Hopi Ambulance Build

[gringorick]

Just picked up a 1993 Wheeled Coach Mini-Mod 4x4 (unknown conversion) 7.3L idi diesel for $8k. It has a remanufactured engine (done in 1998 by Dealers Diesel), but unknown how many miles were on the ambulance at the time. Odometer showed 200850 miles when I bought it. Was originally bought and used by the Hopi Indian Tribe in AZ. The plan is to turn her into a simple, comfy overland vehicle that I can take to South America for a year (hopefully next year) and live in with my GF and 3 dogs!

So far the interior plan is sofa-bed, sink, hot water, propane system, removable stove (to use outside also), removable fridge, roof fans, maybe windows, solar, dual battery system, and some lightweight cabinets. Demo mode has been started. A couple pics the day I bought her:




Game On!

 

[gringorick]

Patient Heat and AC Removal Question

I want to remove the rear AC/Heater, but I am not exactly sure if I can simply cap the heater hoses and the AC lines, or if I need to complete the return line loops for them. Hopefully some of you have already done this and can point me in the right direction.


This looks like a good place to either cap the AC lines, or loop them together (under right side of cab). I think these might be valves that I can simply turn off:


One of the heater hoses connects to the rear of the left head. The other connects to the front of the engine (I haven't got into there yet). It seems that the heater unit works by opening or closing a valve to let coolant circulate. So when off, the lines are essentially plugged - not flowing - so my intuition tells me it is OK the simply plug these where the enter/exit the engine.



Does anyone know the best way to accomplish this?

 

[cjken]

Looks nice Rick
It looks like it is sitting high. Is it 4x4 already. If so who did the conversion??

 

[cjken]

Oops I should have read more closely. I see it is 4x4.
Is it leaf springs or coils??

 

[Abitibi]

She looks good! Wish mine was already 4x4

As far as i know, your heater hoses shouldn't be an issue to loop or cap off if they aren't part of your main heater core loop. I'm planing to re-using mine to heat my veggie tank at the back or use those lines to hook onto a Hotplate heat exchanger for hot shower...

I'm also removing the rear AC on mine and the volume of gas needs to be re-calculated so you don't end up taxing your system. Surely a AC shop can figure it up easy enough...

Good start, good luck!

Cheers
Mr. D


Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat

 

[Skwerly]

dooooooooooood, that thing is killer!

 

[catmandu]

Heater Loop

Why get rid of the heater loop. Use the existing heater loop to a flat plate exchanger = hot water done. If you need more capacity check out Haywood Photo's thread. He just posed a several gallon tank that has the heat exchanger in it.

 

[hobietony]

I'm not sure why you would get rid of the coach heater/AC in the first place - That area back there is a big metal box, hot in the summer and cold in the winter, looks like you have opened up the wall to the cab, and there is no way the cab hvac will keep up with the load. I strapped mine to the ceiling for a couple years until I figured out what to do with that space, doesn't really take up much room if you support it from above. But, if you are set on taking it out, get an AC guy to disconnect the AC hoses, and it looks like it will be fine to cap the heater hoses at the engine, if you are not going to repurpose the loop

 

[gringorick]

Why get rid of the heater loop. Use the existing heater loop to a flat plate exchanger = hot water done. If you need more capacity check out Haywood Photo's thread. He just posed a several gallon tank that has the heat exchanger in it.

She looks good! Wish mine was already 4x4

As far as i know, your heater hoses shouldn't be an issue to loop or cap off if they aren't part of your main heater core loop. I'm planing to re-using mine to heat my veggie tank at the back or use those lines to hook onto a Hotplate heat exchanger for hot shower...

I'm also removing the rear AC on mine and the volume of gas needs to be re-calculated so you don't end up taxing your system. Surely a AC shop can figure it up easy enough...

BRILLIANT! Use it as the hot water heater! I love it! You guys are geniuses! I am not sure how that type of heater works... I will have to research it. Anyone know good sources for the parts needed?

I'm not sure why you would get rid of the coach heater/AC in the first place - That area back there is a big metal box, hot in the summer and cold in the winter, looks like you have opened up the wall to the cab, and there is no way the cab hvac will keep up with the load. I strapped mine to the ceiling for a couple years until I figured out what to do with that space, doesn't really take up much room if you support it from above. But, if you are set on taking it out, get an AC guy to disconnect the AC hoses, and it looks like it will be fine to cap the heater hoses at the engine, if you are not going to repurpose the loop

We have had other motor homes and never use the AC in the back - never. I am putting in a blackout curtain between the cab and box. If I need to cool the cab during transit, I can close the curtain. At least that is the working plan. The whole box will have 2" insulation, and it is white. Windows will be added and 2 fantastic fans on top. Screens on all the doors. Hopefully that will make it comfortable.

dooooooooooood, that thing is killer!

That's exactly what I said when I saw it!

Oops I should have read more closely. I see it is 4x4.
Is it leaf springs or coils??

Leaf springs, but I think they are much too stiff. Once the build is done and loaded I will see how she rides, but as of now I need a kidney belt! Definitely no sway issues. Anybody know of a good van suspension guy in southern CA?

 

[ujoint]

Post some pics of the front suspension or email them to me. Lets see what's going on!

 

[Jeffh555]

BRILLIANT! Use it as the hot water heater! I love it! You guys are geniuses! I am not sure how that type of heater works... I will have to research it. Anyone know good sources for the parts needed?

http://www.synergymfg.com/Synergy-Heat-Exchanger-Kit-p-30486.html or http://www.synergymfg.com/Synergy-Sit-Shower-Shave-Kit-p-30485.html A guy I wheel with has one of these, I used it last weekend, worked great.

Leaf springs, but I think they are much too stiff. Once the build is done and loaded I will see how she rides, but as of now I need a kidney belt! Definitely no sway issues. Anybody know of a good van suspension guy in southern CA?

http://www.deaverspring.com/ or http://www.atlassuspension.com/ could set you up, I've heard good things on here about both of them.

 

[bknudtsen]

http://www.synergymfg.com/Synergy-Heat-Exchanger-Kit-p-30486.html or http://www.synergymfg.com/Synergy-Sit-Shower-Shave-Kit-p-30485.html A guy I wheel with has one of these, I used it last weekend, worked great.



http://www.deaverspring.com/ or http://www.atlassuspension.com/ could set you up, I've heard good things on here about both of them.

If there was only a 4x4 Van expert who frequented this forum and provided great advice... Oh wait!
.
The ambo is sweet! Welcome to ExPo and thanks for sharing! Now, let Chris see your front underbits...

 

[Ozrockrat]

I want to remove the rear AC/Heater, but I am not exactly sure if I can simply cap the heater hoses and the AC lines, or if I need to complete the return line loops for them.

This looks like a good place to either cap the AC lines, or loop them together (under right side of cab). I think these might be valves that I can simply turn off:
View attachment 173174

Ford have a manifold that replaces the taps. Not sure of the part number but my AC tech was onto it before I realized the error of my ways and left the rear AC in place. In AZ it is nice to turn up to the camping area with a pre cooled box. And have a look at the heat load 2 humans and 3 dogs generate as well as the temperature the dogs will be exposed to in the back before you make the cut.

But if you do remove it any decent AC tech should be able to work out the charge. Hopefully you can sell them the excess gas (if it is 134a). If it is an R12 system be prepared to spend a wad of cash to get it converted or leave it alone. Most places in South America will top up your R12 but hopefully no one in the USA or Canada will.

 

[bobDog]

Say what???? Most people would kill for AC/Heat in the back (read as big aluminum box w/ excellent temp transfer!) And already have it but you want to take it out? What ever your on you need to cut back. I wish I had that in the back of my XJ no less an AMBO. Just my rant tho!

 

[Abitibi]

That shower kit shows what you need but you can make your own for a fraction of the price.

Search eBay for a 20 or 30 plates heat exchanger, the decent ones start at $70

Aside from hoses (coolant line works fine) and fittings all you really need is a pump like a Shurflow that cost just a bit over $50. Keep it in mind


Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat