any ambulance conversions out there?

[cj454]

Hello,

I have the chance to pick up an 84 ford E350 diesel ambulance. I was thinking of making it a camper /jeep tow rig.

Anyone done this? Any thoughts pictures and ideas are all welcome.
pros/cons etc. Will the truck tow my jeep ?

I just need something basic, ac, sleeping ,eating and toilet.
I like the idea because it has the outside storage for things like an outside kitchen and i can put tools and part in them for he jeep.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Never done it but I've always thought an old ambulance like that would make a good (if somewhat limited) ExPo rig (limited by weight - I know those bodies are heavy!)

Quite a few of the ones around here (CO) are 4x4, many with diesels.

I did own a 1952 Dodge M43 ambulance that I had hoped to convert to an off-road camper but I never got around to it and sold it when I decided to get out of the Army.

 

[Lynn]

Here's a thread and the associated web site

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9995

http://www.meetingourneighbors.com/

I, and others, have posted up several links to ebay sales on ambulances. Some 4x4.

Occasionally there will be one on daBay that is just the cut off cab and chassis. Apparently there are companies around that buy up old ambulances, take the box off, put it on a new chassis, and resell it. I've seen the 'old' cab/chassis on daBay with 50K-60K miles and ~10K. I would seriously consider getting one, as 60K miles isn't really that much for a fleet-maintained vehicle.

When searching ads on ebay and elsewhere, sometimes 4x4 vans are disguised as ambulances, rescue vehicles, etc. I saw one Quigley conversion that looked really clean; it had been owned by a fire department underwater rescue team.

 

[cj454]

thanx for the links. the one i am looking at is the big boxy one with dual wheels in the back. Not like this one. That is a nice option. The diesel needs some work. new engine but it wont turn over.
i can get it for $500 0r under so thought it might be worht the effort.

I would not mind finding something i could slide into my Z71 Avalanche. That would make a great offroad camper platform. See my other posting.

 

[cj454]

wow i guess this is not a popular a conversion as i was hoping for.

 

[absolute]

International 6.9 engine, great strong motor. Plenty of aftermarket support and turbo conversions. You can run it on low grade diesel; just change the fuel filter more often.

The only major repair that I've done with this motor is replacing the fuel injection pump and replace the glow plugs and relays.

I bought my 84 F-350 in 98 off a buddy who owned it since 90. My dad currently owns it and uses it to pull toys and tools around town.

So all in all... I would get it! Great strong tow rig, with a little help in the breathing side of things great long hauler!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Look at this one in Flagstaff:

http://flagstaff.craigslist.org/cto/991770698.html

$4000 for it and it's got a diesel and 4x4. I don't know if 199k is high but I'd guess it's hard miles.

 

[HarryT]

Emergency vehicles have a hard life. When going to the scene they are pushed to the redline, while on scene, they may idle for hours or turn 2000+ rpm to keep the lights on. Look at the hour meter and the odometer.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Emergency vehicles have a hard life. When going to the scene they are pushed to the redline, while on scene, they may idle for hours or turn 2000+ rpm to keep the lights on. Look at the hour meter and the odometer.

Very true but to be honest you could say nearly the same thing about any fleet or emergency services vehicle. On the flip side, they are usually maintained by professionals who know that their ability to do their job is dependent on that vehicle functioning, vs. Joe Sixpack who may think that as long as there's gas in the tank and he doesn't see any "check engine" lights he's good to go.

I think in any case a healthy dose of "buyer beware" is in order but I wouldn't stay away from an old ambulance for that reason alone.

 

[cj454]

well i have the truck priced out and its like the one in the add just trying to decide if its worth it. I was thinking of making a camper for my av but many people thing its not a good idea to do this.