How about an ex - ambulance?

[One Awesome Inch]

This looks like a solid vehicle...

http://kamloops.craigslist.ca/cto/5294308876.html

With good specs...

 2004 Ford E350 Type 3 Crestline Ambulance, 6L Pwr Stroke Turbo Diesel. 

253,400 KM / 157,455 Miles

What would be the approximate mpg on something like this?

 

[highdesertranger]

6.0 ford diesel, a time bomb. highdesertranger

 

[LowTech]

Too bad it doesn't have a real engine, or price. ;-)
Think Crestline's tall box is only 6', hard on tall people.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

6.0 ford diesel,  a time bomb.  highdesertranger

Please elaborate

 

[NeedAnEscape]

The 6.0 PSD loves to blow it's EGR/Oil coolers. One of them fails, which kills the other and the EGR dumps coolant into the intake, often blowing the head gaskets in the process.

 

[eDJ_]

Read about the 6.0 engines inherent weakness here, and $olutions for it:

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/1206tr-6-0-power-stroke-bulletproofing-tactics/

 

[Sabatical]

The city FD where I work has two of these Ford ambulances in service. They spend a fortune fixing them. The pair take turns at the shop. They make a great platform, but just like any other emergency service vehicle, as soon as the engine start it's hammer down.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[highdesertranger]

the main issue with a Ford 6.0 is a design flaw. there are only 4 head bolts around each cylinder. which leads to blown head gasket by the hundreds. it's a very bad design, even most v-8 gasser motors have 5 head bolts. how and why Ford engineers thought they could get away with this on a diesel is a mystery. you can stud the head which helps but doesn't eliminate the problem. this is not an if it happens problem, this is a when it happens problem, because it will. this issue combined with the general shoddy parts that they bolted on the motor all leads to stay away. we have a 6.0 on the ranch it has 58,000 miles on it we have already replaced the turbo, alternator, and power steering hoses. we drive it minimally and will sell it soon. hey anybody want to buy a 2005 f-250 super duty 4x4 crew cab with low miles. I've got a deal for you, just kidding I wouldn't want to sell it to anybody I know and when we do sell it I will do a full disclosure. highdesertranger

 

[wagoneer]

Detail about buying an ambulance is they are very heavy empty

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I'm so glad I checked with you guys.

As to weight this crest is supposed to have an aluminum interior etc.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Aside from all those issues, I am not sure how one could completely sterilize an ambulance. Having worked on them and seen the splatters of every bodily fluid imaginable, they seriously gross me out. I could never eat in the back of one, I don't care how much you cleaned it, and no, they do not clean them well. We hose them out and spray some disinfectant stuff and wipe them down, but no way to really get it all out unless you strip it down to metal (which you may plan to do). I would have to rent a sprayer, put straight bleach and in it and drown every inch of it, let sit, rinse, repeat, and repeat, and repeat lol. Might be easier for someone not seeing seeing flashbacks of what goes on inside them Otherwise, they would make a cool vehicle. No telling what went on in anything you buy I guess. Note to self: disinfect anything I buy Good luck on whatever you choose.

 

[Belinda2]

Isn't Baloo our expert on living in a Type III Ambulance?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I suppose if you were really paranoid about that, you could hire one of those companies that cleans up crime scenes to scrub the ambulance for you.

I'm reminded of a scene I saw on CASTLE once.  The Medical Examiner was eating his lunch on the same table they did autopsies on.  When called on it, his response was:

"Do you know the strength of the disinfectants we use here?  This table is cleaner than your kitchen table!"

Regards
John

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

I will promise you not on the ambulances I've worked on lol. I have eaten in back when stuck on a long shift and starving, just holding a burger in hand and not touching anything or laying it down, and it makes you feel queasy. The germs floating in air alone.....ewwww lol. Some people don't care. Ive seen medics eat in there and it not phase them a bit. It bothers me lol

 

[WriterMs]

If the idea of an ambulance interests you in general, then you do need to check out Baloo's long thread(s). One is on his build and another one we all enjoyed was when he took his ambo for his two-week National Guard duty and we got to see some other machines he works on (things that fly). I think his main one is: My Ambo

But his is some big honkin' International or such, right?

 

[GotSmart]

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-My-ambo?highlight=ambo

Baloo's thread. Great read!

 

[masterplumber]

Baloo's ambo body actually started as a van. He put the body on the International after shortening the chassis himself. He's just that talented!