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Old 03-12-2013, 08:39 PM   #1
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AmbuLand Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

I guess the time as come to officially introduce myself and my new project!

David here from Vancouver BC and my "Van" background includes a '65 VW bus, a '78 Westfalia and a '91 4x4 Mitsubishi Delica. I currently drive a heavily modified '93 Nissan Patrol and in a funny twist of event I just bought this week two E350 ambulances

You can also follow my saga on expo where I described how I spent 3 months searching without success for a good ambulance and within a week ending up with two!
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/f ... amper-Vans

And this is where I slowly get started with AmbuLand
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/t ... ild-thread

And no, I won't be building both of them!

So this should be my keeper; a super clean and well maintained 2001 E350 with the trusted 7.3 and 185k miles.





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Old 03-12-2013, 08:57 PM   #2
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Re: Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

Abitibi,

Hello bud, Its me Steelheadbum from the expedition portal!!! Congrats I seen it lastnight lol looks great cant wait to see the changes!!

Thanks
Buck/Steelheadbum
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Old 03-12-2013, 10:01 PM   #3
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Re: Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

Very Cool Ambo.

Are you going to be doing a 4x4 Conversion on it? I have been watching all the Ambo's that Chris is doing at UJoint and wish I had the ability to dive into one of them myself.


Also, very cool of you to put up all the SMB's you spot on the Classified's.

Cannot wait to see the build pics on what you end up doing....

good luck on it.

Copes
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Old 03-12-2013, 10:25 PM   #4
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Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

I figured i'd see some traffic from Expo
hi everyone!

Yes, 4x4 is on the list. i actually gave a deposit to Chris at UJoint today on a complete front and rear kit with 6" lift.

During those 3 months I spent looking for a base platform I went ahead with some projects.

First one was building a set of front & rear axles for the 4x4 conversion. I found a Dana 60 with 4.10 gears for a decent price. It was quite rusty but came with a NV271 transfer case and 4 stock rims and tires that I'll use until I get some decent rim/tires combo.

So I rebuilt them with new bearings and seals and added a Eaton E-locker
Next came the grease elbow, grinder, wire brush and finishing it off with a good coat of Por-15.
I still need to give it another coat and mount some new brakes but the big job is mostly done.





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Old 03-12-2013, 10:34 PM   #5
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Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

Next came the rear axle, this one is a 2003 Sterling 10.5 that I had to install new gears and bearings (I found some very nice used OEM gears for cheap). In the process I added a Detroit locker as well. This axle was in better shape which gave a slight break to the grinder! This is as far as I made it, still need to scrub it a little, clean it real nice with paint thinner and brake cleaner before starting with Por-15. Same here, I'm sure ill need to work on the brakes...



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Old 03-12-2013, 10:45 PM   #6
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Re: Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

Ohhh yaaa baby getting me HOT!!:lol:
Keep it coming
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Old 03-12-2013, 10:47 PM   #7
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Re: Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

Being in BC why not Clydesdale? Seems Ujoint system is almost identical to there's. Mine was done back in 02 and it was #1066 conversion done by that time!
What are your plans with the other ambo?
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Old 03-12-2013, 10:54 PM   #8
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Re: Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

Not to say Chris system isn't different...and I do know that he's "THE MAN"!!

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Old 03-12-2013, 10:58 PM   #9
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Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

I should give an idea of what this project will be before getting too far ahead! Firstly, I'm not a Ford guy, this will be my first one and I'm looking forward to it! I've been driving Right Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles for a while and although I'll really miss them (ok, I'm keeping one) I can't argue with the ambulance platform and the legendary 7.3!

Why an ambulance? Because I've been taking my two boys (aged 4 & 6) camping with me for the last few years and its getting tight in the Patrol. The RTT is cool and practical but I simply miss what my old VW van had to offer. The ambulances are cheap for what they are, not much bulkier than a regular van but way roomier inside, fully insulated... Plus you can sleep sideways as its 6'6" across, for shorties like me I can stand up inside at 5'6" or so.

Although I started working on the axles, the 4x4 conversion will probably be one of the last projects. I figured I'd get started with the axles while waiting for the right rig but I want to have the interior and exterior mostly finished so that I can get a proper weight figure to better match the lift setup.

For the last 6 years I've been running all my vehicles on Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) and this one will follow the trend. It will be the first modification as I just can't justify paying for fuel anymore!

Then I'll tear the complete interior apart and start from scratch, building a double sleeping area, kitchen, storage and sitting for 4-6. That's the goal anyway!

I've already started collecting items that I plan to include in this build, even got a complete VW Westfalia although I'm not convinced I should use it?

I'll do my best to document as I go along. I've already had a great time reading some of the builds here and I'm guilty to enjoy building vehicles as much as using them exploring around.

For those going to Expo this year I'll be there with my Patrol as I'd doubt I'll be far enough in my project to drive it there. So it'd be great to meet a bunch of you and put a face to the name

Cheers
Mr. D
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Old 03-12-2013, 11:03 PM   #10
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Landbulance Build Thread, ( 2001 E350 ambulance )

Quote:
Originally Posted by buckkiller
Being in BC why not Clydesdale? Seems Ujoint system is almost identical to there's. Mine was done back in 02 and it was #1066 conversion done by that time!
What are your plans with the other ambo?
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
I contacted them after talking to the original owner of your van (I was tempted to buy it ) but they were Very Expensive! And seems like they are now doing mostly coil conversions which I'd like to avoid since I plan a 6" lift. If I could have seen your van in person that might have convinced me to visit them but c'est la vie!

Cheers
Mr. D
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