I just completed gutting my Eagle 15. Only had 1 trip to the ER, so it didn't go too bad.
I want toe raise the roof 8 or 9 inches and I have heard different ideas on where to add the height. Someone told me to add between the window openings, but I want to use the same windows. I was told by another guy I could cut the welds on the tubing above the windows and add there. Some say I can use the fiberglass skins that are on the bus, some say I can't.
Is any way right or wrong, or just different ways of getting the job done?
Chad
I added the height above the windows, and this approach worked very well for me as I also didn't want to disturb the windows. My bus isn't an Eagle - most bus frames are broadly similar, but I cannot say if there is anything specific about the Eagle that would prevent you from doing the same. Having said that, I thought my approach was unique - every other example I have seen has simply added extra material in the middle of the window pillers.
Jeremy
Chad, give us a little more info here guy are you trying to save the caps by adding 8 inches at bottom of the rear and the same at the top of the front plus are you going to use the same drivers window and entry door and do you want your existing windows to remain at the same height as they are now and how many are you going to use.
I am not a fan of the above window raise but some do it but it doesn't look good on a Eagle but if you want your existing window the same height it will need to be done above the windows.
The back cap raise is easy just add the height difference with wider metal at the bottom but the front cap requires several hrs or days of glass work to save it
.Let me know and I will try and post some photos for you on the Eagles board if I can find them and get a little help doing it.
good luck
Clifford, You know where you can get help, just send them over!
Paul
Paul, Wayne and Eric have a lot more photos than I do but the problem we will run into is most of us Eagle owners blank the sides then go back and install the windows.The model 15 has great windows and I don't blame him for trying to save them far better than any RV type or aftermarket you can buy
good luck
My 15 has a factory raise. I think they add at the bottom of the window and add a new lower window tube. It gives you more room above the furniture if you do it that way. I agree it doesnot look good on an Eagle to add above the window. My project thread on our site should have some pictures of the side frame with the factory raise.
Good Luck Wayne
Chad you can see some photos here @ our site
http://www.eaglesinternational.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=9 (http://www.eaglesinternational.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=9)
there are over 20 Iggles to look over in the project section,Good luck :)
Wayne, I would raise it from below windows and drop the tubes also.
A question for you doesn't the factory raised roof 15 use a larger window than the standard coach or was that just on the motor home and entertainers coach shells.
good luck
Clifford, It could be true they used larger windows. It looks like the tubes where added on my 15. I am going to leave it that way I like more room above the furniture. Also with adding below the windows it raiese the windows so us taller guys can see out without stooping over as much.
Good Luck Wayne
This topic needs to be discussed over at EI too!
I'm learning something, I know, scary huh! ;D
Paul
A little about my new love. ;)
The bus I have was converted about 15 years ago for some company that sold microscopes to hospitals. It was then bought by a dentist who was going to make a mobile office out of it. He bought it four years ago and it has been sitting ever since. It had new skins on the front and rear, door was welded, hinged and skinned, 17kw kabota powered gen, good rubber, 4 roof airs, and I'm sure, a bunch of problems.
When i went to pick it up, I had to dump about 5k into the 6v92. New head gaskets, 1 new piston and sleeve, went through the lower half. I got it home and had some fuel issues. I tore into the fuel lines, (and my leg) and it seems to run like a top now. I seem to be peeling an onion when it comes to this conversion. I do one thing and then say "Well, since I have done this, i may as well do this". From what I have been reading on the board this seems to be normal for a conversion. It also is just the way I am, things have to be just so. ;D
I have my onion peeled down to the skins now and that is why I decided on the roof raise.
I am having a blast doing this conversion so far. i am looking forward to getting to the inside. I build homes for a living, and I feel I will be more in my comfort zone when I start the interior.
That being said, back the the roof raising topic.
I looked things over for a couple of hours this morning.
I think I will go with the center of the windows for the raise. If I weld another bottom piece in the window openings, I should be able to use the windows again. This will make my skin below the windows about 33 in.
The work is half done on the rear cap already, because, surprise surprise, the tubes are almost rusted off. I am very glad I decided to do this just for the fact that I will have better tubing when I am done.
The front cap will be tricky.
Thanks Guys!