New take in raised roof.

[mdemar1978]

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.

[Jacob]

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!

[jazty]

Neat idea! I agree, that would look more slick than the vw buses that I've seen pictures of.

[chev49]

use the top half of a Rolls

[cadillackid]

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

[Iceni John]

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

[Versatile]

Get up for real with a old milk truck body.

[milkmanchip]

I've seen multiple bus roofs... 3... On a bus called The Peacemaker the travels around with the tall ships

[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

[milkmanchip]

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.

[mdemar1978]

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!

[Rusty]

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

[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.

[milkmanchip]

There's a lot of bus there

[milkmanchip]

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"

[Rusty]

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.

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

[Brad_SwiftFur]

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.

[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

[Rusty]

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

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.

[Johndbain@aol.com]

I did it with a Thomas school bus which is up for sale