AmbuLand build thread

[Bikersmurf]

21mpg?!? Can't see myself getting close to that number but maybe I can tweak a few things and get closer.

Keep it rolling!!!

Not sure I'll see those numbers again. I did almost the same run a couple weeks back and without the snow and hazordous road conditions my economy wasn't nearly as good. The 75 mph speed limit didn't help any

You'd be hard pressed to come close to the fuel economy of a stock height 2WD rig with 225/75R16 "Highway" tires.

 

[DzlToy]

You'd be hard pressed to come close to the fuel economy of a stock height 2WD rig with 225/75R16 "Highway" tires.

Indeed.

Travelling at 50 - 60 MPH on state highways and back roads helps too.

Do FG's not have locking front hubs and a gear driven transfer case like a 30 year old Toyota pickup

 

[FDM2012]

David,

Probably more than anyone else's excursion pics, yours having me facing the realization
that I need to move back out West.....

Glad someone is actually using their rig!

#BalmyInFlorida

 

[Abitibi]

Thanks and come on over, lots of room to play!!!

I grew up on the east coast and often miss it but I'm still amazed at what the west has to offer. So much diversity!!!

 

[Abitibi]

When I find a few unspoken hours in a day I try to make them worth my while.

Yesterday was one of those days so I changed my roof rack design. I had an old aluminum rack that used to be 4'x4'. Took it all apart, cut it to fit my 35's (could fit 37's) and put it all back together. Also had this big 1690 Pelican case laying around so made good use of it. It is now permanently (thanks to Sikaflex and screws) mounted up there.

Overall really happy of the result, looks way better than that flex plywood I had up there!

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[tgreening]

No way on earth I'm getting one of my tire/wheel combos up on something like that without a crane.

 

[Ozrockrat]

No way on earth I'm getting one of my tire/wheel combos up on something like that without a crane.

No need for a crane just a boat winch and a plank or ladder. Somewhere in my Freightliner thread is the video of how I get my spare onto the roof rack. 2 man job but not physically taxing. And I think my tires are a little larger than most.

But that is great use of you rack space. What are you looking at carrying in the pelican case.

 

[Abitibi]

No way on earth I'm getting one of my tire/wheel combos up on something like that without a crane.

It's actually quite easy to lift and lower my 35's tire and I'm not a big guy at all nor in my 20's! I simply use the tie strap used to secure the tire on the roof, wrap it around the tire and pull it up or lower down with the strap. It's actually a lot easier than it sounds. I first thought of building a swivel arm with a manual crank but after trying without it I realized there was no need for it.

On day I might build a rear swing out but I wonder if it'd be easier or not... Not convinced.

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[Abitibi]

No need for a crane just a boat winch and a plank or ladder. Somewhere in my Freightliner thread is the video of how I get my spare onto the roof rack. 2 man job but not physically taxing. And I think my tires are a little larger than most.

But that is great use of you rack space. What are you looking at carrying in the pelican case.

Not sure yet but I know it will come handy! Camping chairs, firewood, kids toys... The lighter (or dirtier) the better!

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[tgreening]

It's actually quite easy to lift and lower my 35's tire and I'm not a big guy at all nor in my 20's! I simply use the tie strap used to secure the tire on the roof, wrap it around the tire and pull it up or lower down with the strap. It's actually a lot easier than it sounds. I first thought of building a swivel arm with a manual crank but after trying without it I realized there was no need for it.

On day I might build a rear swing out but I wonder if it'd be easier or not... Not convinced.

Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk

My tire/wheel combo is pushing 190#. Getting the thing off the ground a few inches just to mount it is a nut-buster usually requiring a lever. I cant imagine having to haul that thing 8' up in the air to a rack.

 

[Bikersmurf]

Getting it down will be easier.

In the 26 years I've owned my Fj40 I've not used the spare... the joy of onboard air. I've bunged the rim, had to reseat the tire to get to flat ground, and then hammered the rim straight before Driving out... someday I'll tear open the sidewall and be glad to have a spare.

 

[Abitibi]

Getting it down will be easier.

In the 26 years I've owned my Fj40 I've not used the spare... the joy of onboard air. I've bunged the rim, had to reseat the tire to get to flat ground, and then hammered the rim straight before Driving out... someday I'll tear open the sidewall and be glad to have a spare.

That's very lucky. I've never had a flat in the 5 yrs of owning my Patrol (BFG MT) but with the ambo (BFG At KO2) I already had to put a patch in a tire and just cut the sidewall on another one while driving too fast on a FSR at 20psi, my own fault I guess... Luckily t happened when Canadian Tire had a big sale on their BFG.

On a side note, in preparation to register the ambo as a 4x4 RV I had to fix my non-existent e-brakes, will teach me for not using them and letting them seize. So 4 hours of work later and a bunch of parts I now have new
e-brakes, or do I??? It's now only marginally better than before. What a waste of time and money! I'll use them for a week and try adjusting them again but as is they barely hold the van on a small incline.

Ciao!

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[blkhalo996]

After lurking on this site for over 5 yrs, I felt today should be my first post after I'd just finished reading this build!!!!!

What a build!!!!! I'm truly impressed and inspired!!!! My hat goes off, as I give a bow!!!

 

[Abitibi]

After lurking on this site for over 5 yrs, I felt today should be my first post after I'd just finished reading this build!!!!!

What a build!!!!! I'm truly impressed and inspired!!!! My hat goes off, as I give a bow!!!

Much appreciated Expo friend! I too remember lurking for years before committing to a build. Welcome here!

I just found a picture of how she looked when I first bought her, what a change, lol.

Cheers
David

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[Bikersmurf]

Hey David, do you happen to still have any of the original mirror arms? I've got one a lower one with a ding in it, and would like to find a replacement. I saw some replacements at the auto parts that were paper thin... Not though like the originals... They could practically hold the rig up.

Next up will be adding some 7.5" convex mirrors if the bolts will ever come loose. The impact couldn't shake'em loose. The mirrors will move now that I've added some ATF... Let'em soak and try again later. Alternating heat and ice will be next if they won't loosen with penetrating oil / ATF / brake fluid... Heat is a last (later) resort because I'd rather not burn up the fiber washers which allow adjustment nor do I want to discolour the polished stainless if avoidable.

It's a trip down memory lane to see where we started... Some people worry about ambulances being clean, when I look back at how mine looked after years of being used by contractors, I'd take disinfected any day over 1/2" of grease & crud.