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08-16-2017, 08:41 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 9
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New take in raised roof.
I'm hoping to have a rear entry instead of a bedroom. The main bedroom I would like to build a raised loft to save space. My current thought is to cut a surburban body above the belt line and weld it to the roof. Maybe use a roof hatch for entry. Here in Wisconsin you can get a rusted nightmare for under $500. You'd get the roof which isnt rusyed, glass and seats for that plus some scrap parts left over to sell for parts. Ive seen vw buses but all have been done a bit goofy IMHO. This would be a cut just below the dash. Id even keep the wipers lol. Itd be safety glass well sealed, and a bit more aero dynamic then other methods. I'd like to do the whole length if possible and safe. Im hoping for a pullman car look and would love to add a "observation" dome. Theoretically one could take and weld multiple roofs together. Thoughts or has this been done? I know I want to keep it below 13 feet 6. But I have yet to find a consensus on how much I can lift a roof on a bus to meet it. Thanks.
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08-16-2017, 08:57 AM
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#2
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Skoolie
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 224
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Engine: 8.3 Cummins, 643
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Sounds very cool
I have seen this done with old VW vans but never anything modern. The only thing that might be a pain is replacing the windows if you have one break. The sides and back would be easy enough but gluing a new windshield in a SUV body on the top of a bus may be challenging. Completely doable however. Good luck and post pics!
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08-16-2017, 09:01 AM
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#3
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Posts: 1,793
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: B3800 Short bus
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 36
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Neat idea! I agree, that would look more slick than the vw buses that I've seen pictures of.
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08-16-2017, 09:39 AM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
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use the top half of a Rolls
__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
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08-16-2017, 09:49 AM
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#5
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,846
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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theres nothing there on a suburban.. without the doors its pretty flimsy and weak.. at least wit ha VW everything was framed nicely above the window line.. ..
maybe an old Beauville Van top or something?
-Christopher
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08-16-2017, 09:49 AM
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#6
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,363
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Crown, integral. (With 2kW of tiltable solar)
Chassis: Crown Supercoach II (rear engine)
Engine: Detroit 6V92TAC, DDEC 2, Jake brake, Allison HT740
Rated Cap: 37,400 lbs GVWR
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Why not just buy a real double-decker bus? There's often a Bristol FLF or Bristol VR or Leyland Atlantean or Daimler Fleetline on sale somewhere. Then you'll have all the space you'll ever need upstairs.
John
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08-16-2017, 10:15 AM
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#7
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: KANSAS CITY
Posts: 751
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Get up for real with a old milk truck body.
__________________
Former owner of a 1969 F600 Skoolie.
1998 Ford B700 Thomas body 65 passenger. 5.9 Cummins 12 valve with MT643 Transmission 123,000 miles.
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08-16-2017, 10:28 AM
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#8
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Skoolie
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 130
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I've seen multiple bus roofs... 3... On a bus called The Peacemaker the travels around with the tall ships
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08-16-2017, 10:29 AM
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#9
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Skoolie
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 130
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Oh yeah The Peacemaker is owned by an organization called the 12 tribes kind of a Christian communes sorta thing unless it's a cool bus
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08-16-2017, 01:49 PM
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#10
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Skoolie
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 130
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Sorry my phone doesn't listen to me very good...... nevertheless it's a pretty cool bus... Coach so you can do all kinds of weird things I make it work.
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08-16-2017, 03:42 PM
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#11
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 9
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Id love a double deck bus. However I'm not exactly a Rockefeller so its out. As for the top I plan cutting it below the pressed in body seam. Both as a guide and strength. Weld temp cross braces in so I can move it. I turned an aspire into a convertible truck once when I got bored you'd be surprised how much structure a roof has. Also by cutting it this way all the windows will have a full factory so replacement will be straightforward. Theoretically one could even side windows at roll down. I guess my major concern is how high have people gone with no problems. It seems to be the average bus is 10 foot at the peak ao I should be able to add 39 inchwea and e fine correct?I don't want to forget an overpass and wipe my sleeping wife off the bus. That would be rude lol. Also I don't want to be blown over every time a bird farts to close. The vw bus ones and I'm assuming e triple decker are more of a static prop then anything. I think the first city or freeway trip would shorten them. Currently my project is moving and setting up a shop but I will be post picsonce I get rollin. Thanks again!
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08-16-2017, 03:47 PM
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#12
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Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milkmanchip
oh yeah the peacemaker is owned by an organization called the 12 tribes kind of a christian communes sorta thing unless it's a cool bus
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08-16-2017, 03:49 PM
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#13
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Skoolie
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 130
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That's it, you're good Rusty. I saw this bus in person he's got a 60 series 600 horsepower Detroit I still think it struggles getting up mountains, there's a lot of us there.
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08-16-2017, 03:50 PM
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#14
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Skoolie
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 130
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There's a lot of bus there
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08-16-2017, 04:19 PM
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#15
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Skoolie
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 130
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I wouldn't go any taller than 13' 6" almost all your gas station canopies are at least 13'6" if there's no warning about low clearance it will be 13 foot 6 inches or taller usually 14 ft that's pretty much standard all semi trailers are 13' 6"
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08-16-2017, 04:24 PM
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#16
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Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milkmanchip
That's it, you're good Rusty. I saw this bus in person he's got a 60 series 600 horsepower Detroit I still think it struggles getting up mountains, there's a lot of us there.
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I think it's neat to look at, but I'll pass on driving, like you said.
It has that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea vibe
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08-16-2017, 06:43 PM
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#17
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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That style of Suburban uses a full length frame (I have a '98 2WD for reference). The problem you're going to run into is width. The Suburban is somewhere around 5-6 feet while most buses are 8' wide. Using a tall body that will greatly increase center-of-gravity will add to the body roll when taking a corner, making it much less stable.
You might be better served using a dually truck which has a stiffer rear suspension and the additional width to help improve cornering stability.
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08-16-2017, 08:36 PM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
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Well here is another take for you people. I am thinking of disecting a cabin cruiser and placing the helm and flying bridge on top of my bus. The bow would extend out over the FE and hopefully have panoramic seating for about 4 bodies. May keep the radar unit on also in case of fog.
Is it doable? What's another year of building to build something unique?
John
__________________
Question everything!
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08-16-2017, 11:54 PM
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#19
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Traveling
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,573
Year: 2003
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: '00
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackJohn
Well here is another take for you people. I am thinking of disecting a cabin cruiser and placing the helm and flying bridge on top of my bus. The bow would extend out over the FE and hopefully have panoramic seating for about 4 bodies. May keep the radar unit on also in case of fog.
Is it doable? What's another year of building to build something unique?
John
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That would be unique!
Fiberglass is pretty heavy, or is it it just the bow? I never cut-a boat up before.
I got you covered, bro. Just made this in Photoshop.
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08-17-2017, 05:57 AM
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#20
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 3
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I did it with a Thomas school bus which is up for sale
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