gringorick
Adventurer
Awesome find! What are those things again?
AmbuLand build thread
- Thread starter Abitibi
- Start date
bknudtsen
Expedition Leader
:coffeedrink:
Abitibi
Explorer
Like Shawn said.
These are diesel units that can be used to pre-heat your engine coolant for easier start in cold weather. Add valves and use that heated coolant to run through a heat exchanger to heat your on board water and finally run that heated coolant through a small radiator (with fans) to heat the inside of your truck.
Very compact and efficient. Low Amps draw, low fuel consumption...
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
These are diesel units that can be used to pre-heat your engine coolant for easier start in cold weather. Add valves and use that heated coolant to run through a heat exchanger to heat your on board water and finally run that heated coolant through a small radiator (with fans) to heat the inside of your truck.
Very compact and efficient. Low Amps draw, low fuel consumption...
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
Abitibi
Explorer
I'm almost ashamed for such a slow conversion but there are some progress (very slow ones!)
The new "in-cab switches panel" is taking a life of its own. My friend Jay was able to load this up with 15 fuses, can you say compact! Once I'm done with the new electrical panel we'll mount this switch box on the cab ceiling between the sun visor. Good place for it. It will replace the old one that was mounted on the doghouse.
There's still about 30 wires or so to find their way in the box!
I also got started with the new electrical panel.
It will end up in the front left corner of the Ambo box and will host all remaining electrical components plus some extra storage and possibly a drop down table.
I also got a nice deal ($600) on a 63qt ARB fridge. I first had in mind to use a RV style fridge (standup) but they are very pricey and don't seem to have much advantages over this style. Anyhow, it will get incorporated in the kitchen's cabinets.
(Beside my old 42qt)
And finally, my new front seats that are comfy, swivel, have dual armrest, pack compact, fold down flat and 44" of slides! They are from a Mitsubishi Delica L400. That's my next project after the electrical. I'll build an elevated base for them that will double as storage.
Wish I could start on the UJOR conversion right away but I'd rather finish most of the interior first...
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
The new "in-cab switches panel" is taking a life of its own. My friend Jay was able to load this up with 15 fuses, can you say compact! Once I'm done with the new electrical panel we'll mount this switch box on the cab ceiling between the sun visor. Good place for it. It will replace the old one that was mounted on the doghouse.
There's still about 30 wires or so to find their way in the box!
I also got started with the new electrical panel.
It will end up in the front left corner of the Ambo box and will host all remaining electrical components plus some extra storage and possibly a drop down table.
I also got a nice deal ($600) on a 63qt ARB fridge. I first had in mind to use a RV style fridge (standup) but they are very pricey and don't seem to have much advantages over this style. Anyhow, it will get incorporated in the kitchen's cabinets.
(Beside my old 42qt)
And finally, my new front seats that are comfy, swivel, have dual armrest, pack compact, fold down flat and 44" of slides! They are from a Mitsubishi Delica L400. That's my next project after the electrical. I'll build an elevated base for them that will double as storage.
Wish I could start on the UJOR conversion right away but I'd rather finish most of the interior first...
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
Last edited:
westyss
Explorer
Looking good Mr D, just keep at it and it will get done. I think making it usable to get out in it would be more important than doing the 4x4 conversion, being able to use it keeps a guy motivated to keep plugging away, then when you have the time do the conversion(if you get any time).
Abitibi
Explorer
It's been a while, again 
I hear you Westyss, it's tempting to get it 4x4 but it makes more sense finishing the interior and make it usable first. Bonus, by the time I'm ready for the 4x4 conversion Chris at UJOR might have new improvement or options on his kit. (Maybe a Fox option for the shocks? )
It's getting cold working on the outside of the house so I put a heather inside the ambo and got on the electrical. Not surprising to see how the heat transfers through the aluminum crossbar in the ceiling! It reminds me I'll need to address this before I panel the ceiling with an extra 1/2" foam layer between the paneling and those aluminum cross bars...
Started by mounting the plywood electrical cabinet in place, good fit. I can now use the door for another project... (Water tank/pump/Espar...)
I routed the main wire loop along with the larger cables and AC lines in the corner of the cabinet. I made slots throughout the cabinet to give me options where the wires come out. You can see how it looks behind in the previous post.
Big parts first, battery isolator, inverter and battery charger.
Next will be to connect all those wires to the fuse box, lots of wires!!! Good thing my buddy Sparky Jay is there to help cause I'm not sure I could put it all back without screwing a few things up!
Let's see how long before I make some progress, lol.
Cheers
Mr. D
I hear you Westyss, it's tempting to get it 4x4 but it makes more sense finishing the interior and make it usable first. Bonus, by the time I'm ready for the 4x4 conversion Chris at UJOR might have new improvement or options on his kit. (Maybe a Fox option for the shocks?
)It's getting cold working on the outside of the house so I put a heather inside the ambo and got on the electrical. Not surprising to see how the heat transfers through the aluminum crossbar in the ceiling! It reminds me I'll need to address this before I panel the ceiling with an extra 1/2" foam layer between the paneling and those aluminum cross bars...
Started by mounting the plywood electrical cabinet in place, good fit. I can now use the door for another project... (Water tank/pump/Espar...)
I routed the main wire loop along with the larger cables and AC lines in the corner of the cabinet. I made slots throughout the cabinet to give me options where the wires come out. You can see how it looks behind in the previous post.
Big parts first, battery isolator, inverter and battery charger.
Next will be to connect all those wires to the fuse box, lots of wires!!! Good thing my buddy Sparky Jay is there to help cause I'm not sure I could put it all back without screwing a few things up!
Let's see how long before I make some progress, lol.
Cheers
Mr. D
Last edited:
Abitibi
Explorer
Or a big bucket of headache! I'm just glad each wires is properly marked, it will make my life easier later on... And I'm not sure, as it stands bare to the bone mine looks pretty primitive!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Mr. D
loren85022
Explorer
This reads like a romance novel to me. Great build. Kudos for the creative ideas to suite your needs. Build on, amigo.
Abitibi
Explorer
Now if you said "it reads like an adventure novel..." maybe it would up the build pace a bit! Hahaha
Cheers mate!
Abitibi
Explorer
Since I'm still collecting parts as I go along with this build I try my best to find deals when I can.
Couple months ago I got a heads up from owhiting here on Expo about a Asfir F350 front bumper that he was selling for cheap. It's steel, weight more than I do once I'll have a which on it but I gambled and bought it unseen. I figured it shouldn't take too much to make it fit to a van body.
I received it a couple weeks ago and the gamble paid off, it will be fairly easy to fit
I basically have two options. One is to tuck it in which brings the bumper's nose 9.5" ahead of the front grill. Doing so I'll have to chop 2.5" at the ends to fit the van's body. Pictures might explain it better...
The other option is to fit the ends with the van's body which pushes the bumper's nose to 12" past the grill:
Right now, I prefer the tucked in look but I'd be curious to see how far a typical Aluminess extends past the grill, anyone has this info?
As well, I still need to decide if I'll build Baja style bars on top of the bumper or a full Bullbar.
Got these pictures on the web just to better explain my options...
Baja:
Bullbar:
Since it's all steel it will be easier to modify. One more project to add on the list!
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using Tapachat HD
Couple months ago I got a heads up from owhiting here on Expo about a Asfir F350 front bumper that he was selling for cheap. It's steel, weight more than I do once I'll have a which on it but I gambled and bought it unseen. I figured it shouldn't take too much to make it fit to a van body.
I received it a couple weeks ago and the gamble paid off, it will be fairly easy to fit
I basically have two options. One is to tuck it in which brings the bumper's nose 9.5" ahead of the front grill. Doing so I'll have to chop 2.5" at the ends to fit the van's body. Pictures might explain it better...
The other option is to fit the ends with the van's body which pushes the bumper's nose to 12" past the grill:
Right now, I prefer the tucked in look but I'd be curious to see how far a typical Aluminess extends past the grill, anyone has this info?
As well, I still need to decide if I'll build Baja style bars on top of the bumper or a full Bullbar.
Got these pictures on the web just to better explain my options...
Baja:
Bullbar:
Since it's all steel it will be easier to modify. One more project to add on the list!
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using Tapachat HD
