Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ
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Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
My 12/96 E350 had a Parasitic drain... when current was applied to the alternator, it created a drain. I'd start by having your alternator tested. If it has the 215 Amp Mitsubishi it's a pain to pull and hard to get parts. I got lucky and found a new one for $300... Ford wanted $859, and had no stock listed in North America... I have seen them listed on Ebay. If you're lucky/unlucky you've got a smaller one. The Smaller ones are easy to find... some trucks run 2 smaller ones rather than the one massive one.
The second drain was caused because a PO rewired the battery Isolator so that both the house batteries and the starting batteries were drained if anything was left on.
With both problems fixed, I've seen the Alternator crank out 200+ AMPs continuously, and I can kill the house batteries without effecting the starting batteries.
On the matter of the saggy new spring... I did the math, and the sagging cornerr weighs 3100 lbs with an empty truck. The stock spring was rated at 4000 lbs, so a 3300 lb pack is a big step down, and would be overloaded before I left home for the weekend.
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groverdisco
New member
Maybe this one???
Hey gang, looking to pick up a 7.3 ambo to instal my UJOR kit that's be sitting around collecting dust ( long story ). I've found a 2000 with a Crestline body on the back, looks clean but have not seen in person yet. It has 380km on it and wondering what you all think about that? I know these guys go forever and I am a diesel mechanic by trade but also don't want to replace everything before I can use it. I'm also going to look at a 1999 with 180km on it but is a couple thousand more. Kinda seems like nobody knows what has or hasn't been replaced on these units. Maybe the one with high kms has had some major components changed and the low kms haven't and will be ready for repairs?!? Kind of a crap shoot I know, just throwing it out there to the experts. Can't wait till I nail one down and can show it off to you guys!!
Hey gang, looking to pick up a 7.3 ambo to instal my UJOR kit that's be sitting around collecting dust ( long story ). I've found a 2000 with a Crestline body on the back, looks clean but have not seen in person yet. It has 380km on it and wondering what you all think about that? I know these guys go forever and I am a diesel mechanic by trade but also don't want to replace everything before I can use it. I'm also going to look at a 1999 with 180km on it but is a couple thousand more. Kinda seems like nobody knows what has or hasn't been replaced on these units. Maybe the one with high kms has had some major components changed and the low kms haven't and will be ready for repairs?!? Kind of a crap shoot I know, just throwing it out there to the experts. Can't wait till I nail one down and can show it off to you guys!!
groverdisco
New member
Was going to instal it in a Motorhome but sold that and thinking an ambulance will be better anyways.
cjken
Explorer
groverdisco
New member
Where are you at? Any issues with the Crestline body? Have you done any interior mods yet? Would be great to stop by and have a look at anyone's ambo, they should have a rally just for converted abulance units! I'm in California right now and drove past a car dealer called fun toys I think and they had a 99 converted by a guy that had to leave the country or something. Looks like a nice build but oh man they want some serious cash for it! Going to stop by before I head home and have a look just for reference. Looks like it's got a built in booth / bed in the back now, kinda cool.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Abitibi is around Vancouver BC. I'm on Vancouver Island.
Who owned these ambos? I've got 345km on mine. BC Ambulance sells them at 10 years/250k. They usually go for 3-4k. I'd not touch newer than 2003. They're well maintained till the day they're decommissioned. A guy who buys a lot of them said some are good and others you should run from.
Mine was privately owned for along time... seemed well maintained... but the company that owned it went belly up... probably soon after the alternator died... should've realized the 1/2" wrench attached under the hood with Velcro wasn't a good sign. No complaints... got it for less than a set of tires would've cost andfound a new alternator for 300 vs 859 from Ford who has no stock.
Font end components are prone to wearing out... don't tell the seller your plans... just use the condition to help negotiate a fair price.
Frame condition would play a big factor in which of those two I'd buy... mileage not so much.
Who owned these ambos? I've got 345km on mine. BC Ambulance sells them at 10 years/250k. They usually go for 3-4k. I'd not touch newer than 2003. They're well maintained till the day they're decommissioned. A guy who buys a lot of them said some are good and others you should run from.
Mine was privately owned for along time... seemed well maintained... but the company that owned it went belly up... probably soon after the alternator died... should've realized the 1/2" wrench attached under the hood with Velcro wasn't a good sign. No complaints... got it for less than a set of tires would've cost andfound a new alternator for 300 vs 859 from Ford who has no stock.
Font end components are prone to wearing out... don't tell the seller your plans... just use the condition to help negotiate a fair price.
Frame condition would play a big factor in which of those two I'd buy... mileage not so much.
groverdisco
New member
Looks like the one with higher mileage is privately owned and the low mile one is owned by a privet safety company. Being told both run good but who knows before you lay eyes on them. Sounds like the high mile one I could get for 6500cnd? Too much?
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
$6500 seems a bit high for the mileage but that varies based on condition and area.
Here's one I saw for sale shortly after buying mine... http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1999-Ford-Crestline-ex-Ambulance_23674194
here's another I saw listed... http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/EX-BC-Ambulance_23246975
They usually seem to be listed for around $5-8k most of the time.
Some depends on the size of box they have.... the one pictured is wider than mine... not as good in tight areas but a tad more space to work with.
Here's one I saw for sale shortly after buying mine... http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1999-Ford-Crestline-ex-Ambulance_23674194
here's another I saw listed... http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/EX-BC-Ambulance_23246975
They usually seem to be listed for around $5-8k most of the time.
Some depends on the size of box they have.... the one pictured is wider than mine... not as good in tight areas but a tad more space to work with.
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Abitibi
Explorer
Just action pictures so far
I bought mine for $6000 but that was 3 yrs ago directly from the government via their auction. They're getting harder to find now
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
patoz
Expedition Leader
Just action pictures so far
I bought mine for $6000 but that was 3 yrs ago directly from the government via their auction. They're getting harder to find now
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
You're going to need some serious leveling blocks if you're going to camp there!
groverdisco
New member
I think I'd rather pay alittle more for a 7.3 now before they can't be found in any type of condition. Really don't want a 6.0.