I am installing a drop ceiling for the purpose of adding ducted air. I think the 97 or 98 and later coaches have a drop ceiling with ducted air and it has a piece of wood at the front with 2 air outlets. I am installing wood frames or ribs curved on one edge to match the ceiling curve and straight on the bottom to attach 1/4" plywood. Sections of some ribs will be cut and removed as necessary for air movement. The curved template I made for the ribs is 2 1/2" high at the center and 3/4" at the ends at the cabinets. A panel with ceiling carpet adds 3/8". I think that I need more space between the original ceiling and the drop ceiling, but if I do that I cannot remove the refrigerator. Can someone measure the height of their drop ceiling at the center and tell me how high Foretravel made it. I suspect that FT may have lowered the refrigerator in later models or maybe the drop ceiling does not go back that far. I have the WTBI model with the refrig, stove, and sink on the drivers side. Thanks for your help.
Phil Bostrom made some extensions for his A/C to run it up to the front. It was an excellent improvement. It is covered with ceiling material and looked like OEM and not a modification.
Thanks Barry, mine will be farther forward that what FT installed. They moved the front AC aft on later models. I just need a measurement.
Jerry,
The measurement from the bottom edge of the oak trim board at the forward end of the drop ceiling to the carpet nap (compressed a bit) is 75 7/8". Another way to look at it is the the oak trim board is 3" wide in the center and about an 1 1/4" where it meets up with the overhead cabinets. the drop ceiling on our 99' ends about 3" past the wood floor in the galley in our 36'. The ceiling liner of the drop ceiling is just a touch lower than the edge of the trim board. Those thoughtful folks at FT apparently didn't want an abrupt wooden edge, so the rooled the headliner material just behind the trim board to give it a softer looking transition.
I hope that helps,
Don
Hi Jerry,
As Barry said, Phil's modification was done well. He used the factory material to cover his new ducts. He also had full size drawings for the wood piece you were talking about.
Raymond
Don and Raymond, thanks for the info. 3" at the center seems about right so I will add 1/2" to my rib template. Should be about 3 1/4" overall when finished. A little more room for air flow. I picked up enough ceiling carpet to do the job when I was at Foretravel in Nov. About a dollar per sq ft. Didn't think of asking for plans, but tracing the curve of the ceiling was not hard. Decided to make a removable section in case I ever have to replace the refrigerator or take it out for some reason. Thanks.
What are you planning on for ducting and outlets?
Some fore and aft wood strips between the old ceiling and new bottom panel to form ducts. Some sections of the ribs will have to be cut and removed to form ducts, and I also bought the round ceiling outlets at FT. Still need the rectangular ones that send air forward.
Interesting project! I wouldn't mind coming over to help if you need some. May be a mod I want to do in the future!