Jimmy in deep conversation about the functionality of the bus and Natalie outside taking a video of a cat (absolutely perfect) LOL y'all are so optimistic, we need more people like you in this world 💚💚
Glow plug bypass is a nice addition, especially in colder climates. The flush may have actually been the reason for overheating while traveling. Normally a faulty fan clutch only shows up when the engine overheats while stopped or traveling slow, as while moving you have enough air going through the radiator the fan isn't needed. The exception to this rule is diesel pushers. Love these videos BTW! And your guys editing skills are top notch!
Good shocks keep you from rattling other things apart. That fan clutch, kicks on before you get too hot, don't hurry, or let others make you hurry, and that ship should carry you a long way!
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I tried to get a problem fixed by a mechanic, then another mechanic, spending lots of money with negative results. The feeling you get when you finally find the right mechanic is like Christmas morning. And no matter what he charges, you write that check with a smile.
Finding a reliable mechanic is comforting! And with their Google rating of 5 stars, AAA Bus in Phoenix should get all the recognition they deserve! Great vid kids!
Really stoked to hear the overheating issue is resolved since that could really effect the total engine life expectancy! Shocks! "When the bus is rocking, don't come a knocking" 😀💚🌵🤙🏼
A bad fan clutch won't allow the fan to spin at the proper speed when the engine is hot, so that definitely can cause overheating. I had that problem with one of my vintage cars I have equipped with a clutch fan.
And it definitely seemed to be our issue as well! I’m glad Tony noticed that issue because taking it to other shops they just tell me to replace the thermostat and be on my way (We’ve replaced it twice so far… 👍)
@@JimmyandNatalie I didn't know I had a bad fan clutch either until I took that old car to someone who specializes in vintage auto repair. He found the problem right away.
@@JimmyandNatalie I first heard about AAA through Chris Travels (Zep II), he's gone to them on several different occasions along with Wess of Transcend Existence. Thought about buying one of their bus's but have decided to go the CT conversion route.....it will be cheaper.
Tony and Joe run a great business. We purchased our bus from AAA Bus and they have been great to us while we are converting it into a RV. I spoke to Tony while they were filming your bus repairs. Cannot say enough good stuff about AAA. Glad you went there for your work.
Off road survival tips If you're goin offroad in remote conditions...ya wanna prepare. Make sure your vehicle has good frame mounted tow points. Get something like a 12k Badlands Winch either installed or mountable on your vehicle by a portable hitch mount etc. Have an air compressor that's at least $100+, so it doesn't take 3 days to fill a tire. Carry a Jerry can of fuel, a little $20 fuel pump and hose with power wire with clamps, long enough to reach your battery allowing transfering fuel. Have some basic recovery gear, traction boards, 30' strap/tow rope, (4-5) 3/4" shackles, soft shackles, (2) 8' tree saver straps, a 50-100' steel cable with a snatchblock, even a cumalong may come in handy and watch some vids on using them, practice with them. Watch vids on burying a log or tire to use as a land anchor if there's no trees. Always have plenty of food/water and fire making tools in case. Have a couple of water filtering straws and purification tablets. Make sure to have a short handled shovel. Luckily these days we have technology to aid us. So use it to our advantage. The electric scooters these days have miles of range and may get you down a road faster and easier to safety. They also make a great option for travel while in a city. Giving you miles of range for activity or small errands. They're also very compact taking little space. There's also Personal Locator Devices for fairly cheap these days, some even have messaging capability. Use an Android App like GPS Status or similar that can get your Exact coordinates without phone service. Do a Screenshot of the areal view of the area so you have some idea of direction. Toss a compass in the glovebox. Get a Phone Booster like WeBoost and install it properly. When you're miles out in the middle of nowhere with questionable communications. YOU are responsible for yourself and can't rely on someone coming along to give you a jump start. Or waiting for your engine to magically start. Plan backups for your backups, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. People have died agonizing deaths being trapped out in the middle of nowhere after a break down etc. The life you save may be your own. Or hopefully everything will be just fine and you may run across someone else needing help. I was recently on a long roadtrip. 1 point I was in a fairly remote National Park. Nobody but me and them out there. I was leaving the following morning. A family in a full size bus got stuck in some mud. I was prepared for myself, so grabbed a strap and yanked em out saving them a $4-500 Tow bill.
I'm sitting here watching the beginning and as I usually talk to the TV blurt out *Have them check the fan clutch too* Overheating problems will keep you stressed out, especially in the desert. It's such a relief to find a REAL shop that sometimes it feels like you just found the pot of gold over the rainbow. We're full timer's too, except with a motorhome. We plan on hitting Skooliepalooza next year, maybe we'll see you there.
Thanks! We were thinking it’s about time our luck turns around with these mechanics 😅 And we’re super thrilled about Javy as well, sponsors like them are going to allow us to keep traveling even longer 😄
Your mechanics, or the work on your bus/home are not boring at all! In fact, it's great to hear that you are safe and got treated right at this garage. That's a big deal when you're on the road and pretty much have to depend on the expertise of mechanics along your journey. Now that you know this, you have a "safe" place to return to for important work. Happy and safe travels to you. 😉
I'm reminded: Finding the correct people to work on your bus... is truly everything! Yes I see it in my business. Some company's businesses should not be working on stuff they don't truly understand... I see it all the time in my industry. Experience is so important with hard problems or number of small ones making a big one. Happy for you guys.... Having dependable travel is so awesome, it's truly good news. Thanks for sharing your life travels and experience. :)
Got to remember the bus is your transportation but it's also your home. The best part is fixing it and seeing just how long the repairs hold up. But yes, seeing yall out there changing statrter's was the best. Soon you will understand what keeping a vintage vehicle on the road as a daily driver is really all about. I am in the same boat, my daily is a 1970 and I just completed doing a complete motor build & swap out and all is well. ( except the price of fuel is now through the roof )
I am so glad you two wound up at AAA in Arizona. Every skoolie video we've seen on youtube that has been there has raved about Tony and the guys at AAA!
That is so awesome! Love that they were able to take care of everything on your list. I could almost see the weight come off your shoulders each time you reported a new item. Wonderful....Jimmy...NO DONUTS IN THE PARKING LOT! Take care and be safe
Haha we feel SO relieved after they were done with everything 😊 And hey! What’s the point of all those fixes if we can’t take it for a little joy ride! Haha 😂
@@JimmyandNatalie I'm so looking forward to the adventure to Banff. We did our honeymoon there (*cough* years ago) in late November. It's a beautiful place. I'll definitely go back in warmer months some day. Did you know it's the town where the movie Roxanne was filmed? 1987 - Steve Martin and Daryll Hannah - strongly recommend. :)
So excited that you guys got it fixed. In my search for my Bus, so many people recommended AAA Bus and I actually considered it when I was at Skooliepalooza 2021 but, I live on the east coast and found my bus in Florida. I love watching your videos, so inspiring, can wait to bump into y'all on the road someday.
Good to hear the issues on the bus have been (hopefully) worked out. I've watched several schoolie vid's and they have had work done at AAA in Phoenix and they all seem to really like how those folks do business (as it should be). "Happy Trails/Motor safely"
I was wondering if you were headed to AAA. glad you got there and they were everything theyve been said to be. Good to hear the bus is running well again. And props to them on not gouging like most of the diesel repair industry! Thats a great deal they gave you.
Skilled and knowledgable technical folks are golden. Should make a good stop over for maintenance in your future travels. Shocks - research Panhard rod (locates rear axle) and steering stabilizer/dampers (tracks better in wind and safer if tire blows). Thanks for sharing.
looks like you have found the perfect place to get repairs done. No guess work and quality work. Glad to see you'll be moving forward safely. Take care!!!!
I have a f350 I pull my fifth wheel trailer with and every time I fuel up I put diesel kleene in it. Fuel isn’t the same as years ago this will help keep injectors clean and burn better and possibly better fuel mileage. You will have to see how much per gallon you will need. What I did was take a old 2 stroke engine oil bottle (small one ) and fill it up one time for every half tank. Depends on how many gallon you have so research it before putting it in. Stay safe and God bless.
Amazing! Glad you guys got some major help on ur bus and finally we’re heard by a mechanic. She’s brand spanking new now!! Ready for Canada, I hope! Happy for you!
I'm so glad you finally got the skoolie taken care of! The price wasn't bad either. Must feel nice not having to pull over every 15 minutes climbing a mountain. 😁 It's nice that you 2 basically roll with the punches when the bus wasn't doing so well. I on the other hand throw stuff, kick the van, cuss it out, then finally chill. I think our upbringings are totally opposite from one another. LOL. Looking forward to next video. Travel safely!
Tony is the man!!! I was so excited to see you guys pull into his yard!!! He is awesome!!! He is the only guy I would fully trust to work on my bus. 😍🥳 I bought my bus from him, too, and got that T-shirt. 💖 It's great he was able to check everything off of your mechanic to-do list!! Thanks for sharing your experience with him and his guys. He is one of the biggest cornerstones for the skoolie community here on the west side of the USA.
Subscriber here! We love your blogs. You two, like all of us, are learning as you go, and thanks for sharing the variety of emotions, set backs, accomplishments, challenges, and the journey. Like Joni Mitchell says in one of her songs... "Youth, it's too good to waste." You two are making the most of yourselves and it's great to see you two enjoying life together👍👍
So happy to see a positive experience with a mechanic! You guys have had more than your fair share of disappointment in that department. Happy and safe travels!
If the button works like the one I have on my dump truck, you want to hold the button in... about 10 seconds. Basically letting it warm up. If its real cold, I might do it 20 or 30 seconds. I wait about 10 seconds, then crank the engine, this lets the voltage recover a little
Done Icefields Parkway several times. Its breathtaking every time. It's probably one of the most beautiful drives in the world. And we have traveled a lot. 😊
Oh my goodness I'm so excited for you both. I'm glad you finally found a mechanic that could and would help you. At least this old granny won't worry about you being broken down in the wilderness somewhere. Happy Trails Enjoy life. Love you both God Bless
It is just. Wonderful that you can find someone that does the job you need and do it right,, happy that there is a few people in thin world that are truthful yet.
Glad you got that work done. You guys worry me, because you know so little about the mechanical aspect of the bus, so glad you found a decent garage to sort things out.
Wow, good deal. I just had my Ford diesel f450 in for shocks, two tires oil change filter top off fluids it was $2100. I was satisfied. You were treated well. Glad for you.
Wow that is great for you's because it is hard to find a mechanic you like that is real good so cudo's to both of you, I am glad you ran into some friends.
Hey, glad you got all your issues with the bus taken care of. Glad to see you found a shop that DID what needed to be done and also gave you a break on the cost as well. Well as always, "Enjoy The Adventure." 😀👍💙
WOW! So happy ya'll found a great mechanic shop that were honest and I'm sure you will help alot of people that have Schoolies know where to go! Safe travels 🙏 😊🤗❤
Yay!!!! So glad you got a "bus person" to look at it! I've been praying for you to get some answers before you got into an area that would be too cold or you might run into problems. Oh, no, am I going to have to start praying for no snakes???? Please be careful! I'm so glad you got new shocks and will have a "new ride"! Yeah! I would be wearing those shirts 24/7!!!! Go AAA!!!!! Thank you, guys, at AAA for being so kind to our friends! Love you Jimmy & Natalie! So glad you got to spend time with your friends. Much love, from SC, Jane❤🙏
Is sounds like you’ve found a shop that actually knows how to work on those big International DT’s. A clogged radiator would definitely cause the overheating under a load. A quick fix to get a few more miles before you have to stop us to turn on your heater - full blast, it will make it toasty inside but will act as an aux radiator. For the super cold winter mornings, when you have the current available, a block heater if sone sort turned on an hour or so before you need to start will help a lot. Happy Motoring! .
Omg omg omg….the nightmare..(actually it was just that) is over and you seem to have found an honest mechanic….adopt them so they can always be in your family..I don’t know how I would have handled having to pull over constantly with anything overheating…..I’ve blown a head gasket with an overheating problem …it’s no joke….and new shocks…woo hoo…that’s the cherry on the sundae….your Skoolie is smiling…having a new smooth ride and turning ratio is heaven…you did good…..😁….we are all smiling for you….
I am glad you guys had a great experience and they got you all fixed up! It’s amazing how many places just seem like they cannot be bothered to do the work and are just not helpful, this is exactly why I started doing my own work and then turned into helping others who could not find someone to do the work. Happy travels!
Hi Guys Being a mechanic myself , AAA knows there stuff from I heard . Most of the stories I read about shady mechanics and Skoolies has not been good . One more thing you could do is install a electric cooling fan for insurance . Should get into a long climb or get into really bad traffic jam or even should your fan clutch go bad you'll have a way to keep the engine from getting too hot . You will need a pusher type electric fan so it can be mounted in front of the the radiator . The hot water comes in through the radiator hose so that's the genera you should mount the fan . Good luck safe travels .
Tony and his team at AAA Bus are awesome! We always stopped there on our way to the desert and then back there before heading back to the east coast in the spring.
You 2 are awesome, curious, &adventurous all at the same time. I love watching your videos, and all of the excitement in Natalie's eyes,when she discovers something amazing has happened for the 2 of you.Happy trails,hopefully I will see you down the road
Holy crap. I need to check them out. Burned out the clutch in my 1976 C60. Bus needs a lot of work and I’m amazed at how much you got done for the price.
So nice to learn of your experience at AAA bus repair. These folks knew where to source the parts you needed quickly. So rare to hear about a good-repair facility. Thanks and trouble free travels wished.
If I were going to have a school bus that I was going to do cross-continent excursions I would: 1. Take out the fan belt and Fan on the radiator and I would install a big aluminum radiator with multiple electric fans. You see the fan on the belt does not cool as much when you idle as when you are revving the engine with higher RPM and electric fans will cool at a constant rate. 2.I would look for a transmission that has a better ratio for highway miles. There again the school bus is designed for small trips around town and not highway travel. Having a transmission designed for Highway use would cut down on wear and tear on the engine. Having an electric fans on your radiator would go a long way to keeping your engine cooler.
Another great video! I’m so glad you were able to have your skoolie fixed and give you peace of mind. Safe travels and can’t wait til next Monday! Have an amazing week. ❤️
So glad they got you safely rolling again. They truly sounded like experienced mechanics. Hope and pray that took care of the problems you’ve been having. Again safe travels.
Just a note of caution , keep a check on your rear tires that you dont get any rocks wedged between them , could get expensive and dangerous maybe you already know this and do keep an eye on them anyhow safe travels and Im glad your bus is doing good now .
I’m glad you mentioned the shop your using and that you might need to have the fan clutch changed. I have a brand new. Clutch but no longer have the vehicle it goes to, now I can see if this is something that shop might need at times. Thanks again and I’m glad your experience with mechanics improved.
You 2 needed this reassurance for safety & seeing the good,bad & in between is what life is about,now this 'ol mom' will be at ease(winking)have fun,relax
I'm so glad you were able to get things fixed in fact I hope it finally works right this time enjoy your journey be safe while you're in Canada. Enjoy your videos your friend👍😎
Told you Tony would take good care of you he cares about the bus community there like family to him and you can always give him a call when something comes up it's just the peace of mind knowing he's available because he does listen your up coming trip should be fun and worry free.
I've been binging your videos recently starting with the build and this has to be my favorite all of them for so many reasons. From the awesome mechanics at AAA, to the Java sponsor to the friends you met up with and even the bloopers. I loved ever minute of this video.
![Megan Thee Stallion - Roc Steady (feat. Flo Milli) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HozPPyqW0dY/mqdefault.jpg)
Jimmy in deep conversation about the functionality of the bus and Natalie outside taking a video of a cat (absolutely perfect) LOL y'all are so optimistic, we need more people like you in this world 💚💚
LOL I feel like that captures our dynamic so well 😂🤣
Glow plug bypass is a nice addition, especially in colder climates. The flush may have actually been the reason for overheating while traveling. Normally a faulty fan clutch only shows up when the engine overheats while stopped or traveling slow, as while moving you have enough air going through the radiator the fan isn't needed. The exception to this rule is diesel pushers. Love these videos BTW! And your guys editing skills are top notch!
Good shocks keep you from rattling other things apart. That fan clutch, kicks on before you get too hot, don't hurry, or let others make you hurry, and that ship should carry you a long way!
Washboard roads must have been brutal with those blown out shocks. Good on you for getting those problems fixed. Peace of mind is priceless.
They really were awful 😅 And we honestly thought that was just how it was in a bus!
Safe to say it rides much better now…😄
I can’t tell you how many times in my life I tried to get a problem fixed by a mechanic, then another mechanic, spending lots of money with negative results. The feeling you get when you finally find the right mechanic is like Christmas morning. And no matter what he charges, you write that check with a smile.
Finding a reliable mechanic is comforting! And with their Google rating of 5 stars, AAA Bus in Phoenix should get all the recognition they deserve! Great vid kids!
AWESOME! When you (finally) find the RIGHT (and right hearted) people it makes the world a better place. Well done AAA and safe travels to you all.
awesome you got it fixed. AAA are the best around Tony got good bunch of mechanics there. 🇨🇦🛠🇨🇦🛠
Really stoked to hear the overheating issue is resolved since that could really effect the total engine life expectancy! Shocks! "When the bus is rocking, don't come a knocking" 😀💚🌵🤙🏼
It’s so awesome you found that mechanic. A true straight up honest mechanic is hard to find.
A bad fan clutch won't allow the fan to spin at the proper speed when the engine is hot, so that definitely can cause overheating. I had that problem with one of my vintage cars I have equipped with a clutch fan.
And it definitely seemed to be our issue as well! I’m glad Tony noticed that issue because taking it to other shops they just tell me to replace the thermostat and be on my way (We’ve replaced it twice so far… 👍)
@@JimmyandNatalie I didn't know I had a bad fan clutch either until I took that old car to someone who specializes in vintage auto repair. He found the problem right away.
Glad to see the bus now running well. Peace of mind is worth a lot when traveling.
Glad you got your bus in top shape. I live here in AZ and I'm proud our service techs fixed your issue. Safe travels.
We’re so thrilled with their work too 😄 I only wish we would’ve taken it to them earlier!
@@JimmyandNatalie I first heard about AAA through Chris Travels (Zep II), he's gone to them on several different occasions along with Wess of Transcend Existence. Thought about buying one of their bus's but have decided to go the CT conversion route.....it will be cheaper.
Nothing more comforting than a reliable mechanic! You guys are too cute!
Always a relief to find a real mechanic. Congratulations on the sponsor!
Tony and Joe run a great business. We purchased our bus from AAA Bus and they have been great to us while we are converting it into a RV. I spoke to Tony while they were filming your bus repairs. Cannot say enough good stuff about AAA. Glad you went there for your work.
There are honest mechanics out there. So glad for you two. Safe travels.
So glad you had a great experience with this bus mechanic and that you were able to get things fixed up. It must be such a relief
It really is! We’re so thankful to Tony and his crew and we just feel so much better about our trip up north 😄
Off road survival tips
If you're goin offroad in remote conditions...ya wanna prepare. Make sure your vehicle has good frame mounted tow points. Get something like a 12k Badlands Winch either installed or mountable on your vehicle by a portable hitch mount etc. Have an air compressor that's at least $100+, so it doesn't take 3 days to fill a tire. Carry a Jerry can of fuel, a little $20 fuel pump and hose with power wire with clamps, long enough to reach your battery allowing transfering fuel.
Have some basic recovery gear, traction boards, 30' strap/tow rope, (4-5) 3/4" shackles, soft shackles, (2) 8' tree saver straps, a 50-100' steel cable with a snatchblock, even a cumalong may come in handy and watch some vids on using them, practice with them. Watch vids on burying a log or tire to use as a land anchor if there's no trees. Always have plenty of food/water and fire making tools in case. Have a couple of water filtering straws and purification tablets. Make sure to have a short handled shovel.
Luckily these days we have technology to aid us. So use it to our advantage. The electric scooters these days have miles of range and may get you down a road faster and easier to safety. They also make a great option for travel while in a city. Giving you miles of range for activity or small errands. They're also very compact taking little space.
There's also Personal Locator Devices for fairly cheap these days, some even have messaging capability. Use an Android App like GPS Status or similar that can get your Exact coordinates without phone service. Do a Screenshot of the areal view of the area so you have some idea of direction. Toss a compass in the glovebox. Get a Phone Booster like WeBoost and install it properly.
When you're miles out in the middle of nowhere with questionable communications. YOU are responsible for yourself and can't rely on someone coming along to give you a jump start. Or waiting for your engine to magically start. Plan backups for your backups, 2 is 1 and 1 is none. People have died agonizing deaths being trapped out in the middle of nowhere after a break down etc.
The life you save may be your own. Or hopefully everything will be just fine and you may run across someone else needing help.
I was recently on a long roadtrip. 1 point I was in a fairly remote National Park. Nobody but me and them out there. I was leaving the following morning. A family in a full size bus got stuck in some mud. I was prepared for myself, so grabbed a strap and yanked em out saving them a $4-500 Tow bill.
I got excited when our ventilation system was cleaned in our house, so totally understand you getting excited over the repairs on the bus 😄
Glad to see you guys finally hit a good mechanic....can tell it took a lot of stress off of you guys
It really did! We just feel so much more confident in the bus and confident that we’ll make it to Alberta! Haha 😄
It is great to see when genuine people give a shout-out to people that do quality work.
So glad y’all found a good mechanic. Looks like you are having so much fun!
Happy to know your Skoolie received such superb attention by competent mechanics. You two are such a joy to watch!
I'm sitting here watching the beginning and as I usually talk to the TV blurt out *Have them check the fan clutch too* Overheating problems will keep you stressed out, especially in the desert. It's such a relief to find a REAL shop that sometimes it feels like you just found the pot of gold over the rainbow. We're full timer's too, except with a motorhome. We plan on hitting Skooliepalooza next year, maybe we'll see you there.
Yay, great that you finally had a good mechanic experience! And congratulations on the sponsor, the journey can continue 🚌
Thanks! We were thinking it’s about time our luck turns around with these mechanics 😅
And we’re super thrilled about Javy as well, sponsors like them are going to allow us to keep traveling even longer 😄
Your mechanics, or the work on your bus/home are not boring at all! In fact, it's great to hear that you are safe and got treated right at this garage. That's a big deal when you're on the road and pretty much have to depend on the expertise of mechanics along your journey. Now that you know this, you have a "safe" place to return to for important work. Happy and safe travels to you. 😉
We had a great experience with AAA & Tony too! We bought a windshield and a back door. We love AAA! Safe travels!
I think you paid the right amount to give you peace of mind, and I think that's priceless. Take Care & Stay Safe, Hugs UK
I'm so glad that you guys found the right mechanic for your bus.
I'm reminded:
Finding the correct people to work on your bus... is truly everything!
Yes I see it in my business. Some company's businesses should not be working on stuff they don't truly understand... I see it all the time in my industry. Experience is so important with hard problems or number of small ones making a big one.
Happy for you guys....
Having dependable travel is so awesome, it's truly good news. Thanks for sharing your life travels and experience. :)
I've heard Tony and the crew at AAA Bus really know the busses and care about the skoolie community.
Got to remember the bus is your transportation but it's also your home. The best part is fixing it and seeing just how long the repairs hold up. But yes, seeing yall out there changing statrter's was the best. Soon you will understand what keeping a vintage vehicle on the road as a daily driver is really all about. I am in the same boat, my daily is a 1970 and I just completed doing a complete motor build & swap out and all is well. ( except the price of fuel is now through the roof )
So glad you finally got to a professional group of bus macanics to work on the schoolie.. This will make life and traveling safer and enjoyable.
I am so glad you two wound up at AAA in Arizona. Every skoolie video we've seen on youtube that has been there has raved about Tony and the guys at AAA!
That is so awesome! Love that they were able to take care of everything on your list. I could almost see the weight come off your shoulders each time you reported a new item. Wonderful....Jimmy...NO DONUTS IN THE PARKING LOT! Take care and be safe
Haha we feel SO relieved after they were done with everything 😊
And hey! What’s the point of all those fixes if we can’t take it for a little joy ride! Haha 😂
I'm so glad you guys were able to get to AAA! Such a giant win for the comfort
Us too! We were looking forward to that appointment for almost a full month! Haha 😄
@@JimmyandNatalie I'm so looking forward to the adventure to Banff. We did our honeymoon there (*cough* years ago) in late November. It's a beautiful place. I'll definitely go back in warmer months some day. Did you know it's the town where the movie Roxanne was filmed? 1987 - Steve Martin and Daryll Hannah - strongly recommend. :)
That shop needs to open a branch around here! Fast and good service is almost impossible to find. Glad to hear your bus is ready for more adventures!
You two are truly blessed. I think AAA stands for Angelic Answers from Above! That’s awesome!!!
So excited that you guys got it fixed. In my search for my Bus, so many people recommended AAA Bus and I actually considered it when I was at Skooliepalooza 2021 but, I live on the east coast and found my bus in Florida. I love watching your videos, so inspiring, can wait to bump into y'all on the road someday.
Here I am crying tears of happiness yah kind of an emotional person Happy For You & 🌵! HAPPY TRAVELS! Be Well Be Safe & Stay Blessed.
Finding a shop that knows their stuff is rare these days.
So true... We drove from SC to AZ before we finally found one 😅
finding reliable, honest mechanics is priceless--
So happy you finally were able to get these nagging issues addressed! Now let the adventures begin!
It’s a wonderful thing when you find competent mechanics. Nice that they were able to do all the work plus the shocks. Happy travels
Good to hear the issues on the bus have been (hopefully) worked out. I've watched several schoolie vid's and they have had work done at AAA in Phoenix and they all seem to really like how those folks do business (as it should be). "Happy Trails/Motor safely"
I was wondering if you were headed to AAA. glad you got there and they were everything theyve been said to be. Good to hear the bus is running well again. And props to them on not gouging like most of the diesel repair industry! Thats a great deal they gave you.
Skilled and knowledgable technical folks are golden. Should make a good stop over for maintenance in your future travels. Shocks - research Panhard rod (locates rear axle) and steering stabilizer/dampers (tracks better in wind and safer if tire blows). Thanks for sharing.
so happy for you both and for your skoolie, your videos are always an uplifting watch :) safe driving
looks like you have found the perfect place to get repairs done. No guess work and quality work. Glad to see you'll be moving forward safely. Take care!!!!
So awesome you bus is fixed, now no stress on the trip to Canada. You two are an amazing couple.
I have a f350 I pull my fifth wheel trailer with and every time I fuel up I put diesel kleene in it. Fuel isn’t the same as years ago this will help keep injectors clean and burn better and possibly better fuel mileage. You will have to see how much per gallon you will need. What I did was take a old 2 stroke engine oil bottle (small one ) and fill it up one time for every half tank. Depends on how many gallon you have so research it before putting it in. Stay safe and God bless.
Amazing! Glad you guys got some major help on ur bus and finally we’re heard by a mechanic. She’s brand spanking new now!! Ready for Canada, I hope! Happy for you!
So glad you finally found a great mechanic. I know you're happy with all they did & a great price! Awesome! Onward.....
I'm so glad you finally got the skoolie taken care of! The price wasn't bad either. Must feel nice not having to pull over every 15 minutes climbing a mountain. 😁 It's nice that you 2 basically roll with the punches when the bus wasn't doing so well. I on the other hand throw stuff, kick the van, cuss it out, then finally chill. I think our upbringings are totally opposite from one another. LOL. Looking forward to next video. Travel safely!
Tony is the man!!! I was so excited to see you guys pull into his yard!!! He is awesome!!! He is the only guy I would fully trust to work on my bus. 😍🥳 I bought my bus from him, too, and got that T-shirt. 💖 It's great he was able to check everything off of your mechanic to-do list!! Thanks for sharing your experience with him and his guys. He is one of the biggest cornerstones for the skoolie community here on the west side of the USA.
Subscriber here!
We love your blogs. You two, like all of us, are learning as you go, and thanks for sharing the variety of emotions, set backs, accomplishments, challenges, and the journey.
Like Joni Mitchell says in one of her songs... "Youth, it's too good to waste." You two are making the most of yourselves and it's great to see you two enjoying life
together👍👍
So happy to see a positive experience with a mechanic! You guys have had more than your fair share of disappointment in that department. Happy and safe travels!
I am so happy that you found some honest and qualified mechanics.
If the button works like the one I have on my dump truck, you want to hold the button in... about 10 seconds. Basically letting it warm up. If its real cold, I might do it 20 or 30 seconds. I wait about 10 seconds, then crank the engine, this lets the voltage recover a little
Done Icefields Parkway several times. Its breathtaking every time. It's probably one of the most beautiful drives in the world. And we have traveled a lot. 😊
Oh my goodness I'm so excited for you both. I'm glad you finally found a mechanic that could and would help you. At least this old granny won't worry about you being broken down in the wilderness somewhere. Happy Trails Enjoy life. Love you both God Bless
Glad you’re vehicle was serviced and is running better
It is just. Wonderful that you can find someone that does the job you need and do it right,, happy that there is a few people in thin world that are truthful yet.
Glad you got that work done. You guys worry me, because you know so little about the mechanical aspect of the bus, so glad you found a decent garage to sort things out.
Wow, good deal. I just had my Ford diesel f450 in for shocks, two tires oil change filter top off fluids it was $2100. I was satisfied. You were treated well. Glad for you.
AAA bus is awesome, they know what they are doing. Glad you are all good to go.
Wow that is great for you's because it is hard to find a mechanic you like that is real good so cudo's to both of you, I am glad you ran into some friends.
So happy for you . God Bless
So happy you got the bus fixed correctly this time!
Really pleased for you both. Glad the skoolie got more fixed than before xx
Hey, glad you got all your issues with the bus taken care of. Glad to see you found a shop that DID what needed to be done and also gave you a break on the cost as well. Well as always, "Enjoy The Adventure." 😀👍💙
WOW! So happy ya'll found a great mechanic shop that were honest and I'm sure you will help alot of people that have Schoolies know where to go! Safe travels 🙏 😊🤗❤
Yay!!!! So glad you got a "bus person" to look at it! I've been praying for you to get some answers before you got into an area that would be too cold or you might run into problems. Oh, no, am I going to have to start praying for no snakes???? Please be careful! I'm so glad you got new shocks and will have a "new ride"! Yeah! I would be wearing those shirts 24/7!!!! Go AAA!!!!! Thank you, guys, at AAA for being so kind to our friends! Love you Jimmy & Natalie! So glad you got to spend time with your friends. Much love, from SC, Jane❤🙏
Is sounds like you’ve found a shop that actually knows how to work on those big International DT’s. A clogged radiator would definitely cause the overheating under a load.
A quick fix to get a few more miles before you have to stop us to turn on your heater - full blast, it will make it toasty inside but will act as an aux radiator.
For the super cold winter mornings, when you have the current available, a block heater if sone sort turned on an hour or so before you need to start will help a lot.
Happy Motoring! .
Omg omg omg….the nightmare..(actually it was just that) is over and you seem to have found an honest mechanic….adopt them so they can always be in your family..I don’t know how I would have handled having to pull over constantly with anything overheating…..I’ve blown a head gasket with an overheating problem …it’s no joke….and new shocks…woo hoo…that’s the cherry on the sundae….your Skoolie is smiling…having a new smooth ride and turning ratio is heaven…you did good…..😁….we are all smiling for you….
I am glad you guys had a great experience and they got you all fixed up! It’s amazing how many places just seem like they cannot be bothered to do the work and are just not helpful, this is exactly why I started doing my own work and then turned into helping others who could not find someone to do the work. Happy travels!
Hi Guys
Being a mechanic myself , AAA knows there stuff from I heard . Most of the stories I read about shady mechanics and Skoolies has not been good . One more thing you could do is install a electric cooling fan for insurance . Should get into a long climb or get into really bad traffic jam or even should your fan clutch go bad you'll have a way to keep the engine from getting too hot . You will need a pusher type electric fan so it can be mounted in front of the the radiator . The hot water comes in through the radiator hose so that's the genera you should mount the fan . Good luck safe travels .
I am so happy that you got your Bus repaired. Best of Luck on your future travels,On the Road Again !
Tony and his team at AAA Bus are awesome! We always stopped there on our way to the desert and then back there before heading back to the east coast in the spring.
Happy shes fixed. It was a great decision to take it to pros. Be safe and happy♡
I’m so glad that you had a positive experience with a mechanic !!!
You 2 are awesome, curious, &adventurous all at the same time. I love watching your videos, and all of the excitement in Natalie's eyes,when she discovers something amazing has happened for the 2 of you.Happy trails,hopefully I will see you down the road
You are right! They are the best. They did me great also! Tony & AAA.
Holy crap. I need to check them out. Burned out the clutch in my 1976 C60. Bus needs a lot of work and I’m amazed at how much you got done for the price.
So nice to learn of your experience at AAA bus repair. These folks knew where to source the parts you needed quickly. So rare to hear about a good-repair facility. Thanks and trouble free travels wished.
I'm so glad you got things straightened out and were able to relax
So happy for you about getting the Skoolie fixed, happy travels!
Thanks Evelyn! 💚
If I were going to have a school bus that I was going to do cross-continent excursions I would: 1. Take out the fan belt and Fan on the radiator and I would install a big aluminum radiator with multiple electric fans. You see the fan on the belt does not cool as much when you idle as when you are revving the engine with higher RPM and electric fans will cool at a constant rate. 2.I would look for a transmission that has a better ratio for highway miles. There again the school bus is designed for small trips around town and not highway travel. Having a transmission designed for Highway use would cut down on wear and tear on the engine. Having an electric fans on your radiator would go a long way to keeping your engine cooler.
Whoot!!! Kudos to AAA and good to see/hear! Enjoy!!!
Another great video! I’m so glad you were able to have your skoolie fixed and give you peace of mind. Safe travels and can’t wait til next Monday! Have an amazing week. ❤️
Thanks! We are feeling just so much better about everything and really can’t wait to start exploring again! 😄
I am so happy and excited for the both of you. Such a huge answer to my prayers.
So glad they got you safely rolling again. They truly sounded like experienced mechanics. Hope and pray that took care of the problems you’ve been having. Again safe travels.
Just a note of caution , keep a check on your rear tires that you dont get any rocks wedged between them , could get expensive and dangerous maybe you already know this and do keep an eye on them anyhow safe travels and Im glad your bus is doing good now .
I’m glad you mentioned the shop your using and that you might need to have the fan clutch changed. I have a brand new. Clutch but no longer have the vehicle it goes to, now I can see if this is something that shop might need at times. Thanks again and I’m glad your experience with mechanics improved.
Glad to hear that you were able to get things squared away finally, takes a lot off your minds. Safe journey, enjoy!!!
You 2 needed this reassurance for safety & seeing the good,bad & in between is what life is about,now this 'ol mom' will be at ease(winking)have fun,relax
I'm so glad you were able to get things fixed in fact I hope it finally works right this time enjoy your journey be safe while you're in Canada. Enjoy your videos your friend👍😎
Told you Tony would take good care of you he cares about the bus community there like family to him and you can always give him a call when something comes up it's just the peace of mind knowing he's available because he does listen your up coming trip should be fun and worry free.
I've been binging your videos recently starting with the build and this has to be my favorite all of them for so many reasons. From the awesome mechanics at AAA, to the Java sponsor to the friends you met up with and even the bloopers. I loved ever minute of this video.