Father and Son ambulance/camper project!

[b63215b]

So my Dad had the idea to purchase an ambulance. It actually comes with a pretty cool story. It was from Lyons twp. MI and it was used as the winter, hard to get to spots, BFE ambulance. I am pretty sure he paid around $3500 for it which seems to me from being on this site awhile like a good deal. The thing has less than 10,000 miles on it and is 4x4. It is a Horton 450-M/R, and pretty sure it had a life as a military vehicle that wasn't used much, (see picture of drab green door panel).



So he has done most of the work till this point. Everything is torn out down to the bare metal. The thing stunk like death, the insulation just had that nasty hospital smell I can't stand. So below are some pictures of the junk tore out and some pictures of the inside.



It happened to work out that my mother and father in law had a camper that had water damage, they gave it to me and I was going to fix it but I determined that it was a boat load of work since water had got into everything and the floor was crap. So my Dad bought it from them on the cheap, and our plan is to use the internals like the fridge, micro, stove, etc in the ambulance.

Hopefully there will be more to come, it has been a slow process but fun to work on it. I have been looking at others builds on here and getting good ideas. Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

 

[b63215b]

More pictures of the donor and its stuff. I assume the aluminum frame will be for sale soon. It's his call, anyone have an idea what we could expect for that kind of unit in its condition? Frame and tandem axles.

 

[Funrover]

Nice, this will be a great build. Having the parts from a camper is a real bonus!

 

[b63215b]

Need some help, my dad wants to know if anyone has attempted to pull the aluminum shell/body/cube whatever you call it off the frame?

 

[stevo-mt]

I am building a fairly similar truck but with a military ambulance box. They are pretty straight forward if a guy wants to remove it. The only things that might make it a pain is what wiring might be connected, taillights, fuel tanks, etc. But it can be done. I am trying to figure out my plan to work on my truck when the snow flies since it's too big to fit in my shop. You could probably jack it up and put cribbing under it. Then drive the truck out. If possible I would leave it on, unless your plan is to make it removable.

 

[b63215b]

As for the electrical we tore it all out. He is super picky with it and wants it done his way. So that is not an issue but I didn't even think about the gas tank and tail lights. We do have a big enough space to put the box in it would just be easier to fit the custom cabinets we have plans to build. Thanks for your thoughts keep them coming. Do you have pictures of your build?

 

[stevo-mt]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/93775-M1010-expo-build-The-Mountain-Turtle

Your truck style is what I was kind of looking for until I found this one. But once it got some new shoes and a little lift it took on a whole new stance.

 

[b63215b]

Nice Stevo, do you have any interior pictures?

 

[stevo-mt]

Currently the rear is the stock m1010 ambulance body. It's going to get a nice facelift here in a couple of months. I won't have to modify it at its core very much since it is going to be a one or two person operation at most, but if needed it could still sleep four. It has some bunks designed into it. I've been drawing many ideas from other folks builds around here. There is the turtle expeditions and a few others that I would look at and get a feel of what you want to do. You have a good blank canvas to do whatever you want, but enough materials that will help make the design fall into place. One trick a guy could do is pull the wheels off and get it on blocks at a lower level to make it easier getting in and out. They are deceiving for how little of square footage they are too how much work/education becomes involved!

It's a fun thing to put a lot of time and money into these things, but at the end of the day the goal is to get out. I put my project on hold for the summer to get out and explore, of course it's not like it would do me much good in the bush anyways... I've been wanting to work on mine so bad I feel like an addict, so I have to come to expedition portal when I'm in internet areas to get my fix!

 

[b63215b]

Very nice Stevo, I like the idea of taking the wheels of and putting on blocks that seems like a great idea.

The turtle project? I am new on here for line a month not sure I have come across that.

 

[Baloo]

Glad to see the ambulance idea is catching on!

 

[HOOLIGAN]

Glad to see the ambulance idea is catching on!

Yeah, I'm waiting to buy one. I just need someone to buy my pop-up before he sells it. 2001 F-350 ambulance.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 4.

 

[Baloo]

After almost eight years of ownership with my 1991 Road Rescue, I have no regrets. It is the only vehicle I have ever kept for so long, and I never plan to sell it

 

[b63215b]

I am excited for our finished product but it will be awhile before that time.

 

[bobDog]

No! Not an other Ambo! Actually I plan to get one going myself before I die and use it alot. Subscribed. keep us informed every good idea is a GOOD idea. bD
PS. I'm a UJoint freak so I need a van.