Should I raise the Roof?

[Sjroussel]

Hey Guys! Im new to the forum and super pumped to be here. Quick question. Is it worth it to raise the roof? We want to make a decision on this in a week. Cuz Iv started to take out the seats. Im 6'1 my wife is 5'2.

Does it affect the safety? Alabama buses are meant to be able to roll and not cave in. (gotta keep those children safe). Whats the most efficient way to do it? Safest, cost effective, etc.

Another idea is to lower the floor? Yeah or nay?

I got a 2003 Bluebird Flat-nose 40 foot. Bus in excellent shape. Got it from a school. I can add more pictures.

Also, Anyone in the Alabama Birmingham region?

pumped to be here
Stephen

[PNW_Steve]

At 6'1" I would strongly recommend either raising the roof or shortening your legs.

As far as lowering the floor, there are pesky frame rails in the way.

Seriously, raising the roof not only keeps you from hitting your head. It also ads significantly to the perception of space inside the bus and adds to available storage space in upper cabinets.

[Sjroussel]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

At 6'1" I would strongly recommend either raising the roof or shortening your legs.

As far as lowering the floor, there are pesky frame rails in the way.

Seriously, raising the roof not only keeps you from hitting your head. It also ads significantly to the perception of space inside the bus and adds to available storage space in upper cabinets.

lol, do you know of a doctor who can do that for me?

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by Sjroussel

lol, do you know of a doctor who can do that for me?

When are you going to be ready to do a lift?

[Sjroussel]

Originally Posted by o1marc

When are you going to be ready to do a lift?

I think we will be ready in a week maybe 2. I am replacing the clutch on my wife's car then I will start on the bus. already took out 4 seats.

[EastCoastCB]

A roof raise done properly is PLENTY strong.
I did one then the bus went 1200 miles without even the sides riveted back on. If you can do it or find someone to do it cheap its really a great way of adding space and making it feel less cramped. The new owner of the bus is 6'3" and can stand on the wheel wells without his head touching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgTRbul1i8M

If you can weld, or have a friend who can, its really not too bad a job. Sounds harder than it is. I think a conservative raise of 8-10" is sufficient. I went with 10".

[Sjroussel]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

If you can weld, or have a friend who can, its really not too bad a job. Sounds harder than it is. I think a conservative raise of 8-10" is sufficient. I went with 10".

That looks awesome.

Is there a con for raising it higher? or is it harder to do so? Also where do you recommend to get the rods or metal to support the side pillars. or can you just buy steel rods somewhere?

[dbhost]

I would definately go with a roof raise. If done right, and remember you are going to likely add rigidity to the bus by closing in the walls with steel instead of glass windows...

The downside is, the more you raise the roof, the more clearance you need, and the more aerodynamic drag you have (lower MPG).

The first Skoolie I ever saw belonged to a friends family when I was in high school. It was a late 60s Ford chassis with a BlueBird body I think. They had a roof raise, and had used some sort of rubber to create an air dam, and skirting on the bus which helped with the mileage on that old beast.

You might want to figure out the entire thickness of your flooring, and plan your roof raise such that you have a total of 7' headroom through the bus. Your back will appreciate it as at your height, you'd likely be stooping in a regular roof bus!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Sjroussel

That looks awesome.

Is there a con for raising it higher? or is it harder to do so? Also where do you recommend to get the rods or metal to support the side pillars. or can you just buy steel rods somewhere?

Get some channel made at a steel fabrication shop and it'll fit like a glove.
No cons as long as you don't raise it too high. Clearance can become an issue after about 12' or so.

keeping the weight low and minimizing the effects of the roof raise were important to me.

[thrifty1]

Just a viewpoint of the guy who didn’t do a roof raise. Much deliberation was had. But I am almost 6’3. When I add two inches of floor and insulation to the steel floor my head won’t be hitting and my wife is short enough where it won’t matter. I did however make sure to make the ceiling as close as possible to flush to save headroom and installed a skylight in the shower to make it where I could stand up straight. We plan on full timing in place for a year or two. My two cents.

[EastCoastCB]

^ That looks like a high headroom model. Probably has 6" more headroom that OP's.

[Sjroussel]

Originally Posted by thrifty1

Just a viewpoint of the guy who didn’t do a roof raise. Much deliberation was had. But I am almost 6’3. When I add two inches of floor and insulation to the steel floor my head won’t be hitting and my wife is short enough where it won’t matter. I did however make sure to make the ceiling as close as possible to flush to save headroom and installed a skylight in the shower to make it where I could stand up straight. We plan on full timing in place for a year or two. My two cents.

thanks for the other view point! yeah I have been deliberating on it as well. I have swung back and forth on it. I like how you made a skylight for the shower, that was one of the big things that bothered me about not raising the roof. my wife is really short as well. only 5'1-5'2.