This would make a good expedition vehicle:

[Martinjmpr]

Long before I discovered this forum (or even the internet ) I wanted to build up an expedition vehicle and had what I thought was the perfect platform: A Dodge M43 Ambulance. Mine was a 1952 model.

The M43 was made from 1951 until 1967 and used by the military into the 1970's. It was based on the rugged Dodge 1-ton Power Wagon of 1946. It had a 230ci inline six, a two-speed, two-lever T-case, and a 4 speed (wide ratio) tranny. There was a sliding door between the driver's compartment and the patient compartment in the back. There was also a heater, which was unusual for this vintage of military vehicle, except that the heater only heated the patient compartment (the driver and co-driver had to suck it up.) There were two long benches in the back that covered compartments that could be used to store various items, and there was even a surgical light in the back that was mounted on a long boom and could be moved around!

Unfortunately, I never got around to building up my M-43, in fact, I never even got it running again, though it would have only needed a little work. Too little time, too little money and I was going back to school, so I had to sell it.

I don't have a photo of "my" M-43 here (at work), but I've linked to a few on the internet. I'll post pics of mine when I get home this evening.

I'm sure there have been people who have built awesome expedition vehicles out of these! There are even diesel engine conversion kits, disc brake conversions, and power steering conversions that are available for this series of vehicles!

http://www.militaryvehicles.com/vehicle_104.shtml

http://www.pdpatch.com/backroom/product_6.html

 

[charlieaarons]

M43 conversion

Yes, it would make a good expedition vehicle if one is mainly interested in offroad and the onroad parts aren't too long. The stock gasoline motor gets terrible mileage and does not tolerate high rpms. Recommended upgrades (things I've done to my M37):
diesel conversion, either Hercules or Cummins
4.89 gears with locking diffs (Lockright)
power steering
front disk brakes
11.00R16 Michelins
5 spd with overdrive, particularly with the Cummins

There are kits available for the diesel conversions, power steering and disk brakes

Charlie

 

[Martinjmpr]

Okay, here's the pic. Me with my M43, circa 1994:

 

[mountainpete]

Silly question, but wasn't there something unusual about the electrical system on those trucks? Were they even 12 volt?

 

[Martinjmpr]

Silly question, but wasn't there something unusual about the electrical system on those trucks? Were they even 12 volt?

No, the M-series vehicles were all 24 volt. They used a dual battery setup. Incidentally, this applies to modern military vehicles, with the exception of the CUCV (Chevy Blazer and pickup) which have a 24v ignition but the rest of the truck is 12v (because it's the same as the commercial model.)

Nice thing about the M-series electricals is that all M-series vehicles (basically all post-WWII military vehicles) have waterproof ignition systems. The spark plugs on my M-43, for instance, had huge waterproof covers.

This is the reason why all M-series vehicles can ford water up to the air intake level, and why the only thing neccessary to allow them to ford deeper water is a snorkel kit for the intake and for the exhaust.

 

[adventureduo]

I just sold my M-715.. and regret it bigtime

Anyhoo.. there's a nice m43 down the street from my work for sale.

 

[robert]

I always wanted one of those too figuring the same thing.

I remember reading in one of the four wheel drive magazines years ago about a guy who was a dirtbag climber (if you climb you know that's not a negative term http://www.toprope.com/hallucinations/dirtbagging/dirtbag.htm) who lived in his while climbing. He had a pretty cool-cheap but functional- setup in the back for him and his girlfriend.