blkhalo996
blkhalo996
Hello, fellow Expo and Ambo friends!!!
I've been a lurker on here for some years now, and I'd like to start off by saying it has been very inspirational from all the great builds I've been reading and following on here!!!! Let's just say the ambo bug has bitten the s#!t out of me for some time now!!!! So much, that last weekend I went on a little road trip and came home with an '03 7.3l, Wheeled Coach, Type III ambulance.
I'm really looking forward to starting this build and can't wait to see what my final build will transform into. However, on saying that, I'm pretty sure it will never stop changing,,,, only transform more as time goes on and resources allow. My build might not end up as superb as many of the builds by you guys, and it might not go as fast either,,,, juggling between family, work, and life in general. However, I think we all fall in that category!!! 
A little history on my ambulance,,,,, originally started off as most, it was used by an ambulance service company. Which when taken out of service, it was purchased by one of the paramedics who rode the van while it was with the ambulance service company. His intentions were to start his own ambulance service, though didn't go as he had hoped too and decided he would sell. The ambulance itself has 280k miles, however, previous owner swapped out the motor with one that had 103k on it. He had all the documents where it was done through Ford for the motor swap. He kept it well maintained, since he had planned to keep using it as an ambulance service vehicle. He gave me a huge folder with maintanence records and manuals. Plus, it was great to have him be walk me through all the bells and whistles, what all the switches would operate, and good to hear it's history from a person who had been around the ambulance it's service life.
My co-pilot looking on as we stopped for fuel. And I thought the fuel tank on my van (31-32 gal.) was big!!!! Not to this thing,,,, with 1/4 tank left, still squeezed 40 gal. in there!!!
About two hours from the house I did have a blowout on the passenger, inside dually tire,,, which was the only real hiccup getting home. Tires had about 90% tread,,,, so maybe I ran over something on the way. Not sure. Anyhow, limped it to the house the rest of the way. Now it's waiting on my return (work, work, work) so I can start making changes.
First plans will be the legal stuff (for the state of Louisiana),,,, as in what I can legally have on the exterior. Spoke with my sister (she's a cop), she pretty much said I can't have any blue or red lighting (break lights I can obviously keep). Still in the planning, so not sure if I want to keep the light bar, remove it, or replace it with an LED light bar. Who knows yet. Saw in one build on here where spray tint was used,,, an option if i want to keep it, if just dark tint will be enough.
Plan is also to get the title switched to a RV/motor home status,,,, for cheaper insurance. I called the DMV office earlier (talk about a long wait time on the phone) and they emailed me some information on the state requirements were. Can they make it sound any more confusing????? LOL
Looking forward to start and getting input from all as the build starts and goes on. Can't lie,,, I'm still reading other builds on here, getting awesome ideas!!!!!!!
I've been a lurker on here for some years now, and I'd like to start off by saying it has been very inspirational from all the great builds I've been reading and following on here!!!! Let's just say the ambo bug has bitten the s#!t out of me for some time now!!!! So much, that last weekend I went on a little road trip and came home with an '03 7.3l, Wheeled Coach, Type III ambulance.
I'm really looking forward to starting this build and can't wait to see what my final build will transform into. However, on saying that, I'm pretty sure it will never stop changing,,,, only transform more as time goes on and resources allow. My build might not end up as superb as many of the builds by you guys, and it might not go as fast either,,,, juggling between family, work, and life in general. However, I think we all fall in that category!!! 
A little history on my ambulance,,,,, originally started off as most, it was used by an ambulance service company. Which when taken out of service, it was purchased by one of the paramedics who rode the van while it was with the ambulance service company. His intentions were to start his own ambulance service, though didn't go as he had hoped too and decided he would sell. The ambulance itself has 280k miles, however, previous owner swapped out the motor with one that had 103k on it. He had all the documents where it was done through Ford for the motor swap. He kept it well maintained, since he had planned to keep using it as an ambulance service vehicle. He gave me a huge folder with maintanence records and manuals. Plus, it was great to have him be walk me through all the bells and whistles, what all the switches would operate, and good to hear it's history from a person who had been around the ambulance it's service life.
My co-pilot looking on as we stopped for fuel. And I thought the fuel tank on my van (31-32 gal.) was big!!!! Not to this thing,,,, with 1/4 tank left, still squeezed 40 gal. in there!!!
About two hours from the house I did have a blowout on the passenger, inside dually tire,,, which was the only real hiccup getting home. Tires had about 90% tread,,,, so maybe I ran over something on the way. Not sure. Anyhow, limped it to the house the rest of the way. Now it's waiting on my return (work, work, work) so I can start making changes.
First plans will be the legal stuff (for the state of Louisiana),,,, as in what I can legally have on the exterior. Spoke with my sister (she's a cop), she pretty much said I can't have any blue or red lighting (break lights I can obviously keep). Still in the planning, so not sure if I want to keep the light bar, remove it, or replace it with an LED light bar. Who knows yet. Saw in one build on here where spray tint was used,,, an option if i want to keep it, if just dark tint will be enough.
Plan is also to get the title switched to a RV/motor home status,,,, for cheaper insurance. I called the DMV office earlier (talk about a long wait time on the phone) and they emailed me some information on the state requirements were. Can they make it sound any more confusing????? LOL
Looking forward to start and getting input from all as the build starts and goes on. Can't lie,,, I'm still reading other builds on here, getting awesome ideas!!!!!!!
