Looking for a roof raising tutorial

[Mike&RobinG]

Hi there I've only been on here for a day or 2 and I haven't been able to find anything. We've only had the bus for a couple weeks and the first thing I need to do is raise the roof and I want to make sure I do it the right way. Materials, tools the how too will all help us out.

[Native]

Check out a few build threads. Millicent and Roll Your Own come to mind.

[mmoore6856]

lots of ways but first find those that raised the same bus as what you got. i found a bluebird that was straight walls and cut it thru the windows (staggering my cuts as to not have a seam that could fold over) and plated the lift and the windows so i can use camper windows with screens. instead of using blind rivets that might let water inside i used carriage bolts to hold the steel skin on as they look just like the original rivets. also make sure that your source actually did it and not a pretender

[mmoore6856]

what kind of bus? fill out the info on your profile

[EastCoastCB]

Number one roof raising advice-
Don't start with a Thomas. They have a more complex shape and don't end up looking as good as IC/Amtran or Bluebird raises.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by Mike&RobinG

Hi there I've only been on here for a day or 2 and I haven't been able to find anything. We've only had the bus for a couple weeks and the first thing I need to do is raise the roof and I want to make sure I do it the right way. Materials, tools the how too will all help us out.

First thing I did many, many, moons ago while I was still in the "dreaming" stage of this journey was to watch lots of you tube videos on other roof raises. There are some really good ones out there.

I don't endorse any one video as being better than the other but I must admit there are alot of ideas within these videos that will help you on your bus journey.

Here a couple for you to start watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETCViv5rsNs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXWl...cmU-Ae&index=5

This guy, Dzlfreek, has a very nice playlist where you can watch his journey and maybe pick up on some ideas!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...0lMTILWvcmU-Ae

[Mike&RobinG]

I don't know how to add what I have to my profile but I have a 93 Thomas

[Native]

Originally Posted by Mike&RobinG

I don't know how to add what I have to my profile but I have a 93 Thomas

Click on "User CP" at the top-left of any page. Then scroll down to the "Your Profile" section and click on "Edit Your Details".

[mmoore6856]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Number one roof raising advice-
Don't start with a Thomas. They have a more complex shape and don't end up looking as good as IC/Amtran or Bluebird raises.

too late he got a thomas. hope some thomas owners can help him thru this as i did a bluebird and am not able to help here as i never even been in one

[EastCoastCB]

To keep the angles correct and not have an extra bend you have to cut and raise below the window line.

[Mike&RobinG]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

To keep the angles correct and not have an extra bend you have to cut and raise below the window line.

I've seen lots of pics of people cutting the frame between the windows and raising it that way. Is that not a good way to do it?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Mike&RobinG

I've seen lots of pics of people cutting the frame between the windows and raising it that way. Is that not a good way to do it?

Not on a Thomas. Anyone you've seen doing that on a Thomas is a noob or just very set in their ways and willing to live with a less aesthetically appealing final product.
Go to the back of your bus. Look at the sides. They angle inward 6 degrees starting at the bottom of the windows. If you cut across that 6 degree slope you end up with funky geometry.

[Geeze]

Dzlfreek above raised a 95 thomas

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Geeze

Dzlfreek above raised a 95 thomas

Well no one's perfect. He used some really small square tubing that didn't even fit the hat channel all the way and started with a less than ideal bus for the intended purpose.
watch the little sticks he uses of square tubing. You can see the angle change when he raises it. He cinches it down, and thus the whole side has a gentle bow to it. It will not and can not sit as flat and flush as a BB or Amtran when done this way.
For a foot or less its much easier to hid the extra angle, but it will always be there. His looks alright but its real hard to see in the vids in there's misalignment, oil canning, or any of that.

[ennonne]

Someone posted pictures of a roof raise done by separating the walls from the floor. Of course, I can't find those pics now. Would that be something to consider on a Thomas?

[Mike&RobinG]

Originally Posted by ennonne

Someone posted pictures of a roof raise done by separating the walls from the floor. Of course, I can't find those pics now. Would that be something to consider on a Thomas?

That would probably do the trick

[Native]

Originally Posted by ennonne

Someone posted pictures of a roof raise done by separating the walls from the floor. Of course, I can't find those pics now. Would that be something to consider on a Thomas?

Yes, it would. I also remember seeing that raise. It is in this thread ... which is a good read for our OP.

[ennonne]

There it is. I couldn't remember the subject of the thread it came up in.

[JackE]

YouTube search Transcend Existence. This guy is getting to be a master at the roof raise. He recently did a raise in Washington, I think, that was a Thomas. It's well documented, including how he extended the height of the emergency door taking into account the slope of the walls. He likes to add a skylight to the transition panel. If I could afford him, I would have him do mine, no idea what he charges, but I'm sure he is worth every penny.

[Bacenures]

Bob Wells just interviewed someone who is setting up a camp specifically for those who want to raise their bus roof. https://youtu.be/B4M2hq_Yr18
It's called Awesome Possum and it is in Texas.
Contact Information
Phone - 940-456-5813
Email - pcausey2017@gmail.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Awesome-Pos...0977570585952/