Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-24-2018, 12:57 PM   #1
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Roof raise help?

Hey Everyone,

I am sneaking up on roof raise time on my 2002 Bluebird A3RE.

I feel comfortable with part of the process but would really like to hire someone who has raised the roof on a Bluebird before or similar experience. Swapping labor would be even better.

If anyone here has interest in giving me a hand speak up.

My tentative plan is to get it to the point where I am ready to start cutting hat channel and then either bring the bus to you or bring you to the bus.

I am located in Dayton Washington. We have plenty of accommodation for guests. Two spare bedrooms, a travel trailer and a Best Western within walking distance.

Anyone have interest?


Thanks.

S.

PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2018, 11:06 AM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Anyone?

Comments or suggestions?

Thanks
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 11:15 AM   #3
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Well.....

Anyone have any recommendations for an individual or shop they would recommend to give me a hand? Hopefully somewhere in: WA, OR, ID, MT or NorCal.

I am really weak in the sheet metal skills and do need some help.

Just to be clear, I am not looking for volunteer labor. I am looking for paid help.

Thanks.

S.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 11:18 AM   #4
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Well.....

Anyone have any recommendations for an individual or shop they would recommend to give me a hand? Hopefully somewhere in: WA, OR, ID, MT or NorCal.

I am really weak in the sheet metal skills and do need some help.

Just to be clear, I am not looking for volunteer labor. I am looking for paid help.

Thanks.

S.
If you are tempted to have a go yourself, buses are nearly all flat sheets and simple curves. The only compound curves are in the end-caps.

This is way easier than you might think if you have only ever seen work done on cars.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 11:45 AM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Thank you Twigg,

It is the end caps that are my biggest concern.

Also, as an amateur, if all goes perfectly then I may be ok but I am ill equipped to handle problems.

Thanks again.

S.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 11:57 AM   #6
Bus Nut
 
Asetechrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kalispell, MT
Posts: 290
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Amtran Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
Hey Steve, I have never done it either but sure would be willing to help.

I don’t need payment....well beer perhaps 😁
Asetechrail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 12:04 PM   #7
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asetechrail View Post
Hey Steve, I have never done it either but sure would be willing to help.

I don’t need payment....well beer perhaps 😁
Thanks Kent,

Beer is not payment it is sustenance... Necessary for the continuation of life.

I may take you up on that. I am stressing over some of the sheetmetal work.

You all need to come over for dinner soon.

Take care.

S.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 04:16 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Thanks Kent,

Beer is not payment it is sustenance... Necessary for the continuation of life.

I may take you up on that. I am stressing over some of the sheetmetal work.

You all need to come over for dinner soon.

Take care.

S.
If you end up stuck ... the biggest issue is where to make the cuts. Some help with deciding that would go a long way. Hiring a local welder to make the joins would be a much easier task .... the guy would probably make the cuts too once he knows where you want them.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 04:35 PM   #9
Bus Nut
 
BurlKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 502
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 5.9L
Rated Cap: 77
i'll do it if you get it to MN, Steve.
BurlKing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 06:41 PM   #10
Bus Geek
 
Jolly Roger bus 223's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Swansboro,NC
Posts: 2,973
Year: 86
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Ford B700
Engine: 8.2
Rated Cap: 60 bodies
Make the cuts in the window areas that way your only dealing with putting straight pieces back together and raise the end caps with the roof or at least the rear end cap and transmission the front lower roof end cap up to the new roof.
I know you can find side windows to fit but if you raise the front end cap I don't know if you could find new windshields.
Cut a small piece of rib and take it to a sheetmetal shop and have them make pieces to fit either inside or outside of yours and depending on the height of your raise I would make them full length to lap over the cut ribs as much as possible except leave the welder an inch or two at the top and bottom to weld the ends up.
Get yourself a mig welder and practice with scraps until your omfortable in the vertical position that the ribs are going to be in
I have never done a SKOOLIE raise but i do welding and metal work for a living.
I think ECCB documented his roof raise.
Don't be scared of it. If you want it you can practice a little and weld it yourself.
Good luck
Jolly Roger bus 223 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2018, 07:11 PM   #11
Bus Nut
 
Asetechrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kalispell, MT
Posts: 290
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Amtran Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
Steve I have a welder...just need to pick up some more gas and different wire. I have flux core in it right now. The inert gas welds are much prettier. I also have alot of other tools we may need. Would be nice to have a pneumatic rivet gun.

Let me know the timeline and we can get something going.

Kent
Asetechrail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 11:41 AM   #12
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asetechrail View Post
Steve I have a welder...just need to pick up some more gas and different wire. I have flux core in it right now. The inert gas welds are much prettier. I also have alot of other tools we may need. Would be nice to have a pneumatic rivet gun.

Let me know the timeline and we can get something going.

Kent
I have a little welder also. Same circumstance. Loaded with an empty bottle and flux core.

I am going to be picking up a pneumatic rivet gun at HF.

Let's get together and look it over, drink a beer and make a plan!
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 01:41 PM   #13
Bus Nut
 
Asetechrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kalispell, MT
Posts: 290
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Amtran Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post

Let's get together and look it over, drink a beer and make a plan!

Sounds good to me. I’ve got my brother in law’s birthday party Saturday but am open for Sunday. I usually have F,S,S off. I’m hoping that stays the same....I really like four day work weeks.
Asetechrail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2018, 01:58 PM   #14
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Wright City MO
Posts: 280
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins/Allison
Rated Cap: 74
I would be willing to help but I live in mid Missouri and it's a long drive to your crib. I am starting my third roof raise (1st of my own) in a couple of weeks. I'll be with you in spirit.
__________________
Its hard to be wrong when you live in Wright City!
There is no mechanical problem that cannot be overcome by a skillfully applied combination of brute force and ignorance!
Gdog 5651 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 09:54 AM   #15
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 570
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: dt466e
Taking notes from this thread. Good luck!
adic27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-2018, 10:44 AM   #16
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gdog 5651 View Post
I would be willing to help but I live in mid Missouri and it's a long drive to your crib. I am starting my third roof raise (1st of my own) in a couple of weeks. I'll be with you in spirit.
Thanks Gdog,

I wish we were closer. I will stop and have a coldie when we pass through Missouri
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:09 PM   #17
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Well it is looking like we are going to wing it

I would prefer to raise the full length of the bus similar to what Elliott did on Millicent. Only I am thinking of 10"-12" not the 23" that Elliott did.

Unfortunately, I think that my fabrication skills, or lack thereof, may dictate a simpler approach like the "humpback" that I have seen on other builds.

I have searched for other build threads detailing with a full length raise but am only finding Elliott's.

Can you all point me to additional threads with the full length raise?

Another option that I am considering is to raise starting at the second bow and have the transition go from the front cap to the second bow. As opposed to the other humpbacks that transition from the second bow to the third.

What do you all think?

Thanks.

S.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:20 PM   #18
Bus Nut
 
BurlKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 502
Year: 92
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 5.9L
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve View Post
Well it is looking like we are going to wing it

I would prefer to raise the full length of the bus similar to what Elliott did on Millicent. Only I am thinking of 10"-12" not the 23" that Elliott did.

Unfortunately, I think that my fabrication skills, or lack thereof, may dictate a simpler approach like the "humpback" that I have seen on other builds.

I have searched for other build threads detailing with a full length raise but am only finding Elliott's.

Can you all point me to additional threads with the full length raise?

Another option that I am considering is to raise starting at the second bow and have the transition go from the front cap to the second bow. As opposed to the other humpbacks that transition from the second bow to the third.

What do you all think?

Thanks.

S.

i've got it somewhat detailed on my build, and gave eastcoastcb some advice when he was doing his, so just follow my link on the bottom here.

OR - my two favorite, who do it beautifully, as well.

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...-bus-9394.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...ence-9993.html
BurlKing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:28 PM   #19
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by BurlKing View Post
i've got it somewhat detailed on my build, and gave eastcoastcb some advice when he was doing his, so just follow my link on the bottom here.

OR - my two favorite, who do it beautifully, as well.

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...-bus-9394.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/th...ence-9993.html
Thanks Burlking,

Those are great examples of "humpback" roof raise.

Am on a quest for additional examples of full length roof raise's like Elliott did. Have you come across any?

Thanks again.

S.
PNW_Steve is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 04:36 PM   #20
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
I'm not convinced there is a great deal to be gained by raising it above the driver area, and it is much simpler to raise the roof just behind.

The transition is the only complicated bit, and those other threads will help you there.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:55 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.