BOW FRAMES

[dogfinn]

I have a 1998 Thomas that i am in the process of raising the roof and I am looking for a steel provider for what Thomas Built busses call Bow Frames. This material is manufactured by Thomas for thier busses and is of no standard size as my picture demostrates. Any one know where in the PNW that I can find a bus wrecking yard as I need approxiametly 30' of this type of material for ease of retrofit.

Thanks

[dogfinn]

Here is another pic of the material and the bus.

How do I attach more than one pic per entry?

[Elliot Naess]

I used rectangular tubing and two pieces of flat stock to take up the gap. But Smitty's solution is far more elegant. Of course it would be nice to have the same material -- you could put the rivets in the same rows. But you would still want something inside for strength. Ideally, you want more strength than originally, because there will be more leverage when the bus tips over.

I'm going to guess that it is possible to buy the stuff from the factory, for collision repair. But it won't be cheap. I priced Blue Bird rub rail -- $10,- per foot.

[Redbear]

If you can find a bus graveyard, or someone who bought a bus to scrap it , maybe you can talk them into letting you take the sides or windows off of one and cut sections out of all the rails, dropping the roof. It wouldn't hurt to ask. They might sell the steel to you by the pound.

[Elliot Naess]

That's certainly a realistic idea.

Even better would be to find an identical bus and take the whole roof off the donor bus. Cut your bus at the top of the windows, and cut the donor at the bottom of the windows. Now you only have to make one splice. Of course, you would need a big crane to move the roofs around!

[dogfinn]

Thanks for the input, I have priced it in metric 30mm x 40mm x 3 mm =$800.00 plus, 1x 1 1/2 1/8 rec. tubing $80.00 , think i will use the standard tube.


thanks for the ideas

[timbuk]

oh no not the metric system again?Should be able to make it with a powerbrake-sheet metal shop rates are around 60-75 bucks approx,you must be from the great white north!

[dogfinn]

No not from the great white north (GWN), just was curious at what the metric price would be and boy was I surprised.

Thought i would show you my new front light covers.

Thanks again

[crazycal]

Lookin' good.

[Elliot Naess]

Originally Posted by loadedagain

Have you looked at some of the bows made for enclosing trailers? Redneck Trailer Supply has a few different sizes that may suit your needs...

Ooooo.... 18-wheeler trailer wall studs do indeed have that "hat section" shape. Somebody please research this.

And I do approve of Dogfinn's work!