Ford F700 Build

[hdemetrious]

I also reduced the height of the plane by cutting out the floor, shortening the sides and then riveting in some angle aluminum in order to have material to weld in the new floor. And I shortened the length of it. I need to seal some seams and gaps and it will be ready to mount. I finished the interior with wood then it rained I found some leaks. The wood grew so much mold because I kept it outdoors. I think I will redo the interior with starboard just in case if any amount of water comes. It will be the bedroom so I want it dry and mold free. Once the plane is mounted the tallest point on the truck will by 12'.

 

[jronwood]

TOTALLY cool. Nice build. Looks like my Ambulance body, it is a LifeLine. I am missing my back doors. I like the toilet in the front corner. Mine was from a wrecked (rolled on its side and slid about two feet, given the evidence). Removing the Cabinet grade ply and Formica should have lightened it ALOT/

Travelling with that older Ford should be great for Mex, Central and South America, many of those 5.9's down there and old Fords. I have a 2002 Freightliner FC80 medium duty truck, MANY of thsoe go to Central/South America. Easy to work on. The guy I got mine from ships nearly a hundred a year to there. The buyers pay cash, drive them to Cinci, and then boat them down to the Gulf,

I would like more infor on your roof modification. How did you cut the framing and what is the top actually made out of?
Thanks




Ironwood

 

[hdemetrious]

I assume your asking about the ambulance roof. The roof is made of a series of 2"x2" aluminum tubing, then covered by a sheet of aluminum. I think we partially cut four of those 2"x2" out and then welded in 2"x2" on both sides of the hole and then covered them with welded on plates. The pop top is fiberglass from a VW Vanagon I bought from a junk yard. I just ordered a canvas for it made of sunbrella. We also riveted some aluminum angle on the roof around the hole in order to keep the water out. To decide how much to cut out and how to reinforce it I called the box manufacturer, Wheeled Coach. They were helpful and I followed their recommendations. Thanks for the compliment and good luck on your project.

 

[jronwood]

Thanks. Ironwood

 

[Jeep]

Damn rust eh? I had enough that it made me change the cab, I hate the red stuff.

 

[hdemetrious]

Is it difficult to change the cab or just time consuming?

 

[Ford Prefect]

I have not swapped out a cab yet, but most other body parts. As near as I can tell it would mostly be the time. I mean if you can swap an engine, then you can do the cab. Lots of wires to swap out, keep them straight, and you should be fine I should think.

If I am not much mistaken the cab is the same as any other ford of that year. You should be able to find one in the junk yard with relative ease. I know I recall seeing a fellow change out the cab over on an f700 forum; he said it was the exact same cab. His was a crew cab, but I am unsure of the year of his truck.

Regards

 

[hdemetrious]

Yes or No to the Plane?

What do you guys think? Should I mount the plane or not? Do I need to do something more to blend the two styles together?

I sat inside of the plane and it is a very cool space. I just don't want it to look goofy. I want something unique that is pleasing to the eye.

Any ideas?

 

[dwh]

I like it, especially the way the windows line up top and bottom. But that overhang...whoa! Maybe move it back till it meets the ambulance box. Also needs a rounded off nosecone of some sort.

 

[Photomike]

Myself I say ditch the plane and if anything put storage up there or a deck to sit on. The overhang at the front is going to be a huge wind dam.

 

[cwsqbm]

I like it, especially the way the windows line up top and bottom. But that overhang...whoa! Maybe move it back till it meets the ambulance box. Also needs a rounded off nosecone of some sort.

+1. If the line of the two windshields met, it'd look better and the overhang would be less. It might look good if you put the original nose back on too.

 

[dwh]

The original nose had an engine very similar to a VW. It would be fairly long and even if he moved the fuselage back, would still have the same overhang.

 

[trailrunner]

I think if the plane were moved back so that the front of the ambulance box sat just behind the plane door it would look good (I know it would cut down on the space), and the front should be rounded. It looks good from the front though.

 

[hdemetrious]

So what you guys are saying is that it looks unnatural with that much overhang? Would reducing the overhang blend the two better? I made the front flat to match the truck's hood. Also I want to install a window in the front for view and ventilation. I could not do that with a curved nose; it would be just unusable space.

 

[IdaSHO]

Im not digging the airplane at all.

Sorry.

It just looks like you are searching for a reason to use it. Not finding a solution to a need.