Might be good to add a little extra reinforcement though from the C-Channel island down to the below floor frame so it won't feel as flimsy.
I share Nikitis concern about the structural integrity/strength of the underbelly
Have you considered building a sub-cage
Cheers and thank you for the well wishes
I actually have! I envisioned a drop in cage or two which could then simply be hung by the body & frame on either side of the frame rail space to avoid depending on the storage assembly at all...looked pretty much as you drew which, is more than sufficient illustration for this application LOL
I'm hoping to harness both the
existing body and storage frame to make one holistically stronger structure. If you cut the bus in half through its mid-section, the living compartment would basically look like a donut where the hole is the frame rails.
_
I have actually been wondering what might be
too much added reinforcement.
I can put as many uprights as I want against the walls, clad everything in 12ga sheet, run several supports through the island to the ceiling, and make it the bomb shelter of the bus if I want...but at a certain point it would create problems. Tension issues at the margin of the existing body and the new frame as they flex differently. Also just, weight.
So I need to find the line between safe and unsafe, then take a few paces onto the safe side without going overboard.


I'm not a fan of giving up the that wonderful underbelly space
I know. It's ironic to be going this direction after specifically hunting down a bus w/storage, but tbh I have been looking for this kind of unique take on the Skoolie. I have a certain contrarian in me that wants to do something new and different. It will a fun challenge both physically and creatively.
I also just really
respect the project that a roof raise would be on this bus and I would like to keep the scope within my own ability to complete within a reasonable timeframe. That said, we do have a bit more time than anticipated, so I can afford to dip into something more intense without needing to chuck bags in the underbelly and slip town.
I can compensate by adding external storage to the roof as we work out our solar setup and other roof-relevant assemblies. The dropped area will end up having some sort of storage function while not in use, so I'm telling myself we can be smart about what we put in there and make it work. Easier than hanging storage under a bus that doesn't have it. Downside is COG when we try to load heavy **** up there.
