RE: RAISING THE ROOF ON A CLASSIC-STYLE BUS

[Mex-Busnut]

Dear Friends:

Would I totally ruin the looks of this bus if I raised the roof above the window line about 10 inches?

I am adding a few more pictures of Masa Somex buses of this body style so you can better give me your educated opinions.

Thanks in advance!

Dr. Steve, central old Mexico

[gumpy]

Keep the original roof line and just fill in above the windshields. I think it would look fine.

Another thought might be to add a second hump just behind the driver. Leave the front section at the original height and raise everything behind the driver and fabricate a new hump to match the existing hump to make the transition.

[happycamperbrat]

how about doing like the skoolis and cut the window frames instead? Taller windows is always a plus I think.

[Mex-Busnut]

Thanks, Craig! So maybe a double-hump design like these:

[Mex-Busnut]

how about doing like the skoolis and cut the window frames instead? Taller windows is always a plus I think.

That is an idea. However, I am planning to re-use my windows to save a pile of $$$$.

[happycamperbrat]

I imagine you have considered skinning the window area and putting in RV windows from junked S&S which would also have the window screens? I have some I salvaged from my prior Jamboree but Im likin the bus look and may not add these windows when the time comes and instead just sell them

[Mex-Busnut]

I imagine you have considered skinning the window area and putting in RV windows from junked S&S which would also have the window screens? I have some I salvaged from my prior Jamboree but Im likin the bus look and may not add these windows when the time comes and instead just sell them

Yes, I am planning to skin some of the window openings.

Wrecked motor homes and travel trailer are scarcer than honest politicians down here. Almost impossible to come by.

Send me a PIX of your windows.

[Tenor]

I like Gumpy's idea.  Another one could be to raise the roof below the window line if you want to keep the classic look.  Probably real hard...  Cool bus!

Glenn

[gumpy]

Thanks, Craig! So maybe a double-hump design like these:

Absolutely. Now those buses look sweet!

If you can find a wrecked one, you might be able to salvage the hump from it, and use it in your roof raise, rather than fabricating the hump panels.

[Mex-Busnut]

Tenor (Glenn) suggests doing the raising UNDER the windows. Maybe do a partial raise on front section and further raise in line with rear hump?

[RJ]

Dr Steve -

Might I ask WHY you want to raise the roof?

[TomC]

Who cares what it looks like?  It's your bus and if you need the extra headroom (which I understand since I'm 6'3") go for it.  It is NOT a small job though.  That is one of the main reasons I bought a transit bus that already had 6'10" of headroom-plenty to clear the roof top airs.  Good Luck, TomC

[Tenor]

I'm only 5'0, so I thought about chopping the roof for better mileage...

Glenn

[bevans6]

I like the look of the buses they way they are, personally.  I am in awe of some of the roof raises I've seen, but for me, once the roof is raised, the caps are changed, the sides are skinned and the RV windows are in, in just isn't quite as bus like as a bus can be.  just my opinion.

But you have to make your bus work for you, not me!  I will say this - as soon as you  take the original windows out, and raise the roof, you will not be saving money by trying to put them back in.  With the flexibility inherent in such a project, you can make windows of almost any size work so going the used RV, RV surplus, RV manufacturer mistakes route is sure to be cheaper.  The cost and effort to rebuild and replace all the rubber seals, sliding tracks, cloudy glass and corrosion in the original windows will outweigh the cost of the RV windows.  And if you take them out, you won't want to put the back in as-is. 

Brian

[muddog16]

If you cut either below or above the windows, it will save you the cost of new windows, and keep the classic lines! Fabricating the hump shouldn't be to tough! Just take your time and think it through!