re: wheel well modification

[captainkf]

I saw a bus conversion this summer that the owner had modified the wheel wells. He cut them down to 2.5 inches deep from the standard 13 inches. He did this so they would not be interfere with the internal outlay. Because of the stiffness of the suspension he stated that he had not had the wheels touch out on the lowered wheel wells.

I am a bit skeptical, however lowering them would free up a fair amount of space inside. So, what do you all think? Has anyone tried this?

I am thinking of dropping them down to a depth of 4 inches. Do you think this will cause problems with the re-certification or road inspection in the future?

Thanks a bunch all.

I posted some photo's in the gallery of his bus. He dropped it right down to the deck and built up everything fresh. It was quite roomy inside, but had a very tank like exterior.

-Richard

[Steve]

Where are the pictures at, I can't find them.

[captainkf]

Gallery page 8. I am uploading as I write this. So they should be up in 20 minutes or so.

-Richard

[captainkf]

Here they are:

http://www.skoolie.net/gallery2/differen ... een-around

Hope this helps.

-Richard

[wmah]

A lot of the low profile type buses with the flat floor don't have much for a gap above the tires. I'd have to measure the ones we have for a ccompany I'm with. I'd like to say they are around 6 inches for space.

[captainkf]

6 inches eh?

Do they ever bottom out? The suspension in my bus is very stiff. When we moved out we had about 10,000 pounds in the bus plus a trailer and the bus dropped about an inch. So...

This sounds do-able. Thanks. If you could get specifics that would be great. Thanks.

-Richard

[wmah]

I measured 1 so far and it was a mid 90's gmc bluebird body.
It was only 5 inches above the tire to the floor. I have to measure the rest still.

We have a few others with flat floors. A tc1000, a couple e450's and a chevy c5500. 2 3400 internationals. None of these ever bottom out when completly full with passengers. Figure up to 20 passengers with an average weight of about 140 pounds.

The tc1000 and the c5500 and both 3400's have 19.5 wheels. The fords have 16 inch.

We do have an older 94 e350 with a flat floor that bottoms out around corners and good size bumps in the road (only when at least half loaded). But this ones problem is the rear springs that are weak and should be replaced but its going down the road soon so it won't be done by us.

[captainkf]

Thanks for the info! This is great. It allows for some very usefull modifications that will give more flexability in the layout and design.
-Richard