Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ
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Deshet
Adventurer
You won't find a 4x4 C4500 Ambulance for $7000. That is a example of what can be done. Finding a 2007/2008 Diesel Silverado 2500 4x4 for $7000 is probably unlikely.
micahshapiro
New member
No kidding. There's a 4x4 C4500 that's been bid up to $35,000 right now on ebay. Those are cool c4500's you have for sale, just a little too big for what I'm looking for.
Deshet
Adventurer
1997 F350 7.3 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel 4x4 Ambulance is for sale ($8500)
190,000 miles
Power Windows, Locks, Cruise,
Alot more driver seat space and easier to work on then a Van
16000 pound Hitch
No Issues or Problems (has ABS light on)
Current Virginia Safety Inspection
PM for details
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Find a video and Photos Here Photos and Video with Engine Running
190,000 miles
Power Windows, Locks, Cruise,
Alot more driver seat space and easier to work on then a Van
16000 pound Hitch
No Issues or Problems (has ABS light on)
Current Virginia Safety Inspection
PM for details
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Find a video and Photos Here Photos and Video with Engine Running
Attachments
Coachgeo
Explorer
Nice rig.... VERY wrong place to post the for sell ad. Most likely a moderator will remove it. Suggest you put it in classifieds where it belongs.... then post up some usefull advise and have in your signature line ........ a link to that add.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Bilstein’s work better that rusty old Motocraft... and were cheaper than oem. I went with the HD ‘standard’ version rather than the comfort ones. The ride is very nice, and it corners even better than before. If you’ve got 6k+ on the rear axle I’d highly recommend the HD Bilstein shocks. I bought the front, lightly used, off a forum member a year or so back and can’t remember if they are the HD or comfort.
Edit: checked the numbers and the front are HD ‘comfort’ series (buying new... I’d likely go ‘standard’ for the front also).
When I contacted Bilstein support they recommend the HD standard for the rear. Didn’t ask about the front.
Edit: checked the numbers and the front are HD ‘comfort’ series (buying new... I’d likely go ‘standard’ for the front also).
When I contacted Bilstein support they recommend the HD standard for the rear. Didn’t ask about the front.
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qcdstick
Member
How long is the passenger side bench area typically? I have not had the pleasure / misfortune of being in an ambulance, but from pictures it seems not long enough for a normal length bed. What few floor plans I have found don't have dimensions, however doing some basic scaling it seems a 14' Braun box has just shy of 6' of bench area?
Is 72" headroom about tops even on the newer spec ambos? I'm 6'6" so if I'm wearing shoes I really need 80" which I suspect won't happen regardless.
Is 72" headroom about tops even on the newer spec ambos? I'm 6'6" so if I'm wearing shoes I really need 80" which I suspect won't happen regardless.
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qcdstick
Member
Thanks, I must have missed it. I'll go find it. I drafted that big post on a big screen and it didn't look so bad, then this morning I looked again on my phone and holy crap. I'm going to edit it down to just a couple simple questions for now.
Ozrockrat
Expedition Leader
Deshet
Adventurer
I have owned a few of the Medium Duty Ambulances and none have had over 6'1" of head room.
If you are extremely skinny you may be able to sleep on the side bench although a cot would provide more room.
The side bench may be about 5 foot long in most ambulances.
I plan to remove mine and put a queen sideways towards the back with some storage under it.
If you are extremely skinny you may be able to sleep on the side bench although a cot would provide more room.
The side bench may be about 5 foot long in most ambulances.
I plan to remove mine and put a queen sideways towards the back with some storage under it.
patoz
Expedition Leader
If the crew bench is designed to carry an addition patient (no chair type seats), then it must be 72" long to be able to accommodate a backboard, which most are 72"- 74" long. My bench is only 72" long, but it's open at the head end, so the board can hang over a couple of inches if needed.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Rear Sway Bar... or not.
Handling and ride are way better with Bilstein shocks. I don’t care about improving handling, but am curious if a sway bar would reduce box sway after going over bigger bumps.
The front has a good front stock bar. Would a stock rear bar reduce rear swing. Sometimes at the wrong speed, the back will rock side to side over bumps. New shocks almost eliminated it, but I’m wondering it it could be improved. Cornering isn’t a concern as it barely rolls at posted speeds... and it’ll never be a sports car. My ‘97 doesn’t have a rear bar... but ‘01 rigs do... is it for ride or cornering... or? I’d like to drive both to compare.
Is it just the nature of the beast? Would a sway bar make it worse?
Handling and ride are way better with Bilstein shocks. I don’t care about improving handling, but am curious if a sway bar would reduce box sway after going over bigger bumps.
The front has a good front stock bar. Would a stock rear bar reduce rear swing. Sometimes at the wrong speed, the back will rock side to side over bumps. New shocks almost eliminated it, but I’m wondering it it could be improved. Cornering isn’t a concern as it barely rolls at posted speeds... and it’ll never be a sports car. My ‘97 doesn’t have a rear bar... but ‘01 rigs do... is it for ride or cornering... or? I’d like to drive both to compare.
Is it just the nature of the beast? Would a sway bar make it worse?
My 1998 minimod came with IPD sway bars front and rear. Big n beefy! It handled really well on curves. To the point I had to remind myself what I was driving up a steep twisty highway. I had some sway, but I think it was from old shocks. With that big, heavy box on there, I think a sway bar is always going to help. Handling doesn’t matter, until it does... if I have to swerve/recover/etc, it’s good to be as prepared as possible.