I want to lower the floor in a School Bus. Start with what chassis?

[Carwhisperer]

How about this? Get a 3 axle Crown or Gillig, remove the rear axle, and lower the floor from where that axle was all the way to the back. Then I could have maybe 8-10 feet of length, and the full width of the bus lowered for the kitchen/drive thru window and stuff. Then I could use the regular floor height between the axles for seating, and the regular front door for on boar patrons. What do you think?

[digesterman]

I think it sounds like a lot of work and money

[Carwhisperer]

I think it sounds like a lot of work and money

You're right. I guess I shouldn't do it

[Jeremy]

Just to mention that the rear platform of a Routemaster is at the height you want, and probably just about big enough.

If it were me though, I'd probably get a cheap modern low-floor transit with a kneeling facility and somehow dress the body up (or even chop it about) to make it look 'vintage'. A full vinyl wrap printed with a photo of an old bus would get you more than half-way there with the vast majority of customers

Jeremy

[scanzel]

A few thoughts. Is this vehicle going to be stationary or are you moving from location to location. If moving around depending on the part of the country you are in low bridges could be an issue with height on a double decker. When you say drive through are cars driving up and ordering. I don't see where you could get a window low enough on a bus to be able to serve food out of a window. Most drive through restaurants the window is very low and restaurant floor is a slab fairly level or slightly above the driveway. I would suggest find a good low transit and modified it but don't try to reconstruct the bus itself. I would hate to see someone spending a lot of time and money on structure modifications and then find out they have no money left to build out the kitchen area for meals. Please don't be offended on my thoughts. We all have dreams so Go For It and enjoy.