Yager - E450 Ambulance Tow RiV

[yager]

As promised here is the actual build thread...

Specs: 2006 E450 Ambulance, 6.0L/5R110 D80 rear disks, 14k GVWR ~14' body.

First some pics for those that don't read threads...










Thanks to my loyal followers for following along in my "Help me find a MDT truck" thread. [ /forum/tow-rigs-trailers/1004490-help-yager-find-good-mdt.html ] I really ran the gamete in evaluating various platforms to base my RV on. I spent countless hours reading and researching everything from Box trucks, MDT, HDTs/Class8s, Busses, Box vans, to step vans. Just about anything you could tow or haul with, or both...

In the end, the ambulance floated up to the top as the clear winner. It was initially posed by Gavan which I immediately dismissed (like I do most things he says ) And I spent the needed cycles evaluation all other options, both as others have done, and how "I" would do it..

Towards the end Gavan made another suggestion to consider the Ambo.. We discussed ALL aspects of it.. His years as an EMT in various locations has left him with both good and bad thoughts and opinions on the Ford Ambulances as well as MDT versions. We discussed maintenance issues, mechanical issues, box issues. Electronics up fitting etc, everything he had some knowledge on.

In the end even thought there are 'issues' with using an Ambulance, most of those issues can be worked through and/or corrected. Brakes, engine, trans, and other repairs... IMHO I'd rather fix something that has been worked on already than something that has never been touched. Brakes can be changes, tires replaced etc..

What really finally settled me, was the RV aspect that is already present in the ambulance body. The roof is all aluminum so it wont leak. The entrance door is already there on the side. Some have windows, or one can be added (if desired). The storage cabinets have numerous uses for both storage and utility uses, like the generator, bats, spare tire, etc.. By starting with this platform, much of the outside work is done. I can focus on the inside and make it fit my needs.

At this point I just need the get the Tow RiV, its down in Tx and Gavan will be picking it up for me and getting it to his place in Houston. There he will give it a preliminary inspection and we will figure out how to proceed. Initial goal is to simply get it home then address the know problems with the 6.0L Plans call for head studs and EGR fixes, as well as other updated/improved items ford has for the motor.

[yager]

So here is what the inside looks like at this point....

[yager]

In the other thread, we (the PBB gang) started plotting out various interior options and several great ones came out.. RoosterBooster pointed me to some very nice builds on the Expedition Portal site.

I will be soliciting input as I tackle various steps in the build. So feel free to chime in or add to the chit chat !!!

[pic_jon]

Awesome.. Congrats on making a decision Yager!

If Gavan needs a hand, I'm in Houston as well

[DT75FLH]

Is it for sale yet?




subscribed...

[gavan]

2 posts till the "for sale" question... new record?

I am still working on formulating a "go get it" plan, and deciding whether it would be a good idea to take the trailer or not. Half of me says it will be fine, they supposedly drove it without incident 2 hours to its current spot, half of me says it is always a good idea to get an "auction find" on a trailer, especially one missing tail lights and god-knows-what-else. They say the wiring was disconnected, not cut, but it looks like a band of foragers took every piece of anything that was worth something off of the body. But thats why its cheap, too.

[shortystowing]

Can't wait to see it in person...

[JayMcJay]

Make sure to get some fancy cleaners from Gavan. That old ambulance has to be chock full of AIDS and hep. I shudder just looking at it...



Anyhow, should be an awesome rig for you!

[pic_jon]

Gavan, what r the specs on your trailer? I just moved my 97 ctd lwb on an 18' 10,400lb rated bumper pull of course. I might be up for riding shotgun to Dallas and back. Used to go there every weekend!

[gavan]

30' 14k bumper pull. Ambulance probably weighs around 10k stripped as it is, trailer is 4K, 1.5k tongue weight, everything should be fine with a little extra capacity if needed.

[RoosterBooster]

owww ... tough crowd

i guess the blood red upholstery does not help

just think about how many lives that ambulance probably saved

[yager]

Part of me thinks your all laughing with me... The other part thinks, at me..
Usually I can't tell which

No worries, while some of you laugh and poke fun. Many others are sending PMs asking me the who/what/where/why details on all my projects...
I like to think of my self as a trend setter....

No its not forsale...
Yes I will be removing probably almost all of the interior to insulate and along with that, cleaning every surface possible.

I greatly appreciate the offers to help out !! I would welcome anyone's help in retrieving this, and if possible even some help with some of the maintenance it will need before I drive it back. For now planning on oil and fuel filter changes and possibly a coolant flush. Dinner plus some extra on me when I fly down. Get up with Gavan and he will advise of what his plan is.

[h8to wrk]

I am going to follow this, I have been thinking about this conversion for a few years now.

I think it makes the perfect Tow/camper

[JayMcJay]

Originally Posted by RoosterBooster

owww ... tough crowd

i guess the blood red upholstery does not help

just think about how many lives that ambulance probably saved

Must have saved all of them!
We all know that no one dies in an ambulance. (They die when they get to the hospital...)

[y2knole]

also, keep us posted on the ghost situation.

if people died in it, theres a pretty good chance its haunted! :o

[Bustin Loose]

Originally Posted by yager

No worries, while some of you laugh and poke fun. Many others are sending PMs asking me the who/what/where/why details on all my projects... I like to think of my self as a trend setter....

Fixed...

Originally Posted by yager

No its not forsale...because Gavan asked first.

/waves hand

I do both!

[gavan]

I am leaving early tomorrow morning to snag this beast. I talked to the guys selling it, and the rear tail lights have plugs, and are installed, but they do not work, so I do not feel it a good idea to drive something 5 hours that has known bad tail lights/no lights on the back at all. So it is going on the trailer.

Hopefully it is as easy as a fuse or relay, but the easiest way to make it an easy fix is to spend the time trailering it

If you are in Houston, bored, and want to scheme about what to do this pig for 10 hours tomorrow, there is plenty of room in the Excursion. PM me.

Besides that, I can schedule a viewing if you want first hand information of the project to come. I might even be able to scrounge up a beer if you want to stay for a little bit, but I might make you work on one of my other projects if you stay too long.

I am looking forward to recovering this pig to the RiV can continue!

[Iona Ford]

Yager, can this thing stick around Houston till Halloween? Ideas are coming to me....

[gavan]

Originally Posted by Iona Ford

Yager, can this thing stick around Houston till Halloween? Ideas are coming to me....

I think he is coming a little before that, but we have a good month to terrorize the neighbors and see if we cant get another bylaw added by the Civic Association

[Bustin Loose]

Have a safe trip!

[Eskimo]

Nicole shook her head and laughed..

I like it!

[gavan]

The pig has landed.



It's big



It's close to the trailer in a couple places



The guy said my rig was like "bringing a knife to a gunfight"



I dont think he realized is was a fully set up diesel Excursion. I prefer "bringing just enough of a knife to a knife fight to win"



It is big, it is heavy. Some of the hills dropped my to 3rd (i have not put in my manual transmission, so 3rd is still direct) pulling 1150 degrees and pumping out 28 pounds of boost, but I maintained my speed just fine.

But it is heavy. Very heavy. Ant it likes to catch the wind. You have been warned if you want to pick up your own

So far, it looks to be in decent mechanical shape, but they butchered the hell out of the wiring. Luckily Yager does not need most of it. I will get some more pics in a couple days.

[shortystowing]

Originally Posted by gavan

The pig has landed.



It's big



It's close to the trailer in a couple places



The guy said my rig was like "bringing a knife to a gunfight"



I dont think he realized is was a fully set up diesel Excursion. I prefer "bringing just enough of a knife to a knife fight to win"



It is big, it is heavy. Some of the hills dropped my to 3rd (i have not put in my manual transmission, so 3rd is still direct) pulling 1150 degrees and pumping out 28 pounds of boost, but I maintained my speed just fine.

But it is heavy. Very heavy. Ant it likes to catch the wind. You have been warned if you want to pick up your own

So far, it looks to be in decent mechanical shape, but they butchered the hell out of the wiring. Luckily Yager does not need most of it. I will get some more pics in a couple days.

I got your PM this morning on my way to work.... I believe i have next weekend off and would be more than happy to swing by and visit for a bit.

[ramv]

Can't say the tow rig is underbuilt for that load... I certainly would rock it. (Cool Ex by the way)




The ambulance is a great idea. I am picking up a 4wd van conversion for work hopefully next week, I think van chassis are a great idea. Can't wait to watch the build.

[Phat95YJ]

Cool! I'm looking forward to seeing this thing turn out..