Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ
- Thread starter flightcancled
- Start date
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Main relay is in the electrical room on a type 3.
It's easy to spot... And conected to the battery isolator. Do you have circuit diagrams?
It's easy to spot... And conected to the battery isolator. Do you have circuit diagrams?
flightcancled
Explorer
Whaaaaat? Are you getting fancy on us now?
Gotta trick the girl into liking winter camping somehow!
The main electrical runs are perfect spots for critters to find and nest in. It is possible your wiring got nibbled on. Don't ask how I know.
Does anyone have a good bank of kitchen layout ideas? While we are there wasn't there a good thread on fold out bed setups at one point?
patoz
Expedition Leader
Yeah, I guess you gotta have a little bling on there to get the job done!
I know we have all discussed the bed situation several times, but I don't remember who's thread it was on. Personally, I still think the double or triple slat bed is the best bet for using you existing crew bench.
I also don't remember whose rig this is, but thank you posting the detailed pictures. They will be a big help when I build mine.
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
A bit off topic but I wanted to share our latest 4x4 ambo swap. We did some new things that I think are neat and more reliable for the long run. Basically, we kept the stock wheels by using a serviceable wheel bearing conversion and using a narrower tire to eliminate the need of any rear spacers. The tires are 255/85/16, 4" lift.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Looks good Chris... Almost stock... But not.
ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Ha, I bet! Yes, we cut the front bumper.
Looks good Chris... Almost stock... But not.
Yea I dig those white wheels!
flightcancled
Explorer
Slat beds just look wrong to me. I have destroyed slat futons before, and those are made with wider slats than that thing. A knee in the wrong spot and you are replacing one of those flimsy little ferring strips.
That's sweet Chris! My plan is to keep the stock rims so that's perfect. They are functional, look right on the rig, and so easy to replace as needed.
I have the same bumper on mine (hate the 1" drop- give me that clearance back!) so I am pretty confident saying that has been cut.
That sway bar in the back is hanging really low. Looks like it is waiting to be ripped off. I'd rather have my air ride or a different bar.
That's sweet Chris! My plan is to keep the stock rims so that's perfect. They are functional, look right on the rig, and so easy to replace as needed.
I have the same bumper on mine (hate the 1" drop- give me that clearance back!) so I am pretty confident saying that has been cut.
That sway bar in the back is hanging really low. Looks like it is waiting to be ripped off. I'd rather have my air ride or a different bar.
patoz
Expedition Leader
Thanks Chris. After looking at pictures of mine before I cut it in half, it was obvious the bumper had been cut.
Alex,
The strips can be made any width, thickness, or gap size; or out of any material, including aluminum tubing. I just like the fact it is a compact design and can provide a single or double bed without having to carry, store, or add any additional leafs, etc.
Of course, if anyone comes up with something better I'm all for it, after all that's why we're all on here, right. I would love to find something that would just bolt in, but I have a wheel well AND a compartment under mine to hide, and I need to retain as much storage space as possible.
Alex,
The strips can be made any width, thickness, or gap size; or out of any material, including aluminum tubing. I just like the fact it is a compact design and can provide a single or double bed without having to carry, store, or add any additional leafs, etc.
Of course, if anyone comes up with something better I'm all for it, after all that's why we're all on here, right. I would love to find something that would just bolt in, but I have a wheel well AND a compartment under mine to hide, and I need to retain as much storage space as possible.
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ujoint
Supporting Sponsor
Yea this pic was taken before the rear bar links were lengthened. So its just flopping in the breeze here.
Ozrockrat
Expedition Leader
For the bed question. I have had success with getting custom length beds from discountvanandtruck (just google that). They are a good sofa and also a fairly good bed. Easy setup and I have not noticed rattles. The good part is that they fit over the wheel arch and also over the compartments on ambo's.
In Australia I am using an IKEA futon shortened down. The price was right and it does have a good mechanism and comfortable bed.
The problem I have with slat beds is that usually they are a compromise on the seating side. And if I sit the wrong way for any length of time my back kills me (it's a bugger being old fat and unfit)
If anyone needs any more details hit me with a pm.
Just for reference we usually are at under $1000 for the custom sofa beds installed in the USA and the one in Australia from Ikea will be around $300 but all the rework to make it the right length was done for free.
In Australia I am using an IKEA futon shortened down. The price was right and it does have a good mechanism and comfortable bed.
The problem I have with slat beds is that usually they are a compromise on the seating side. And if I sit the wrong way for any length of time my back kills me (it's a bugger being old fat and unfit)
If anyone needs any more details hit me with a pm.
Just for reference we usually are at under $1000 for the custom sofa beds installed in the USA and the one in Australia from Ikea will be around $300 but all the rework to make it the right length was done for free.
flightcancled
Explorer
Gotcha! Chris are you starting to get these ambos dialed in more at this point? I'm guessing that you are having to do custom springs every time because the weights and distributions are all different. That's something I wonder about with a DIY vs. dropping it off.
This is certainly the more expensive albeit super sweet solution to the bed issues. http://www.rbcomponents.com/components/furniture/76in-sofa-sleeper.html
I think Ken was saying he wanted something that would go against the wall for moving big stuff. I think you could make a unit for your fridge and all your storage against the wall then flip the bed up to access it all. My concern with all these folding units is the annoyance of sleeping on the folds and gaps in the foam.
More Options:
http://www.rbcomponents.com/components/furniture
This is certainly the more expensive albeit super sweet solution to the bed issues. http://www.rbcomponents.com/components/furniture/76in-sofa-sleeper.html
I think Ken was saying he wanted something that would go against the wall for moving big stuff. I think you could make a unit for your fridge and all your storage against the wall then flip the bed up to access it all. My concern with all these folding units is the annoyance of sleeping on the folds and gaps in the foam.
More Options:
http://www.rbcomponents.com/components/furniture
cjken
Explorer
A bit off topic but I wanted to share our latest 4x4 ambo swap. We did some new things that I think are neat and more reliable for the long run. Basically, we kept the stock wheels by using a serviceable wheel bearing conversion and using a narrower tire to eliminate the need of any rear spacers. The tires are 255/85/16, 4" lift.
Are those the same size tires Hobietony has on his.
Alex that is probably exactly what yours will look like once 4x4. Long wheelbase wide body.
My rear bumper seems to not hang down as much. Maybe you can copy the mount on mine.
