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 11-24-2007, 05:57 AM   #321
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 263
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

good point.

so why not free up the rest of the undercarriage with a ginormous pair of glossy chromed diesel stacks forward? run them up to the legal height limit. That ought to be about 6 inches above the roof!

it seems to be the latest fad with local rednecks and their diesel pickemups. there are a few around town here which you can here before you see. i think they got turbos bigger than the engines bolted to them.

that turbo diesel whistle has got to be one of the coolest sounds there is. i suspect you have a slightly lower opinion of it having listened to it up close for a few million hours.

pete c is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-24-2007, 07:34 AM   #322
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Yes, I confess, I have thought of mounting stacks at the front corners of the bus! But thinking it and doing it are -- hopefully -- two different things!
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2008, 09:20 PM   #323
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Monthly report: (Or every-other-month report, or some such.)

Happy New Year!

In our last episode, we took a nice trip to Ventura. But not before we slapped some more bunks in, so six of us could enjoy the trip. Well, five bunks, and one victim on the floor, for now.

These are Millicent’s two Main Bunks:



This is the only permanent lower bunk in the bus (with colorful blanket), and its upstairs companion (with white sheet). The square aluminum pole, which supports the outer corner of the upper bunk, is a “find” at a Sacramento surplus metal store, with a home made bracket on it. At the other end, there is a bracket screwed to the plywood bulkhead. A permanent holder-upper device is yet to be made.


Then we start getting clever:



Remember those wrecked Freightliners at my Place Of Gainful Employment, and their hinged bunks? The bottom bunk lifts to reveal storage space.


And the top bunk...



...lifts to make headroom so the bottom bunk can be used as a couch with minimal risk of heads-bumping-into-upper-bunk. (Wall paneling and couch backrest pillows are not there yet.)
Note that I built a steel frame under this bunk. In the big truck, the bunk is supported by the structural members of the storage compartment (part of the cab itself), so I welded up a simple frame of 1x1 steel to make sure the plywood will not sag or break.



Then we get to the Left Forward Bunk:



There is no room for a pole here, so this bunk is supported by a chain from a crossmember in the ceiling.


And...



...an other bracket screwed to a handy vertical surface (the inside of Millicent’s famous forehead).


Finally:



With this bunk down, there is precious little headroom for the driver, so this bunk will probably live in the up position except when somebody is sleeping in it -- and we are parked. This bunk does NOT YET have its steel reinforcement. It will also go much higher when I get done with it.



Now, on the Right Side of the... you know... bus. We’ll sneak up on this by admiring...



...the layout of the dinette and the bunk behind it.


Again, the bunk lifts for headroom...



...which will be important, because this is where the kitchen will be! In the meantime, there is a temporary bottom bunk there -- just a blank solid wood door blade from Home Depot -- a future work bench, probably.


Here’s a close up of the bracket on the aluminum pole:



Look closely smack in the middle of the picture. There is a little round peg sticking up in the middle of the “saddle” that the bunk's reinforcing frame rests in. Between the “saddle” and the peg -- which goes into a corresponding hole in the bunk’s reinforcing frame -- the bunk CANNOT fall down no matter how hard some accidental force might try to bend the pole. (Strictly speaking, the “saddle” is not needed now that there is a peg there -- I invented the peg after building the saddle.) The other bunk-on-a-pole will get a similar safety feature now that I have invented it. The other end of this bunk is held up by a chain.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-05-2008, 11:49 PM   #324
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northeastern CO
Posts: 247
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

Thinking of such (wrecked trucks) you don't happen to have a newer IH nose clip out there do you? along the lines of this thing or this one
Demonknight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 12:36 AM   #325
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


No, I sure don't. Check your PM.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 01:08 AM   #326
Bus Nut
 
KC10Chief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 529
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International
Engine: 7.3 International diesel
Rated Cap: 60
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

Very nice! So, when are you going to paint that beast? Any ideas on a scheme yet?
__________________
Matt
1993 International Carpenter 10 Window bus
7.3L diesel w/AT545
https://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...DSC02426-1.jpg
KC10Chief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 01:42 AM   #327
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate



Yes, as a matter of fact, I have some ideas.





Notice the grid lines in these images. I've never painted a mural before, but I had never raised a roof either.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 03:16 AM   #328
Bus Nut
 
Roasting8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 382
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Crown
Engine: 671 DD
Send a message via MSN to Roasting8 Send a message via Yahoo to Roasting8
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

Elliot I like the idea, that you used on the bunks, they look real solid and they don't look like the Rube Goldberg device that you had on the other thread (thank God).

On the paint job, are you still thinking of painting an eye ball in front?

Robert
Roasting8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 10:46 AM   #329
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Eyeball, maybe. Or the Kinetic Chicken -- symbol of the sport.

No shortage of ideas.

The "fenders" and the mural wouldn't go together, but you get to see a couple of options.



I also want to measure the grille on a Peterbilt 335, in case it fits between the windshield wipers.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 03:36 PM   #330
Bus Nut
 
Roasting8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 382
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Crown
Engine: 671 DD
Send a message via MSN to Roasting8 Send a message via Yahoo to Roasting8
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

Hey Elliot,

I have an idea. See if you can get the whole hood of a Peterbuilt, install it on the front, and use it for storage. that way you can have room for the eye ball and the Kinetic Chicken, one on the hood and the other on top.

Wow, the all knowing, all seeing, Kinetic Chicken.
Roasting8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 04:33 PM   #331
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Alas, Millicent is already 40 feet long -- generally the legal limit. Yes, there are some buses and RVs up to 45 feet now, but if I understand it correctly, Barney Fife doesn't always see the humor in that.

Eyeball on forehead and giant Kinetic Chicken on tailgate?

We also plan to have some lettering, like

INCIDENT INSTIGATION TEAM

MOBILE COMMAND CENTER AND TEA PARLOUR
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 05:13 PM   #332
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Here we go:
Peterbilt 335 grille, Glorious Kinetic Chicken, and properly sized and placed mural of The Two Ton Tricycle.



If I had gone outside and worked on it, instead of sitting here with scissors and glue and computor, it would have been done by now.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 07:13 PM   #333
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 263
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

why would you want one of them newfangled aerodynamic wimpy looking grilles? gotta be one of the older squared off rolls royce looking things.
pete c is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 07:35 PM   #334
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Well, that's a 2008 grille, yes. I think the older style 335 grille is closer to square, but I cannot seem to find a photo.

I have not even measured one. I just notice that the 335 grille looks smaller than the full size grille -- when I see them on the road. I mesured a full size grille at work, and it is about four feet, which is too wide. There is only room for 37 inches between the windshield wipers -- without modifying things.

Of course, a fancy grille is low priority. I need to get the plumbing done!
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-06-2008, 11:13 PM   #335
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate



I agree with your hunch that "psych ward" would not be quite... mature. And I'm not the only one who has a relative in such a facility, so....

I bet you can do better. Look for a good pun. Did you catch the pun in "incident instigation team"? It does not say "investigation". It says "instigation". We instigate (start) incidents.
That may not be entirely mature either, but I would be careful about picking on people with illnesses and injuries.

You'll get more laughs -- and girls -- with something light and funny, like my "Command Center and Tea Parlour". I think.
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2008, 07:22 AM   #336
Skoolie
 
reprobate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 226
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

Nice Elliot. I was thinking along those same lines for the paint scheme above my wheel wells also.

And remember,

When you think that you're in danger,
When you're threatened by a stranger'
When it looks like you will take a lickin'
You will never need to worry, if you call out in a hurry
And look down the road for,
KINETIC CHICKEN!
reprobate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2008, 12:01 PM   #337
Bus Nut
 
Griff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Off-Grid
Posts: 740
Year: 1982
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH S1723
Engine: IH V345 Gas V8
Rated Cap: 66
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

You knew the job was dangerous when you took it, Fred. . .
__________________
~(G)Q Arduously Avoiding Assimilation
Griff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2008, 09:20 AM   #338
Bus Nut
 
Roasting8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 382
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Crown
Chassis: Crown
Engine: 671 DD
Send a message via MSN to Roasting8 Send a message via Yahoo to Roasting8
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate

Heck, I've got a trunk in my Crown which is holding two Coleman A/Cs, a 45 gallon fresh water tank, tools, and parts for my conversion. I really like the storage.

If I didn't have the trunk, I would probably think of another way to provide storage (besides, using the under carriage).
Roasting8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2008, 09:47 PM   #339
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Quote:
...the whole hood of a Peterbuilt, install it on the front, and use it for storage.
You want Millicent to look like this, do you?





(Clearlake VFW parade bus.)
__________________

Elliot Naess is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2008, 10:27 PM   #340
Bus Geek
 
Elliot Naess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Clearlake, Northern California
Posts: 2,505
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC-2000 Frt Eng, Tranny:MT643
Engine: 5,9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Millicent Chronicles; two foot roof raise, big tailgate


Here we go. I've had an eye out for something like this.



__________________

Elliot Naess 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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Roof Raise - Building My Own Flat Roof iverSUN Conversion General Discussions 26 02-18-2019 10:41 AM
Roof Raise ~ Cutting Roof ABOVE Windows ?? chev49 Conversion General Discussions 3 12-04-2012 02:07 AM
Roof raise: TMI !! thommassey Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 15 12-09-2011 01:58 AM
Roof raise Rod Conversion General Discussions 1 03-08-2008 05:51 PM
Roof Raise ~ Cutting Roof ABOVE Windows ?? pixemoss Skoolie Conversion Projects 6 12-31-1969 07:00 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:16 PM.


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