Introducing O'Billy - our new Type-II Ambulance

[mike.marcacci]

This is random, but i drive past your van most mornings on my way to work and I just happened to pull up this page and made the connection! your van is awesome! the new paint job looks awesome, definitely gonna look rad when you're all done. I recently purchased a 2011 e350 and have been looking a lot lately to finalize my plan for the inside. Can't wait to see it when it's all done

This is awesome! Feel free to stop by sometime and say hi if we're out working on it!

 

[mike.marcacci]

Another quick update: last weekend we finished painting everything except the rear barn doors, which need a little body repair first (the left door has a stress crack and a separated pinch weld). And... we've decided to keep the top white! Today we cleaned and buffed the top, which almost completely removed the "Cole Shafer" ghost lettering from its ambulance days, and proved that most of the fiberglass is in amazingly good shape... and it looks good enough that it doesn't feel like it's worth the effort of spraying! So, after spraying the 2 remaining doors and fixing a couple other small mistakes, I will be able to return the compressor to my buddy I'll take some pics tomorrow morning.

On a separate note, I ponied up $170 for a center console (ouch!) on ebay... but damn it is nice to have cupholders:



This weekend was full of a lot of non-ambo business, getting the other parts of our life ready for the adventure next year, but next week we may try to install the solar panels (4x 100 watt Renogy panels, MPPT controller, new batteries). Has anybody had good luck using VHB tape on fiberglass? The spec sheet seems to suggest it may be a better option than drilling, but the idea of taping a rack to a vehicle sure gives me the willies...

 

[Bikersmurf]

$170 ouch... But I can understand why. It's important ours still looks the part, but if I could figure out where to put all the ambulance switches, rpm controller, and guages I'd be doing the same.

 

[Abitibi]

$170 ouch... But I can understand why. It's important ours still looks the part, but if I could figure out where to put all the ambulance switches, rpm controller, and guages I'd be doing the same.

I figured it out

Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk

 

[mike.marcacci]

Question about weight distribution:

We are going to wrap up our solar install this weekend (pix and story to follow), and I just received 3 125ah AGM Deep Cycle batteries which weigh in at 75lb each. This 225lb payload is supposed to replace the 120lbs or so of existing batteries in the left-side box originally installed for the ambulance. I'm a bit concerned because the heavy cabinetry on the left side ALREADY keeps the vehicle tilted half an inch or so with the 6-inch lift springs, and an extra 100+ pounds on that side just feels like a bad idea. While we can definitely mount water storage on the right side, we're only looking at 10 gallons or so...

Does anyone have any ideas as to what I might be able to relocate towards the right side to help balance? Or perhaps I should build a new box on the right for the batteries and use the one on the left for something else that's a bit lighter?

Thx in advance.

 

[Bikersmurf]

I'd find a truck scale and weigh the left side... In my case the left side is 700 lbs heavier than the right. Given that they are AGMs, is there a way you could move them to the right side?

The spring shop added a 1" lift block on the right side to level it out.

 

[FDM2012]

Put a couple of the batteries on your right side?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-ECONOL...ash=item4d2b644639:g:3~4AAOSwymxVJDWG&vxp=mtr

 

[mike.marcacci]

Hmmm, ya, I think they do need to go on the right side... just no way around it. It's too bad, because it's already all wired up, but I think I'll be much happier with it.

Anyhow, for mounting these in their new spot: these batteries are are quite a bit larger than most batteries, and all the adequately sized mounts I'm finding online are CRAZY expensive... and I can build this (with room for a 4th battery if I can justify it) for under $200 with 1/8" steel:



I'd have to check in the morning, but I think there would be enough room to hoist the batteries up in there... Ill have to measure in the morning. Any suggestions on making a box work here for 3 or 4 batteries of this size?

Battery Height: 8.7 inches
Battery Item Length: 6.8 inches
Battery Item Width: 12.9 inches

 

[FDM2012]

I feel your pain. I am about to install over 500lbs of batteries in a box on my drivers side, and am curious
to see how it leans afterwards. Not HUUUUGELY worried about it, as I am doing new springs and probably air bags next spring.
Trying to get all of my load in it first, and then make it sit/ride right, afterwards.
The box is 1/8'' diamond plate and I reinforced the bottom with a fairly robust bracket. The 2 starting batteries are on
the passenger side, and my 13 gallon water tank will be there, too. But, I need to put more on that side. Air compressors,
tank, toolbox, armory, outdoor kitchen, awning, etc....

Can be challenging, but fun. Huh?

 

[Bikersmurf]

In my case, with an 8500 lb Ambo, 2" at the fender flare for 700 lbs... fixed with a 1" lift block on the Right rear.

 

[patoz]

Eric, you're paying attention to this aren't you? I know you're on the West Coast, but a few degrees less turn to the North or a late turn, and we could be in deep do-do.

Hurricane Matthew is now a CAT 5 with 160 mph winds, according to the 11:00 pm EDT run! Also note, the tip of Florida is now included in the cone.

...MATTHEW BECOMES A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE... ...THE STRONGEST HURRICANE IN THE ATLANTIC SINCE FELIX IN 2007...

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at4.shtml?5-daynl#contents

 

[mike.marcacci]

In my case, with an 8500 lb Ambo, 2" at the fender flare for 700 lbs... fixed with a 1" lift block on the Right rear.

I don't think I'm picturing this right - you added a block on the right, even though the left is heavier? I'm imagining the whole thing *really* leaning left now How does it handle with the distribution and correction? This would probably be the easiest approach for me, but I'm a tad skeptical of it.

Can be challenging, but fun. Huh?

Very much I think you are doing this the right way by figuring out the load *before* getting springs. I don't think the batteries by themselves would be that bad, but I just have so much other stuff on that side.


------------


I've taken all the measurements, and there's just no way I'll be able to fit these along the right side... which then begs the question: is there anywhere else to put them more towards the center of the vehicle? And yes there is:


Forward of the spare tire (which I still have to swap out...) but behind the rear axel, there's easily room for 6 batteries of this size, with plenty of open frame for mounting. If I put them here, I wouldn't exactly be counterbalancing my heavy side, but at least I wouldn't be adding to the problem... still thinking about it.

 

[Bikersmurf]

My bad, I mean 1" block on the left.

It's not ideal to have such an imbalance... It rides and handles very well. When all is said and done, I expect there will be an extra 3-400 lbs on the right side... maybe more. I'm hoping it won't sit low on that side, but since the left side sits slightly lower (but very close to level). It is close enough that where it's parked makes a bigger difference than anything else.

 

[FDM2012]

A bit unorthodox, but why not a 10 leaf spring on just the left side?

And yes Pat, I have been keeping an eye on Hurricane Matthew. He's pretty pissed off right now.....

 

[patoz]

And yes Pat, I have been keeping an eye on Hurricane Matthew. He's pretty pissed off right now.....

And confused, he doesn't know where he wants to go!