AmbuLand build thread
- Thread starter Abitibi
- Start date
Abitibi
Explorer
Finally starting to take shape!
Now that most of my house restorations are done I got to spend way more time on the ambo. Good thing as we are heading down south in two weeks with it.
First order was to put new steel bumpers. The rear one is all home made and built to give as much clearance as possible. I was also trying to match the side angled body cut so I finished it with tube instead of boxing it up. For the paint I used a two part epoxy bed liner.
I'm not planning to go on the roof too often so instead of building a hunky ladder I went with grab step-handles. Already put them to good use when I installed my roof fan!
For the front I modified a F350 bumper, cut the ends about 2" shorter, added a bushguard and built new mounts. I was glad to see the fit was right on, turned out great. I also added some HID lights and my 12,000lbs Warn. I got a synthetic line waiting to be mounted but I'm not finished wiring the winch so that's gotta wait.
While at it I decided to upgrade the headlight situation. Got these from Rigid. If anyone is looking these are the same as Truck-Lite but for a better price (didn't Rigid buy out Truck-Lite?)
I also started on the interior, I'll post an update shortly.
Cheers
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
Now that most of my house restorations are done I got to spend way more time on the ambo. Good thing as we are heading down south in two weeks with it.
First order was to put new steel bumpers. The rear one is all home made and built to give as much clearance as possible. I was also trying to match the side angled body cut so I finished it with tube instead of boxing it up. For the paint I used a two part epoxy bed liner.
I'm not planning to go on the roof too often so instead of building a hunky ladder I went with grab step-handles. Already put them to good use when I installed my roof fan!
For the front I modified a F350 bumper, cut the ends about 2" shorter, added a bushguard and built new mounts. I was glad to see the fit was right on, turned out great. I also added some HID lights and my 12,000lbs Warn. I got a synthetic line waiting to be mounted but I'm not finished wiring the winch so that's gotta wait.
While at it I decided to upgrade the headlight situation. Got these from Rigid. If anyone is looking these are the same as Truck-Lite but for a better price (didn't Rigid buy out Truck-Lite?)
I also started on the interior, I'll post an update shortly.
Cheers
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Abitibi
Explorer
Hi Max, these are the ones I bought from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Rigid-Indust...F8&qid=1465885989&sr=8-1&keywords=Rigid+55003
Got a chance to try them out tonight, really impressed!
I did say I started on the interior... This counts as interior modification doesnt it?
Cheers
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
https://www.amazon.com/Rigid-Indust...F8&qid=1465885989&sr=8-1&keywords=Rigid+55003
Got a chance to try them out tonight, really impressed!
I did say I started on the interior... This counts as interior modification doesnt it?
Cheers
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
djbonsu
Adventurer
Hi Max, these are the ones I bought from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Rigid-Indust...F8&qid=1465885989&sr=8-1&keywords=Rigid+55003
Got a chance to try them out tonight, really impressed!
I did say I started on the interior... This counts as interior modification doesnt it?
Cheers
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
Those lights definitely deliver the MOST bang for buck! Nice upgrades and work!
Hi Max, these are the ones I bought from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Rigid-Indust...F8&qid=1465885989&sr=8-1&keywords=Rigid+55003
Got a chance to try them out tonight, really impressed!
I did say I started on the interior... This counts as interior modification doesnt it?
Cheers
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
Good grief. Is Scooby snoozing in the back?
Abitibi
Explorer
Nope, I keep Scooby in my other van, Hahaha!
À bit more done on the interior. My ambo was already insulated with mineral wool but I'm not a fan of this a vehicle as it absorbs water and never dries out so I ditched as much as I could and replaced it with R10 2" Rigid foam panels that I wedged in place.
I know these can be noisy so I tested them but putting a few panels in place and drove for a few months without any issues at all. Happy with the results I went ahead and finished the insulation job. I also drilled a bunch of holes in the roof's 2x2 crossbars and filled them with slow expension foam.
Foam isn't the most fun to work with but these two tools made it easy (although messy!)
Working on your own brings a few interesting challenges... But there's always a way
For the walls and ceiling I'm using acrylic panelings that are reasonably flexible and easy to work with. It's very durable and easy to clean which is a most...
Also installed a MaxAir roof vent while at it. I mounted a few airline trackbars toward the front and rear, hammock maybe? Those are sweet! Ceiling all done and it's already looking much brighter!
Thanks again everyone.
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
À bit more done on the interior. My ambo was already insulated with mineral wool but I'm not a fan of this a vehicle as it absorbs water and never dries out so I ditched as much as I could and replaced it with R10 2" Rigid foam panels that I wedged in place.
I know these can be noisy so I tested them but putting a few panels in place and drove for a few months without any issues at all. Happy with the results I went ahead and finished the insulation job. I also drilled a bunch of holes in the roof's 2x2 crossbars and filled them with slow expension foam.
Foam isn't the most fun to work with but these two tools made it easy (although messy!)
Working on your own brings a few interesting challenges... But there's always a way
For the walls and ceiling I'm using acrylic panelings that are reasonably flexible and easy to work with. It's very durable and easy to clean which is a most...
Also installed a MaxAir roof vent while at it. I mounted a few airline trackbars toward the front and rear, hammock maybe? Those are sweet! Ceiling all done and it's already looking much brighter!
Thanks again everyone.
David
Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
You'll have to let us know how those acrylic panels work out. Are they going to be too flexible? Especially at the seams? I've used white joining strip for joints in paneling in the past... Don't know if it's still available.
Ideally I'd like to replace the plastic on my passenger side wall, but no one here seems to have the 5x10 sheets.
Ideally I'd like to replace the plastic on my passenger side wall, but no one here seems to have the 5x10 sheets.
Abitibi
Explorer
These are small details that take more time than I can afford but it's all in the details isn't it .
And in place, still need to add the Espar faceplate but getting there!
Also started cleaning up the electrical panel.
Finally starting to make sense. I've also added the control panel up front. My plan is to use a backup Bluetooth system instead of the physical switches but that's for down the road, although my buddy already started confiğuring it for it for me
This is what it's starting to look like:
David
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
And in place, still need to add the Espar faceplate but getting there!
Also started cleaning up the electrical panel.
Finally starting to make sense. I've also added the control panel up front. My plan is to use a backup Bluetooth system instead of the physical switches but that's for down the road, although my buddy already started confiğuring it for it for me
This is what it's starting to look like:
David
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I'm glad to see you're making progress... I'm looking forward to seeing what can be done with one of these rigs by a do it your-selfer 
Abitibi
Explorer
Thanks John. This project was on the back burner for way too long!
Yesterday I replaced my old exhaust with a new 4" full mandrel bend from Diamond Eye. It was nice that I could install it in my driveway and save a bunch of money. No welding required either and comes with the big downpipe...
This is where I relocated my winch solenoid box and control. There's enough slacks on the cable to move it out of the way to access the fuse box. That space was made for it, great fit!
And here's what the bed looks like. Now I need to get some real cushions! 1st pic shows how the bed transforms... the base isn't finished but a few milk crate work great and double as extra storage
And 6'6" of pure awesomeness!!!
Cheers
David
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
Yesterday I replaced my old exhaust with a new 4" full mandrel bend from Diamond Eye. It was nice that I could install it in my driveway and save a bunch of money. No welding required either and comes with the big downpipe...
This is where I relocated my winch solenoid box and control. There's enough slacks on the cable to move it out of the way to access the fuse box. That space was made for it, great fit!
And here's what the bed looks like. Now I need to get some real cushions! 1st pic shows how the bed transforms... the base isn't finished but a few milk crate work great and double as extra storage
And 6'6" of pure awesomeness!!!
Cheers
David
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
huskyhauler
Adventurer
Do you have pans for a collapsible table between the benches? I have an idea in mind but would have to sketch it out for it to make sense. The table would be permanently mounted, but would fold down and sit flat and flush on top of your center drawer top.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
How much of a gain does Diamond Eye claim their exhaust will give you? I've got stock 3.5" with and without a CAT... tempted to swap to the exhaust with no CAT, but don't know if it's worth the trouble.
You could likely sell plans for the conversion once you've got all of the bugs worked out.
I don't know if I would pull the cabinets out of mine... I'd loose so much storage... but gain so much more space to work with. I'll have to see how your's turns out.
You could likely sell plans for the conversion once you've got all of the bugs worked out.
I don't know if I would pull the cabinets out of mine... I'd loose so much storage... but gain so much more space to work with. I'll have to see how your's turns out.
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