Kaiju the 4x4 ambulance build

[eporter]

Here's kind of the idea, maybe remove one of the cabinets and support the end of the bed on the stretcher holder:

 

[Rockey709]

I’m looking for feedback on removing the cabinet stack rear of the passenger seat?

I want to open it up and allow for a swivel seat but don’t want to lose storage or deal with losing my HVAC (minus the AC lol).

Anyone want to chime in????

 

[eporter]

I say go for it. That is the first thing I plan to remove on mine. The HVAC in the box doesn't do much, mainly takes up space. Once it's gone there's so much more space to the box.

Check out Tmo2460's minimod that he's gutted for some ideas:

Yet Another Ambulance... '97 7.3 Horton MiniMod

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh....-'97-7.3-Horton-MiniMod.170575/&share_type=t

 

[cjken]

On both my ambos that ac unit even when functioning well is close to useless. I’d say get rid of it.
Mine had valves that could be turned off so it could be removed without much fuss.
I’m considering adding a low profile roof top unit this spring.

 

[Rockey709]

Thanks for the input.

I ripped out the HVAC stack today but for some reason there is wet stuff falling from the air.... I think it’s called rain.... San diegans aren’t familiar with weather oddities like rain lol.

They sure build these to last. Omg!! Screws everywhere!!

My only issue now is how to cap or delete the hoses to the HVAC. I cut into one and coolant cane out. Duh... I could have used my brain on that one. I cracked the line and gas refrigerant hissed out (I’m sure that’s not good for the ?. I tried to trace the lines to see if there was a disconnect, but again that pesky rain stopped me short.

Issues aside, I love how open the cab looks now! I just need to figure out how to cover the ugly exposed hole ?

 

[eporter]

That looks real good. Strange how that cabinet was built over the diamond plate door step area?

Sorry to hear about the AC. There usually is a valve under the truck, drivers side, near where the cutaway cab would've ended, where you can isolate the front AC. Same for the coolant lines for the rear heat.

 

[Rockey709]

I’ll check for a clustervalve when it stops raining. That would be a huge help.

 

[Rockey709]

Any ideas on roof racks? Is there anything off the shelf??

 

[eporter]

Any ideas on roof racks? Is there anything off the shelf??

I think the best option is lengths of unistrut bolted directly along the length of the roof. Then you can add/adjust tie down points as needed. The roof is so strong and undentable that you don't really need crossbars, just points to secure stuff.

I was looking at box truck plumbing/lumber racks and finally realized I didn't need that much steel/weight/cost because the roof is so strong.

 

[Rockey709]

I got up on the roof for the first time this morning and its a really nice place. im amazed how sturdy it feels up there. It made me want a whole hang out up there. Plus im still debating having a pop up tent there like this:

 

[clarkh]

you don't really need crossbars, just points to secure stuff.

Yeah, I just put L track. Most "stuff" can just tie down but I did build some cross bars to mount a snowboard rack when needed. Crossbar just mounts to the L track

 

[Rockey709]

A brief update. My removal of the passenger side cabinet has been largely successful. I’m amazed at how well this thing is built. The challenge now was how to cover the gaping hole using repurposed material that was in the cabinet since it’s all painted and finished in the correct color.

I had the brilliant idea to salvage a “shallow” cabinet and mount it side by side at the ceiling in the void left behind. It entailed chopping the back off and reattaching it after pulling 1,000,000,000 huge staples. It came out really well and I used a lot of the aluminum trim and edge material to make it look good again.

Now they’re even depth at the ceiling line and the side is filled in and ready for a flip down table that will serve the passenger when the seat is flipped backwards.

 

[Rockey709]

If anyone wants a reversible seat base I found a great deal. There are about 35% the cost of everywhere else right now

They serve 92-95 fords and 96+.

 

[Mattersnots]

A brief update. My removal of the passenger side cabinet has been largely successful. I’m amazed at how well this thing is built. The challenge now was how to cover the gaping hole using repurposed material that was in the cabinet since it’s all painted and finished in the correct color.

I had the brilliant idea to salvage a “shallow” cabinet and mount it side by side at the ceiling in the void left behind. It entailed chopping the back off and reattaching it after pulling 1,000,000,000 huge staples. It came out really well and I used a lot of the aluminum trim and edge material to make it look good again.

Now they’re even depth at the ceiling line and the side is filled in and ready for a flip down table that will serve the passenger when the seat is flipped backwards.

Great idea and nice job. Looks good up there. Don't you love it when these inspirations hit you and even better when they work out.

 

[cjken]

Great idea with those small cabinets!!