Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
Weight is always an issue. Many variables with build schedule & time too. Some guys have the resources to get everything done at once, most do it in stages. So a final weight is hard to get before the springs are made.
 

flightcancled

Explorer
Yeah my approach has been finish everything then go 4x4 so I know where I will be. Tony went through 5 sets of leafs I think during his build because of all the changes.

Good luck mucking with the rear bumperettes and sub frame! I unbolted it, (with a grinder) found some hidden welds, ground them out, found more welds, ground them out, almost lost both eyes to exploding cut-off discs, and eventually just torched the thing off as best I could. What a nightmare. The back looks way better without those things, and the offroad angles are way better too.
 

patoz

Expedition Leader
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)

I have serious lower back problems as well, so maybe the slat option is not what I need either.


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

I looked at those and I like them, but they only come in 58" & 76" lengths. I have exactly 72" to work with and need every bit of that since I'm 6'1". So, can the 76" version be shortened to 72"? And what is the mattress lying on, plywood or springs of some sort?

The enclosure under it would work out just fine, but I'm also wondering about the overall height when it's folded up against the wall since my overhead cabinets are already hitting my head when I sit on the bench now. The website says 51-1/4” height from floor to top of unit when stowed, so I'll have to check.
 

cjken

Explorer
Looks good.
Is it back to fully functioning now?

Yea I was so excited to get the box on. I did not want to wait to get the proper gasket so just sealed it up with silicon. No leak, but occasional squeak between the box and cab.
 

patoz

Expedition Leader
Ken, that's just junk you don't need. Just package it all up up and send it to me, and I'll take it off your hands for free! Oh, and don't forget the control head either. :D
 

cjken

Explorer
Thanks. I figured it had something to do with the communications setup. My black Ambo is completely un modified do still has all original ambulance equipment.
 

patoz

Expedition Leader
Thanks. I figured it had something to do with the communications setup. My black Ambo is completely un modified do still has all original ambulance equipment.

That is the actual Motorola Spectra radio transmitter, and you should have one or two control heads to go with it. One mounted up front and one in the back. That is what we ran in most of our vehicles when I worked for the Fire Dept.

Motorola-spectra-smartnet-800MHZ-police-mobile-radio-image-No-1.jpg


It won't do you much good unless you have the software and know how to program it, or know someone at the local commercial radio shop.

Also, if you have all the original ambulance equipment, do you have a stretcher? I'm looking for one of those.
 
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cjken

Explorer
Sorry no stretcher.
Yes there are control heads in front and back. For the time being I am keeping the black truck complete. If I decide to take it apart at some point I'll let you know.
 

christian_s

New member
Amazing amount of info here, huge props to everyone who helped build this thread up and got the bones played for it. Much appreciated!

I saw a few dually rigs, but had seen any talk of converting the dually to SRW. Anyone with an ambo taken that project on? Would love to hear your input as to what you did or why/why not to do it for these rigs (heavy and large = better to have DRW?)

Cheers!
 

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