Re: Option besides rear exit?
Orig post modded so mine is modded.
I haven't read of anyone blocking off their original doors, obviously your only options are going to be either cut new holes in the bus body somewhere, like in the side, or cut holes through whatever you have blocking the original doors, and i'd think the latter is far easier/designing/engineering around the problem to maintain access (even if only for emergencies) to escape. I'm planning on designing stuff I put in to not have the problem because that seems easier.
If you were to cut through the body you'll affect structural integrity. This isn't unsolveable, just be aware that youre doing it, just like the people who raise the roof affect structural integrity. You might want to put square metal tubing in a frame around the hole that has cross bracing (perhaps cross bracing on the door, that connects firmly with the outer tubing when the door is closed) or some such so that it's not a weak point for chassis twist and such and force is transmitted around the opening or through the door. Perhaps you could enlarge one of the original window openings and strengthen it. How much or what strength tubing I couldn't tell you since i'm not an engineer, but i'd think anything suitably cross braced when normally closed. If I were to hillbilly engineer it i'd probably use something like 1.5" steel wall tubing on the outside of the hole, 1.5" steel wall tubing on the frame of the door (positioned to fit flush with the outside wall tubing or at least have points of contact) and then cross brace the door with an X so the twisting chassis force transmits through the door. I'd probably have an emergency only door that could pop out and wouldn't be intended for regular use. Not sure what i'd do for a lock though to avoid it being a theft entry point, hmm.. probably modify a door handle internals from a car (since they automatically open the door locks, most of them) and use the locking parts of that.
Ask the people chopping the roofs off to raise them what (if anything) theyve done for structural integrity. I just am leery of putting big holes in is all without a real good reason.
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