Cowboy 4X4 ambulance mini mod build
- Thread starter cowboy4x4
- Start date
cowboy4x4
Explorer
So.... the ambo had a big HEAVY chrome front bumper on it along with the siren crap and a chrome grill as well that was cut up to fit their lights. Before I got rid of the other van I switched out the bumper for my light weight black one and put on my black grill. I also kept my tinted turn signals and put them on as well. The rims were originally chrome but rusting so they got the blackout treatment also. The front top light bar on the box was a pain to get off, they are installed with through bolts and then all the interior is put in, no way to get to the nuts and I wasn't about to remove the elec panel and everything else, so it got cut off in pieces. On a much better note I finally got it registered in CA as an automobile non commercial use so the HOA where I live can kiss my ars..... ONWARD and upward.
cowboy4x4
Explorer
So I started thinking/wondering..... I know when I switch over to 4x4 the front axle has one size of lug pattern "F" series my mini mod has a dually rear end running singles I was planning on keeping it but realized I will have to run adapters so it matches the front... (I don't want to do that) as the rear end is already wider than the front. Not having seen a dually van except ambo's ... did ford use the "F" series lug pattern on the ambos or did the dually rear end come from the factory with the "E" series lug pattern.
Ozrockrat
Expedition Leader
No F Series stud pattern on the ambo's. So why run adapters on the back, why not put adapters on the front to bring it back to your current stud pattern (no new wheels needed) and it will line up better. I am not sure of the width of the F series front axle but on a standard DRW to SRW swap in a van you need 2 1/3 to 3 inch adapters on the front to line it up with the back if you take out the DRW front hubs. Also Chris can confirm this but I believe all dually vans have a different rear axle spring perch spacing than the SRW vans and F series SRW in case you were thinking of swapping 1 in.
cowboy4x4
Explorer
Made a good score today at work. I'm installing all the doors at a Hampton Inn in San Diego and the floor guys started laying carpet today and I notice the padding they are using is 1/4 neoprene with some sort of thin fibrous material as a backing on it. What you see here is the scrap that they were going to throw away and I said I'll take it. The pieces are 30-40 feet long and varying from 1 1/2 to 2' wide. I'm thinking this will make a great padding/sound deadener (sc) in the ambo
upsidedown
New member
I'm living in SD and would be more than happy to take a couple of rolls of that off of your hands if you end up being able to score more of the scraps. That stuff is awesome for insulation....you totally scored.
John
John
cowboy4x4
Explorer
does anybody else with an ambo have this?. It is under the front drivers seat and I have no clue what or why it is there and it's function. So my question is do I need it, can I disconnect it.(actually that is two questions) It has the Ford emblem on it so It had to come equipped from Ford with it. Thanks in advance... Thomas
mgmetalworks
Explorer
That looks like it could be an early version of an Aux. Idle Control. I had one on my Super Duty. It is intended to be used for long periods of being stationary at above idle RPM. I've seen them on most ambos and shuttle buses.
I think this is a newer version but probably pretty similar...
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/apcm_manual.pdf
I think this is a newer version but probably pretty similar...
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/apcm_manual.pdf
Last edited:
gringorick
Adventurer
Mine just had a single switch on the control panel where all the other switches were, labelled "Throttle". It still works. When I turn it on the idle speed increases for more alternator amperage output. Its connected to some sort of electro-modular devices and relay-looking thingys under the seat and behine the dash... but nothing in my amby looks like that one. I am sure it does the same thing though.
Abitibi
Explorer
I have this one on my 2001 ambo and I had another similar version (with digital tach display) on my 99 ambo. They simply raise the rpm at idle to recharge your batteries since the ambo tend to be needy when it comes to electrical use... I'd keep it unless you have a tuner that does the same thing. It doesn't have to remain under the driver's seat, I'll be removing mine to use the space under the seat for something else.
Cheers,
Mr. D
Cheers,
Mr. D