Ambulance conversion advice

[landcamel]

I have a predicament.

I scored a sweet deal on a 2006 Ford F450 Ambulance mid-pandemic. Drove it back from Colorado to Albuquerque on a Thursday.

I told myself "here I go, going to convert it in X months to make a nice off-road RV thing."
Then I got a new job, did not drop any hobbies, and couldn't find reliable help for it. So not a lot happened in 2+ years.

Now I am moving to California - Bay area - for a new job. I know I won't have time to work on it myself.
So, I must decide:
* Sell it, get something else
* Bring it, hire work in California
* Leave it, hire work in ABQ
** Then maybe bring it to California, or just use it on trips in NM

What do I want to use it for?
* Mountain biking, camping, hiking trips
* Road trips
* Ski trips (like parking at the ski basin)
* Off road shenanigans (but not crazy mudding or rock crawly stuff)
* Trips measured in days to weeks, not months

Relevant ambo info:
* 6.0 Powerstroke - not bulletproofed
* Full 4x4
* 75K miles
* 12 mpg. Diesel more expensive in Cali IIUC.
* Current state - it's stripped out but needs all the stuff - flooring, walls, heat/cool, sink, bed, etc.
* I had a shop do some expensive work - cut a hole from the cab to the box, replace the old air bag shocks, etc..
* It seats 2 - and will sleep 2 - comfortably. Not good for future family plans. I got oats to sow.
* It's big. Difficult to maneuver in urban settings. And some forest roads.
* Low exit angle - long back end.

What should I do?
Sell it and get a Subaru or Truck + topper?
Finally complete it?

 

[iggi]

It's no big deal adding more seats with belts. I was dating a woman with kids and looked at the Freedman seats. https://freedmanseating.com/seats/3pt-spacesaver-foldaway/

Compared to other vans there's a lot more room in the ambo for a family. My friends with Sprinters and Transits always comment on how much roomier my ambo is, even though it doesn't take up any more room on the road. (mine is just under 20ft bumper to bumper)
There's certainly no comparison to a Subaru or a truck with a topper. With rigs like that you have to put so much of your gear on the outside.

I'm a very big van of keeping my bikes inside (tucked under the bed) compared to hanging off the back bumper getting covered in road grime and easily stolen/damaged.

I can fit six people comfortably in mine to hang out in bad weather. Sleeping six would be a stretch, but possible in a pinch.
For winter stuff (I ski and ice climb) it's so great being able to fully gear up inside, and then having a warm spot for wet gear to dry.
The downside is that it's a LOT of work building up a good interior. Mine still isn't finished and I've had it for 5 years.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Check out Abitibi’s Ambo builds… sleeping 4 is well written reach.

Will it meet California emissions standards? If not sell it. If yes then you have a rig worth keeping. 4x Ambos are very hard to get

 

[landcamel]

Will it meet California emissions standards?

What I see online is vehicles over 14001 lbs need to follow the CARB act or something.
This one is 10800 lbs gutted... I don't think I'll add 4K lb's of stuff building it out...

Are there other reg's to be concerned about?

 

[landcamel]

I'm a very big van of keeping my bikes inside (tucked under the bed) compared to hanging off the back bumper getting covered in road grime and easily stolen/damaged.

Agreed. I also don't like road dust getting on the MTB stuff.

 

[dtruzinski]

What I see online is vehicles over 14001 lbs need to follow the CARB act or something.
This one is 10800 lbs gutted... I don't think I'll add 4K lb's of stuff building it out...

Are there other reg's to be concerned about?

I am not 100% sure on this, but I don't think the regulation looks at your actual weight. It looks at the rated weight which is on the GVWR sticker. My e450 is rated at 14050.

 

[landcamel]

I don't think the regulation looks at your actual weight. It looks at the rated weight which is on the GVWR sticker.

It seems you are correct: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Labels :

Several of the diesel regulations require information from labels that are attached to your truck or bus.

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is assigned by the vehicle manufacturer and represents the maximum weight of the vehicle and what it can carry when fully loaded.

BUT - found on Truck & Bus Regulation Basics & Exemptions:

The Regulation applies to:​

• Diesel vehicles with a GVWR greater than 14,000 lbs.
• ....

The Regulation does not apply to:​

• ....
• Personal use motor homes or recreational vehicles

So at least according to the California Air Resources Board if it's a personal use RV/motor home, it's OK.

Is that the only regulation I need to worry about?

 

[Bikersmurf]

It seems you are correct: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Labels :

BUT - found on Truck & Bus Regulation Basics & Exemptions:

So at least according to the California Air Resources Board if it's a personal use RV/motor home, it's OK.

Is that the only regulation I need to worry about?

Hopefully someone else will chime in. I’m in the wrong country to give you any smog or regulation advice.

 

[Cummins_expo]

I can't chime in on the smog laws of CA- There seems to be a fair amount of Ambos in CA so perhaps it skates past a bunch of stuff if used as an RV. If you use Facebook join the Overland Ambulance Group.
You would benefit from finishing and enjoying the rig. The market is soft on rigs and even worse for half-built rigs, especially with a 6.0. I like the motor once you work out some kinks. Many ( BIG) wildland fire rigs cruise those mountains just fine. Does it take a little getting used to them? sure. It is easy enough to design some growth for future family plans. If the new job provides the income you might consider getting a shop to finish it. This way you can finally start to enjoy the rig. We have finished many rigs for individuals who lacked the time or realized they were over their heads. Pickup a smaller but capable daily for those quick adventures not requiring space and comfort.

 

[landcamel]

All good advice. I reached out to a few shops and am trying to get quotes. Any recommendations for shops in the southwest or California?

The shop can def do better than I can and it will be so much better quality - good for resale value if the day comes.