]

That’s a great added point. Zoning and ordnance’s are sometimes a huge issue. Thanks for sharing the extra tip.

[@adequatebus8280]

Yes, I'm being pestered by our Neighborhood Board about not complying with the neighborhood's CCR restrictions against storing an RV within view of the street (let alone constructing on a school bus). Relative to storing materials, I'm using an old, 10' contractor work trailer. - C

[@navigationnowhere]

Yeah, when I did my first bus, I had the same issue except I wrote letters to all my neighbors about my project and asked if it would be okay. Not going to work for everyone but it did for me. Best of luck with your HOA.

[@adequatebus8280]

That's a great idea. Even if someone doesn't particularly like their neighbors, giving the neighbors some idea of what's going on, and a rough timeframe for the work, would satisfy most people. My challenge is that i've got no timeframe, and I'm using the bus as a RV parking it on my property, rather than the bus leaving the property, in a tiny home scenario. And I'm no longer young enough to care what the neighbors think. - C

[@robbaker336]

Great points - loving following you and Jax!! Why's the hood up on Jax's bus?

[@navigationnowhere]

We are working on the engine. Doing a WVO conversion.

[@anitablades6033]

Navigation Nowhere Do they have rodents in Canada that eats wires under the hoods of Bus's and car's ???

[@briannab5296]

Excellent 👍😎

[@hearcamir7810]

Gr8 advice!

[@danielj1063]

We've commenced bare bones into old school (pardon), habitable refit of bus over warm season (2019), taking full advantage of your good advice. Thanks

[@michaelcanto6175]

Very Sound Advice!

[@Patricia-wo5el]

What a great video and information. Thank you so much. I'm just new and watching all the vids about tiny living in a vehicle in general. Got here because of Dean's channel. Love your beautifull schoolbus and your sharing heart. Greetings from Europe.

[@nikkitobin8356]

Glad i ran across this vid ... New subbie

[@toddjohnston419]

came back over from Jax channel, really enjoyed video!

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks, I am having a lot of fun building the bus and making them for you!

[@jesssummers9405]

Yes its so hard to drive live and build especaily im doing some crazy wild custom things to mine it sucks to be down a week or more walk every and put away tools and msterials

[@kevinburke4197]

SMART TIPS !

[@1FXC]

I really enjoy your content and builds. Dying to see the finished product on your short bus conversion. FiInally I noticed you live in NJ. I would like to contact you for help and possibly paid assistance in my build.Thanks

[@michael2074]

Very good info. Thank you

[@GlynRobinson]

Such a great job! Very good tips!

[@briansteve5269]

Was that a jet engine I saw in that shop footage? Jet Bus!?

[@TheStile2]

I have noticed that a few people have stabilizer jacks on their skoolie's. Are the stabilizer jacks necessary or just a preference of a few people? Thanks. I like the videos that you're doing.

[@navigationnowhere]

It is an option if you want to install them. Non of my friends have them or use them, so I would think of it as more of a preference. Thanks for watching.

[@TheStile2]

Thanks, one less thing the worry about.

[@eca2641]

Thank you! -Any good books you might suggest for someone who's never done any of this? Electrical, plumbing etc etc. I also want to find a "Diesel Engine Work 4 Dummies" type of book. 😆 I really, really want to know what I'm doing as inside out as possible. 🧡

[@navigationnowhere]

I don't know any books. Google and youtube typical helps out a bit with plumbing and electrical. I am sure that there are some really good books on the market. Hopefully, some of my future videos will help out!

[@anitablades6033]

Navigation Nowhere This is a man you could sell a book. See in the future when you have written your books , You can direct them to your Info. book, with a special code in each for them to contact you for a few Questions answered. Some people have used this perk to make sales a slam dunk !!!!

[@scrappyny7432]

Great video! Where would be a good place(s) to find used bus for sale?

[@natsilver5025]

Hi Michael, what engine is your bus? Tried to find the info before asking 😎 thanks so much!

[@navigationnowhere]

Thanks for trying but my bus has a MBE 900 in it.

[@natsilver5025]

Thank you!

[@natsilver5025]

Thank you! We have been looking at 2004 Thomas with MBE906 and MD3060 Tranny, 145K miles- do you feel that is a good combo? It is overwhelming when you do not know much about engines!

[@johnqglass]

@6:15 Looks like someone is an A&P Mechanic. Turbine buckets galore..

[@japjotsingh8711]

Which part of Canada are you from ?

[@dylansotnick7878]

I am planning on converting a short bus (Ford E350/E450) most of the information I have found is about bigger buses. If anyone has tips or anything useful, I am all ears. I am still in the process of looking for a short bus so if anyone knows of someone selling one, I would definitely be interested.

[@eliasmaldonado5390]

This is a freightliner thomas

[@evangelist6277]

I appreciate the advice but you go on and on and on

[@freereign7366]

Anyone building in South Florida, Broward County ?

[@DonteEdwards]

There is something about him I like... I don't know what it is.

[@KingTesticus]

Before than can be CONstruction, first there must be DEstruction.

[@jimdavis8804]

You have to build it in Low’s Parking Lot. Lol.

[@kimkingsley714]

Arm injury, nose bleed what's next? Lol :)

[@navigationnowhere]

Hopefully a completed bus. 😂 But, who knows.

[@TheOgPudg]

E

[@pichdara8587]

Great 👍 ideas thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍🍛