97 E350 Crestline Ambo Build/Mod

[Oldcarnut]

I worked at a casino that had a parking garage with height limit warning at the entrance. Only issue was the height limit was smaller the further up the garage one went due to sagging. Had a few vehicles get stuck higher in the garage that did not hit the warning barrier. What fun that was.
Also had a guy with a 12 inch lifted Expedition try and go into the garage but told him unless he wanted to make it a convertible it was not a good idea.
Better to play it safe and give a couple inches leeway when going under overhangs.
I got waved down and told not to continue forward when my bus was still 2wd n stock height at a motel because the portege got smaller towards the rear yet I fit at the entrance.

 

[Bikersmurf]

I figure if I allow at least 6" over what it says on the dash I'm safe... even though it's only really 3". Tighter than that I'm extremely cautious of. If anyone else drove the rig I'd be more worried about updating the height. Usually it's either way too low or I've got lots of space... seldom in between.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Put in a new Vacuum pump. The comparison between the two was scary. Spinning the old pump by hand doesn't move any air... the new pump moves air you can hear and feel.

 

[Bikersmurf]

After going for a drive with the rebuilt pump I’m starting to wonder if the other pump was ever working properly. The brakes are way better now.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Glad the brakes are up to snuff... traffic suddenly stopped at 70 mph in the rain on the I5. At first it looked like it was just slowing down a bit and then it stopped dead.

Last 1/2 a tank on the highway 14.8L/100km. Not bad for a 9500 lb rig... approximately 16.2 mpg (US) and not just putting along but instead keeping up with traffic

 

[eblau]

I think my IDI will need a vacuum pump soon, I don't have a very hard pedal but that "grab" from power assisted brakes just doesn't seem to be there any more. Is that what you were experiencing?

 

[Bikersmurf]

I think my IDI will need a vacuum pump soon, I don't have a very hard pedal but that "grab" from power assisted brakes just doesn't seem to be there any more. Is that what you were experiencing?

Yes. It’d stop if I put enough force on it, but in comparison there was almost no braking. The only way to know for certain is to put a vacuum gauge on it and see what it shows.

If you pull the check valve out of the booster what happens? Off/running? Could be a leaking booster also

 

[Bikersmurf]

If you’re considering changing the oil in your HPOP reservoir... do it. I’ve seen people claim it’s not necessary... pic speaks for itself.

The catch bucket wasn’t super clean before I started. The translucent oil was what came out of the pump from a previous oil change... the tar like oil came out from the reservoir.

 

[eblau]

Mine looked identical, like driveway sealer.

 

[Bikersmurf]

After rescuing friends stranded out at the ferry last night in the Ambo and having it take me almost everywhere I asked, I called out its reinforcement. The Ambo did extremely well in the snow... the one hill it wouldn't go up was packed snow over black ice... even with V-bar chains it wouldn't make it up the hill. It felt good to have the 40 back on the road. The ambulance is in some ways easier to drive in the snow... but the 40 with BFG A/T tires and 2600 lbs over the rear wheels will go anywhere the ambulance will go without shifting into 4WD.

In 4WD, the 40 is almost unstoppable with 2200 lbs front and 2600 lbs rear, and almost perfect balance side to side... as though it was built that way The four wheel disc brakes also make stopping easier.

 

[Abitibi]

You guys good a good dump of snow, nice that you have that little 40 in your back pocket for those snowy days!

 

[Bikersmurf]

You guys good a good dump of snow, nice that you have that little 40 in your back pocket for those snowy days!

It’s part of why I don’t feel I need a 4wd Ambulance. I’ll put a hitch on the Ambulance and tow the 40. The ambulance can be base camp and I can explore further with the 40. The 40 can also tow the ambo out if it gets stuck if it’s along for the ride.

 

[Raul]

It’s part of why I don’t feel I need a 4wd Ambulance. I’ll put a hitch on the Ambulance and tow the 40. The ambulance can be base camp and I can explore further with the 40. The 40 can also tow the ambo out if it gets stuck if it’s along for the ride.

You should install a motorcycle hitch carrier on the 40 and carry a dual sport bike. They also make bicycle carriers for motorcycles. You’ll be unstoppable!!!! ?

 

[Bikersmurf]

Been too busy to do much with the rig.

Problem: The house charger I installed conked out. They would go from 12.7 v to 11.9 v after 24 hours of being on charge.

Solution: Xantrex TRUECHARGE 20+ charger. Found one used that looks like it has been around for a few years, but hasn’t been used much. New wasn’t in the budget, but for $50 it seems to be excellent. It’s an IC controlled multistage charger that can be set to work with my two banks of flooded batteries. After a two or three hours, the charger switched to standby and the batteries are 100% and good to go. It seems to hold them at about 13.3 V while in standby.

If you’re considering an intelligent changer, I’d recommend one as soon as your budget permits.

Next up in the charging area will be solar to replenish the charge when unplugged... thus reducing the need for shore power.

 

[Bikersmurf]

The interior cot lights weren’t working unless reliably. They would work sometimes if I toggled the Ambulance Connect on & off a few times... until the box wouldn’t power up. After a quick check of the breakers without finding the source, I found that the ‘Life Support’ solenoid was dead.

I replaced the standard duty solenoid with a heavier duty spare I had around. I found that the top can easily be removed to inspect &/or clean its contacts.

Pictures because we love pictures...