Flat_Ernie
Observer
Hi all - picked up a project and found this place while researching.
The canvas:
I recently scored an ex-Navy 1990 Chevy K3500-based ambulance with less than 4,200 (yes, 4,200 - not missing any zeros) miles on it. It's got a 6.2, TH400, & 4.56 gears in it. Now, when I say 'ambulance', it's more of a patient transport - it has two benches and provisions for two upper-bunk style litters and apart from the rear A/C & heat unit, only had a suction pump and an oxygen bottle carrier apart from some IV bag holders. Pretty sparse and the only outside box contains the spare. It's a relatively small box at 80" wide, 112" long, and 61" tall with intake and exhaust fans on the roof. Everything works, including the red bubble-gum beacon. The only things they removed were the siren and radio.
Work so far:
I've removed all the littler mounting hardware, vacuum pump, IV bag holders, oxygen bottle carrier, and the left side bench. Not much more progress so far, and I don't have most of my tools out here for work, but should head home next month and get more done.
Plans:
I plan to put a fresh & gray water system in, a propane system for hot water and a 2-burner cooktop, shower, camping toilet, generator, AC and a bed/couch along with as much storage as I can cram in. The left side will get most of that, with the right bench getting massaged and a sliding bed/couch setup. I also plan to put a side-entry door. I'm looking at a solar set-up to run the box off-grid for a few days at a time as well.
I'd like to get some sort of overdrive setup so I can cruise a little better than 50-55 on the highway. I'm looking at a gear vendors OD setup. I'd love to do a 4L80E conversion, but it's a lot of work for me where i'm at right now...and I'm on a little bit of a budget. Anything I might not have thought of?
In the very distant future, once I have everything else set up, I might be interested in a turbo system to get a little more oomph out of the 6.2...or maybe a 6.5 swap?
Immediate work:
I need new tires - while these are basically new, with very few miles on them, they were replaced in '06 and have some weather cracking. Aashame because the tread is unused and even the little rubber nibs are still on the sidewalls. I'm going to plus up to 235/85R16 from the stock 215s, but that's as large as I'm going for now. I do intend to keep the dually rear set up as I don't anticipate any real serious off-road activity - just some mountain gravel stuff and maybe a bit of snow.
I also need a hitch, but the box and rear bumper are making that more challenging than it needs to be, but I'll get it done soon.
Anyway, that's enough for now...I look forward to continuing to learn a lot on here.
The canvas:
I recently scored an ex-Navy 1990 Chevy K3500-based ambulance with less than 4,200 (yes, 4,200 - not missing any zeros) miles on it. It's got a 6.2, TH400, & 4.56 gears in it. Now, when I say 'ambulance', it's more of a patient transport - it has two benches and provisions for two upper-bunk style litters and apart from the rear A/C & heat unit, only had a suction pump and an oxygen bottle carrier apart from some IV bag holders. Pretty sparse and the only outside box contains the spare. It's a relatively small box at 80" wide, 112" long, and 61" tall with intake and exhaust fans on the roof. Everything works, including the red bubble-gum beacon. The only things they removed were the siren and radio.
Work so far:
I've removed all the littler mounting hardware, vacuum pump, IV bag holders, oxygen bottle carrier, and the left side bench. Not much more progress so far, and I don't have most of my tools out here for work, but should head home next month and get more done.
Plans:
I plan to put a fresh & gray water system in, a propane system for hot water and a 2-burner cooktop, shower, camping toilet, generator, AC and a bed/couch along with as much storage as I can cram in. The left side will get most of that, with the right bench getting massaged and a sliding bed/couch setup. I also plan to put a side-entry door. I'm looking at a solar set-up to run the box off-grid for a few days at a time as well.
I'd like to get some sort of overdrive setup so I can cruise a little better than 50-55 on the highway. I'm looking at a gear vendors OD setup. I'd love to do a 4L80E conversion, but it's a lot of work for me where i'm at right now...and I'm on a little bit of a budget. Anything I might not have thought of?
In the very distant future, once I have everything else set up, I might be interested in a turbo system to get a little more oomph out of the 6.2...or maybe a 6.5 swap?
Immediate work:
I need new tires - while these are basically new, with very few miles on them, they were replaced in '06 and have some weather cracking. Aashame because the tread is unused and even the little rubber nibs are still on the sidewalls. I'm going to plus up to 235/85R16 from the stock 215s, but that's as large as I'm going for now. I do intend to keep the dually rear set up as I don't anticipate any real serious off-road activity - just some mountain gravel stuff and maybe a bit of snow.
I also need a hitch, but the box and rear bumper are making that more challenging than it needs to be, but I'll get it done soon.
Anyway, that's enough for now...I look forward to continuing to learn a lot on here.
