Ambulance Camper/ Expedition Rig Conversion FAQ
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- Start date
AmbulanceRV
New member
Pangle
Wanderer
Yes I have owned a wheeled coach and am familiar with them. I am not even positive the maker on this box yet, but it is definitely taller on the inside! I am 5-9 and can just stand up straight. I was not able to stand in either my wheeled coach or the Van. I have just never seen 1. Very many chevys when compared to the fords 2. The pass through cab on the 4x4 chassis, and was curious if anyone else on here had one.
I am going over today to begin working on it and seeing which direction I am going to go.
Things I know I like already.
-The window on the side
-the extra height
-the pass through
-the arrangement of the boxes both on the inside and out.. From first look they seem to be more use-able
-I am typically a powerstroke guy but I wanted to give this set up a shot. I have noted already on the 250 miles I drove yesterday, it has a great deal more gumption than my last rig which had the NA 7.3 idi but not as much as the Powerstroke Van
-the cab interior is much nicer than my IDI
-better seats, stereo, cruise, power windows doors
Anyway Ill keep everyone posted and will perhaps do another build thread
I am going over today to begin working on it and seeing which direction I am going to go.
Things I know I like already.
-The window on the side
-the extra height
-the pass through
-the arrangement of the boxes both on the inside and out.. From first look they seem to be more use-able
-I am typically a powerstroke guy but I wanted to give this set up a shot. I have noted already on the 250 miles I drove yesterday, it has a great deal more gumption than my last rig which had the NA 7.3 idi but not as much as the Powerstroke Van
-the cab interior is much nicer than my IDI
-better seats, stereo, cruise, power windows doors
Anyway Ill keep everyone posted and will perhaps do another build thread
zuke
Adventurer
I think the pass thru on a Type I is unusual, I Only remember ever seeing one before, and it was a Ford.
I can stand up straight in mine, (I'm 5'10") but depending on my foot wear, my head brushes the ceiling in places...
I don't know where you are in VA, but if you aren't too far from me, I wouldn't mind coming by and taking a look at it! (I'm more or less in the NoVa area...)
I can stand up straight in mine, (I'm 5'10") but depending on my foot wear, my head brushes the ceiling in places...
I don't know where you are in VA, but if you aren't too far from me, I wouldn't mind coming by and taking a look at it! (I'm more or less in the NoVa area...)
patoz
Expedition Leader
I guarantee your Patient Module (the box) is made by Wheeled Coach! They have a proprietary feature which is the built in corner marker lights. All lenses and parts are made by (or for) them and have to be ordered as such. There are various distributors that have them in stock, but they are sold under the Wheeled Coach name.
Here is a picture of my 1993 Wheeled Coach when I first got it. It also has the same corner marker lights and the same compartment configuration, except yours looks to be taller. When you get a chance, I would be curious to see what your inside ceiling height from the floor measurement is.
Also, there should be a big yellow sticker inside the door of one of the inside left front cabinets somewhere, that has all the manufacture's and testing info on it.
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Pangle
Wanderer
Patoz, You are exactly right! I was able to find the identifying tags today, and it is def Wheeled Coach you def called it! I will be over there tomorrow working on it again and will get the inside height measurement for ya.
This is def the best ambo I have owned in my opinion, its pretty clean in and out and I am super stoked to get to work on it. I got all the decals off today.
This is def the best ambo I have owned in my opinion, its pretty clean in and out and I am super stoked to get to work on it. I got all the decals off today.
patoz
Expedition Leader
Yeah, those corner lights are a dead giveaway, since they are the only ones to have them!
A word of advice, if I may... Take several good, clear, readable pictures of every sticker on that vehicle, especially the yellow ones in the cabinets. Get pics of the ones on the drivers door and under the hood also. You'll need that info if you contact the manufacturer for parts or wiring diagrams etc. I've not had any luck getting wiring diagrams for mine, but yours is a little newer, so you may have better luck.
A word of advice, if I may... Take several good, clear, readable pictures of every sticker on that vehicle, especially the yellow ones in the cabinets. Get pics of the ones on the drivers door and under the hood also. You'll need that info if you contact the manufacturer for parts or wiring diagrams etc. I've not had any luck getting wiring diagrams for mine, but yours is a little newer, so you may have better luck.
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lockedwheels
Adventurer
So I was swapping out my lights for some new led's and I don't like the lenses that are on there. Has anyone had any luck finding lenses?? They are 7in. You can see them in the pic below, and also see the difference with the new led's in.
those are just the dim bulbs. The high setting led's are on the way.
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
shakazulu12
New member
Newbie here researching an Ambulance purchase that will primarily be used as a motovan. Upgrading from a regular express van. I have a question about the later 7.3's though (2000+ as I like the 4r100). I used to own a CC/LB OBS Dually that had a 7.3 and was a five speed (rare dually 4x4 as well). It was a 97 and was kind of a dog until I got a programmer on it. I mostly used the tow tune, but that little bump was just enough to make it immensely more driveable. Now with a big box on the back, and a lot more weight my first thought was "Oh, that's fine, do the same things I did before." But I just realized the van's don't come with intercoolers. So to get to the point, I see many of you have lifted your ambulances and are running larger tires etc. What happens when you get on the highway loaded down? Have any problems with overheating on hills? The vast majority of the time, this won't be an issue. However, I do frequently take trips where I'll be going for 10 hours straight and would like to run 70mph or so (until my gas card is maxed out I suppose) while loaded up without having to worry. I know the 6.0 in the later years is a lot more zippy, and I do have experience with bulletproofing them and like the transmission. Just rather not deal with it and the added costs that go with it. I doubt I would ever tow long distance. Would usually be one or two race bikes inside, then used for one or two night stays in riding areas or on trackdays/race weekends. I should note that I intend to leave it stock height with regular tires on it. I should be able to get to anywhere I need to go with a locker.
jblaze5779
Observer
I have 33's on my 2001 e350 7.3l I had to stop halfway up a mountain in colorado to let it cool down in the fall of last year. The gf had to pee and I wanted to enjoy the view so it worked out well. Other than extreme conditions like that I haven't had any issues. I've since changed the coolant with a new water pump and cleaned everything out so I imagine I might not have the same problem from now on.
My Ambo runs around 10.5K in everyday config. Two years ago going the Expo East I had some overheating issues in the last 2 major mountain passes getting there, but these were long and steep. I'm running 37" tires and I "think" I might have still been running the 4.10 gears but I can't remember for sure.
This last year I for sure was running 4.88s for gears and also my 7.3 idi was newly turbocharged. This time I had no engine overheating issues but had problems with EGTs, in the same 2 mountain passes. Generally I have no issues, but here in Ohio there isn't much for real hills, and in all fairness those last 2 mountain passes I speak of getting into the Asheville NC area are fairly brutal.
This last year I for sure was running 4.88s for gears and also my 7.3 idi was newly turbocharged. This time I had no engine overheating issues but had problems with EGTs, in the same 2 mountain passes. Generally I have no issues, but here in Ohio there isn't much for real hills, and in all fairness those last 2 mountain passes I speak of getting into the Asheville NC area are fairly brutal.
shakazulu12
New member
Thanks everyone for the responses. So my take on it is I should probably just leave the tune stock while staying up on fluids etc. Then keep it out of O/D for the climbs while slowing down a bit. For the most part this doesn't affect 95 percent of my driving. But the long trips have some tougher climbs both ways. I can't think of any way to get any additional cooling in that engine compartment easily short of an 08 clip swap maybe. I did some searching regarding hood vents, and may go that route as well, but I live in Oregon and it rains roughly 102% of the time when I'm planning on doing something outdoors that would require the ambo. Still in the discovery mode, but so far this looks like it's going to be fun and the perfect vehicle for my needs.
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Abitibi
Explorer
Here's one more input for you that hopefully will ease your mind.
My ambo is an '01 with the 7.3, running 35's on 4.10 gears. She's just shy of 10,000lbs and runs mostly on the daily 80hp Dptuner tune. If there's any decent hills, the egt will start to climb past 1200 sooner than I like (while going above 60mph). If I switch to the mountain tune (60 or 80hp, can't recall) the tranny holds gears longer and where I would normally see above 1200 egt now can barely reach 950 - 1000. I can also simply kick the OD off and cruise up at 55mph with similar (but slower) results.
I also towed a E350 Quigley from Portland to BC (about 10-11,000lbs) and using the tow tune made a big difference. I only drove it at 55mph (flat and hills) for the simple fact that I didn't feel safe going faster but the ambo had no problem pulling that weight uphills.
There ya go!
Cheers
David
"Another great day ruined by responsibilities"
My ambo is an '01 with the 7.3, running 35's on 4.10 gears. She's just shy of 10,000lbs and runs mostly on the daily 80hp Dptuner tune. If there's any decent hills, the egt will start to climb past 1200 sooner than I like (while going above 60mph). If I switch to the mountain tune (60 or 80hp, can't recall) the tranny holds gears longer and where I would normally see above 1200 egt now can barely reach 950 - 1000. I can also simply kick the OD off and cruise up at 55mph with similar (but slower) results.
I also towed a E350 Quigley from Portland to BC (about 10-11,000lbs) and using the tow tune made a big difference. I only drove it at 55mph (flat and hills) for the simple fact that I didn't feel safe going faster but the ambo had no problem pulling that weight uphills.
There ya go!
Cheers
David
"Another great day ruined by responsibilities"