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

[tgreening]

Hey tgreening... I did a search for Whelen 97 and this thread came up, but in the 87 (!) pages I didn't spot it. Do you have the 97-series single-screw lights on your rig?

I'd be happy to answer except I don't what the heck a 97 series single-screw light is.

It shouldn't be too many pages back from here I took a picture of the back of a light. That might help you. I can tell you that none of the emergency/area lights mounted up high on the module had plugs. They were all big bulbs with screw terminals on the back.

 

[patoz]

Tom, I can answer this for you...


Ross,

His ambulance does not use the Whelen lights like ours does. His uses an older style made by Weldon, who is owned by Akron Brass. This is a picture of it when it belonged to the previous owner.




The light unit consist of a 4.25" Dia. 35W sealed beam incandescent bulb (or 50W halogen if upgraded), which has two brass screws on the back to connect the wires to.

The lens looks like this...

Weldon also made a round version of this light unit, and you see them used on school buses a lot.

 

[rossvtaylor]

I'd be happy to answer except I don't what the heck a 97 series single-screw light is.

Okay, haha! My 1999 ambo has Whelen halogen side emergency and scene lights and the Whelen series 97 lights I've got uses a single screw at the bottom, to hold the lens in place. I was asking because I just pulled all the lenses off our rig and have 4 clear lenses, I'd like to pass on to someone on the forum who needs clear ones. I checked with Ozrockrat and Scooter, and Patoz had previously told me that he has different lights. So, I'm looking for a good home for these (free). Sorry to hijack your thread!

Edit - Pat, I think we were typing at the same time. Thanks! If you know anyone who needs some clear lenses, ping me.

 

[patoz]

Tom,

It looks like you didn't re-install the 'Wheeled Coach' badge located over the right turn signal, after you painted it. If you still have it and are not going to use it, I would like to have it for mine if the chrome plating is still in good shape. I'll buy it, or at least pay shipping, if you want to get rid of it.



Thanks...

 

[tgreening]

Here's what's wrong with my spring install.

[/URL][/IMG]


See it? Maybe a close up.

[/URL][/IMG]


Of the 3 bolts used in installing a rear spring, only 2 of them go in this direction, and this isn't one of them. Big bummer for me, because it grinds on the mount big time and has to be turned around. Naturally there isn't enough room to just pull the bolt out because the walls of the compartments on each side prevent it. Not enough clearance. I totally did not see this when putting the springs in because it's kind of hidden when working from the wheel well, and I never thought to crawl around and check it from the back. Oopsie!

So the only question is just how much disassembly I have to do. Hopefully I can just unbolt them at the mount and jack the rear up high enough to drop that end of the spring low enough to clear the compartment walls. Haven't checked close enough yet, but I won't hold my breath.

I got to own this one. No where to point my finger and lay blame this time!

Gotta git this stuff done! Expo is coming quick.

 

[patoz]

Tom, mine has access holes with cover plates inside in the rear compartment wall. They were hard to find because the compartments were painted with some kind of coating after the plates were installed, and then covered in AstroTurf.

Looking at your first picture, it looks like you may have something similar there also.

 

[rlrenz]

Any chance of getting to them with a Sawzall?

 

[tgreening]

Tom, mine has access holes with cover plates inside in the rear compartment wall. They were hard to find because the compartments were painted with some kind of coating after the plates were installed, and then covered in AstroTurf.

Looking at your first picture, it looks like you may have something similar there also.

I have those but only for the bottom bolt, the one going to the actual frame mount. There are no access holes for getting to that upper bolt.

 

[tgreening]

Any chance of getting to them with a Sawzall?

Could be, but it wouldn't get me anywhere in the end. I still wouldnt be able to put a new bolt in. It has to be installed with free access to both sides of the spring/shackle, IE not obstructed by the compartment or van frame.

 

[tgreening]

Any chance of getting to them with a Sawzall?

Could be, but it wouldn't get me anywhere in the end. I still wouldnt be able to put a new bolt in. It has to be installed with free access to both sides of the spring/shackle, IE not obstructed by the compartment or van frame.

 

[patoz]

Any chance of drilling an access hole from inside the frame without too much weakening? I believe the Ford up-fitter's guide states no holes larger than 3/4" in the frame, so that probably wouldn't do you any good anyway.

 

[tgreening]

Nah. I'll just pull the springs as much as necessary and do it right. Serves me right for getting impatient.

 

[patoz]

Yeah, that's probably the best thing to do in the long run.

Did you see my post about the emblem?

Tom,

It looks like you didn't re-install the 'Wheeled Coach' badge located over the right turn signal, after you painted it. If you still have it and are not going to use it, I would like to have it for mine if the chrome plating is still in good shape. I'll buy it, or at least pay shipping, if you want to get rid of it.

View attachment 366162

Thanks...

 

[tgreening]

Yeah, that's probably the best thing to do in the long run.

Did you see my post about the emblem?

Ah. Yeahhhhh. Not exactly sure where that went. It might be in my garage, or the landfill, not sure which at this point. I'll take a look around for it. To be honest I never gave it much thought as to whether it was going back on or not.

 

[patoz]

OK, well if you find it just keep me in mind.