Smitty's Bus - Page 2

the_experience03 · 10-07-2009, 03:11 PM

Hey smitty...if you're serious about an elevator you might want to look into using garage door tracks. They are cheap, abundant, and easy to work with and I think 4 of them could do the trick. The biggest issue will be with making sure that the whole affair lifts evenly, but a set up similar to a 4 post car hoist should work out just fine. Harbor Freight sells a cheap 3000 lbs winch (I paid $60) that comes with a wireless remote that could be just the ticket.

C00LR · 10-08-2009, 09:11 AM

When you get the elevator done... your gonna have to make a Smitty Copperfield vid complete with a fog machine and lights for effect and you FLOATING up through the roof of your bus!! Maybe even some laser lights in there for effect too!!

Sorry, couldnt help it.

Andreb · 10-08-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Only other option would be a stairway inside the bus, and I don't want to lose the room, or have a large opening in the roof.

how about an outside spiral stairway? hung to the back of your bus?

Andreb · 10-09-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

My problem is stairs, period.

an exterior elevator made from an electric picker's forklift? Build a nice platform where the forks are and it doubles as a nice rear deck or a motorcycle/scooter rack when you're on the road?

the_experience03 · 10-10-2009, 06:53 PM

Were you planning on building a rear deck, Smitty?

Sojakai · 10-10-2009, 07:10 PM

Thats what I thought the forklift was for... Back deck and elevator to roof.

bikeforthelight · 10-10-2009, 11:25 PM

Love the idea of a lift Smitty. Couple things I have know about winches. You may too, but hey, no one had brought it up yet. I used to do a lot of rockcrawling/4x4 in my IH Scout II. I had a warn winch on the front. Those things dont operate quickly, so if you dont want to stand there for 2 minutes just to get up and down your gonna have to retool the pulley system. Also....they use a TON of power. I had a second large battery installed on my Scout for it, and a high output alternator and still would have to gas the truck anytime i ran the winch for more than 6 or 8 feet. I was a part of a 4x4 club and this seemed to be standard on all of em. Just a thought for you man. A lot of the guys had the HF winches and others like em (JC Whit) and they dealt with the same stuff, so I assume it wasn't just mine. But absolutely love the idea. Youll rise up like rock star. Always shirtless when you ride the elevator though....it should be a rule.

Sojakai · 10-11-2009, 02:01 AM

Picture that lift from the Fork pictured a page or so back, sitting across the back bumper. It makes a great deck. Cover over the hole thing so it is kinda like Kamoo's deck, but it could raise up to the roof height. Place a chair so can sit out for relax time, or just while you rise. If you have some sort of railing that pivots into place, makes it easier, and can probably lift it while sitting to be easier on the back... Or use a winch to lift it up with a button when you want it.

I can come up with ideas, no problem. Will they work, yeah. Practical? Probably not, But they are fun.

kamoo · 10-11-2009, 11:28 AM

Lookin good! You should definately increase the height on the rear door, you will be mad the first time you bang your head on it if you leave it that height.

Kirbystud · 10-12-2009, 04:57 PM

This would be a cool way to make your lift.... Make it so the lift links are part of our rear bumper. Then the deck would be even with your door...you could use a lift cyl. and use air to lift it. If you have air brakes or you could get a small compressor......Wouldn't take much to go up 8 feet.....

the_experience03 · 10-13-2009, 12:06 AM

I'd shy away from superwinch based on my experiences. If you want to spend money go all the way and buy Warn. Otherwise, keep it as cheap as possible. There is no middle ground between cheap and expensive winches.

This is the one I run for the plow on my old TRX350 4x4. It was $75 in store...unless you paid $10 for the extended 2 year warranty in which case it was $50 for a total cost of $60. I've got to think the wireless remote would make life a lot easier for your operation.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=95912

swhite832 · 10-13-2009, 08:40 AM

Smitty,

How many man hours do you have in the roof raise thus far?

S

paul iossi · 10-13-2009, 12:33 PM

how about an old fashioned power lift that the roofers use for shingles, kind of like a conveyor on a hd ladder

bus-bro · 10-13-2009, 07:27 PM

That's about the best metal work I've seen on a skoolie!

Russell · 10-13-2009, 08:34 PM

Look's like you got the wire feed and amperage set rite . You must be squrtin 0.35 wire with CO2 sheild. That works good but I perfer 75% argon 25% CO2 cost a little more but no spatter. And on that mix you can drop down to 0.30 wire and do a fine job on thin sheet sheet metal Russell

cheezypsnookle · 10-13-2009, 10:26 PM

Great progress smitty im "stoked" for u

the_experience03 · 10-14-2009, 12:34 AM

What are you using to notch and cut the tubing, Smitty? Do you have a portaband or something? Those are nice cuts...hats off to you if you're doing the whole project with a grinder! You don't have an abrasive wheel hidden on that miter saw, do you?

Russell · 10-14-2009, 03:41 PM

Wow Smitty look's like you got it go'in on. Makes me wish I could have rasised my roof but i had to get in mine as soon as I could. Im not drag'in my head but a 12 inch lift would be nice. But I don't see nut'in wrong with that, carry on1

the_experience03 · 10-15-2009, 06:00 PM

How did you go about making sure everything was squared up, Smitty? I really do think my next bus will involve a raised roof and I really like the looks of your craftsmanship.

bikeforthelight · 10-15-2009, 11:16 PM

bravo smitty. your making my floor insulation and window tint pics look childish in comparison. great work. wish you were near me. would love to work with you....and get you to help me. haha.

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