Introducing O'Billy - our new Type-II Ambulance

[huskyhauler]

You could go with Blue Steel, but then you wouldn't be able to turn right....

Zoolander aside, my preference is charcoal, but then again I've always been a sucker for dark gray.

 

[mike.marcacci]

OK, steel it is. I think I might prefer the look of charcoal a bit, but it's just too dark to be practical in the desert and there's more to vans than being really, really ridiculously good looking ;-)

Also, I've been playing around with the idea of keeping the rocker panels black which is looking REALLY cool. I also swapped out the roof and running boards in the photo for mine

 

[Jsweezy]

Ill add another vote for steel!

 

[mike.marcacci]

Only 2 more weeks to go! (I'm actually out of town, all next week so the timing is perfect.) Check out this pretty new front axel:

 

[mike.marcacci]

Ok! A couple more pix - it's standing on its own legs. Turns out I need a different linkage for the transfer case shifter... So I'll be hitting up Chris in a moment

It still has to get its new/modified drive shafts and then it's back in our driveway where we'll hopefully make some fast progress on the paint, solar, etc!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[patoz]

That axle is much too pretty to take off-road, you'll get it dirty! :agree:

 

[Bikersmurf]

X2 don't worry, you don't have to... I'll take good care of it for you.��

 

[Oldcarnut]

That is absolutely awesome!!! I too prefer the steel color choice and the black rockers really make it pop. Been thinking about getting a type II like you and getting a UJOR 4 inch lift and 4x4 conversion. Only mine will be used for hauling bikes and people with maybe an overnight stay somewhere

 

[mike.marcacci]

Thanks for all the kind words – yes, that axel is purdy! I didn't really intend to go all out on it, but I'm really glad I did

At this point I am quite sold on the black rockers and the "steel" top, and I'll be starting that project VERY soon – thanks everybody for all the help making up my mind!

I'll be picking up the van from Diesel Tech on Tuesday and will take a bunch of photos! Here are a couple they just took:

 

[patoz]

Looking good! :26_7_2:

 

[mike.marcacci]

Without further ado, some photos:


Home at last. We just picked it up early this morning because my wife and I just didn't have the schedules to make it happen earlier – 100 miles later I couldn't be happier.

The team over at Diesel Tech did a truly top-notch job. All the modifications look perfect and it drives unbelievably well – the UJOR kit is really amazing stuff. After all my stressing over the wheel backspace, there's PLENTY of room at full-lock running the 315/75R16s with 4.75" of backspace. I can slightly notice the power lost from increasing the tire size, but I can definitely feel it a bit in the brakes.

Next chance I get I'm going to find some local dirt to test out the 4x4 – the top 3 photos are from them testing out everything before delivering it. Is it turns out, they discovered one of the new Warn hubs was bad during the first test! They swapped it right out and are warrantying it.

Paint (er, raptor liner) and finishing up the bed are up next

 

[Corneilius]

Looks great, can't wait to see more.

 

[mike.marcacci]

Here are some better shots of the mods in the morning light:

 

[Corneilius]

Might be the lighting but looks like your U Bolts, drag link ends, and balljoints are raw steel, better hit them with some paint!

 

[Bikersmurf]

I'd highly recommend cutting off the excess length of the ubolts so they don't get broken off. Or have a plate above the springs and run ubolts with a round U upwards for extra clearance... Mine are stock that way on the rear.