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Post by riffraff on Oct 27, 2006 16:20:10 GMT -5
I've been thinking .......
I really miss having a Standard bus - small hatch, bullets, not too many windows, but with the creature comforts I find I like to surround myself with - like door panels, headliners, that kind of thing.
I plan to work on my 59 Mango this winter and hopefully get it on the road by spring (funds permitting).
I also like the idea of a 23 window, but being as how I already have the 15, a 23 somehow doesn't seem different enough for the significant cash outlay it would require (Translation:I can't afford a 23).
So I said to myself "Self, why not hack a sunroof clip into the Mango?"
The more I thought about this, the more I liked the idea. I could have a reasonably low profile (rat)Standard bus, but still have the biggest advantage of a 23 (sunroof).
I can't imagine that it would devalue the Mango - I think about whether I would pay more for a stock Mango, or a stock Mango with a sunroof clip hacked in and come to the same conclusion each time. (I plan to do just the sunroof, not the roof windows)
Anyhow, on the off chance that anyone has a complete sunroof clip, let me know and maybe we can work something out!
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ken
NUTTIER than a fruitcake
NUTS Member
Posts: 182
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Post by ken on Nov 4, 2006 11:21:25 GMT -5
I've got an idea for you!!! (BTW, I wanted to do this to my Mango van about 9 years ago and had no luck finding a good sunroof section then....I can't imagine they would be any easier to find now  ) Ok. Here's the Idea. Somehow in the 3 sunroof buses I have I've managed to collect no less than 6 sunroof mecahinsms....? I think I bought one at a swapmeet, traded for another and the last 23 I bought came with 2, including a spare set of rails (aluminum tracks on the sides). So after I figure them all aout I should have at least one usable, complete leftover. This takes care of the Mechanism. For the roof section, Gerson makes it. You saw his stuff and it's crazy good. We could ask him to make it in 4 pieces (front, sides and rear) and ship it with the next batch of panels I'm getting (single cabe gates). I know you only want the hole (no skylights) I think this would be about $6-800 landed here, but we can find out for sure. Keep in mind this would be BRAND NEW metal, not screwed up old stuff with seized captive nuts for the rails, This will save you time I can assure you. Measure the hole from one a deluxe bus, cut, weld, and bob is your uncle. you would still need the rollers, ($50-60) and a cover ($150-400 depending on material...just a rough idea). What do you think? Ken Email me for the details on the sunroof mechanism, or juts stop by the shop, as it sounds like you are going to want to use the hubcap clip toll anyways... |
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Post by commercialair on Nov 4, 2006 11:35:01 GMT -5
The Gerson panels are incredible!!! If he can produce the pieces you need then that's the way to go.
Ken, do sunroof buses have the skylight interior sections as the side reinforcement??
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Post by riffraff on Nov 4, 2006 12:56:57 GMT -5
Wow, that sounds like the ticket. I'll stop by and we'll discuss.
I suppose i should add belly pans too.
Chris
I think you're right. The inner roof of the Standard and Kombi sunroofs has the skylight window pressings if I remember right.
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ken
NUTTIER than a fruitcake
NUTS Member
Posts: 182
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Post by ken on Nov 4, 2006 13:59:56 GMT -5
Sunroof microbuses-non deluxe- do have the inner skylight pressings, as far as I have seen. I don't know if I would bother as this would all be covered by the headliner anyways. You could probably fasion something just as strong without them....
Belly pans would be an excellent idea, something I didn't consider. The gerson ones are great, as you know. How rusty is the rest of the bus?
A standard microbus with a sunroof would make an awesome driver. I should have never sold my 60'......
Ken
P.S. I'm interested in helping if you want to do the roof section... I've got some good ideas for install....
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Post by riffraff on Nov 4, 2006 15:02:43 GMT -5
That sounds like a great ides Ken - you're right, you should have never sold your 60!
I have had a softspot for standard sunroofs since I first realized they existed!
The rest of the bus, as far as rust goes - that is a judgement call. I did not want to get into multiple thousands of dollars on metal and body work on this one, but if it is going to get a sunroof, it must have the required structural integrity.
Right - rust. It is no where near as rusty as the 15 was when I got it from george. There are rust holes in the cargo floor along the long panel and the cargo doors. The rockers only have one hole the size of a twonie that are rusted through, but there are many places that are close to rust through. The outer doglegs are rusted trough in a thin line most of the way around. The closeouts have small holes. I had hoped to patch the cargo floor with donor metal from the 58 and call it good.
It is still original paint and I had hoped to preserve that, but I may have to rethink if gets a sunroof and belly pans.
I'll take some detailed pics of the rust tomorrow as I will be down at it's garage then.
i plan to bring it up here to work on for the winter and put the 15 down at my mother in laws, so I'll bring it by the shop so you can check it out first hand
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