| Author |
Message |
Tim (Timkar)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 8:49 pm: | |
Have checked the archives and maybe I am just missing them but, does anyone know where there are articles on either moving the entrance door about half way back or installing a circular stairway inside existing entrance so the pilot and co-pilot seats are together like one of the floor plans in Dave Galeys "Bible" Is it possible to do on an MCI? |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 8:59 pm: | |
I think you'll be told not to do it, but I know that MCI made side entrance units in '79.
I moved my Bluebird entrance back, but that's a horse of a different color.
Gary |
jimmci9 #2
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 10:26 pm: | |
ive seen several mci's that had rear doors, right above the tandems on the drivers side... these are prison transport busses.. i guess they have a rear guard... there used to be several mci-8's that had curbside cargo doors, right ahead of the rear axles, on the curbside...anything is possible....just make sure that there is sufficient bracing to carry the load across the new door frame... |
J.B.Phillips (Jbp)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 10:47 pm: | |
Like Gary I moved my entry door to midship so I would be able to sit side by side with my co pilot and not have to enter and leave the bus over the passenger seat. I also thing it's safer in the event of a collision. I had some people tell me I could or should not do it but it turned out just fine. Just use common sense and you will be fine. My endeavor was in a lowly Crown but I am sure that no matter what they say it can be done safely.
J.B. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 10:54 pm: | |
Your crown, as is my bird a framed coach.
the MCI is Monocoque, so there are some other structural considerations than we have.
But they came from the factory that way, so I know it can me done.
Gary |
neomax
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 28, 2004 - 11:18 pm: | |
I have front entry, spiral stairs (actually they are rectangled, but turn rearward) and co-pilot seat is 10" separated from driver's seat, same level. Mine is a monocoque Neoplan Jetliner. Came with a stainless steel center facing stairwell, which I removed, cut and modified, and re-installed, turned to the rear with a bottom landing. I did add-in an inside center 2x2 steel tube for mounting the re-fabricated stairs. I see no reason why u could not do likewise w/ an MCI. The mid door matter is another story. The sidewall is structurally integral on MCI and if u cut it you must support the cut. The upper side of a door opening would be easily span-able with an adequate header but the bottom side might require a little thought, since a stepwell would encroach into the bay.
The MCIs I have looked at that were wheelchair equipped did much the same thing. The Stewart & Stephenson conversions were a total failure and resulted in the scrapping of a lot of good 9's and A3's. They did not adequately support the cut-out, the buses sagged severely just ahead of the driver's.
MCI factory produced some handicap equipped A3's, however, they added an immense ss channel (abt 8-10") below the cut-out and heavily framed the opening into the roof, tied to the channel at the bottom. |
CoryDane RTSII
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 12:43 am: | |
The problem I had with my designs for a rear or midship doorway is space. There is not enough of it to waist on a doorway.
If you still insist on a more rearward entrance, think about this....
The space you lose for the entrance and steps will need to be used for other purposes, steps, hallway, partial room space. In other words, you must design to use the same space for more than one purpose outright obvious or a subtle area.
One trick would be to design the steps to come out from the bay, saving lost space inside the coach. That may also save any structural concerns as well.
It has been done but space will be the primary reason you have a problem designing a more rearward entrance.
Good luck
cd |
Chris
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 6:21 am: | |
My bus came with both front and rear (in front of the rear axle) entrances. I closed off the front and am using the rear only. However, it is not a space problem for me since I am using a custom floor plan not the typcial rear bedroom plan. It can work just fine as long as your floor plan accomodates it. |
Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 11:15 am: | |
All MCI-5’s, D’s, E’s and Prevost M’s H’s series have “truss” plate (about 3/16 inch thick and about 10 inch wide) over opening (slide-out or mid-door) that match the curvature of roof.
It extends beyond opening to next truss point of fore & aft ends.
Otherwise trusses add below floor or door base.
Early handicap opening usually install after market without build-in framing for new opening.
Therefore having many problems and welding repair to keep it on road.
Sagging ones are going for lower price, can be repair.
After it straight and leveled, add diagonal framing and metal skin opening with solid-rivets. Inspect all realign stress point for crack and repair.
Otherwise if you are not familiar with frame construction, I strongly advice NOT to purchase that coach.
About driver and pass seat side-by-side, It can be done (know someone has done it in MCI).
Just rebuild stairway to curve left before passenger seat.
For what it’s worth.
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry |