Leyland Double-decker Conversions

[frankdamp]

As a former resident of the northern British town of Leyland, and very familiar with the buses produced by our major manufacturer (now part of Volvo and no longer located in Leyland), I'd be interested to see if anyone has done a conversion on one of the transverse, rear-engined Atlantean or Olympian double-decker buses. In a 35-footer, you'd get the equivalent of about an 80-foot single-level rig, since upstairs doesn't need to accommodate a driver.

If I was younger than 69 and had the money, I'd sure like to try it.

[csp]

I have not done it but I would love to. Downstairs would be living room and kitchen and the upstairs would be the bedrooms. Most are taller than the 13' 6" limit but there are some that are not. The main problem I see is the upstairs would not be quit tall enough to stand in(1 foot off the ground, 6 inches for flooring, 6 foot 6 inches for ceiling height, 6 inches for the second floor flooring, 1 foot for ceiling and AC units). This only leaves 4 foot of standing room in the upstairs. I guess you could put a pop up roof on it that raises 2 1/2 feet. Just do not forget to drop it down before leaving the campsite.
Chris

[InPursuit]

I'm not seeing two fully complete floors...

more like "lofts" at each end (bedrooms?) with storage or mechanical equipments below and the center area flat with a nice vaulted ceiling... but with good basement storage below.

[frankdamp]

With some structures background, I was amazed how Leyland managed to get about 5'10" headroom in both upstairs and downstairs compartments in a 14'6" overall height.

I haven't ridden the newer Dennis buses, which are 14' even. Community Transit in Snohomish Couty (WA) has started taking delivery of a fleet of 24. Victoria (BC) has had them for several years.

The 13'6" "Lowbridge" design would be a problem. On the 13'6" Atlantean, it was stand-up headroom upstairs to about half-way back, then the floor stepped up aboout 9".

[PalmSprings]

Quote:

Originally Posted by InPursuit I'm not seeing two fully complete floors... more like "lofts" at each end (bedrooms?) with storage or mechanical equipments below and the center area flat with a nice vaulted ceiling... but with good basement storage below.

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dont forget to add a deck on the very top?

[Rick Long]

This one would a lot more fun Double-Double

[vermilye]

You might take a look at Sean & Louise's site for info on their 40' Neoplan bus. Not a full two stories, but does have an upper deck.

[jjameshm]

I want to find out who converts VanHood DT925 double deck bus conversions to motor homes. Sounds like a great idea!

[jjameshm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjameshm I want to find out who converts VanHood DT925 double deck bus conversions to motor homes. Sounds like a great idea!

This unit is the same unit that the BUS uses up and down east coast. Top level is 5' 7" button level is 5'10" for total height of 13' 1". If you went to 13" 6"
You could go 5'10.5" both floors or 14' and go 6' 1.5" on both floor. That would be something.

[frankdamp]

A county transit agency in Washington State (Snohomish County) has started running a fleet of 24 Dennis 40' tag axle buses. They are 14' high. Victoria (BC) has had these rigs in service for several years.

I haven't heard of any conversions on the Dennis.

[mikelcan]

A while back while researching bus conversions I ran into this youtube video of a conversion/restoration project on a double decker. Although I can not find the info now I am thinking it is a Bristol not a Leyland. But at least there is someone else thinking about this type of conversion. I am thinking I found this link from either the busnut, bus conversion magizine or skoolie.net sites.

Driving the Double Decker Bus - YouTube

Mike

[frankdamp]

Thanks for that link, Mike. Yes, definitely a Bristol. Personally, I wouldn't want a half-cab bus like that as an RV. I don't know the Bristol very well, but on half-cab Leylands, there's no communication between driver and passengers.

The older ones are woefully underpowered. Most of them had a 6-cylinder 350 cubic inch engine that only developed about 100 HP. It wasn't until the mid 1960's that rear-engined double deckers with the driver inside with everyone else, and with 600 cubic inch 250 HP engines became the norm.

[BFlinn181]

I recall in about 1980 meeting up with a touring company that had double decker conversions. They typically had a kitchen downstairs and seating/bunks up. The hauled young people from around the world to visit western National Parks. There might be 10 different languages represented in the 12-15 tourists. The buses were front engine, re-powered for highway use.

A few years later, I met same outfit at a NP that changed to bus conversions with hatches in side that accessed bunks, kitchen was now on slides from basement compartments.

Now, in recent years, I only see these guides with 15 passenger vans and enormous roof racks for luggage and camping gear.