Hey guys, cool sight!
Been looking through the threads and finding a lot of great information.
I have converted a few E350 vans to 4x4 in the past, I started my first Ambulance rebuild and conversion to 4x4 back in 2003, it was a 1989 E350 7.3 diesel, drove the heck out of this vehicle and raised two kids in it, but the Michigan winters have finally taken a toll on the front body and it has rusted beyond repair, plus the trans finally gave out.
So I have been in search for a replacement, just picked up a 1990 E350 7.3 diesel, I like these older body styles, plus this one was a "Dive Rescue" unit which was retired as a Ambulance in 1996 with 124,000 miles, I just picked it up with 128,000 miles, hadn't been used much and it was stored inside. The body is in great shape, very little rust, which is hard to find in Michigan.
My plan is to use a divorced NP205 transfer case behind the 2wd E4OD, the same I used for the other ambo, then install a Dana 50 TTB front. I have been collecting TTB's for a few years now, I actually did a "cut and turn" on one for a buggy I built, and it worked so well I plan on doing the same thing to Ambo II.
I have attached a pic of Ambo I, and the "Junk Buggy" I built with a TTB (It looks much better now finished). Don't have any pics of Ambo II yet.
The reason I'm posting this, is to ask a question about removing the wall between the front cab and box, these older Ambulances don't have much leg room, so I want to remove the wall behind the driver seat so I can move it rearward a few inches. I have noticed on some of these builds, it looks like some folks have removed this wall, just courious if removing the center supports that make up the walk thru door frame causes any structural issues, or does the front cab have enough strength to support the box also?
Been looking through the threads and finding a lot of great information.
I have converted a few E350 vans to 4x4 in the past, I started my first Ambulance rebuild and conversion to 4x4 back in 2003, it was a 1989 E350 7.3 diesel, drove the heck out of this vehicle and raised two kids in it, but the Michigan winters have finally taken a toll on the front body and it has rusted beyond repair, plus the trans finally gave out.
So I have been in search for a replacement, just picked up a 1990 E350 7.3 diesel, I like these older body styles, plus this one was a "Dive Rescue" unit which was retired as a Ambulance in 1996 with 124,000 miles, I just picked it up with 128,000 miles, hadn't been used much and it was stored inside. The body is in great shape, very little rust, which is hard to find in Michigan.
My plan is to use a divorced NP205 transfer case behind the 2wd E4OD, the same I used for the other ambo, then install a Dana 50 TTB front. I have been collecting TTB's for a few years now, I actually did a "cut and turn" on one for a buggy I built, and it worked so well I plan on doing the same thing to Ambo II.
I have attached a pic of Ambo I, and the "Junk Buggy" I built with a TTB (It looks much better now finished). Don't have any pics of Ambo II yet.
The reason I'm posting this, is to ask a question about removing the wall between the front cab and box, these older Ambulances don't have much leg room, so I want to remove the wall behind the driver seat so I can move it rearward a few inches. I have noticed on some of these builds, it looks like some folks have removed this wall, just courious if removing the center supports that make up the walk thru door frame causes any structural issues, or does the front cab have enough strength to support the box also?
