Ford Van External Battery Box

[MikeRuth]

I have attached a photo of an ambulance that has a armor plate box on the drivers side. I'm 99% sure this is a battery box and might be large enough for two.

Has anyone ever seen a supplier for such a box? I have searched till my fingers hurt and nadda

thanks.

 

[LeeRevell]

Good question! The Ford has a sizeable void space there beneath the floor between the left frame rail and the body side. Long enough for four batteries. I have considered this too.

 

[Almost There]

Just like school buses and fire trucks, there are companies that specialize in outfitting ambulances. The box you're looking for is probably 'custom' made, as in part and parcel of the conversion. You might try searching the web for companies that do those conversions and check to see if they'd sell you one.

The other choice would be to talk to someone who does bodywork to see if he can work with the diamond plate and would custom make you one and mount it.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have seen those before I just did a quick search though my favs and couldn't find the aluminum ones. I will do a search later and post if nobody has found them. highdesertranger

 

[MikeRuth]

I got an Email off to the head of the parts department at Leader Ambulance in So Cal. Awaiting a response.

 

[MikeRuth]

Well here is the response..
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Yes, we manufacture and sell those… although I’m not certain it will fit the shorter wheel base offered on some E-150’s

There is also a filler piece that should be used to close off the cavity created when the body is cut (We will not install the box on privately owned vehicles). You must also have access to the floor above the battery box location to access the fasteners and reinforcing plates

Battery box L# 07-006 aluminum battery box w/quad tray $622.50
Batter door locking handles L# 03-009 2 req’d $ 18.54ea
Filler panel L# 07-012 $ 11.00

Roughly a -1- week lead time…
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So unless I find one of these at a junk yard it's not gonna happen, LOL>

 

[LeeRevell]

I was thinking that Tractor Supply Store has some smaller sheet steel and aluminum diamond plate truck bed boxes that might be used in this application. Turned sideways, with the door hinged to drop down...... Cut away part of the body, install brackets on the frame rail and under the floor. Need to get over there and scope them out. A LOT cheaper than that company produces!

 

[highdesertranger]

ouch they are real found of that box. 622 bucks jeez. highdesertranger

 

[MikeRuth]

Soooo I have made some progress on this..I have built a battery tray/frame for two Trojan T-105 batteries to sit side by side and store up under the driver side between the frame rail and the body panel. I'm not done just yet. At this point the tray is mounted to the rail, but I need to add diagonal bracing to the tray and then I'm looking to add one more connection from the body floor to the outside edge of the tray. I feel the unit could hold them as it is but adding the outside support eliminate a lot of the stress on the frame rail. Minor issues is the E brake cable, I'm going to add a small guide to keep it from rubbing on the tray.
The mounting bolts to the frame are 3/8". Feels as though I could jack up the van using this.

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141226_154417_zps0e9b42ca.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141226_154417_zps0e9b42ca.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141226_154417_zps0e9b42ca.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141226_154330_zps40cef6ed.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141226_154330_zps40cef6ed.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141226_154330_zps40cef6ed.jpg"/></a>

BTW I have a total of $75.00 bucks into this and of course my time. A far cry from the $600.00 plus that leader Ambulance wanted for their kit!

 

[jimindenver]

Very nice. I have considered doing the same with the trailer due to limit space for batteries. The nice thing is I wouldn't HAVE to have AGM's or create a vented space inside the rig.

 

[ccbreder]

Some one on this site, or maybe Bob's Blog, has built one of these, complete with door.

 

[highdesertranger]

very nice mike. a couple of 45's on those end brackets should do it. I wouldn't put a mount between the body and the tray because of the body flex. that flex would be transferred to the tray. highdesetranger

 

[MikeRuth]

very nice mike. a couple of 45's on those end brackets should do it. I wouldn't put a mount between the body and the tray because of the body flex. that flex would be transferred to the tray. highdesetranger

I've given that some thought, and need to re evaluate that. Possibly using my own form of "cushioned" mount on that side. Maybe some urethrae bumpers etc.

Not sure I even need that but it's a thought.

Very nice. I have considered doing the same with the trailer due to limit space for batteries. The nice thing is I wouldn't HAVE to have AGM's or create a vented space inside the rig.

I'm going to use a watering system as well so I don't have to take them down but maybe twice a year to just do a basic check and cleaning.

 

[MikeRuth]

I'll put up pictures of the kit after I get it out and install it. But for now this is what I am going to use for watering the batteries.
RV-2000 Kit. About $60.00 on Amazon and you need to drop another $20.00 on the pump, which of course has there propitiatory quick connect.
The least expensive Trojan Hydro-Link Kit is about $124.00 without a pump. I'm not on a corperate budget so the RV-2000 got the nod.
<a href="http://s216.photobucket.com/user/bl...ler Site/20141226_124127_zps08d2d9ae.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/bloddyback/Van Dweller Site/20141226_124127_zps08d2d9ae.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20141226_124127_zps08d2d9ae.jpg"/></a>

 

[Alcatraz]

I seen those before,  You can get then at School bus supply companies. Not sure on the price,  but I think they ran close to 300.00