hobietony
Explorer
Nothing yet. It is a standard 120v motorhome AC, so when I get the power hooked up, there you go
AmboVan Restarted
- Thread starter hobietony
- Start date
Nothing yet. It is a standard 120v motorhome AC, so when I get the power hooked up, there you go
cjken
Explorer
Hi Toni think it may have been mentioned earlier in your thread, but I could not find it. What is your current tire and rim setup. I think I read that you are now running 285/70/r16.5
Did you have to space out the dual rears so they don't rub. My ambulance is not 4x4 yet but once it is I may run a similar tire set up. The options seem limited with dual rears.
Thanks
Sorry if it has already been posted
Ken
Did you have to space out the dual rears so they don't rub. My ambulance is not 4x4 yet but once it is I may run a similar tire set up. The options seem limited with dual rears.
Thanks
Sorry if it has already been posted
Ken
hobietony
Explorer
255/85/r16, tallest I can get without spacing the rears. They look too small, but it was important to me to keep the dualies. The 4x4 swap already needs a rear spacer to swap to the 8x170 4x4 bolt pattern, so no way to space the dualies themselves. I am using stock ford alloy wheels, powdercoated.
ht.....why is important to keep the duallies? Seems most folks try to get rid of them as they pick up rocks etc. If you watch the TV show 'most dangerous roads' they were always fighting w/ rocks between the tires.....????
bD
ht.....why is important to keep the duallies? Seems most folks try to get rid of them as they pick up rocks etc. If you watch the TV show 'most dangerous roads' they were always fighting w/ rocks between the tires.....????
bD
hobietony
Explorer
^^^ I've answered this a couple times in this thread, but track width is a big factor, along with weight capacity, and redundancy/safety for blowouts. I've never had a problem with this rig off road as far as rocks, and I think they look bad ***. I don't watch TV, so I don't know anything about any 'Most Dangerous Roads'
VanIsle_Greg
I think I need a bigger truck!
Love this thing....
Sorry missed any conversations about it but then again I am known for short term problems ;>). I agree they do look bad ***, but I would think airing down w/ them would cause problems (such as tires rubbing). As to track with any axle you could put under there you could match or exceed track with the axle/diff you chose (i.e. as you know, check out UJoints thread). The series ' Worlds Most Dangerous Roads' involved several professional truck drivers navigating the worlds known most dangerous roads in large trucks and several episodes they had to cope w/ rocks stuck between the duals. I'm not trying to be a prick but I do hope to build an ambo in the next couple years and the dual thing interests me in what I will do (they do look awesome). You are one of the foremost build threads on the subject so I was questioning as to why you chose what you did.
bD
McZippie
Walmart Adventure Camper
I'll chime in on the dually vs single debate. We run duallys and IMHO its pretty hard to run one of these larger Rigs anywhere that singles or airing down would be of much benefit... Heck we've run Class A and C motor homes for decades on all kinds of roads and trails from Copper Valley Mexico to Alaska.... With duallies when trails are slick, muddy or snowy, learn to steer with the throttle pedal.... Your experience may differ.
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hobietony
Explorer
I am not necessarily opposed to running singles in the future, especially if I can keep the same wheels I have now, I would have the same track width in the back if I just remove the inside dual - I've seen several of the bigger rigs here do that, the Earthcruiser Fusos, those bobbed duce-and-half rigs, etc. Puts an asymmetric load on the rear axle though, don't know if this is a big deal, with the contact patch way out past the bearings, but the Earthroamers do this. The earlier explanation was my thought at the time, and I have a lot of tires to wear out before I make the next decision. I agree that my ability to air down in the back is limited right now, but a lot of the reason for airing down is a larger contact patch, which the duallies already have. However, I miss that ability to air down for ride quality on washboard/rough roads. As always, your mileage may vary
gringorick
Adventurer
Very cool rig build. You are definitely hard core. And if you did watch TV, you would probably still be gutting the interior! I am hoping to pickup an ambu shortly, but looking for a mini-mod with single rear wheels to keep the body width at a minimum. I am probably not going to deck it out as bad-a** as you are, but all you guys are surely giving me some awesome ideas. Thanks for all the details and pics. Subscribed.
Can't wait to get one. If anyone knows of one for sale, please let me know.
Rick
Can't wait to get one. If anyone knows of one for sale, please let me know.
Rick
hobietony
Explorer
Hard Core? Must have the wrong guy...
Got to a stopping point on the interior framing, I'll certainly need to break out the welder again before I'm done, but the work is done enough that I can switch gears to something else. I was fully tired of this phase.
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Area behind the drivers seat
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When I originally cut the hole in the roof, I cut it at the plane of the original cabinetry on the drivers side and the front, leaving a 'pot shelf' on those two sides. Chopped that back to the topper support beams, just left a little shelf in the front corners - Surprising how a small change can open it up.
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After cleaning up the van and my garage of the aluminum dust, shavings, and bits (you could train for anthrax decontamination by having to clean that crap up, it gets everywhere, little shiny bits in the most unexpected locations in the house), I kept with the cleaning theme and gave the outside of the van a good scrubbing - first time with a hand wash instead of the wand at the coin-op, don't need to do that again anytime soon. Of course I had to take a picture, how else would you know?
Next up, wiring - got a lot of compartments to reroute the lights too, and I'll start thinking about where the interior lighting will run.
Got to a stopping point on the interior framing, I'll certainly need to break out the welder again before I'm done, but the work is done enough that I can switch gears to something else. I was fully tired of this phase.
-
Area behind the drivers seat
-
When I originally cut the hole in the roof, I cut it at the plane of the original cabinetry on the drivers side and the front, leaving a 'pot shelf' on those two sides. Chopped that back to the topper support beams, just left a little shelf in the front corners - Surprising how a small change can open it up.
-
After cleaning up the van and my garage of the aluminum dust, shavings, and bits (you could train for anthrax decontamination by having to clean that crap up, it gets everywhere, little shiny bits in the most unexpected locations in the house), I kept with the cleaning theme and gave the outside of the van a good scrubbing - first time with a hand wash instead of the wand at the coin-op, don't need to do that again anytime soon. Of course I had to take a picture, how else would you know?
Next up, wiring - got a lot of compartments to reroute the lights too, and I'll start thinking about where the interior lighting will run.
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ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Lookin good man!
On the SRW vs DRW discussion, its tough! When going to singles you have limited tire options that have enough load rating. When you get to the big boy tires (Michelins/etc found on the ER rigs) they have low speed ratings and they require big wheels. Every rig has different demands depending on weight and lift size.
On the SRW vs DRW discussion, its tough! When going to singles you have limited tire options that have enough load rating. When you get to the big boy tires (Michelins/etc found on the ER rigs) they have low speed ratings and they require big wheels. Every rig has different demands depending on weight and lift size.