Bravo4niner203
New member
I can't thank you enough for this info. This is really helpful.
Buying & Building a Medium Ambulance into an RV – The FAM-BULANCE
- Thread starter rlrenz
- Start date
rlrenz
Explorer
On to Plan-B....
I'd purchased a Bogert HUMMWV jack to carry on-board, but I goofed. First, it weighed 70#, and second, it took up a lot of space in its heavy canvas bag. I had thought about selling it, but then I took a look at the Bogert International web site, and I saw that they sell a conventional ram-type hydraulic jack. The ram was the same, the pump was the same, and the baseplate was the same.
I decided to keep it, and re-work it into a garage jack. The ram height will match up nicely with my axle heights, and the remote pump will let me avoid crawling under the truck to emplace it and use it. I can easily add collapsible casters to it, so I can push it into place, but that are out of the way when I'm using it.
I'd purchased a Bogert HUMMWV jack to carry on-board, but I goofed. First, it weighed 70#, and second, it took up a lot of space in its heavy canvas bag. I had thought about selling it, but then I took a look at the Bogert International web site, and I saw that they sell a conventional ram-type hydraulic jack. The ram was the same, the pump was the same, and the baseplate was the same.
I decided to keep it, and re-work it into a garage jack. The ram height will match up nicely with my axle heights, and the remote pump will let me avoid crawling under the truck to emplace it and use it. I can easily add collapsible casters to it, so I can push it into place, but that are out of the way when I'm using it.
Ozrockrat
Expedition Leader
amazing I bought the same jack for the same reasons and rejected it for the same reasons. And I have been keeping my eye out for the other ram style. So I will be keeping an eye on your progress with this one.
rlrenz
Explorer
I've been debating countertop material. My choices were Corian, Silestone, butcher block, ceramic tile, Formica, and stainless steel. Butcher block looks good, and is easy to fabricate, but I wasn't happy installing a sink in it, plus seasonable expansion / contraction could lead to deterioration. Formica looks decent and is easy to fabricate, but it looks like Formica. Stainless steel looks good, but it's too institutional for me. Ceramic tile can be hard to clean. Corian is expensive.
Lots of choices, and each had good and bad. My decision was made this weekend when I found a neighbor was re-doing his kitchen, and was removing a Corian couhtertop with a built-in bar sink and faucet. The countertop is now in my garage. I'll adjust my layout a little, but it will work perfectly!
Lots of choices, and each had good and bad. My decision was made this weekend when I found a neighbor was re-doing his kitchen, and was removing a Corian couhtertop with a built-in bar sink and faucet. The countertop is now in my garage. I'll adjust my layout a little, but it will work perfectly!
rlrenz
Explorer
If I park it in my garage just right, I can open the front-tipping hood. That's the goal, but I also want to be able to close the garage door. I'd thought about a laser on the ceiling or something equally unique - but installing and adjusting it would be a big PITA. Then, I realized there was another approach -- instead of having something mounted on the garage, why not mount something on the ambulance? After a few minutes digging, I found a laser level at Amazon for about $15. I made a window mount for it, and it works great. It sits on the edge of the window, and I adjust it forward-backward until the beam just touches the edge of a small mirror. I can see the beam in daylight, and then all I have to do is drive forward/backward until the beam hits my mark. Perfect!
rlrenz
Explorer
I looked at modifying the ram from the HUMMWV into a jack, but found that it was too long to fit under the axles. I remembered that I had an OTC air operated hydraulic pump in the garage, so I bought a 4" stroke ram for $90. End result - a compact, air operated jack. I still have to weld up a wide base for the ram to increase its footprint for better stability - probably about 5x7". Since the ram is 2.75" OD, I'm going to use some 3.25 x 2.75" steel tubing with some set screws to hold the ram
rlrenz
Explorer
Moving right along..... I finally realized that even though using a jack could be made easier, it would require crawling under the ambubuggy and blocking up the jack if it was short to reach the axle (jacks come in various lengths -- too short, and too tall). I saw this on Amazon, and decided to give it a try. It extends from 5.5" to 16.5", and can lift 10,000#. Eureka! It works perfectly! It lifted the front end off the floor in less than 10 seconds while being fed by a 25' x 1/4" air hose fron my 145# air supply. I only plan on using this in my garage, but it will definitely make life easier
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ExpoMike
Well-known member
What's the part number or description (since ExPo doesn't seem to allow Amazon links)?
rlrenz
Explorer
Food for thought --- at my age, crawling under the ambulance to just look at something is a real PITA. I tried a mirror, bit still cumbersome. Plan-B came to mind. A $49 rear view camera on a stick. I ordered one from Amazon, and I found it is in focus down to just a few inches. It has white LEDs that operate at night (but the sensor can be easily covered with some tape = continuous lights). 12 volt power, but the connector matches a 12 volt wall-wart I had. The monitor's picture photographs easily. I'll gin up a broomstick mount for it, but for now, some duct tape will do. End result-I can sit on a stool, and see what I needed to see under the buggy. Work smarter, not harder!
