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brando (216.135.39.196)

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Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 6:02 pm:   

a friend of mine put a volkwagon bus loft on his school bus conversion and it added a private room and from the out side, alot of character. i want to put one on my gmc pd4107, for the reason of more room. i realize that u.s. highways are maxed at 14 feet, and that is pretty close. since loosing touch with my friend, the thought hasnt escaped my mind. has any one ever done this successfully and how? help!
John Feld (Deacon) (150.199.209.30)

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Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 7:10 pm:   

Be careful of that Max. height! Trucks max at 13'6" except in the western states. There are many underpasses in cities that you will never go under, even at 13'6".
Dale Fleener (66.81.128.87)

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Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 8:25 pm:   

If you can get ahold of a copy of "Rolling Homes" you will see several good examples of what you are talking about. IMHO it only looks good on a skoolie.

Dale MC8
Ace (24.28.44.126)

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Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 12:08 am:   

IF THAT!

Ace
Jayjay (198.81.26.108)

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Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 4:01 am:   

Trucks max at 13'2", minimum overhead clearance on state and fed highways is 13'6" Rand McNally's truckers digest lists every low clearance obstruction in the U.S. Cheers...JJ
Quest (198.29.191.147)

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Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 4:12 am:   

Wasnt that what was on top of that schoolie when it went under a bridge and the two people looking out over the roof top hit something under the bridge and died?
I think it was, I no longer think it is a good idea to do that. q
John Feld (Deacon) (150.199.209.45)

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Posted on Saturday, April 19, 2003 - 12:41 pm:   

JJ ... not to start an argument here, but, the max. height of semi-trailers is 13'6" in all but a few western states. Anything over that requires an oversize permit and is routed by the permit to routes it can clear.

I spent many years hauling oversize loads and can tell you that not all low clearances are included in Rand McNally's, in fact very few are. There are special books you can buy that have extensive listings of low underpasses, but not complete. They use to pay me 10.00 for each new one I sent in to them for their guide.

Then there are different markings for different states, for instance, Texas makes the overpass at the lowest point, usually the far right lane outer edge as many old bridges are of the arch design. New York marks many underpasses by subtracting 6" from the clearance to allow for snow and ice build-up in winter. There is nothing worse than comming to a low bridge with a truck and no place to turn around, especially in the dark, or rush hour traffic behind you. Chicago has a special "hotline" you can call to get routed into your destination.

Several of these low underpasses are the left overs from when trucks were limited to 12'6", I remember those days.
brandon s owen (Brando) (216.135.39.196)

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Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 1:02 pm:   

hmm wow thanks for the info. sounds like it will be a huge task if one at all....
brandon s owen (Brando) (216.135.39.196)

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Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 1:06 pm:   

by the way, what is the max height of the gmc pd4107 while running? any body?
RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)

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Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 2:04 am:   

Stock height on the GM Buffalos (4107, 4108, 4903, 4905) is listed in my spec sheets as 131.50" front and 131.58" rear, with 12.5x22.5 tires.

Basically, a half inch shy of eleven feet tall. . .

HTH,

RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA
brandon s owen (Brando) (216.135.39.196)

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Posted on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 11:46 am:   

ok i have enough room to at least put it up there for a bed, a little shelf, etc.. all under 13/6 ....... is there any one who is willing to give me advice as how to cut the v-dub to fit the shape of the bus? And how do i get that thing up there?
Peter E (Sdibaja) (64.165.10.158)

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Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:20 am:   

Is it the look you are after? If it is the space then there are lots of ways to get that, and much more, than a little VW bus. The storage would be cool, but a loft 2.5 feet high would be real claustrophobic for me.
brandon s owen (Brando) (216.135.39.196)

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Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 8:31 pm:   

i like lots of windows so thats where i got the idea. if you have any other ideas where i can put a sleeping area, all other areas are taken up, let me know. I want to keep the loft thing under 500 bone$.
Peter E (Sdibaja) (64.165.10.158)

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Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 1:22 pm:   

http://www.sdi-baja.com/BusTops
brandon s owen (Brando) (65.230.140.131)

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Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 8:30 pm:   

OH MY GOSH!!!!! thats insane!
a boat on top of a bus! at least they both start with a 'b'. what a crazy idea. i bet they had to realy reinforce the shocks and springs. I like it, but i dont think that i would have the resources or the height for a unique custom job like that. i do like the one under it. i could use a pop up, for more room. thanks a lot!!!

gimmee more ideas or point me in the right direction....thanks again for the realy cool photos, im stoked!
brandon s owen (Brando) (216.135.39.196)

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Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 4:10 pm:   

i found a 1974 V.W. bubble window bus with a pop-top for under a hundred bills. It will be here on sunday. (L.W.)
Peter E (Sdibaja) (200.56.111.21)

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Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 9:36 am:   

Is that like the third photo down on http://www.sdi-baja.com/BusTops/ ?
is the pop top one that flips up like a tent camper?
If so, I think it sounds like just what the doctor ordered!
be real careful about cutting into the roof of the bus for access, do your homework first..

Like Burger King, have it your way! Send photos!
brandon s owen (Brando) (216.135.39.196)

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Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 1:13 pm:   

DISASTER STRIKES!!!!!

my buddy and i got the v.w. bus up to the front of the yard and after the deal already was made for 50 to 100 bills, and from HAND CUTTING for 6 hrs the v.w. bus top off ( no sparks in the junk yard aloud )
he change the price to around 300 bucks!!!!!
no way says I. we started to put it back and it fell off of the crain thing, and it smashed out the front end including the window. "God's judgement on those tricky guys" Well, we got it back with out any one noticing and headed up front to leave and thats when the guy came bak to me and says that he will do it all for 100 bucks! nope to late now says I and we start to leave and he gets frustated and throws the door in the dumpster!!!!!
some one help me find a cheep pop top vw bus!!!
Pete (205.188.208.39)

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Posted on Friday, May 30, 2003 - 10:23 am:   

Where you at Brandon? There are alot near me and its a u pull it..they are cheap as can be
I'm 25 miles west of philly
Pete
brandon s owen (Brando) (67.200.63.166)

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Posted on Sunday, June 01, 2003 - 3:27 pm:   

im in southern indiana, Evansville to be exact
know any one headin this way?
i may be heading west and to mexico in a few months and there are alot in the colorado area. dont know about cheep though.

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