Bus pictures.

[Jriddle]

Sojourner

Thanks for post in the other thread.

I thought that I would post a few more as that thread was was non bus related and others may not have seen those pictures. I re-framed from the belt line up and added the cross bracing below the belt line to help make up for removing the inside panels. I did not do any structural calculations as I am not a engineer. But thought that some extra metal wouldn't hurt. I have to admit it looked like a prison BUS before siding. I feel that by adding the cross bracing is just a good precaution. The bus will never haul 50 people and luggage again as long as I own it. The first picture was taken 12/16/07.

John
.

[Jriddle]

More pictures second is of generator vent.

[Jriddle]

More
Sorry for three posts I have limited knowledge on how to do it different.

[ilyafish]

jriddle,

i was told the inside panels were not structural, though i have heard both sides, and i guess in theory it couldnt hurt.  how certain are you that the inside panels are structural?

i will be getting mine spray foamed next week, so any structural modifications i should probably take care of! haha

[chazwood]

I took off the inside panels, had the good closed foam sprayed in, drove around for 500 miles and then put the inside panels back on and every single rivet hole lined up perfect. (if I remember right there are over 700 rivets in those panels) I'm talking the rivet was snug in both holes as you pushed it in.
Had the slightest sag or shift occured, these holes would have been mis-aligned.

[Sojourner]

John riddle...thank you for sharing your project's photos.

Looking good...it wall truss is of lean construction base on using thin OEM horizontal frame top (below window) and below diagonals tubing. I believe it will be fine for being motorhome. In other words, motorhome requirement in regard to structural strength is about 2/3 of the passenger coaches.

Keep up the good work.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[Jriddle]

Iminaccess

I am not an expert on what is structural and what isn't. With that said my personal belief is all panels including the window frames are part of the  structure. I think each has to decide how the bus is going to be used and how much loading you plan for that structure. I believe that the origanal design had a service factor a lot greater than the reported gross weight. I for one have trouble believing that we will exceed that design factor. Do I think the cross bracing is totally necessary? My only answer is that I added it to make myself feel better about taking those panels out and not replacing them. Others may post and give their opinion. I have seen this argument several times here and each has their own view. I know this may not seem like an answer but I really do not know what effect not bracing will have. I live in Nevada and LOVE to gamble but not too much.

Good luck
John

[lloyd]

John, thanks for posting some pics. I see it looks like a seam front to back on the new siding is it two pieces? What did you use for insulation?
Lloyd

[Jriddle]

Lloyd

The siding is from R&M two piece. I tried a lighter material that I got a good deal on. I have to say the cheap siding didn't cost me much, but between the cost of rivits and my time (3 weeks) messing with it. I couldn't get the stuff on with out it looking like a crunched BEER can. I didn't make the right decision. My siding isn't perfect but looks good to me. My insulation I did myself. I used Tiger foam. I live in an area that is somewhat remote and I was not sure if I wanted the insulation all done at once. I have not done this before and didn't know if I wanted to cover everthing up till I was sure. I still need to finish the roof. On the walls I have also added 1/2" of pink board. I wanted to fir out the walls with 1/2" strips to keep condensation out and used this space to add more insulation. On the floor I added 1.5" insulation. In the back I used foil backed felt, in the front I used foam board. I had pictures of the foam board in the front, but have lost them somehow.

I was told that one piece siding might not be a good idea as it may crack? This is not my idea but it made sense to me. R&M will not sell on piece.

John

[Jriddle]

Lloyd Here are the rest

[Sojourner]

About inter aluminum panel....they are NOT structural. If they were...all non-structural pop rivet would be loosen and sheared. The outer skin is solid riveted to the frame to serve as the "truss" framing to control the vertical movement as well side flexing via frame thickness. Their purpose is to hold insulation to the skin and help to keep it dry from human breathing.

There are all type of rivet for each purpose. In this case, the OEM inter panel are installed using wrong rivet for structural purpose.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[johns4104s]

Jriddle,

You have a very nice 9

John

[grantgoold]

thanks for the pictures! Looks very well done!

Keep up the good work!

Grant

[John316]

John,

Great pics, keep up the good work...and stay warm .

God bless,

John

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

About inter aluminum panel....they are NOT structural. If they were...all non-structural pop rivet would be loosen and sheared. The outer skin is solid riveted to the frame to serve as the "truss" framing to control the vertical movement as well side flexing via frame thickness. Their purpose is to hold insulation to the skin and help to keep it dry from human breathing.

There are all type of rivet for each purpose. In this case, the OEM inter panel are installed using wrong rivet for structural purpose.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

Hi Jerry,

I was told by an MCI tech. that the inner "lower" panels on MCI's are there to keep a barrier between the insulation and the

air conditioning system. If were not there, the conditioned air would cause condinsation within the insulated area and result in rust.

No Structural support at all...

Good Luck
Nick-