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Old 04-28-2018, 12:34 PM   #1
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Chance the bus

Taking a chance on this one. It's been about 2 months waiting on the title. I'm still in contact with the seller and supposedly its in the mail on Tuesday . So I'm working on the free stuff first. It's a 2001 Freightliner Thomas w/ Cat 7.2 and AT545. Rear gears seem to be about 4.70. Top speed 60-ish. Bought it for $900. Drove it about 60 miles home. A little shimmy in the front when you hit the brakes. Everything is pretty ok.Click image for larger version

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Old 04-28-2018, 03:03 PM   #2
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The scraper blade in the Sawzall works great to pull up the rubber floor. But broke with 6ft left. Used a pick to clean out the screw heads before using the rechargable drill. So only had to cut a half dozen screwsClick image for larger version

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Old 04-28-2018, 09:31 PM   #3
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Congrats on chance. The rest is all details. Are you going to do a similar road trip with this one?
Later j
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Old 05-01-2018, 09:04 AM   #4
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Planning on Fla to Canada road trip in 2 years.
Got more taken apart Sunday.
Checking out the uchannel in the roof raise area. Planning on raising the 7 back rows of windows 18"-20" but leaving the first 3 windows low.
Is the white material insulation or just sound deadening?Click image for larger version

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Old 05-01-2018, 09:07 AM   #5
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I'd love to lend a hand if you want any free help. Just hit me up.

raising a Thomas is tricky for sure. That bend at the beltline sure complicates things!
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Old 05-01-2018, 09:48 AM   #6
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It'd be awesome to see you again!
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I'd love to lend a hand if you want any free help. Just hit me up.

raising a Thomas is tricky for sure. That bend at the beltline sure complicates things!
We plan to mimic this roof raise. In some resects I think mine will be easier.Click image for larger version

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Old 05-01-2018, 03:07 PM   #7
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It'd be awesome to see you again!We plan to mimic this roof raise. In some resects I think mine will be easier.Attachment 21454
That's not a Thomas. Isn't yours a Thomas? If so you'll have to get creative due to the 6 degree slant.

When yall gonna start cutting? Can I watch?
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Old 05-01-2018, 03:32 PM   #8
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That's not a Thomas. Isn't yours a Thomas? If so you'll have to get creative due to the 6 degree slant.

When yall gonna start cutting? Can I watch?
It looks like they're planning to bypass that by raising after the first few rows of windows, unless I misunderstood.
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:01 PM   #9
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Uh oh. Weres the slant? Whats a belt line? I'm getting my angle finder out when i get home. I'll mark off the cut lines i'm thinking about for some feedback. Yes ours is a thomas. Once i get the title i'll be spending more time on it.
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That's not a Thomas. Isn't yours a Thomas? If so you'll have to get creative due to the 6 degree slant.

When yall gonna start cutting? Can I watch?
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:02 PM   #10
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It looks like they're planning to bypass that by raising after the first few rows of windows, unless I misunderstood.
Right.
But if you raise one part on a Thomas you'd need to account for the 6 degree bend at the window line.

I'm not nay-saying. if anyone can do it Travis can.



See the bend inward ^? if you raise you have to do it below the bend, but a partial raise will make for lots of finesse to make it look right or work at all.

I'm REALLY interested to see this!!!!

GO TRAV AND MICHELLE!!!!

So- Can I watch? I'll even help if you like...
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:06 PM   #11
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Absolutely welcome to help. We'll figure it out. And got the pool 20' away. I plan on working and swimming a lot this summer.
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:09 PM   #12
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Absolutely welcome to help. We'll figure it out. And got the pool 20' away. I plan on working and swimming a lot this summer.
Are you gonna use fiberglass or steel to fill the gaps in the transition?

And cool, just let me know when!!! If you need any tools or supplies let me know, too.

I can get 18ga (or any other) steel for wholesale cost.
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Old 05-01-2018, 04:49 PM   #13
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Right.
But if you raise one part on a Thomas you'd need to account for the 6 degree bend at the window line.

I'm not nay-saying. if anyone can do it Travis can.



See the bend inward ^? if you raise you have to do it below the bend, but a partial raise will make for lots of finesse to make it look right or work at all.

I'm REALLY interested to see this!!!!

GO TRAV AND MICHELLE!!!!

So- Can I watch? I'll even help if you like...
I understand now. I was thinking of the bump raise that some of the buses have right after the driver and assumed he was going to raise even higher after that point.
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Old 05-01-2018, 06:22 PM   #14
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My current fantasy cut line. The transition would be between the front verticle lines.Click image for larger version

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Old 05-01-2018, 07:42 PM   #15
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Seems like it would be easier to raise ALL of it. What's the plan for the angle difference in that vertical cut line?
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Old 05-01-2018, 07:57 PM   #16
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It would probably be easier to just lift the entire thing below the windows, and then skin it and put the windows where you want. I'm assuming that's why you want to cut it like this, to keep the windows lower up front? Can't think of any other reason

Maybe your just doing something crazy with the front roof area I can't think of
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Old 05-01-2018, 08:02 PM   #17
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I just wanted to keep the front windows low for when we're cruising so everyone can see. I haven't thought about lowering the windows. Now I've got some thinking to do.
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Old 05-01-2018, 08:28 PM   #18
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I've only read some posts, ECCB is the man to talk to about roof raises. I've just recently noticed the effects of the Thomas window angle while working on framing my interior, and I could imagine it's a bit more difficult to deal with that angle when it's the bus body, and you'd be mating that angled front to a squared back, and higher angle up top
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Old 05-01-2018, 08:29 PM   #19
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I just wanted to keep the front windows low for when we're cruising so everyone can see. I haven't thought about lowering the windows. Now I've got some thinking to do.
If you lift the windows 6 to 9" it makes it easier to install standard height cabinetry and still have the full window to look through.
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Old 05-02-2018, 06:50 AM   #20
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We would like our counter tops high. I'm a little over 6' and the wife is close. I think our favorite work space in the house is 39". Was planning on 18"-24" lift.
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If you lift the windows 6 to 9" it makes it easier to install standard height cabinetry and still have the full window to look through.
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