Belafonte Reboot....Ambulance to 4x4 Camper Conversion FOR SALE!
NOTICE::
UPDATE: 09/24/17
Photobucket put the screws to many people with their heavy handed disabling of linked photos. For the moment there is a fix.
For Firefox and Google Chrome there is an add-on called Photobucket Fixer. Dont know how, but after installation all my picture links work again. I would suggest looking for a similar work around for whatever browser you happen to be using and....spread the word.
Until I get the Photochucket issue sorted out you can still view the pics by clicking on the nice little graphic that shows up instead of my pictures.
I struggled long and hard about what type of van I wanted to go with. I liked the physical profile of your standard cargo van, but wasn't crazy about the space limitations. The extended wheelbase model just didn't sit right with me due to looking like what it pretty much was, an extra couple feet just tacked on to what was already there. Just a bit too much rear overhang to look right, to me. For others I'm sure it's just fine, so no criticisms there.
The ambulance style cut-aways appealed to me in that they already had the beginnings of your basic camper van in place, IE plenty of electrical power and inside/outside storage. But dang if they aren't some big unwieldy beasts when you're thinking about the offroad-ability end of things. And yeah, they've got plenty of rear overhand as well, but to me it at least looks like it belongs there.
Since serious off road capability wasn't that high on the priority list, this style won out. Annnnd, just about time I came to that decision, I ran across the Belafonte for sale. It had pretty much what I was looking for in this model, which was the storage/interior space, and it had a whole bunch of the camper-fication already done so 3 steps ahead for me.
For a memory refresh...
(suck it Photobucket)
Giving credit where it's due, this isn't my photo. Hopefully the PO won't mind. I've only managed to take a few of my own so far, and none of them were exterior shots.
I have the usual big plans, well....planned, so I'm going to have a cubic butt-load of questions. I've built/am building plenty of Jeeps, from CJ5s through Scramblers, J-trucks to a couple Grand Wagoneers, and 1 Unimog still in progress, but this will be my absolutely first ever ambulance. So far I'm loving the snot out of it, in spite of the fact that the bugger spit up and puked out it's water pump yesterday. At least it had the decency to do it parked in the driveway. Since my garages are full and it's colder than a witches mammary gland this week, I sent it to the "pros". Ouch.
Currently looks like this......02/03/2016
[/URL][/IMG]
My Wagoneer (before)
[/URL][/IMG]
And after, winning 1st place something I don't remember at the All-breeds Jeep show in PA. It was also in the July issue of Four Wheeler magazine, late 20?? sumthin or other.
[/URL][/IMG]
As soon as I'm doing redoing the brakes/bearings/seals on the front axle, she'll probably go up on the auction block. My Japanese wife thinks it's "cute" because it looks retro, but she doesn't want to ride in it because it doesn't ride like Lexus. In her defense, it does ride a bit like a WWI pre-production concept tank.
My Scrambler (before):
[/URL][/IMG]
And after. Long since sold to a Marine Lieutenant on his way to AfghaniPacIraqIstan
[/URL][/IMG]
Never did like they way that Kayline top fit. Anyway....
I know this isn't a Jeep forum, but I did have a point. I want the PO to know his baby is in good hands, I have the skills to get it done, and I truly didn't intend on just gutting it to be another tool hauler.
Follow up post will get on to some of my questions, with some pics for reference. I'm hoping the knowledge base here can help out.
NOTICE::
UPDATE: 09/24/17
Photobucket put the screws to many people with their heavy handed disabling of linked photos. For the moment there is a fix.
For Firefox and Google Chrome there is an add-on called Photobucket Fixer. Dont know how, but after installation all my picture links work again. I would suggest looking for a similar work around for whatever browser you happen to be using and....spread the word.
Until I get the Photochucket issue sorted out you can still view the pics by clicking on the nice little graphic that shows up instead of my pictures.
I struggled long and hard about what type of van I wanted to go with. I liked the physical profile of your standard cargo van, but wasn't crazy about the space limitations. The extended wheelbase model just didn't sit right with me due to looking like what it pretty much was, an extra couple feet just tacked on to what was already there. Just a bit too much rear overhang to look right, to me. For others I'm sure it's just fine, so no criticisms there.
The ambulance style cut-aways appealed to me in that they already had the beginnings of your basic camper van in place, IE plenty of electrical power and inside/outside storage. But dang if they aren't some big unwieldy beasts when you're thinking about the offroad-ability end of things. And yeah, they've got plenty of rear overhand as well, but to me it at least looks like it belongs there.
Since serious off road capability wasn't that high on the priority list, this style won out. Annnnd, just about time I came to that decision, I ran across the Belafonte for sale. It had pretty much what I was looking for in this model, which was the storage/interior space, and it had a whole bunch of the camper-fication already done so 3 steps ahead for me.
For a memory refresh...
(suck it Photobucket)
Giving credit where it's due, this isn't my photo. Hopefully the PO won't mind. I've only managed to take a few of my own so far, and none of them were exterior shots.
I have the usual big plans, well....planned, so I'm going to have a cubic butt-load of questions. I've built/am building plenty of Jeeps, from CJ5s through Scramblers, J-trucks to a couple Grand Wagoneers, and 1 Unimog still in progress, but this will be my absolutely first ever ambulance. So far I'm loving the snot out of it, in spite of the fact that the bugger spit up and puked out it's water pump yesterday. At least it had the decency to do it parked in the driveway. Since my garages are full and it's colder than a witches mammary gland this week, I sent it to the "pros". Ouch.
Currently looks like this......02/03/2016
My Wagoneer (before)
And after, winning 1st place something I don't remember at the All-breeds Jeep show in PA. It was also in the July issue of Four Wheeler magazine, late 20?? sumthin or other.
As soon as I'm doing redoing the brakes/bearings/seals on the front axle, she'll probably go up on the auction block. My Japanese wife thinks it's "cute" because it looks retro, but she doesn't want to ride in it because it doesn't ride like Lexus. In her defense, it does ride a bit like a WWI pre-production concept tank.
My Scrambler (before):
And after. Long since sold to a Marine Lieutenant on his way to AfghaniPacIraqIstan
Never did like they way that Kayline top fit. Anyway....
I know this isn't a Jeep forum, but I did have a point. I want the PO to know his baby is in good hands, I have the skills to get it done, and I truly didn't intend on just gutting it to be another tool hauler.
Follow up post will get on to some of my questions, with some pics for reference. I'm hoping the knowledge base here can help out.
Last edited: