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Old 02-08-2017, 06:25 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Crawfordsville IN
Posts: 19
Year: 1998
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
Hello from Central Indiana.

As the auction ended a couple hours ago we became the new owners of a 98 International 3800 AmTran. I'm pretty excited to jump into it, I've been reading quite a bit on here lately learning some tips and tricks, but my main question is... Is the roof raise really as easy as they say? Are they really necessary, I'm 6'2''. I'm pretty handy with fabrication, between having a furniture business and in the past a metal fabricator. Everyone always says check out others builds but it seems they kinda brush the surface of a roof raise. Looking forward to sharing our build progress and travels.

Thanks!
Chris

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Old 02-08-2017, 07:55 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Watch my thread "Roll Your Own". We are raising the roof this weekend and next week.
Also check out MuddaEarth- he has a GREAT series on YT abd details his roof raise very well.
At 6'2", I'd say you're gona wana raise the roof. I'm 5'10 and I felt it necessary.
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Old 02-08-2017, 08:00 PM   #3
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Crawfordsville IN
Posts: 19
Year: 1998
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Watch my thread "Roll Your Own". We are raising the roof this weekend and next week.
Also check out MuddaEarth- he has a GREAT series on YT abd details his roof raise very well.
At 6'2", I'd say you're gona wana raise the roof. I'm 5'10 and I felt it necessary.
Fantastic, yours has been one of the ones I always find myself going back to and reading again and again.
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Old 02-09-2017, 07:53 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 13
Hello Chief,, and Welcome,,,
I live south of you, In French Lick, when I am home !! I am in Afghanistan until May,, then home and retire. Where did you win the bid from,, which site. Where is your new bus coming from ? I have been reading and looking at different locations.
Thanks
Darrell
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Old 02-09-2017, 07:54 PM   #5
Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: IL
Posts: 205
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Never coached any teams, not even junior soccer
Chassis: I'm still figuring out what this means
Engine: CAT diesel
Rated Cap: No caps, only hats.
Howdy Neighbor!

We're in the same area ... good luck with the project!
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Old 02-09-2017, 09:09 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Crawfordsville IN
Posts: 19
Year: 1998
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by madapple View Post
Hello Chief,, and Welcome,,,
I live south of you, In French Lick, when I am home !! I am in Afghanistan until May,, then home and retire. Where did you win the bid from,, which site. Where is your new bus coming from ? I have been reading and looking at different locations.
Thanks
Darrell
First off thank you for the service.

I am picking mine up from TN from govdeals.com hoping that it all goes well bringing it home.
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Old 02-09-2017, 09:10 PM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Crawfordsville IN
Posts: 19
Year: 1998
Coachwork: AmTran
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466
Rated Cap: 72
Quote:
Originally Posted by spenceronehalf View Post
We're in the same area ... good luck with the project!
Thanks I'll need it! It'll spend a lot of its camping life over in Farmer City and Fairbury.
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Old 02-10-2017, 12:59 AM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Winlcok, WA
Posts: 2,233
At 6'2" I think you will find the overhead a bit close and getting a whole lot closer if you add anything to the floor or ceiling. Depending on the options that were spe'c'ed on that bus the ceiling could be as low as 72" but most likely 74". If it came with the 12" windows you might luck out and have 78" of headroom.

Also, depending on where the bus saw service if may or may not have any insulation in the walls and ceiling. It is amazing the places bus purchasers choose to skimp on the options.

Which is why the buses from WA, OR, CO, and CA are preferred. The minimum spe'c in those states requires many upgrades that are optional in most of the rest of the states and provinces.

It sounds as if you found yourself a great bus.

Good luck and happy trails to you!
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Old 02-10-2017, 05:43 AM   #9
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Beech Grove, IN
Posts: 57
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Amtran
Chassis: International
Engine: T444e
Rated Cap: 35
Welcome from SE/Indy. I have no experience with the roof raise beyond seeing it in several videos, but if you decide to do it let me know. I would like to see it in person.
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Old 02-11-2017, 10:23 PM   #10
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: St. Petersburg, Fl
Posts: 30
Year: 1990
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC 2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
Hey Chief

I'm from Indianapolis, but we live in Florida. Congrats and best wishes!!!
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Old 02-12-2017, 08:17 AM   #11
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,830
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
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I'm from Indianapolis, but we live in Florida. Congrats and best wishes!!!

yeaaay another st pete!!
-Christopher
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