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01-08-2019, 06:58 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
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pop top for extra head room?
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01-09-2019, 02:30 PM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,401
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Oops...............
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01-09-2019, 02:34 PM
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#4
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
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lol im assuming the opps is for the accidental comment? lol im still new here and fat thumbed the edit vs reply
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01-09-2019, 02:38 PM
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#5
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 335
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Corbeil
Chassis: Ford
Engine: Ford PowerStroke Diesel 6.0
Rated Cap: GVWR 11,500
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I would think that this would compromise the structural integrity of the bus substantially more than a roof raise. Properly done, a roof raise should be just as safe as it came from the factory (center of gravity changes, aside). With a roof raise, all of the ribs of the bus are lengthened, but they still run across the roof in the same manner, every 24 inches or so. In order to do a tented roof, like you've described, you would have to remove a large number of the ribs that cross the roof. Given some engineering and fabricating skills, I suppose it could be possible to do this in a very strong and secure way, but I'd imagine it'd be more costly and less practical.
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01-09-2019, 02:43 PM
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#6
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
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we wouldnt be cutting into the ribs. we would put something made to fit in between so it was only cutting through the sheet metal. and we did a price check with our welder guy and he said a roof raise would be 5k to 6k. that is more than what we are paying for our bus where as we could do a pop top for under 2k and only where we would want it.
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01-09-2019, 02:46 PM
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#7
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Google " PopTop VW Camper" and find all kinds of potions.
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01-09-2019, 02:46 PM
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#8
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 335
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Corbeil
Chassis: Ford
Engine: Ford PowerStroke Diesel 6.0
Rated Cap: GVWR 11,500
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infamousmoose
we wouldnt be cutting into the ribs. we would put something made to fit in between so it was only cutting through the sheet metal. and we did a price check with our welder guy and he said a roof raise would be 5k to 6k. that is more than what we are paying for our bus where as we could do a pop top for under 2k and only where we would want it.
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But you'd still have the ribs crossing the bus about every 24". You'd be doing this just to have some clearance between the ribs? To be clear, I'm not trying to be argumentative-just trying to understand.
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01-09-2019, 03:08 PM
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#9
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infamousmoose
we wouldnt be cutting into the ribs. we would put something made to fit in between so it was only cutting through the sheet metal. and we did a price check with our welder guy and he said a roof raise would be 5k to 6k. that is more than what we are paying for our bus where as we could do a pop top for under 2k and only where we would want it.
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FWIW a set of tires can cost more than a used school bus.
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01-09-2019, 03:17 PM
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#10
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by weboughtabus
But you'd still have the ribs crossing the bus about every 24". You'd be doing this just to have some clearance between the ribs? To be clear, I'm not trying to be argumentative-just trying to understand.
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no its cool, i totally dont think your trying to argue, but yes only in the open spaces inbetween the ribs. and just as a small space for a little extra head room when we're in bed, we plan on doing kennels under our bed so our head space will be around 3 ft. adding a little pop up seemed to be the cheaspest easiest route
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01-09-2019, 03:18 PM
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#11
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB
FWIW a set of tires can cost more than a used school bus.
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terrifying, i am not looking forward to that!
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01-09-2019, 03:18 PM
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#12
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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I foresee a lot of head banging on roof ribs if adding a pop-up and leaving the ribs.
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01-09-2019, 03:21 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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Long run for a short slide. A DIY roof raise of 8"-12" or so would be better/easier in my book. They are actually pretty simple and the steel won't need to be replaced every few years like fabric will.
Just sayin'.
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01-09-2019, 03:23 PM
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#14
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango
Long run for a short slide. A DIY roof raise of 8"-12" or so would be better/easier in my book. They are actually pretty simple and the steel won't need to be replaced every few years like fabric will.
Just sayin'.
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there is no way i would diy a roof raise. i couldnt weld a straight line to save my life, thats one of those things i would out source to a pro.
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01-09-2019, 03:39 PM
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#15
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
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There is very little welding involved and really none required. The ribs on my 40' BBAA were tacked in a few places just for positioning but relied on 1/4" rivets. The sheet metal siding is all rivets & sealer. Zero welding. My ex and I did the whole raise in a weekend and then I spent maybe another two weeks laying on the sheetmetal. Could have done it quicker but was in no rush.
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01-09-2019, 03:53 PM
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#16
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infamousmoose
terrifying, i am not looking forward to that!
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I have a bus with a bad timing cover. The estimate I got was $9400.
It would be a few grand even if I had all the tools and know how to do it myself.
Buses are versatile. They're amazing bargains. But they're aren't cheap to own or operate.
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01-09-2019, 04:25 PM
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#17
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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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Quote:
Originally Posted by infamousmoose
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I may have missed this but what kind of vehicle do you have for this project?
I think if the steel is all cut square for the rectangle needed, the ribs can be lined up side to sid for max strength again. I'm thinking of maybe a 12-15 foot cut to make only the centre high. Can use brackets, no welding.
Thanks,
John
__________________
Question everything!
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01-09-2019, 07:57 PM
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#18
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,227
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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My bus came with a ready made boxed in opening in the roof so I went with a pop up.
Jack
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01-09-2019, 08:13 PM
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#19
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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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Thanks jack, that's what I want to do for an opening exactly.
I want a roof and windows that look like the deck on an old galleon.
Wouldn't add much weight at all but give headroom with a view. Maybe instead of a solid roof, something like a scenic rail car has.
love that pic, are you happy you went poptop?
Thanks
John
__________________
Question everything!
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01-09-2019, 08:43 PM
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#20
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,227
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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Yes, quite happy---except the tent material lets out a lot of heat. I overcame that by adding a snap in down comforter that follows the line of the pop up. Even without the heater going that keeps the inside temp 10 degrees F plus higher and still allows my lanky 6'2" frame enough room to move around.
I'd have loved to have a fixed trolley car top but since the city Nazis insist that my bus be in a garage, I had to settle for what I've got--it works just fine but it would have been cool the other way.
Jack
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