Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
This 4×4 School Bus Tiny House Conversion is a guest post by Brock Butterfield of Bus Life Adventure
Being a subscriber to Tiny House Newsletter it is an honor to be able to share my project of converting a 4×4 short school bus into a Tiny Home on the move.
The idea first came to me last winter as I was sleeping in my truck. Cold, cramped and no good way to dry out my snowboarding gear, I started thinking about how I could have a little more wiggle room without the cost of an expensive RV.
A short school bus came to mind and I learned that a handful out there are 4×4. After many nights of research I found the bus I was looking for. A 2001 GMC Savana chassis with Corbeil bus top and a 6.4 Turbo Diesel motor. The bus was located in Albany, NY and we flew out to drive it back to UT taking only old highways and side roads while documenting the whole thing.
My summer and fall has been consumed with removing all the bus seats, chopping the back four feet off and reattaching, welding a deck on the back for two snowmobiles and converting the inside to a cozy 76 sq. ft. living quarter.
The inside is complete with a bathroom, kitchen, dining area that converts to a bed system that will sleep four, clothes closet, nook and plenty of space to store everything one would need to live simple. Most of the walls are recycled pallet wood that I sanded and applied a clear coat to.
76 Sq. Ft. 4×4 School Bus Tiny House Conversion
There is a small wood burning stove, Grape Solar fridge, Luggable Loo for the toilet, Basecamp Companion for the shower and hot water faucet for tea, coffee or washing dishes. I also used a small propane two burner stove from Basecamp for the kitchen. Power is provided by two Grape Solar 150 watt panels which recharge the deep cycle battery with a Grape Solar charge controller. For backup heat I’m using a Mr. Heater Buddy which comes in handy when it’s too cold in the morning to get out of my sleeping bag and attempt to start a fire.
Cushions for the bed are memory foam that I took from a bed top, cut into sections and had an upholsterer finish. The nook in the front of the bus has a removable passenger seat for when traveling and is one of my favorite designs of the interior.
The “fun deck” on the back of the bus can be used for many things but it’s primary purpose is for two snowmobiles for traveling deep into the wilderness to film for snowboarding. The storage compartments underneath the deck store my propane, backup generator, wood, tools, ramps for loading the sleds, snowboards and anything else I may need. A Yakima Sky Box Pro sits on top the bus for additional storage.
I started this project for two reasons. First, to stop paying rent for one full year and put the money towards buying a small piece of land to build my first Tiny Home on. Second, to film a documentary based on the converting the bus into a Tiny Home, living in it for a full year and the challenges that come with it. I’ll also be living with three other guys during the winter months to film six web episodes of us living in 76 sq. ft. and chasing snow storms.
We needed a little help to finish the documentary and just launched our Kickstarter. The money raised will go towards our film budget, music rights, editing and producing the documentary for the public by fall 2015.
If you are in the spirit of giving this time of the year, we could use the help. A couple dollars go a long way and we also worked with our sponsors to help provide great rewards for those that can back the project.
Thank you Alex for the opportunity to share my home, our project and a unique story. If you see us on the road feel free to come check out the bus!
Learn more and help the BLA Crew (and get some pretty darn awesome goodies in exchange for doing so) at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/183247780/life-in-the-bus-lane
Resources
- Learn more and support this project on Kickstarter
- More photos and a video of construction process and more
- Bus Life Adventure official website
Our biggest thanks to the BLA Crew for sharing their 4×4 short bus tiny home with us along with their entire adventure!
You can help us spread the word on this inspiring story by “Liking” on Facebook using the button below and re-sharing this story using the e-mail and social media re-share buttons below. Every share helps inspire people towards simple living, including yours. Thank you so much.
If you enjoyed this 4×4 short bus tiny house conversion and adventure you’ll absolutely LOVE joining our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more! Thank you!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- Xiaomi’s SkyNomad N90 Max Studio: An SUV With a Pop-Up Second Floor - November 6, 2026
- Sundown Station: Brayden Griffith’s DIY Truck Camper - November 6, 2026
- Second Wind Trailers: Hand-Built California Teardrops That Skip the Galley Hatch on Purpose - November 6, 2026
Join the Conversation
35 comments