TheRealPapaK
Active member
Thanks! I really appreciate it!
Rambo - GMC Ambo Conversion (Roof Raise)
- Thread starter TheRealPapaK
- Start date
TheRealPapaK
Active member
All sorts of loose ends being tidied up. It’s ready enough to take it out but I’m trying to get as much done as I can before we leave for an 8500km trip in a week.
One of the last major items to complete was permanently fixing the piano stand turned table legs to the table so it can slide up and down in place to make the dinette. I used some unistrut and turned out some nylon bushings so the “free” end can slide back and forth nicely with no wiggle to the table. I think it turned out pretty well.
I was going to get a large extension spring to help take the weight of the table when lifting it up but it turns out a linear actuator might be easier and cheaper. That’s something I”ll look into when we get home.
I also weighed Rambo. It left the ambulance factory at 11,460#. After gutting it, raising the roof, filling it with crap, half a tank of potable water and two people in it, I tipped the scales at 11,700#. I’m actually quite pleased with that. The GVE is 14,200# so that gives me 2,500# of useful load
One of the last major items to complete was permanently fixing the piano stand turned table legs to the table so it can slide up and down in place to make the dinette. I used some unistrut and turned out some nylon bushings so the “free” end can slide back and forth nicely with no wiggle to the table. I think it turned out pretty well.
I was going to get a large extension spring to help take the weight of the table when lifting it up but it turns out a linear actuator might be easier and cheaper. That’s something I”ll look into when we get home.
I also weighed Rambo. It left the ambulance factory at 11,460#. After gutting it, raising the roof, filling it with crap, half a tank of potable water and two people in it, I tipped the scales at 11,700#. I’m actually quite pleased with that. The GVE is 14,200# so that gives me 2,500# of useful load
TheRealPapaK
Active member
Well we’ve knocked off 2100km in a leisurely 3 days. Everything is working mostly well. There are few tweaks and ideas to change when we get home. The a/c isn’t blowing very cold, my windshield washer fluid tank leaks badly, and my high beams aren’t working. I tried chasing down the high beams and all the filaments and fuses look good. I might try new bulbs anyway.
Anyhow, here are some pictures. The cabinets didn’t all get finished and the gaps need to be adjusted but it’s good enough for this trip!
Anyhow, here are some pictures. The cabinets didn’t all get finished and the gaps need to be adjusted but it’s good enough for this trip!
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Some of those are very bleak miles. Glad to hear it went smoothly.
TheRealPapaK
Active member
It’s been nice! What a game changer to have a toilet you can use while on the road!
TheRealPapaK
Active member
4000km down. The fuel I’ve burned to this point works out to ********** dab 15l/100km or 16mpg.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
Excellent. Economy seems about right. Sailing down the freeway, mostly 70 mph+, I averaged 16 mpg. I’m sure glad I’m not getting 10 mpg… or less.
In a winter snow storm I managed about 20 mpg. Slow starts, reduced top speed, slow and steady… the results were surprising.
TheRealPapaK
Active member
Well after almost a month in Rambo, we are back home. Everything worked well with only some minor issues such as the a/c stopped blowing cold during the heatwave. It was nice to take it out before it was fully finished as there are some minor things we’d like to change. The trip was 8600km and we averaged 15l per 100km pretty much right on the nose.
