4x4 diesel Ambulance, winch, bumpers, etc

[Ajamboree1]

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ct ... 78430.html

No affiliation

[BrianW]

He certainly has a lot of "stuff" in that van, doesn't he?

[clubnobbie]

He's had this listed for some time, now. It was at $9000. Then he raised the price and said it must go. Reverse Psychology?

[witoke]

Seems like it's cheap for what it is? Something wrong with it?

[carringb]

Originally Posted by witoke

Seems like it's cheap for what it is? Something wrong with it?

The 7.3L IDI is not exactly a power monster. It makes 185 HP (or about the same as most compact cars now) and 335 ft-lbs of torque, which is the same as the original 5.4L in 1997.

Also, if was not maintained properly (i.e. the addition of supplemental coolant additive) it can suffer from cylinder cavitation. I would not buy a 7.3L unless proof of SCA-use is available, or oil change records from a dealer or other diesel shop.

Other than being slow, and needed the SCA, the 7.3L IDI is a very reliable motor. They made so little power getting a million miles out of one should be easy, if you can stand hanging out in the slow lane that long.

[witoke]

Ah, I just saw the 7.3 not the IDI part. I wasn't in the market anyway but now I see why it is relatively cheap for a low-mileage diesel 4x4. I have heard those motors are dogs, albeit very durable and reliable dogs. Good for a round the world trip perhaps.

[carringb]

Originally Posted by witoke

Good for a round the world trip perhaps.

I would agree with that. It's so simple, no much goes wrong, and being so simple just about any diesel guy around the world should be able to fi it without a shop manual. And its not at all picky about fuel quality. Some guys even mix in their old motor oil to get rid of it (I wouldn't.... just because of the emissions that can produce, but it'll run). It warm weather, you could probably run all your cooking oil through a paper towel and then just pour it in the tank.

[larrie]

Was looking at the photos again and saw that it does not have the tall doors like most ambulances. That means they did not slice into the rain gutter when they added the top. That should keep the body stiffer.