97 E350 Crestline Ambo Build/Mod

[Bikersmurf]

Don't think they'd help.

I don't feel that the aftermarket springs are the same quality as the OEM springs... But the OEMs were about $900/side if memory serves. I couldn't justify the extra expense if there wasn't a damn good reason to but the platinum ones. The OEM springs were only about 1.5" lower than these after 19 years... 10 or so as a working truck. And they'd been used hard... The nylon was worn through and the leaves were wearing into the ones above them... My 42 year old Toyota had better looking packs.

These are a 10 leaf pack, but the tenth leaf is about 8" long so it's really just a thin spacer/lift. I could have them removed, but would rather not mess with the packs if I don't need to. You're right... Time will tell. I'm either getting more used to it, or it has settled a bit already... I'd rather have taller coils and more travel than just a spacer. Options up here seem to be quite limited, and the standard moog 880s that work well on a E250, likely wouldn't lift a Diesel E350 Ambo as much. I've seen some others, but also would want to improve ride quality not just increase spring rate. I want my cake and to eat it too... Free cake also tastes better too.

 

[FDM2012]

Yeah, my 9 leafers are de-arched and I am thinking I need to put on the same as what you just did. I fully
anticipate adding 1500-2000lbs to the rig once it is said and done, so that should have me good and level,
once I put the Agile coils in up front.
Wishful thinking....

Lots of Florida Rednecks here around the Tampa area, so hopefully I don't go too broke in the process. #Springtime

 

[Bikersmurf]

Depending on how much extra weight you're looking at adding, you may even want to go to the higher capacity 5000/side leaf packs... the three options I've seen are 3300/3460 9 leaf packs, 4000 10 leaf, or 5000 10 leaf packs. As the load goes up, the thickness of the packs go up.

BTW, even the new packs don't have much arch... One of the spring shops stated 2.125" unloaded... making them very flat when loaded.

I did see some very reasonable prices for online suppliers south of the boarder... shipping here brought the price into a similar ballpark, and no local support (as though it's worth much).

 

[FDM2012]

I think the 5000 10 leafs are what come on a E-450. I might see about finding a decent parts truck
and give them a go. Would only be a few hundy down here in Florida.

 

[Bikersmurf]

We've got few wreckers left here...

If you get them from a 450, just watch width, centering, and length. It you got a 450 10 leaf pack, you could always pull a shorter leaf or two if they were too high.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Well, the 8-18v house battery meter went on the fritz today. It was reading low, then waving around, and then it stopped moving. The inverter has a digital Voltage meter so I know the batteries weren't on the fritz.

So, anyone know where I can find a 8-18v 1.5" gauge to match the Transport Authority one that died? The next option would be an analogue gauge 8-18v with about 270 deg sweep. The original had markings showing cranking voltage, ok, and charging ranges.

Anyone have one they took out of an ambulance?

The original is a 'Transportation Safety Device' voltmeter with the range 8-18v... I'd kinda like to keep it looking stock so if anyone has found one, please send me a message.
Thanks

 

[Abitibi]

Text me tomorrow evening to remind me to look for one! I should be in the shop by then...

Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk

 

[Bikersmurf]

Will do, Thanks.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Front Door Speakers

If your rig has seen near the use mine has... or even if it hasn't, the stock door speakers are likely trashed.

I picked up a set of 250 Watt max - Pioneer speakers and replaced the stock ones. The 6x8" are a direct fit. I narrowed the second blade connector so that I could just remove the connectors from the stock plug and plug them onto the speaker. I now actually have some mid range and a bit of base... not awesome, but how much can you expect from the stock AM/FM Radio.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Power Cord

The end of this cord was dead... so I replaced it with this well sealed 'dust proof' from Leviton. The receptacle was OE, and the gray cover replaces the oxidised metal one. The cover was something like $10 from the local electric wholesaler & in stock. Pushed in thigh it'd keep the water out... darn near sealed. If you want better, the Marine shop has options... short of the pressure washer, it'll keep the water outside. There is a rubber seal to seal the cord to the plug, and with a 5/8" cord, the seal was tight.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Found the booster and Master Cylinder in my pile of spare parts. I'd thought the 2001 Master would be a direct replacement for the 1997 booster. However, I found out they switched from 1 1/4" (97) to 1 5/16" (01) in 1999. The boosters are also different to work with the masters.

 

[Bikersmurf]

A special Thanks to the friends who helped to install the master with custom lines with the fittings swapped to make the lines work. The lines connected to the same places.

The Newer master works very well. The brakes work better than I've ever experienced before. This 8500 lb rig now brakes a lightweight performance vehicle... quite shocking. It feels like it could easily lock the brake were it not for the four wheel ABS.

The rig even seems to perform better... I don't know how it could make much difference.

 

[Abitibi]

That's great! Can never go wrong with better stopping power!

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[huskyhauler]

If your rig has seen near the use mine has... or even if it hasn't, the stock door speakers are likely trashed.

I picked up a set of 250 Watt max - Pioneer speakers and replaced the stock ones. The 6x8" are a direct fit. I narrowed the second blade connector so that I could just remove the connectors from the stock plug and plug them onto the speaker. I now actually have some mid range and a bit of base... not awesome, but how much can you expect from the stock AM/FM Radio.

View attachment 363327

Upgrade your stereo deck! Just as the sound quality doubled with the new speakers, even a cheap deck will double the sound quality again!

 

[Bikersmurf]

Any recomendations for a reasonably priced deck? Anything would be better than the stock AM/FM Radio...

Unfortunately the stereo is close to the bottom of the lists of priorities.