97 E350 Crestline Ambo Build/Mod

[Bikersmurf]

My new favorite mechanics tool...


Recently I picked up this older impact. Obviously, it's used, but I was rarely used after being recently rebuilt. Needless to say, not all impacts are created equal. Even as the pressure drops it'll easily spin off the dually lug nuts which were torqued to 140ish lbs. No longer a need for the 50 gal shop compressor, even this little compressor that lives on board, and runs off the inverter, easily keeps up.



This will make changing a flat, or working on the rig, sooo much easier.


Now I've got a Husky, Craftsman, CH, and perhaps even another 1/2" impact that'll be collecting dust. Oh wait, they already were, because they couldn't get the job done.

Now, I'll just have to dig out the torque wrench to learn how to tweak it's adjustments. the 575 ft/lbs (F) and 650 ft/lbs (R) torque at max settings is a touch high if I want to ever get things undone without this impact.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Next Ambo project. It came off a 10.25 Sterling axle in a 1995 F250. It looks like it should fit my Dana 70 axle. It looks like it should be able to connect to the frame with a couple custom mounts/brackets.


Being a 1.125” bar it won’t be as stiff as a 1.5” Helwig bar. That doesn’t mean it won’t be more than enough. It has 4000 lb rear leafs, and sway wasn’t bad, that doesn’t mean if wouldn’t handle with one.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Looks like the bar is a perfect fit. The bracket that attaches to the axle will need to be modified a bit because only 1/2 of it will sit on the axle housing. I’m also going to rotate both the links which connect it to the frame 180* so they don’t interfere with the frame. Then all I’ll need are a couple brackets with tabs on them to attach the links to the shock mount crossmember.

What I like most about this bar is that it doesn’t hang down way below the axle. With +/- 29” tires and a Dana 70, the last thing I want to do is loose 3-4” of clearance for an aftermarket sway bar hanging below the axle. Like this one, for example:

Or…

 

[Bikersmurf]

I’ve made little progress on the sway bar adaptation. Been working on my other rig. The 40 is getting much needed power steering (as I’m getting old and gimped). And also an 8274 to pull out the ambulance if needed. I’ve not needed a winch for my own rig in close to 30 years… but that doesn’t mean I don’t want one. I’ve never used a fire extinguisher… but I still own at least half a dozen.

 

[svo_jon]

What stearing box is that?
Jonathan

 

[Bikersmurf]

What stearing box is that?
Jonathan

Scout II Saginaw box, Scout II P/S lines, 81 Toyota pickup TRE, 70 Bel Air pitman arm…. All bolt together. The pitman arm was carefully heated and reshaped following the instructions of a very experienced welder & cruiser owner. Ford shock towers will be used to clear the box and Flaming River shaft & U-joints.

 

[svo_jon]

The flaming River parts look real nice.

Jonathan

 

[FDM2012]

I’ve made little progress on the sway bar adaptation. Been working on my other rig. The 40 is getting much needed power steering (as I’m getting old and gimped). And also an 8274 to pull out the ambulance if needed. I’ve not needed a winch for my own rig in close to 30 years… but that doesn’t mean I don’t want one. I’ve never used a fire extinguisher… but I still own at least half a dozen.
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Sweet Rig! Do more posting on it!

 

[Bikersmurf]

The flaming River parts look real nice.

Jonathan

They are nice. I could theoretically have cobbled something together, but it was a steering and it was worth doing it right.

The parts made hooking up the parts up super easy.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Sweet Rig! Do more posting on it!

It has been a project since 1991.

Here’s a link to its thread:

Builds - My 40 Build... 20 years and Counting... Purists beware, this may hurt... :D

My 40 Build... 20 years and Counting... Purists beware, this may hurt :D Time to document a few of the things I've done all in one place. I'll start with some pictures and add more as I've got time. I purchased it towards the end of 1991. Before driving it the brakes were all done. I’d a...

forum.ih8mud.com

It’s a large part of why I’ve got no plans to convert the Ambo to 4WD. With 33s it’ll run circles around a huge 4WD in these parts.

 

[gabeM]

@Bikersmurf, do you know what kind of dog that is? Looks nearly identical to ours.

 

[Betarocker]

@Bikersmurf, do you know what kind of dog that is? Looks nearly identical to ours.

Looks like a Bitsa. Bitsa dis, bitsa dat.

 

[Bikersmurf]

She’s just over a year old now. About 10 months when that picture was taken.

He mom was a Black Lab and her Dad a Great Pyrenees. The two brothers I saw were white with black markings, and she’s black with white markings.

Recently her coat has started showing brown undertones as well.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Here’s some more dog pics… just because

 

[Bikersmurf]

Sway bar mounting has been on hold. We are expecting snow here around Christmas, so I’ve been focusing on the 40. Since there’s not much happening on this forum, I thought I’d share some pics of what I have been doing.


I’ve added a tension adjuster to make tensioning the pump belt possible. Without it you’d need to pry on the P/S pump and A/C (air) compressor at the same time and then tighten then tension lock bolt they now share.

The scout II box eliminates two tie rod ends and the bel crank as major sources of friction and slop.