Belafonte Reboot....Ambulance to 4x4 Camper Conversion

[tgreening]

For the gun hide away, it would be nice if you could leave the vent in place and make a lockable access inside the existing cabinet on the right side of the vent. It would be out of sight inside the cabinet and only accessible when you slide the door open. There might even be a way to make it more stealth by not having any obvious door on the inside.....

Dude, get outta my head! . I've been pondering that same thing. I noticed that the left wall of the cabinet (right side wall of the space behind the vent) is already removable. I had forgotten about that. I could stuff some kind of small safe back in that space, and hide it behind the removable wall. Right now it's held in with screws but I bet I could rig up some magnets and make it a quick-remove setup without too much trouble. You'd never know there was a safe back there. Well, except....

Me, you, and everyone else that bothers to read this thread.

 

[CLynn85]

Tom,

Same page brother. I had always thought about replacing that panel inside the cabinet with an aluminum door, hinged on the bottom with a lock on the top, for covert pistol/passport/cash/whatever storage that was out of sight, out of mind, and hidden behind a useless but mundane vent.

Great seeing you make progress on this! Love watching it evolve and to see you making it your own while largely following the same intentions that I had when I started it.

 

[tgreening]

Tom,

Same page brother. I had always thought about replacing that panel inside the cabinet with an aluminum door, hinged on the bottom with a lock on the top, for covert pistol/passport/cash/whatever storage that was out of sight, out of mind, and hidden behind a useless but mundane vent.

Great seeing you make progress on this! Love watching it evolve and to see you making it your own while largely following the same intentions that I had when I started it.

One of the few times I was in the right place at the right time. Your build path was pretty much right down the alley I intended. Functional and simple. I didn't want a fancy fridge, toilet & shower, water bed, disco ball, etc etc. And it was pretty much all there. I can turn a wrench and bolt on parts, and even fab up some stuff, but I'm not much of a carpenter so having the interior mostly on the done side was a big plus for me.

Btw, I really like your truck. I think we're on the same page again. I think most pickup trucks have tires too small to offset visually the bulk of the truck, but when people do lifts to fit bigger tires they go way higher than really needed and end up looking out of proportion again. Big tire, minimal lift is my motto, and I think yours looks about perfect.

I ordered 37/12.5s for the ambo and according to Ujor site I should be going with an 8" lift, but Chris agreed I could get by with 6" if I'm willing to trim, but I'd REALLY like to get by with 4". Unfortunately it's the underneath mechanical that kills that idea because there is PLENTY of clearance in the wheel well up front. The rear would have to been massaged with a saw, but I'm ok with that. I'm starting to get excited now. Up to now it's been mostly fixing up things going south, alternator, water pump, etc, but I'm finally getting some of "my" stuff done, like the seats. And now I got my tires/wheels coming and should have my ujor stuff ordered this weekend. Then it's ON!

 

[tgreening]

I love that hide away cabinet lighting! How is that installed in there?

That while driver side setup is super simple and elegant.


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You mean the overhead lights? There are no lights inside the cabinets, at least not yet, but if I do it'll probably been led strips.

The overhead lights are the factory ambo lights. I think they're about 4" and they're just mounted in the stock location in the ceiling. In some cases those round lights each have their own lens that covers them. In my case they have no individual lens but rather there are long diffuser panels that cover the whole light channel. Works well but rattles like death and drives me nuts. One of my projects is to find a way to stop them from rattling, or get rid of them and use individual lenses.

 

[rlrenz]

You mean the overhead lights? There are no lights inside the cabinets, at least not yet, but if I do it'll probably been led strips.

The overhead lights are the factory ambo lights. I think they're about 4" and they're just mounted in the stock location in the ceiling. In some cases those round lights each have their own lens that covers them. In my case they have no individual lens but rather there are long diffuser panels that cover the whole light channel. Works well but rattles like death and drives me nuts. One of my projects is to find a way to stop them from rattling, or get rid of them and use individual lenses.

Assuming that the lenses lay in from the top, some Velcro self adhesive material would hold them down, and also let them be lifted out for bulb changes - maybe a tab every 12" or so.

 

[tgreening]

On each side of the panel there is an aluminum trim piece with a groove in it. The panels insert into the grooves on each side, and the trim pieces are screwed to the ceiling holding everything in place.

 

[rlrenz]

On each side of the panel there is an aluminum trim piece with a groove in it. The panels insert into the grooves on each side, and the trim pieces are screwed to the ceiling holding everything in place.

Then maybe some sections of 1/16" foam tape might do the job.

 

[patoz]

On each side of the panel there is an aluminum trim piece with a groove in it. The panels insert into the grooves on each side, and the trim pieces are screwed to the ceiling holding everything in place.

Aluminum? Mine are plastic. BTW, if you remove them don't throw those away either. A couple of mine are broken also, and I have not found anywhere to buy new ones.

 

[tgreening]

Ordered my Ujor kit today. Six inches of altitude enhancing goodness! Woot! I'm driving down on Wed to pick it up on Thursday. I'm debating on whether to drive the ambo down or my truck. Haven't decided yet. Truck makes more sense, it's more comfortable and will get better mileage, but it would be nice to have the ambo on hand as a visual aid during the brain picking I'll subject poor Chris to.

Stoked!

 

[CLynn85]

Yes!!!!!!

 

[cjken]

Nice!!

 

[patoz]

Be careful if you do drive the ambulance, because when you get there you're going to be looking at the kit, then the ambulance, then your credit card, then Chris, and going, "Since everything is all right here, why don't you just go ahead and install it too!" :hehe:

 

[flightcancled]

I have a lot of aluminum trim in short lengths kicking around. If you send me photos maybe I can help.

What about sub-floor gun storage? You could stash a frame-mounted metal compartment under the ambo box and give yourself a trap door in the plywood floor. That would make taking long guns a lot easier.


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[patoz]

What about sub-floor gun storage? You could stash a frame-mounted metal compartment under the ambo box and give yourself a trap door in the plywood floor. That would make taking long guns a lot easier.

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Chris at UJoint makes this underfloor storage box system for the vans, but I'm pretty sure it would work for the ambulances also.

Part#: RS001-BOX

Price: $549.00

Desc: This is our underfloor storage that can be utilized with the rear skid system or not. It attaches to the van body, not the skid and is made from 3/16 Aluminum. Dims are 32.75 x 11.75 x 13 and we powder coat all of it but the interior of the box as shown.

http://www.ujointoffroad.com/bumpersextras.html


The problem with this is, an AR-15 with a 16" barrel and a Magpul collapsible stock in the collapsed position, is right at 33" long, which is too long for this box. However, the weapon(s) could be broken down into the upper and lower receiver sections and they would fit nicely along with some mounts, dividers, or even foam. Chris could probably even make a box a little longer but you may have to turn it long ways, and I'm sure the price would go up considerably.

The problem with this storage system for guns is dirt, moisture, quick accessibility. Dust and Dirt can sift down around the edges of the floor panel, unless you insulate it as good or better that the Module itself, moisture will probably accumulate inside, and anything sitting on the floor above it would have to be moved before you can access the compartment. And for us old and decrepit guys with bad backs, getting down on your hands and knees in a hurry is not fun!

Personally, I believe using the compartments over the bench area is the better choice. Depending on how many you want to hide in there, a matching false back might be the ticket to hide them. You would still have to move and items (usually small) stored in there to gain access, but the other two factors wouldn't come into play.

 

[flightcancled]

Belafonte Reboot....

I was thinking of just having a local shop weld up a bin big enough to house a few rifles out of steel with mounting tabs and then using that rolled windshield sealant to permanently seal it to the box. Coat it with POR-15, line it with foam, install barrel locks in the trap door.

Hadn't thought about the sifting issue, but a decent gasket and/or stashing it under a lined carpet would fix that. Definitely a good point Pat!


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