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Old 08-13-2014, 06:06 PM   #1
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Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014






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Old 08-13-2014, 06:52 PM   #2
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Brilliant work dude!
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:10 PM   #3
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

I have to "ditto" what Syke said!!!
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Old 08-15-2014, 01:21 PM   #4
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Wow,very slick job....cheers!!
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Old 08-15-2014, 02:35 PM   #5
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

I'm so glad you posted this, I'm having trouble deciding whether or not to raise the roof. How did you cut through the frame? Did you use tractor jacks to raise the roof? Is your new siding aluminum sheet metal or steel sheet metal? How did you cut that? Are the extensions welded or bolted to the frame? Sorry to bombard you, I've had so much trouble finding details on roof raises.
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Old 08-15-2014, 02:52 PM   #6
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Super looking job...
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Old 08-15-2014, 02:57 PM   #7
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

TW92. Try using Google. Search for roof raises Skoolie.net and you will come up with a bunch of examples. Have fun--study hard!
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Old 08-15-2014, 06:43 PM   #8
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

That's a purty job!
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Old 08-15-2014, 10:48 PM   #9
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

I'm in the middle of one now. I'm making it up as I go and stealing everyone's ideas.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tesswynn92
I'm so glad you posted this, I'm having trouble deciding whether or not to raise the roof. How did you cut through the frame? Did you use tractor jacks to raise the roof? Is your new siding aluminum sheet metal or steel sheet metal? How did you cut that? Are the extensions welded or bolted to the frame? Sorry to bombard you, I've had so much trouble finding details on roof raises.
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Old 08-16-2014, 09:52 PM   #10
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

I REALLY LOVE the idea of raising the roof below the windows. Could someone point me in the direction of a tutorial or at least a picture heavy post on doing this type of raise? i have searched and searched and found only cutting through the windows.
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Old 08-19-2014, 09:12 AM   #11
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

It doesn't loom too difficult. I considered a raise below the windows briefly but the extra work wasn't needed since I wasn't preserving the original openings.

Looks to me like the solution is to get a sheet metal shop to cut a bunchbof long panels with a bead rolled in them, and form some heavy wall hat channel the same profile as the ribs.

Instead of de-skinning the vertical posts, you remove the rivets between the the upper rub rail and lower window frames.

Separate as you would a common raise and weld in hat channel, then rivet in your new bead rolled panels.

I think this picture explains a lot:

http://s47.photobucket.com/user/Alexlor ... n.jpg.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by natertots
I REALLY LOVE the idea of raising the roof below the windows. Could someone point me in the direction of a tutorial or at least a picture heavy post on doing this type of raise? i have searched and searched and found only cutting through the windows.
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Old 08-19-2014, 04:11 PM   #12
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Looks like you raised 1ft?

Can you confirm this? And maybe provide more pics, details, etc to the roof raising process?
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Old 08-19-2014, 05:44 PM   #13
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by iverSUN
Looks like you raised 1ft?

Can you confirm this? And maybe provide more pics, details, etc to the roof raising process?
I cannot find my camera charger at the moment therefore I have not been able to take detailed photos of the conversion. I have cell phone pictures that I can upload now. Also, we did raise the roof by one foot. I'll have to get my boyfriend under my account because he's better at explaining the process than I.
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Old 08-19-2014, 05:44 PM   #14
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by syke
Brilliant work dude!
Thank you!
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Old 08-19-2014, 05:45 PM   #15
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by tesswynn92
I'm so glad you posted this, I'm having trouble deciding whether or not to raise the roof. How did you cut through the frame? Did you use tractor jacks to raise the roof? Is your new siding aluminum sheet metal or steel sheet metal? How did you cut that? Are the extensions welded or bolted to the frame? Sorry to bombard you, I've had so much trouble finding details on roof raises.
I'm going to get my boyfriend on here very soon to answer your questions! I'm not very good with this type of stuff... I'll be able to answer interior design questions eventually though! Lol!
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Old 08-19-2014, 06:39 PM   #16
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by iverSUN
Looks like you raised 1ft?
*Squiiiiiiiiiiiiints*

I dunno, mate, looks like 2 foot, maybe 2.5 feet to me.

LORRAAAAAAAAAAAINE! Go get'cher measuring tape and confirm how high ya made the roof raise.

Which is still a wildly fabulous job ya did there. So purty. Kinda makes me wish I wasn't a midget.
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Old 08-19-2014, 08:40 PM   #17
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Awesome job...I wish I had a place to work on one like that ... that increase in space must seem like miles lol.
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Old 09-01-2014, 08:52 PM   #18
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Sorry for the late response guys but failing at trying to get adequate pictures posted but in the meantime i will run down what i can.

Ali and I decided that a roof raise was something we didn't want to tackle on our own. We had watched all the videos, read all the posts, etc. We knew what we would be getting into. After much vigilance we found Troy Spackman at Legacy Innovations (http://legacyinnovations.com/) located in York, PA (where we live). His shop mostly deals with hot/street rods, custom vettes, and classic cars. But he also had experience in building trailers as well. We were blessed to have found him. It took me 3 months of weekend work to fully gut the 39 ft. monster, stripped it right to the ribs. It then took 2 guys 2 weeks to the cut and raise the roof.

It is indeed a 12in roof raise. Our heights are 5' 10" and 5' 4" so we are not very tall people. We also live in the north east and were worried about low bridges, and we also discussed that it may be too top heavy for travel. In the end i think its perfect. And that's Gavalume (http://www.galvalume.com/product_info.htm) riveted in and covering the windows. i believe its 16g to match the bus's and its beaded as well for aesthetics. You can see that the metal is cut to the match the same lengths as the bus's. That was actually the goal of the project. to kind of keep a stock bus look. We also looked into getting the additional black side bumpers but they were over $1k each new, or if i could find another 39fter that i could spend all day at pulling then there's a possibility. But otherwise its not that noticeable. All the Gavalume came cut from the metal shop. They couldn't find rivets that matched exactly in size, so we went with slightly bigger ones. Should be barely noticeable once painted.

As for the back, the door no longer fits since we raised the roof below the windows. So it has been removed along with the rear windows. We decided for now to leave the back open so that we can have better access to getting some larger items in the bus. Once we are ready the back end will be sealed up and will look like no door was ever there. The sides of the bus were cut with an angle grinder, and they did jack the roof up to weld it in place. You can see the hatch channels on the inside and also every other one has a steel bar welded inside for added strength. The most impressive work is around the drivers seat and the front all the way around to the door. I will have to post pictures up so that you can see the weld work on the inside. I still have to seam seal the outside but will wait til before painting. We are currently welding up the holes in the floor so that we can seal the inside in.

Im sure there is something i forgot, please ask me and ill do my best! And hopefully next time it wont take so long.

Aaron & Ali
39ft Flat Nose 1999 International Amtran DT466e
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Old 09-02-2014, 03:27 PM   #19
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by iverSUN
Looks like you raised 1ft?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Das Mel
I dunno, mate, looks like 2 foot, maybe 2.5 feet to me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlorraine01
It is indeed a 12in roof raise.
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Old 09-02-2014, 09:42 PM   #20
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Re: Roof Raise Complete as of 08/13/2014

Awesome work!
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