Have an ambulance for parts- what should I take out before sending to the scrapper?

[amockalypsenow]

Actually, my friend found it- we both have 7.3 e350s and he invited me to rip whatever I want out of it.

It's all there except for the 6.0, tranny, and rear axle. It is the fiberglass top van style ambulance, not a mod.

I have a somewhat beat up van, and I'm planning on converting to 4x4 at some point.

What should I take off this van before it gets crushed in a week or two?

Are the fuel tank for the 6.0 and the 7.3 the same? the rear disc brake calipers are there, should I snag em?

What else?

Thanks!!

 

[amockalypsenow]

Is it a good idea to take the top? Or worth it to take the entire body?

Here's the ambulance...

 

[Bbasso]

Geeze...
If I had a day with that ambo I'd take nearly everything!

 

[boardrider247]

Not sure where you are located but in the rust belt that would be a very clean body for the vintage. Personally I'd keep the entire rolling shell and try to sell it whole vs scrapping.

 

[mike.marcacci]

That's a pretty ambo, looks like it's made by Leader... Honestly, if I were you I would consider replacing your van's body with the ambulance's – from the photos it looks like it's in amazing shape. Leader does an absolutely spectacular job with the wiring and interior build, which was a really awesome place to start for my build (currently at a shop getting the UJOR 4x4).

If you don't go that direction, though, you could snag the 2 amber lenses from the rear and 2 red ones from anywhere and send them my direction (but seriously, I'll pay for those!) Also the "keep-the-door-open" plate/latch on the side barn door... I'd take that too

 

[amockalypsenow]

howdy mike -

yes it is a leader,

it looks like you are located near san diego...

i'd be happy to get those lenses for you and deliver them personally.

I wonder how many hours it would make to swap van bodies?

 

[amockalypsenow]

additionally, I wonder how much hoopla it would cause to switch bodies in california? Any input?

my van was originally from rainy idaho, and it does have some light cancer in the usual spots.

however, I do appreciate that I have a 1997 year van which is smog exempt in Cali. Also, weekend time is precious!

 

[huskyhauler]

Here's a swap thread "literally" done in the guy's backyard, on the side of his garage, under a tree, out in the open, in the back yard. Yes, cinder blocks are involved. It's amazing.

Some good photos, too.

Edit: Ya, forgot to include the link.... http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/932156-e350-5-4-to-7-3-swap-thread.html

 

[mike.marcacci]

it looks like you are located near san diego...

i'd be happy to get those lenses for you and deliver them personally.

What a generous offer!! I'll PM you shortly – we should meet up once I have mine back from Diesel Tech so you can poke around and see if there's anything we've done that you want to copy or avoid

As far as the body swap goes, I don't honestly know how much work it is for these vans in general (having never done it myself) but I do know that leader didn't do anything that would make it considerable more difficult than normal – I think the only additional step would be disconnecting the wiring, which is trivial after you remove the driver's seat.

I know Chris from UJOINT has removed and re-mounted dozens of van bodies, so he might be able to tell you if there are any mounting differences between the two years.

@huskyhauler - did you have a link to that thread? (I might just not be looking in the right place if you did.) Sounds like a great read!

 

[mike.marcacci]

Also, you might want to check out this thread about body swaps in CA: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/568816-ca-body-swap-legality.html

According to the DMV site, you at least wouldn't have to reclassify it as "specially constructed" which sounds like a PITA:

Vehicles that are modified by a body change only, when the Certificate of Title held by the owner shows the correct make, is not registered as a SPCNS.

You may want to give Finest City Registration a call and ask them – they're DMV liaison based out of SD & Camp Pendleton and have a habit of picking up the phone right away and answering your questions! (They were able to re-classify my rig as a personal vehicle, saving ~$250/year in weight fees, and I never stepped foot in a DMV office.) If you're really considering the sway, they might be worth a quick call (or you might actually be able to get through to a real DMV office)!

 

[millerfish]

The frame mounted steering stabilizer set up (if so equipt) is hard to find. Also the frame mounted battery box from the diesel is nice for the house battery.

 

[naterry]

The frame mounted steering stabilizer set up (if so equipt) is hard to find. Also the frame mounted battery box from the diesel is nice for the house battery.

And the cables, they're more expensive than the boxes!

 

[amockalypsenow]

Now, just to make everybody more envious, I have access to free parts from a crashed mod ambulance (box type). Besides the steering damper, what should I take off that one?

 

[Bikersmurf]

Lenses - we all want your light lenses. I need a few for a fair price.

 

[amockalypsenow]

Pop quiz: Does the alternator from a 6.0 psd motor fit on the 7.3?

I work for an ambulance company- which is where the second ambulance is. My colleague fell asleep whil transporting a psych patient and took out a light pole and creamed some side railing, and stopped perilously close to a 300 ft drop on the side of a freeway overpass interchange. I was the first on scene there actually. Anyhow, the ambo actually came out in pretty good shape all things considered, but still, it was a total write off. The head mechanic says I'm good to go schwipe parts, but the rest of the company is pretty up tight, so I may not want to spend too much time lurking in the parking lot disassembling stuff for my van.