Hey there everyone. Here is progress of my ambo conversion. I don't know much about cars, and a moderate DIY home renovator.
Got me a 1990 Ford E-350 from local auction... not a bad deal $2800 for 13,000 miles. It mostly sat. Originally it came from US Army, was given to a local PD who used it sparingly as a CSI/ERT van (last date of usage looks to be 2009 based on insurance and envelope found inside). After sitting 9 years I finally got it. Had to put 2 new batteries in, and she starts right up. Drove 2 hours to home, just fine.
I plan to move remove some cabinets to get some space that is wasted by a 7' long exterior cabinet. Bench will go for a custom fold out bed (researching options). Paint rims, push bar. Get a radio (never had one... trying to see if there are even speakers). Replacing blue/reds with either plastidip black or trying some LED headlights in the spot. Converting what I can to LED. From what I gather, a few deep cycle batteries, and an isolator will be the way to go for power? Still not sure what to do with the current on board inverter.
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From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
All Types of Ambos Type 1,2,3 - Projects or Drivers
Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby coachgeo » Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:39 pm
glad to see you here. Apologies for first banning you. Was hit last two days with a small wave of spammers. Glad we got you in.
Look forward to your post. Keep it up.
Look forward to your post. Keep it up.
Moderator - ARV & OrangeTractorTalks
Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby partybag » Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:43 pm
coachgeo wrote:glad to see you here. Apologies for first banning you. Was hit last two days with a small wave of spammers. Glad we got you in.
Look forward to your post. Keep it up.
Thanks for having me!
Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby partybag » Mon Jul 02, 2018 7:22 am
Things are moving along, somewhat. I found some nice lights that fit over the hole of the old blue halogens, for $16 each. Another $13 and all of the new lights are LED. I have begun replacing the old running lights (most which are non functional) into LED. I am big on changing all halogens to LED. The running lights were hard to fit flush with a positive and negative, but luckily I used Butyl Rubber Glue Headlight Sealant and it seals well
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Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby coachgeo » Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:14 am
you got links to the units you used?
Like the running lights. My truck uses similar armored running lights and I want to swap them to LED.
Like the running lights. My truck uses similar armored running lights and I want to swap them to LED.
Moderator - ARV & OrangeTractorTalks
Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby partybag » Mon Jul 02, 2018 11:52 pm
coachgeo wrote:you got links to the units you used?
Like the running lights. My truck uses similar armored running lights and I want to swap them to LED.
One may have to add "https://www." to front of below links to make them work.
amazon.com/gp/product/B010PA4G2C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
amazon.com/gp/product/B074PRXH72/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Note: Moderator edited. Links are presently blocked by spam software thus edited post to work around this to show links
Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby partybag » Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:25 pm
Is slowly getting further. My buddy hooked up a bluetooth stereo for the box I got from Amazon. The speakers are a perfect fit if you take out 2 light cans and flip them. Great sound! Front never had a system or a speaker. Got those in as well. Its banging.
Back doors of the truck were messed up and impossible open. Buddy got it after 5 hours. Bought a new door latch and we are good. Took out the latch light system so I dont have lights on when the door is open.
Added a $50 rv step to door. Slightly longer bolt needed to make lt work but it seems solid .
Lastly, I found some white and red 1157 led bulbs on Ebay. When side door is open, the light is red and on the switch you can light red or white based on high and low setting
Back doors of the truck were messed up and impossible open. Buddy got it after 5 hours. Bought a new door latch and we are good. Took out the latch light system so I dont have lights on when the door is open.
Added a $50 rv step to door. Slightly longer bolt needed to make lt work but it seems solid .
Lastly, I found some white and red 1157 led bulbs on Ebay. When side door is open, the light is red and on the switch you can light red or white based on high and low setting
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Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby partybag » Sat Aug 04, 2018 8:37 am
A few weeks ago I also did some more LED retrofits. Turns out the LED spotlights you can get a two pack for $12 on Amazon are able to be mounted to the inside edge of the box scene lights pretty easily. The plastic fits almost flush. Put some butyl tape in the little gap where it didnt sit flush.
Replaced the back patient load light with 24 inch LED light bar. Quick and easy to install. Disabled the door latch switch for it to come on so I can leave the back doors open.
New LED plate light, easy swap for the old one that didnt work. Still trying to figure out the reverse/turn light. Old housing was water logged bad but I just might make it water tight again and put it back on. New LED one seen on left is horrible quality.
Replaced the back patient load light with 24 inch LED light bar. Quick and easy to install. Disabled the door latch switch for it to come on so I can leave the back doors open.
New LED plate light, easy swap for the old one that didnt work. Still trying to figure out the reverse/turn light. Old housing was water logged bad but I just might make it water tight again and put it back on. New LED one seen on left is horrible quality.
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Re: From Army Abmo to CSI to RV
Postby coachgeo » Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:27 am
can you show mounting of light of the scene light retrofit you did?
Moderator - ARV & OrangeTractorTalks
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