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03-29-2017, 11:55 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 9
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: Genesis
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
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Roof hatches: substitutes and replacements
Anyone know of an affordable replacement or sturdy substitute for old roof hatches?
We have a 1996 International AmTran with Specialty Mfg hatches, all cracked to hell.
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03-29-2017, 12:09 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,497
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 24v
Rated Cap: 72 pax
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Lots of people put vents in or just skin over the opening. Somewhere on this forum is a thread with some contacts for bus graveyards/salvage that may be able to help if you are looking to keep them functional.. although by all accounts they pretty much leaked from the factory lol
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
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03-29-2017, 01:02 PM
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#3
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 9
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: Genesis
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
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Thanks for the heads up, now just to find that thread. The "search" function seems to be disabled on my mobile browser.
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03-29-2017, 01:45 PM
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#4
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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I've got one you can have. Leaks like new!
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03-29-2017, 02:19 PM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
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I <3 my roof hatch. It doesn't leak (yet)! If it ever stops working I will be a Sad Panda.
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03-29-2017, 02:34 PM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 3,738
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird TC RE 3904, Flat Nose, 40', 277" wh base
Engine: 8.3L Cummins ISC 260hp, MT643, 4.44 rear
Rated Cap: 84 pax or 1 RV; 33,000lbs
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03-29-2017, 02:52 PM
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#7
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Pensacola and Crystal River, FL
Posts: 647
Year: 1998
Coachwork: AmTran International
Chassis: 3800
Engine: Navistar 7.6L
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I bet we have a few Navy vets here that have.
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03-29-2017, 03:04 PM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 9
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: Genesis
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
I've got one you can have. Leaks like new!
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Thanks EastCoastCB! That would be great! Im in Chicago though, how much is it to ship one of them?
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03-29-2017, 03:04 PM
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#9
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 9
Year: 1996
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: Genesis
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brewerbob
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This would make a great sidedoor!
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03-29-2017, 03:15 PM
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#10
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Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Miami
Posts: 172
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP
Engine: CAT 3116
Rated Cap: 84
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14 Gauge galvanized sheet metal, works wonders, haven't had a single leak since i replaced my hatches. I loved the hatches, but every school bus driver I spoke to said they pretty much leaked from factory...
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03-29-2017, 03:20 PM
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#11
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Piersg
14 Gauge galvanized sheet metal, works wonders, haven't had a single leak since i replaced my hatches. I loved the hatches, but every school bus driver I spoke to said they pretty much leaked from factory...
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I had a couple 14ga squares cut out, but man that's THICK. that's what the ribs are made of! how'd you attach it?
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03-29-2017, 03:32 PM
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#12
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Weeki Wachee, FL
Posts: 3,056
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
I had a couple 14ga squares cut out, but man that's THICK. that's what the ribs are made of! how'd you attach it?
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Gravity! Not just a good idea, it's the law!
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03-29-2017, 09:08 PM
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#13
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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I'm planning on fabricating a new set from either steel or aluminum. I need to be able to stand up through mine to adjust the solar panel frame.
__________________
I am an sojourner in the earth; hide not Your Commandments from me. Psalm 119:19
Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commandments of YAHWEH, and the faith of Yahshua. Rev. 14:12
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03-29-2017, 09:09 PM
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#14
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 703
Year: 1995
Engine: DT408
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__________________
I am an sojourner in the earth; hide not Your Commandments from me. Psalm 119:19
Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commandments of YAHWEH, and the faith of Yahshua. Rev. 14:12
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03-29-2017, 09:54 PM
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#15
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lebanon, IN
Posts: 272
Year: 1998
Chassis: TC 2000 bluebird
Engine: 5.9 cummins
Rated Cap: 66
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I used a Lewmar series 70 sea hatch. It was the correct size but I had to band saw some curved boards to make a flat surface to mount it on. The only problem is the price was pretty steep. I have yet to mount the "Ocean Skyscreen" blind/screen underneath it. So many curves and angles!
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04-01-2017, 04:54 PM
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#16
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Skoolie
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Miami
Posts: 172
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: MVP
Engine: CAT 3116
Rated Cap: 84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
I had a couple 14ga squares cut out, but man that's THICK. that's what the ribs are made of! how'd you attach it?
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You are right, i just double checked it. I used 14Ga for a floor patch and 16Ga for the roof patches. I used butyl rubber tape between the patch and the roof and then I predrilled pilot holes around the perimeter and used those metal roofing screws with an integrated rubber washer. Both these, but similar:
https://www.amazon.com/Metal-ROOFING...TVJ71F312Q2MHM
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04-02-2017, 03:31 PM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Piersg
You are right, i just double checked it. I used 14Ga for a floor patch and 16Ga for the roof patches. I used butyl rubber tape between the patch and the roof and then I predrilled pilot holes around the perimeter and used those metal roofing screws with an integrated rubber washer. Both these, but similar:
https://www.amazon.com/Metal-ROOFING...TVJ71F312Q2MHM
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I was wondering! lol
After I realized 14 was WAY too thick, I got a couple of 16ga squares cut out. Still haven't stuck em up there yet.
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08-22-2018, 05:29 AM
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#18
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Vermont
Posts: 20
Year: 2006
Coachwork: MID BUS INC Chevy
Chassis: YY
Engine: 3500 Dieisel Express v8
Rated Cap: 26
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Hi Skoolies! Thanks for all the great tips. In the process of converting our Mid Bus after years of deciding what would be the best platform.
The roof needs paint before winter and I need to patch hole from leaky emergency hatch and install maxx fan. Question: 2006 metal up there seems thin and I can’t find a big enough peel of steel. I can find aluminum. Can ai patch and seal that up there or am I gonna have a reaction?
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08-22-2018, 07:33 AM
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#19
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Grayson County, VA
Posts: 1,428
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 65
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AFAIK you'll have a reaction if it's bare metal to bare metal. As for me, when I skinned over the hatches (albeit with steel) and put in MaxxAir fans, I had so much butyl tape and sealer that there didn't seem to be a chance of metal contact between the 2 pieces of steel. The self-tapping sheet metal screws, however, is a different story......not sure how you'd get around corrosion there.
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08-22-2018, 12:53 PM
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#20
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Isn't steel cheaper than aluminum?
Just call a steel shop and tell them the size and thickness.
Don't buy it at a box store!
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