AmbuLand build thread
- Thread starter Abitibi
- Start date
Westy layout is a good idea. I like your rooftop tent idea too. I've got an idea or two of my own, but I'll be trying those out on paper. I'm a couple of years out, I think. I'm glad all you guys are doing these things right now. Lots of time to watch and learn. This year we need to fix up the house.
Abitibi
Explorer
Funny about the house. That's the main reason my build is going so slow. We bought a 1911 house a few years ago and it's been taking a lot of my time (and energy) to restore it to its former glory... When I need a break from it I go work on the Ambo 
As for the roof I think this poptop should work really good but I also have backup plan. A friend made a mold out of a Reimo rooftop, very similar to a Westy rooftop. Good thing about it is that it would be a bit cheaper, a bit larger but would involve more custom work... Here's what it looks like:
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
As for the roof I think this poptop should work really good but I also have backup plan. A friend made a mold out of a Reimo rooftop, very similar to a Westy rooftop. Good thing about it is that it would be a bit cheaper, a bit larger but would involve more custom work... Here's what it looks like:
Cheers
Mr. D
Sent from my iPorn using TapaChat
Cool. Cheaper and larger are good. But custom work is not remotely among my strengths. I'm going to be counting on the good will of my various talented friends when the time comes. Or finding the money to hire someone like Colorado Camper Vans to put a top on it. And there's always the chance that my kids will be grown and gone by the time I get around to anything, in which case I'll only need room for two!
thedjjack
Dream it build it
That thing not done yet???? Enough already....Want to trade for a nice high top L300 that is ready to go (or at least after I get all the camping gear out of it (just got back from some camping))...let me know if you ever come up to Port McNeill....got a nice work boat we can go do a patrol in ....
....
thedjjack
Dream it build it
Delica will have to go...getting small with the boys growing and the new puppy growing....just waiting for it to be 25 years old so I can sell it to the US market...so much more than a syncro....
Not sure what is next....maybe a boat? Spending my days patrolling in the work boat some really cool places (30 foot aluminum twin D4s)...
Not sure what build plan can be more than 1 month? lets go already
Not sure what is next....maybe a boat? Spending my days patrolling in the work boat some really cool places (30 foot aluminum twin D4s)...
Not sure what build plan can be more than 1 month? lets go already
Abitibi
Explorer
Curious what you'll come up with, your Delica build was quite amazing! Maybe become a Schoolie?
This past weekend I took the boys camping up by Boston Bar with some friends, nice country! Since it will be a while before I cut the ambo's roof I decided to mount the Maggiolina on the Patrol. That thing is sweet! Very impressed with the quality so no regrets buying it although my wallet is still complaining!
And look who showed up... Anyone recognizes this world traveller in the red shirt?
Found myself a nice private parking for a lookout...
And the new country condo...
Have fun guys!
Mr. D
This past weekend I took the boys camping up by Boston Bar with some friends, nice country! Since it will be a while before I cut the ambo's roof I decided to mount the Maggiolina on the Patrol. That thing is sweet! Very impressed with the quality so no regrets buying it although my wallet is still complaining!
And look who showed up... Anyone recognizes this world traveller in the red shirt?
Found myself a nice private parking for a lookout...
And the new country condo...
Have fun guys!
Mr. D
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Betarocker
Adventurer
No wonder it's taking so long. You're subliminally reading a sign that should say "SPEED UP".
Very cool build, an ambo van conversion is one of the ideas I'm mulling over at the moment... like you were in yr 6 of our new house build so time & money are a bit short. Add to that I have a LR D90, now D100 truggy in the shop still being rebuilt it'll be a while yet before we get to doing one. In the mean time what are the internal dimension of the box ?
Keep the pictures coming & if your passing through Revy any time drop us a PM... always nice to get visitors
Keep the pictures coming & if your passing through Revy any time drop us a PM... always nice to get visitors
Abitibi
Explorer
Good one! Hahaha! That sign is actually very helpful... For example, today I sat outside the box at the back, kicked my feet up and stared inside the box for a good 10 minutes while thinking;
- what do I plan to use. (Rear AC?, cabin Heater?, propane, kitchen, fridge, shower...)
- where's the most logical place to mount them?
- how can I maximize the space?
- best setup for a bed, eating area, storage, windows...
- how can I make good use of the extra doors?
So that "Slow Down" sign is giving me the time to think it over and come up with new ideas or seeing potential issues with some of the earlier floor plans... And hopefully it also slows down the cars driving by. After all there are 6 kids living in my house (thankfully not all mine!!!)
Revelstoke hey? Nice piece of country! Sure, next time I'm going by I'll let you know!
Cheers
Mr. D
Abitibi
Explorer
Hey Dave, I keep seeing these small buses (E350 with singles at the rear). They use them for public transit as well as medical transport. They would make a nice base to build on for you but I've never seen them auctioned?
I needed a mental break from house Reno so I started an easy job (déjà vue for those following my twins saga...). Took the front mat out to find a very clean floor underneath with very minimal surface rust.
Some grinder action with a wire brush, good clean up and a generous coat of Por-15. Should be good for years!
Next will be a layer of FatMat until I run out of the rolls I bought.
My sparky friend Jay found me this perfect switch panel to replace the bulky one previously on the doghouse. It was meant to be mounted vertical as a breaker box but it fits perfectly on the ceiling between the sun visors. I figure I can mount 8 toggle switches and another 8 regular ones, plenty! And so compact!!!
This is where it will mount:
And a close up to see how it looks bare. I'll cut more openings once I figure how many switches I need...
I've already posted about gutting the rear but now its officially gutted. Time to start building!
Cheers,
Mr. D
I needed a mental break from house Reno so I started an easy job (déjà vue for those following my twins saga...). Took the front mat out to find a very clean floor underneath with very minimal surface rust.
Some grinder action with a wire brush, good clean up and a generous coat of Por-15. Should be good for years!
Next will be a layer of FatMat until I run out of the rolls I bought.
My sparky friend Jay found me this perfect switch panel to replace the bulky one previously on the doghouse. It was meant to be mounted vertical as a breaker box but it fits perfectly on the ceiling between the sun visors. I figure I can mount 8 toggle switches and another 8 regular ones, plenty! And so compact!!!
This is where it will mount:
And a close up to see how it looks bare. I'll cut more openings once I figure how many switches I need...
I've already posted about gutting the rear but now its officially gutted. Time to start building!
Cheers,
Mr. D
