Another week of roof raising prep.
After the removal of a portion of the roof last week, we started to cut the front part that will stay where it is, from the back that is getting raised. We removed window bracket coverings and then cut the horizontal roof support bracket on the driver’s side. Once it came loose, the front windshield compartment moved forward about 1/8 of an inch. Oopsy! We realized that the front window, as well as the entry door, would stand all by itself if we would cut the other side the same way. This is not a good situation since worst case the entire windshield and door could fall forward without being able to stop it!
So we installed two braces. One in the center of the bus, holding the front window compartment from falling further forward and one brace on the side to keep the door in place.
With that all secured, we figured that we might run into another issue with the roof buckling once we raise because there will be no support underneath the side door openings. So, with help from R and N, we shored these up with 2×4’s and connected the door frames. Problem solved.
Now to the back of the bus
We proceeded to the back and unfastened many more screws to take off the side support rails at top and bottom. Next up was removing the back windowsills. We did a little extra useless work removing door screws before realizing they should stay. We want to keep as much of the structural integrity of the bus intact as possible when we raise. Fortunately, R has been helping out at the bus a lot. Otherwise there was surely no way to make the roof raise deadline.
Christmas surprises
And then Christmas happened. Lo and behold what a treat! The one thing that all internet skoolie converters seem to have that we did not have – shiny DeWalt tools that you don’t have to fix twice a day! We have been messing around with screwdrivers that had insufficient power, saws that stop halfway during the job due to overheating, oscillating tools that start smoking after cutting one bolt and drills that don’t have enough punch to make a hole in a sheet of steel.
Santa surely pulled her magic! Ho, Ho, Ho, we have just become professional bus converters! Thanks Santa!!
Sides of the bus
After all that excitement, we measured the bus to see how much steel we need to order to re-skin the 24 inch gap we are about to create.
Two quotes later, we seem to be able to do it all for about $500. All we need is a fire blanket, steel snips and a steel bender and we are good to go. Fortunately, that can all be bought at harbor freight as rental cost more than the tool.
A few more cuts to make and roof raise here we go!!