Roof raising short bus, sheet metal and joining cone

[Umbra]

Hi all, I'm converting a 24ft short bus and am currently figuring out the process for the roof raise. I have two questions, first I have access to a bunch of what I believe is 24-26 gauge medium polish stainless sheet metal and am wondering if its too thin for siding. Second are there any guides for forming the join between the raised roof and the unraised part?

 

[DeMac]

Hi, Umbra. Welcome to skoolie.net What kind of short bus are you raising?

Unless you going for the wrinkle look, I'd recommend 18-16 guage.

 

[Umbra]

1997 GMC Forward aka "Lego Bus"

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPMFQCSDs5P/

 

[Umbra]

I think its known as a lego bus

 

[DeMac]

Sweet

I think its known as a lego bus

Those are pretty cool. Not plain shelf vanilla. Is there space for a co-pilot, in front of the entry door?

 

[rossvtaylor]

Hi Umbra, for the joints I like to remove rub rails and hide the joints beneath those. And, it's important to run new sheet metal from joint location to joint location...so your 12 or 14" roof raise might actually need a sheet 24 inches tall (for example). You cannot just cut a line and count on it looking good. Here's a playlist of a roof raise, which might explain that better. Documenting a 14-inch school bus (skoolie) roof raise project, from planning to doing to the final product.

 

[Umbra]

Yeah once I remove the heater system there is room to put a co-pilot in there, I was playing with idea of putting my battery and electrical there.