Belafonte Reboot....Ambulance to 4x4 Camper Conversion
- Thread starter tgreening
- Start date
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
For airbags I'd check CSI out. Know many who are happy with them...http://www.airsuspension.ca
$325 to your door (most kits)
$325 to your door (most kits)
patoz
Expedition Leader
FDM2012
Adventurer
I will also be adding Sumo's to my list of options:
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10690
http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10690
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Keep in mind most options other than the airbags are just dressed up versions of a helper spring. They can help carry additional load before squatting too far, but they cant really react to the load. IOW if you put 1000# on you'll get one result and if you put 2000# on you'll get a different result.
With self adjusting air bags the end result is always the same, no matter the load.
It all depends on what you want or what you want to live with. Cheap and forget about it, add helpers of some sort, and live with the differing ride profiles. More expensive but always the same result, add the air bags.
In my case I couldn't stand a butt low truck, ever, so I added self adjusting bags and forgot about it. I've used them on 3 different trucks and the only part I've ever had to change was a blow-off valve that got weak. I think about 10 bucks and 5 minutes of time.
One thing to keep in mind that a surprising number of people don't seem to understand is that adding a set of 5000# bags (or helper springs) to your junk does not increase your load carrying capacity by 5000#. It doesn't increase at all, it just allows you to better control your rated load, up to that max of 5000#.
So I was working on a way to get my bike mounted to the back of the Ambo without having to do the hitch-mounted bike rack thingy. I've just never liked those. My thought was to mount it vertically to one of the back doors, initially using some sort of Yakima mount. The only problem with that is a set of mounts and the bits n bobs to make it all work was pushing $300. Double that if I want mounts on each door. But then I ran into Booty-Fab Bob....
Need a mount on that drivers side door. At least I think that one.
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Booty-Fab says ditch the high buck Yakima/Thule stuff and head to the local Lowes where a bit of this...
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Turns into a couple of these...
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Mounted something like this...
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So I can mount this thing-a-majig....
Rear
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Front
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Then I have to figure up a hoober-dabber to grab the bike frame and mechanically tie it to the bike rack for added stability/safety.
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Savy??
Need a mount on that drivers side door. At least I think that one.
Booty-Fab says ditch the high buck Yakima/Thule stuff and head to the local Lowes where a bit of this...
Turns into a couple of these...
Mounted something like this...
So I can mount this thing-a-majig....
Rear
Front
Then I have to figure up a hoober-dabber to grab the bike frame and mechanically tie it to the bike rack for added stability/safety.
Savy??
patoz
Expedition Leader
"By golly Watson, I believe you may be onto something there!"
A word of advice...don't trust those plastic straps that go around the rims, especially in a vertical position. I have Yak Racks, and over the years I've busted two of them so far, Fortunately, they weren't on the same bike at the same time. I would replace them with nylon straps or a least back up the plastic ones with a couple of safety straps.
A word of advice...don't trust those plastic straps that go around the rims, especially in a vertical position. I have Yak Racks, and over the years I've busted two of them so far, Fortunately, they weren't on the same bike at the same time. I would replace them with nylon straps or a least back up the plastic ones with a couple of safety straps.
Abitibi
Explorer
Nice to see I'm not the only one with a similar idea! I'm planning something alike but I might go even more basic. Front wheel removed, fork attached to a spare hub mounted on the ambo body (door if space works out) and a secure tie down on rear wheel, Voilà! You could even mount the hub thingy onto the rain gutter if not willing to drill in the body.
Anyway, that's how I store my bikes at home and it's quite secured, enough I believe to sustain some 4x4... The killer is play so if everything is tight and doesn't move you should be gold!
And your Ambo is sure coming along nicely!!
Cheers
David
Anyway, that's how I store my bikes at home and it's quite secured, enough I believe to sustain some 4x4... The killer is play so if everything is tight and doesn't move you should be gold!
And your Ambo is sure coming along nicely!!
Cheers
David
I thought about going that way as well, but in the end I was too lazy to want to have to R & R the front wheel each time. How sad is that? 
Thanks, it's been a boatload of work and still a bunch to do really. I'd love to tackle all the electrical and clean that all up. I know what's still installed and I can't for the life of me understand why the electrical panel is so freaking complicated.
Thanks, it's been a boatload of work and still a bunch to do really. I'd love to tackle all the electrical and clean that all up. I know what's still installed and I can't for the life of me understand why the electrical panel is so freaking complicated.
guidolyons
Addicted to Gear Oil
Look for a set of stainless grab handles, less booty fab, looks sleek, and won't put a rust streak on your rig.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--stainless-steel-handrails--P012868733
https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Stainless-Steel-Handrail-Handle/dp/B00FY42O74
https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Grab-Handles-Stainless-Steel/dp/B005JXSLB8
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--stainless-steel-handrails--P012868733
https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Stainless-Steel-Handrail-Handle/dp/B00FY42O74
https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Grab-Handles-Stainless-Steel/dp/B005JXSLB8
I'm ok with some well done booty-fab. Real booty type booty fab would be if I booger welded some unistrut together and used some hose clamps to strap it to the door.
Windshield replacement scheduled for tomorrow. One of those little starfish stone chips suddenly turned into a crack 1/4 of the way across. Minor bummer, not too expensive to fix, and a guaranteed on time appointment of sometime between 12:00 and 5:00 gives me an excuse to bail on the office. On a Friday. Woot!
patoz
Expedition Leader
How convenient! :beer: Since you're getting a new windshield, might be time to get one with a little extra tint at the top for those long Expo trips.
Honestly I was surprised at the time/date. It didn't happen till yesterday, I made the appointment tonight, and that was the first time/date that popped up so I jumped on it. The last time I had a windshield done here it took about a week to get someone. It costs $25 extra but they come right to my house, and I found a $30 promo code, so it was a no-brainer anyway.
You coming to the Expo this year? Last year was a rainy mess camped out in an overgrown hilly cow pasture covered in bovine landmines so you didn't miss much. Hopefully the weather holds out better this year and you can actually do stuff outside besides wipe rain off your face.
patoz
Expedition Leader
No, not this year, but hopefully next year.
Considering our weather this summer of either 95° - 100° temps or rain all day, I have gotten very little done on my ambo/camper, except order up a bunch of parts and supplies that I have no where to store except in the house. I'm hoping to jump on it as soon as it cools off some more (96° today), and put a big dent in it this winter.
Considering our weather this summer of either 95° - 100° temps or rain all day, I have gotten very little done on my ambo/camper, except order up a bunch of parts and supplies that I have no where to store except in the house. I'm hoping to jump on it as soon as it cools off some more (96° today), and put a big dent in it this winter.