Ambulance Conversion AMBRAK

[NEPolarbear]

First of all, I must thank all the people who have been unselfish with their postings and passing on their experiences concerning their converted ambulances, campers / RVs.

Have researched for about 3 years what would make sense for which vehicle to work out of and to travel in.
Am self employed and travel mostly in New England / East Coast.

Purchased a 2001 Ford E450 7-3 turbo ambulance.
Milage about 41000.
It was a GSA Ambulance from the DC area.

My criteria for the vehicle:

Not much longer than 20 feet.
Walk through
Storage compartments on the outside.
Room to build out traveling office.
Stealth....no outside identification.
Price
Location of vehicle for sale.

Basic wish list plans for the box.

Will gut out the box.
Swivel base for the driver and passenger seats.
Looking to put in 2-3 additional seat belted captain's chairs that swivel and recline.
Will have their own work tables and cup holders.
No refrigerator or stove, but will have a small microwave.
Cooler that may drain right outside.
Dedicated work area for laptop, printer, etc.
Small closet to hang clothes.

Sink, interior shower (maybe), and bathroom.
Shower: Looking for suggestions....maybe just a 20-30 gallon tank with on demand hot water.
Bathroom: Looking to install a Dryflush system.
http://www.dry-flush.com/
Do not want to winterize, deal with emptying, or the extra weight of the holding tanks for the toilet.
Ladder to the roof which will be reinforced.
May paint it black or gray, but keep the roof white.

Do have someone that will help with the floor plan and do most of the buildout.

Any type of feedback is welcomed.

 

[NEPolarbear]

A couple of images.

A couple of images for now.

 

[NEPolarbear]

Couple more images for now.
Still learning to be efficient posting images.

 

[java]

Looks forward to watching! What's the head height inside? It looks slightly taller than some I have seen.

 

[spencyg]

I found that between dealing with the steering wheel and the limited length adjustment rails... The drivers seat was not very confortable to sit in when reversed and a real PITA to swivel backwards. In my last van the drivers seat got used for temporary clothes bag/ etc. storage while we were camping.

This has been my exact experience as well. We will typically swivel the passenger seat the minute we land, but the driver seat is too much of a pain to move around and acts as bag storage.

SG

 

[Gatsma]

Looking forward to watching your build! You're in good company with all the ambo builds going on here.

 

[NEPolarbear]

Thanks for the feedback.
Figured that the driver's seat would be a challenge.
That area will be put to use.

@ java
Interior height is just a little over 7'.
This will change depending on flooring and possibly redoing the ceiling / lights, etc.

 

[java]

Thanks for the feedback.
Figured that the driver's seat would be a challenge.
That area will be put to use.

@ java
Interior height is just a little over 7'.
This will change depending on flooring and possibly redoing the ceiling / lights, etc.

Thanks! that does seem higher to me. I want to stand up inside it, bending over all the time sucks.

 

[NEPolarbear]

Thanks! that does seem higher to me. I want to stand up inside it, bending over all the time sucks.

Whooooops!
Don't know what I was thinking.
The interior height is about 5'8".

As the design layout comes to shape, my interior space just shrinks.
Knew this was going to happen, but kept thinking it wasn't going to happen.

 

[java]

Whooooops!
Don't know what I was thinking.
The interior height is about 5'8".

As the design layout comes to shape, my interior space just shrinks.
Knew this was going to happen, but kept thinking it wasn't going to happen.

Bummer.... Thats my problem with Ambo's, too short for me.

 

[NEPolarbear]

Everything about my choices for this vehicle were a combination of many compromises.
The medium size ambulance was just to big for me for where I need to drive and park.
Fun trying to make it work without being a cookie cutter type layout.

 

[Art4med]

How'd it turn out?

So a bump on this build: what happened and update, please?
I also have the Wheeled Coach @ 5'7" height. Planning to add insulation to isolate the thermal breaks, and open the floor for the time-being (eventually pop the top), but I'm hesitant to gut it.