Buying bus Tomorrow!! Roof raise (I've searched)

[asquarecan]

So I am sooo excited to be buying my first bus tomorrow!! It has been a year in the making and it is finally happening! I sadly under estimated how much it was going to cost me to store the bus in a place that allowed me to work on it!



So I have searched the forum and cannot find the answer. I know it has been done and I know it is here, but I can't find it.



Can someone please help point me in the right direction for any tips or advice on a bumper to bumper roof raise.



Also is there anyone in the PNW that has done this or knows a company that can do it for me if I decide I do not want to tackle it myself?


Thank you!
Keith

[EastCoastCB]

Its not a Thomas is it?

[asquarecan]

It is... lol why do you ask?

[EastCoastCB]

Well- to be honest they're the worst candidates for raises as they have a complex shape with a 6 degree bend inward at the bottom of the window line. Folks do roof raises on them but its a lot harder to make it look good.

[asquarecan]

Very interesting! Thank you for the information! The bus is in amazing shape and great maintenance records and brand new tires so maybe I’ll just have to work around the headache. I never seem to pick easy projects lol

[banman]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Well- to be honest they're the worst candidates for raises as they have a complex shape with a 6 degree bend inward at the bottom of the window line. Folks do roof raises on them but its a lot harder to make it look good.

I misunderstand or haven't noticed this -- which would be surprising for me...

Every model Thomas bus or just some models...?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by banman

I misunderstand or haven't noticed this -- which would be surprising for me...

Every model Thomas bus or just some models...?

Every Thomas.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

With this in mind, you have 3 choices.


1. Buy a different bus that's not a Thomas ...
2. Skip the roof raise ...
3. Raise the roof "above the windows" ...


Of course you could be a glutton for punishment and raise the roof from the bottom of the windows too, having to compensate for the slight slope and all that goes with it....

[asquarecan]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

With this in mind, you have 3 choices.


1. Buy a different bus that's not a Thomas ...
2. Skip the roof raise ...
3. Raise the roof "above the windows" ...


Of course you could be a glutton for punishment and raise the roof from the bottom of the windows too, having to compensate for the slight slope and all that goes with it....

This sounds miserable! lol I am going to measure tomorrow and make a decision. I love the bus so it will be a matter of if it is worth the work. I did not notice the angle upon first inspection.



Thank you!

[banman]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Every Thomas.

Ah, yes. I thought you were saying the bus got narrower below the window.

We'll leave it as "I misunderstood..."

Thanks

[Mountain Gnome]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

With this in mind, you have 3 choices.


1. Buy a different bus that's not a Thomas ...
2. Skip the roof raise ...
3. Raise the roof "above the windows" ...


Of course you could be a glutton for punishment and raise the roof from the bottom of the windows too, having to compensate for the slight slope and all that goes with it....

If you raise the roof above the windows, the side "lines" will angle farther in and the roof cap will no longer fit.


If you raise it below the windows, you can continue the lower side "line" strait up, and all will all fit.


or you can raise it above the windows, add another vertical side "line", and make it look weird.


I don't like the slanted angle, anyway. Any light rain, and you need to close the windows.

[asquarecan]

Here is a pic of the bus. Very difficult to tell at this angle, but I do not see the same angle described above. I will find out tomorrow!

[peakbus]

Check in with yetibusbuilds.com/ in Sandpoint, ID. I just stopped by to meet them. They do nice work and have a brand new shop to accommodate big projects. I think they're pretty busy though.

[o1marc]

Fill out your profile in the UserCP, it help with your issues.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

With this in mind, you have 3 choices.


1. Buy a different bus that's not a Thomas ...
2. Skip the roof raise ...
3. Raise the roof "above the windows" ...


Of course you could be a glutton for punishment and raise the roof from the bottom of the windows too, having to compensate for the slight slope and all that goes with it....

You'd wanna raise a Thomas the hard way- BELOW the window line. As the windows tilt 6* it would be impossible to raise and continue with the factory geometry if above that line where the slope starts.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by asquarecan

Here is a pic of the bus. Very difficult to tell at this angle, but I do not see the same angle described above. I will find out tomorrow!

Its totally obvious once you know what to look at. See that subtle angle? The doors are even angled on a Thomas.

[asquarecan]

Is this going to be a pain in the @$$ to frame the inside?

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by Mountain Gnome

If you raise the roof above the windows, the side "lines" will angle farther in and the roof cap will no longer fit.

If you raise it below the windows, you can continue the lower side "line" strait up, and all will all fit.

or you can raise it above the windows, add another vertical side "line", and make it look weird.

On point one - I actually meant what you said with point 3, the "Above-the-windows" portion being completely vertical, not sloped with the windows. The below-the-windows approach will work too.

[asquarecan]

So I am officially a bus owner!!! I think I am going to tackle the roof raise after all. Once I get it gutted and can see how everything is laid out I will make a plan. At this point I am going to cut below the windows and then up and over the door and over the front windshield. I am hoping this plan will work out! I am thinking about doing an 6-8" raise to give me a little more headroom. If anyone has done a roof raise on a Thomas and has any advice I will gladly take it! I will post pictures once I get it moved to its new home!

[asquarecan]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

On point one - I actually meant what you said with point 3, the "Above-the-windows" portion being completely vertical, not sloped with the windows. The below-the-windows approach will work too.

Would this not make a "staggered" look?


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This is obviously a horrible illustration, but would I not end up with something like this if I went above the windows?