Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ

[rossvtaylor]

Ozrockrat - thanks for the suggestion about the video record of the walkthrough, I'll do that. And, I never considered that a shower was possible. I'd love to see that as it progresses.

Rlrenz - wow, thanks for taking the time to write up your suggestions. Those are helpful and I'll toss a box of gloves into my bag. I'm arriving Thursday evening, so am staying in a hotel near PHL. Friday morn, they're picking me up and taking me to their site. And, yes, we bought the neonatal unit. I've started a thread on that. For our needs, it looks like the perfect vehicle. Like you, I'm hitting the road westward from there. But, at this point, I'll be alone (my wife can't come along...)

Thanks to both of you, and others here, for the great information and open welcome.

 

[patoz]

\ And, yes, we bought the neonatal unit. I've started a thread on that. For our needs, it looks like the perfect vehicle.

Is this it? If so I'm jealous, but congratulations on purchasing a super nice rig! You will be way ahead of the game considering all of the camping items it already has installed like the sink and generator, etc. Plus, it has a really nice paint/stripe job on it that can be used with just the removal of a few decals.

Bob (rlrenz) and I discussed it at length here (starting on post #311) back in Oct. 2015. I was considering buying it, until we realized they had two neonatal ambulances. One was a 2009 and one was a 1999, and they originally had the 2009 priced at $19,900, which was incorrect. Besides, I want to be able to get off-road and this is just too big with only 2WD.

Here is one more tip before you go to pick it up. If you can get GEV to change out all of the emergency warning lights lenses from red to clear, you will save yourself a bunch of money. That being a 2009 model it quite possibly has the newer LED lightheads on it, and they retail for around $350.00 each.

Good luck, and I'm looking forward to seeing you get it and what your plans are for it.

 

[rossvtaylor]

Oh, Patoz... I wish that were the one - I love the crew cab. But, no, we got the 1999 and our thread is here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/158060-From-Freightliner-ambulance-to-RV-we-hope!?

 

[patoz]

Oh, Patoz... I wish that were the one - I love the crew cab. But, no, we got the 1999 and our thread is here: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/158060-From-Freightliner-ambulance-to-RV-we-hope!?

Well, even the 1999 one is a nice rig and everything I said before still holds true!

The 1999 has Halogen warning lights on it, but I would still see if GEV would change them out to clear for you. You can find used or new replacement red, blue and sometime amber lenses all day long for them on ebay, but the clear ones are like unicorns if they are new or in good condition. That's because all of the people like us snap them up every time we see one.

Do you know if they still have the 2009 version in stock? None of the links I had for it work any longer and I don't see it in their inventory either.

 

[bobrenz]

GEV has to comply with PA law, so the siren and red and blue lights will be gone. Clear & amber lenses will be installed. The lettering will be removed.

Have a notebook and ask questions, but you can always call later and ask, or send an e mail to Shawn.

 

[patoz]

Thanks Bob for that info! I wish they did that here in Florida!

Just FYI for both of you, the 2009 Life Line Neonatal Conversion is no longer on the inventory of GEV, however with a little Google magic I found it.

It's at Heartland Wheels, Inc. in Woodlawn, IL as of 01/04/2016, according to the date at the bottom of the page.

You can see all 18 pictures of it here: http://www.heartlandwheels.com/Ambulance/MediumDuty/CA871main.htm

I want this!!!

 

[rlrenz]

Thanks Bob for that info! I wish they did that here in Florida!

Just FYI for both of you, the 2009 Life Line Neonatal Conversion is no longer on the inventory of GEV, however with a little Google magic I found it.

It's at Heartland Wheels, Inc. in Woodlawn, IL as of 01/04/2016, according to the date at the bottom of the page.

You can see all 18 pictures of it here: http://www.heartlandwheels.com/Ambulance/MediumDuty/CA871main.htm

I want this!!!

GEV specializes in selling used, refurbished ambulances, so it's very possible that they may have done some trading.

 

[rlrenz]

Thanks Bob for that info! I wish they did that here in Florida!

Just FYI for both of you, the 2009 Life Line Neonatal Conversion is no longer on the inventory of GEV, however with a little Google magic I found it.

It's at Heartland Wheels, Inc. in Woodlawn, IL as of 01/04/2016, according to the date at the bottom of the page.

You can see all 18 pictures of it here: http://www.heartlandwheels.com/Ambulance/MediumDuty/CA871main.htm

I want this!!!

I believe that that's required by PA law for a dealer when they sell a used emergency vehicle, so if you buy something directly from a FD or from a municipality, it may still come as a walkin'-talkin' emergency vehicle. The only safe transport solution if you do buy one that is fully operational would be to unplug the connector from the siren amplifier, and pull the fuse (or disconnect the control wire) from the emergency lights. Some people have put electrician's tape over the red/blue lenses (electrician's tape doesn't leave residue on the lenses like duct tape). If a law enforcement person stops you because you have an emergency vehicle, and nothing is operational, then the conversation would probably turn into "Have a nice day..."

 

[rossvtaylor]

Thanks, guys. GEV will be replacing the lenses with clear... IF they have them. Otherwise, they're going to paint them. That's fine with me, as I may remove them anyway.

By the way, this unit came from Florida directly to GEV. It doesn't look like it was a "first out" ambulance. The hours on the tach don't seem to indicate that it sat idling for lots of time, perhaps because of the generator (which also doesn't have a ton of hours, though) or perhaps because of nature of its configuration. Just doing a little math, assuming the hours on the tach X 25mph, that just about equals the odometer reading. So, even if the average speed was 40mph that doesn't leave a ton of idling time.

We've already wired them the money and got our insurance and I fly there the day after tomorrow. Exciting...

 

[bobrenz]

That vehicle will probably use Whelen 97-series halogen warning lights. New clear or amber lenses cost about $40/each (MNtal might have some decent used fixtures and lenses). Your lightbar is probably a Whelen 4000, and it is old enough that it is obsolete. Your ceiling lights look like Whelen, probably about 50 watts each. Used lenses are sometimes available on ebay, or from Foster Coach.

 

[rossvtaylor]

That vehicle will probably use Whelen 97-series halogen warning lights. New clear or amber lenses cost about $40/each (MNtal might have some decent used fixtures and lenses). Your lightbar is probably a Whelen 4000, and it is old enough that it is obsolete. Your ceiling lights look like Whelen, probably about 50 watts each. Used lenses are sometimes available on ebay, or from Foster Coach.

Great, thanks! I appreciate your time. I'll confirm the lighting type on Friday morning... yahoo!

 

[Bikersmurf]

Turn/Tail lights on Long Life Vehicles

I'm finding the stock Turn signals on the back of my 97 Crestline don't get seen. The bulb filament doesn't reach full brightness before it is off again. Options...
1)
These use a Trucklite 60701 Gromet to adapt the rectangular LLV hole to fit standard LLV sealed lights (LED or incandescent).
2) some form of LED 1156 or 1157 bulb... Downside is the original lights have no reflector, just a black Gromet and a coloured lens. The best option seems to be a 36 LED 96 lumen 1.5"X1.5" array (square). A standard incandescent bulb (1156) is about 400 lumens. Any thoughts?

3) the ideal would be a 1"x3"ish Array. Doesn't need a socket because it can be wired directly in. Most replacement bulbs aren't great because 3/4 of the light shines against the black grommet which has no reflector (side facing bulb).

Any thoughts or experience?

 

[bobrenz]

You might find a Whelen part number on the lens, but there should be a label on the rear of the fixture that will give you the light's model number. Remove the lens screws, remove the fixture screws, and the fixture csn be removed. Be careful installing lenses - some have a small drainage hole that has to be down.

 

[Bikersmurf]

The OE lights use no screws. They just have a coloured lens pushed into the rubber grommet.

 

[Bikersmurf]

OE lights



At first I thought they were dim due to a ground issue. However, redoing the ground and the connections inside the body did not resolve the issue.

Would plastic polish help?
Different bulbs?
Is there something I'm missing?

I've even tried making a foil reflector with minimal improvement... Although I do normally use it.