Build Thread- 2003 Red Cross ERV- Rambolance

[carnut1969]

I think the name might stick... we went to the beach last week and my wife suggested it after I mentioned many of the build threads here named their rigs... anyway

I picked up a Red Cross ERV from a local auction. It’s a 2003 with 36k and 1700 hours. 7.3, type 3. You really don’t want to know what I paid but it was INOP and a bit of a risk.... I’m mechanical but don’t really know diesels so rather than guessing I had it towed to Atlanta Auto Diesel to diagnose.

www.atlantaautodiesel.com

These folks were great. Highly recommended. All it needed to get running was new batteries! While it was there we did a full service with oil, coolant, trans, fuel filter etc- and 4 new batteries. I rode my KTM SuperMoto up to Winder, threw it in the back and drove home. Horrible! I mean it ran great but the old out of balance tires shook the thing like crazy and the racket from the back was horrendous.
Here she is-

 

[carnut1969]

The 1st thing was to make it look less like an ambulance so the neighbors would quit starring and wondering who had a stroke.

I really struggled with who to buy from but was certain I wanted it lifted- lockers or 4x4, better wheels and tires, and a wrap or paint. After speaking with several experts, reading a ton and much consideration I went with the UJOR kit from Chris. Nothing but great reviews and while it isn’t cheap the quality is 1st rate. I also think having it 4x4 really increases the value.
Here is the lift kit from UJOR:



Picked up a low mileage Dana 60 and have rebuilt it with pretty much new everything:



transfer case came today:



Hitch, sway bar:

 

[carnut1969]

Initially thought it would be wrapped, so I buffed out the whole truck. Looked pretty good:



You can see the before/ after on these doors:

 

[carnut1969]

Then I got quotes of $3k to $5k for a wrap. Yikes! So I decided to have it painted... sanded the whole thing and prepped for paint:

 

[carnut1969]

Wheels and tires (34” BFG KM3)

 

[carnut1969]

He is at the paint shop now- will be Ford leadfoot grey with the roof remaining white. it’s a warm/ creamy grey and a Ford color so there it is.

I have gutted some of the interior and opened up the wall behind the passenger seat. This is what we are planning for the interior. Bed will be on linear actuators raising and lowering to increase the garage size or make loading easier.

 

[carnut1969]

will have a kitchen, Bathroom/ shower and seat 4. Hope to find a reasonable rock and roll bed for the two rear passenger seats. They are hard to get and expensive.

 

[carnut1969]

Picking the van up from paint next week (maybe) but still have 5+ weeks on the springs.

planning to use the rig for family trips plus we like to ride bikes and kart. This will be great for towing the kart trailer and staying at the track.

 

[carnut1969]

Painting has started!

 

[carnut1969]

Ted and the guys at Autoglo are doing an amazing job!

https://autoglo.net/

 

[McCarthy]

Very cool. In for more!

 

[carnut1969]

 

[carnut1969]

Just the cab is left to paint

 

[ITTOG]

Is it solid black.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[carnut1969]

No- it’s leadfoot grey