Guide to buying/converting an ambulance
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2024
- this is a guide for anyone who is considering buying and converting a retired ambulance into a campervan like I have.
I've started receiving a lot of messages asking all sorts of questions on the matter, so I collated all of the popular ones and covered them in this video.
The Good points, bad points, how I acquired and ambulance, sellable/scrapping items to make money back, the electrical nightmare, weight and licenses and much more.
If you still have a question that I haven't covered then feel free to drop it in a comment and I'll answer the best i can.
You can follow my everyday travel adventures on
Instagram: @project.amber
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Facebook:
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Twitter: @project.amber
#exambulance #buying #guide
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Now im on eBay looking at ambulances 😁 great job! Great content! Subscribed 👌
Great stuff mate. When I first saw the image of a ambulance conversion I was like "what!". But seeing the end product, your had work and your adventures it's truly amazing. It just shows that you had the vision. A new subscriber here from London. Nice one lad! 👍🏼
I used to work for London Ambulance Service as a paramedic. We only require classification C1and D1 re the weight. Not included on standard driving license these days, but did in my day. I know there’s a course people can do to add these, all recruits have to do to be eligible.
Obviously blue light training not very easy to do unless in the services. But not allowed to use lights and sirens as a civvy.
Enjoying the vids.
Keep up the good work
You don't need a D1 in reality as it has no more than 7 seats plus a driver, neither did the ambo staff. C1 for the weight only. I thankfully have a C license, so have C1. Also, the law allows you to drive a large minibus (C1) on a car license as long as you're not being paid to do it i.e. 3 peaks drivers/scouts/cubs/guides, just the insurance needs to cover you.
A bit of triva - I built the ride height sensors on all ambos.
Best looking ambo I’ve seen, sweet colour i had a Renault master in the same colour with the blacked windows and people said it looked like some kind of surveillance/ bomb squad vehicle so less chance of someone trying to break into it as it might have half a dozen armed mi6 agents in it !
Haha yeah I get the sme response 😂
I am doing one in Sydney Australia , pretty much similar to yours except the rear door is a fold up which becomes an awning which is great! I hear you on the electrics. Single BIGGEST pain in the arse. I have been wrestling with what to do because I just want to go to normal switches and everything has computer-ish connections and all goes back to nodes and modules from Weldon/acron brass in the USA. The blokes that decommissioned it left just enough to be infuriating!
You are my mentor when it comes to an ambulance conversation. 😉
Really really informative. Thanks for making this.
I GOT HOOKED ... 🙄🙄😞😞 Did anyone ever tell you, that you're probably one of the coolest dudes talking about the Camper van business? Well, i need to tell you as i think your attitude and your "innocent" (at least on the outside) calmness plus the love for your 4legged "travel partner" makes you different from most i saw so far talking and dealing on Caravanning. RESPECT👍🏻 Again, you're a cool dude, go your way and don't forget to enjoy life while you can. Greetings from Bavaria and cont. your way, Steffl P.S. it's a joy to listen to your videos, infos, of course the dialect too 😚😉 (kind a sexy) and to see how you take care of Lance. GREAT
I've seen on TH-cam all kinds of conversions (bus, truck/topper, van, etc...) but several months back I saw an ambulance conversion with all of its built in systems (AC, electrical, Heating, insulated, etc...) and their built rugged, all's left to do is some planning, maybe move stuff around and build the few things that make it useful, fits your needs and style. ;-)
In short (Not!) if I was into camping, being away in nature, I would do the conversion on a 4WD unit (search and rescue?).
Hi CJ having watched almost your entire video library just wanted to say that it’s made it quite hard to watch some of the other videos on converting ambulances. You definitely bring the balance of real life and reality and your down to earth approach is relatable. Having watched your approach I believe I’ve saved myself a whole load of time watching other people fixated in each other for the sake of the camera. Thanks once again and hopefully look forward to seeing how your Portugal project is going once you start sharing videos again
Very thorough and detailed advice - many thanks 👍
I love your response to the naysayers. Ambulance performed nobly and saved countless lives. Love your conversion. Enjoyed your video.
Yes man! Thanks for this. Gonna watch it all straight away...
Just as a quick point, yes, you can be declared dead in an ambulance. The usual format for a 'body' that was transported to the hospital, is that the doc would come out to the vehicle to declare death. Saves the crew unloading, and then them having to be wheeled through the hospital to the mortuary. The crew would drive round to the 'back entrance' for that journey. Also, under certain circumstances, an ambulanceman can declare life extinct. But hey, a dead body is just an empty shell, it's no longer the person it was.
Good on you brother regarding the lives saved. I too bought an ambulance to use as a mobile office. I also came to the conclusion that more people would be dead without it, hence it's packed with more possitive energy than negative. MOTOR ON!
OK i can live with the Ghosts,
that wiring diagram would turn ME in to a Ghost !
I would get very old & die reading that wiring Diag'.
But i Do like the idea.
Have you thought of building another to Sell on ?
You could do very well by doing this. Everyone else would have No Chance.
Just doing the Electrics must be a couple of Grand ?
Build 1 per year ? maybe 2 ? just enough to make it possible for owners to do the interior to suit.
I never Realised that they came with so much stuff already fitted,
air con,
int' heating,
Huge Batteries, + Inverters etc.
Insulated,
windows,
AND a Large Flat roof for multiple solar panels.
BRILLIANT IDEA !!
Fantastic amount of insight and advice, more I listen to you the more and ambulance is making perfect sense. 👍🏻👍🏻
We are going to be a nation of ambulance driver's because of you !!!!
Super!
Think, however, how many people's lives were saved in the van!
Positive vibes, my dear😊👍👍👍
All love, and best wishes, Claire, Berlin 😘 ✌ 👍
Thanks for the vids. My current ride is a 2000 E350 Ford, Crestline Ambulance, so what your saying is exactly true!
Thanks for this video 👍loads explained and answered 👍
Very interesting, never thought an using an Ambo but I'm sold on the idea.
Ha Ha!! First to view!!! Just started watching as it popped up. Good info!
Well done! I hope you have many years of fine camping.
I used to work for MacNeillies. Company was crap towards their employees.
Last one as a recording as in Home studio your sound in the Van is really good ( teacher moving on last part of the journy ) again well done .
I am 100% in agreement with you on an Ambulance, perfect !!!
Great advice. Now I don’t know what to do. Thinking time ahead.....
Your amberlamps would be even more awesome if you decide to build a pop-up roof. I hope you do it. Imagine the loads of extra light and space above your head plus being able to use it for guest quarters.
That would cost too much and guessing he doesn't have guests staying so not really needed..girl guests stay in the bed anyway 😃
You would destroy the strength and safety of the box.
Wow. What a positive attitude. Great job! :D
thanks really useful. I just bought a vauxhall movano ambulance and love her. I not started with the electrics yet .... still on the bleach stage. happy days
DVLA have no clue what they are doing most of the time.. now they have changed the rules for motorhome builds etc.. if you did this now, it would be called a van with windows lol.. good call on the license, many people don’t understand licenses and assume cause it’s a motorhome/camper, they can drive it on a standard license.. man o man, the amount of people I see driving vehicles bigger than ours, that don’t have the appropriate licence.. I have my full high, so I can drive the big beasts.. I do wish I had bought an ambulance.. but alas.. I got the Chevy instead.. but still cost me an arm n a leg so far.. this was a great vid bud.. keep it up..
This is a fabulous video which explains so much. Thanks very much. I love your attitude towards the naysayers. Keep up the good work.
Cheers, Steve.
Awesome video. Thanks for taking the time. DVLA sucks to work with... so does our DMV across the pond. That being one of the reasons why most Americans are for less government. I am going to get an ambulance as well, I appreciate your insight.
Really informative video mate, thanks!
People ma well have passed away in your van at some point, but more people would have been saved,or born in it, love the conversion and the videos 👍
I have watched all your vids and Lance has a great life .
The original cupboard treatment and layout at 6.20 are fantastic and it looks like a high end tiny apartment .
I`m seriously looking into long term camper living but dont have the grandad licence so would have to be 3.5 toner . Most ambulances are over
Dvla have changed all the rules for camper builds now , not too bad to do but seem pointless
Have to have at least 2 windows on one side not counting a door window .
Have to have awning rail on both sides
Hob only has to have a min of one ring now .
Bed doesn't have to have a specific size now .
has to have a fixed hob.
has to have graphics to show it is a camper ? however that is defined god only knows
biggest change is it has to have a high roof and pop up roof doesn't count .
Stumbled upon your videos and we are glad we did we love them wishing you all the very best on your travels 👍 give Lance a hug too 😉 from Brett n Bec 😁😁😁
Great video. Came across your channel few days ago and have been avidly watching all your films. You have a great camera voice and a fab sense of humour, especially with Lance!. Good luck in all your forth coming adventures and thanks for sharing with us. Cheers. Pat
( Didn't like the scary one at the well though! ,I'd have chucked the fridge in the back and been gone in a cloud if dust lol.)
Brilliant! Maybe I should build a mobile workshop.
Hey man, nice summary... I believe you're based in / around Coventry... I'm also based here and have also converted a sprinter ambulance... be cool to maybe meet up sometime to share the pains (& joys) of converting them.. !
license depends on when you passed your driving test.
I can drive up to 7.5 tonnes on my standard UK car license.
Great video - I was looking at USA ambulances, but looking at UK ambulances to compare them. Im in the UK, so makes sense to look over here 1st. I would need help with electrics but I wouldn’t expect to do anything myself, as it would be my 1st build. I cant believe the price of used campers.
When you say about all the trouble you've had with the electrics & the DVLA Its a bit worrying but I'm still going to take a leap of faith 7 get one to convert.
Enjoyed your video, very comprehensive and informative. Here in the U. S. many ambulances are made by Chevrolet and Ford so parts for the drivetrain are inexpensive and available. Often electrical contractors, plumbers, HVAC people buy the used ones, they are likely boxy and smaller than yours so not sure if many buy them for campers. As far as I know a regular Drivers License is all one needs to drive one. Yes I have seen the complex electrical wire harness, relays, oxygen lines, etc. and agree one should have some knowledge of automotive/industrial electrics before considering one. Do you imaging having a set of lightweight Tire Chains for both rear duals, or just the outboard tires may come in handy? I think four-wheel drive would be a costly decision considering mileage and performance would suffer greatly, not to mention the extra mechanical complexity of things to wear out and go wrong. Thanks for the video ! A well done. Phil
That was really helpful man! Thanks!
my workmate bought an ambulance for £1800, as you say the cupboards are indestructable.
he fit a woodburner, a bed and a £10 portable gas cooker and he lives in it full time going from job to job.
The engine looked brand new when he bought it 12-14 months ago.
ex-ambulances are a bargain.
Good work - good info!
As an ex ambulance driver, avoid air ride suspension, that lowers at back, when it goes"pump or bags"its a ball ache very expensive and vehicle so low its difficult to put on loloader as it can seriously damage the bodywork,, but I've also did a part conversion on an ambulance and they are brilliant, I'd have another, hopefully soon
Great video! Thanks for the help via Instagram too :) all the best mate
How r u buddy, dowte u remember me it’s Tony we worked together at coachbuilt, hope ur ok love the vids I’ve now subscribed snd liked, stay safe bro keep up the good work 👍
Well how about this for a late reply. Hows it going Tony?! I remember you well dude along with the whole gang. Thanks man, I hope you're well, are you still working there? I keep meaning to drop in and say hi whenever I'm back in the UK but never seem to make it that far up.
Just the other week I was talking about you and CoachbuiltGB, the legend that had us all in stitches shouting "NAKED" and "SHEZLONG" through the workshop. 😆
@@ProjectAmber yea u shud pop in and say hello, that is 1 hell of a late reply lol, how u keeping bud, we had a van come back a couple of weeks ago, on ther hab door they had a project amber sticker, the couple surname was coffee, probably not spelt like that lol 😝 glad our ok, ur dad did some electrics for us after we moved to a factory in Nuneaton!! I asked how u was!!! Glad u ok mate hope life is treating u good?? Stay safe buddy hope things are all good 👍
Great video, I'm convinced. :)
converted one myself, and the only niggle i had is the mileage they come out of service with.
another one to look out for is the WAS build ones, made in germany.
Great video ,very sadly no pre 2005 ambulances around ,I don't know what the post 05 ones are like
can you go get a sun tan and show us your roof mostly your solar panel and how its mounted where you ran cable etc basically do a roof tour?
found you cos of nuke, just subbed, great stuff.
doggy cool as well
Great vid, really enjoying these updates. Regarding licenses, I think old wankers like me get a Category C1 entitlement as part of your car license, if you passed prior to (I think) 1997, which allows you to drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of between 3500kg and 7500kg, and should cover pretty much any camper. Young gamers may need to go and pass additional nonsense like you had to.
agentbob100 ahh yes, i missed that detail. Yeah you guys are ok, we're stuck with today's endless paperwork and licence crap 😂
yes and today the old class 3 would set you back about £1500 to drive your camper conversion, sort of knocks it up a bit, can I ask did you pass the hgv test just to drive your van?
When you dropped the tail lift. What did you put in the void ?
Babies were born in that rig also so life began in there 😇 too. Also many 100's - 1000's lives were saved wayyyy more than lost so to me it's full of God's hands of life instead of death.
Very helpful, please can you tell me the length and width of your van, I’d probably get arrested if I try to measure one out on a call.
I need to know if it would fit in my parking space.
Colin Moss haha! Sure, the length is 5.2m, width 2.1m and height is about 2.5m (depending on the air suspension)
Can you add the internal dimensions of the box please.
Here you go:
3.5m length
2.0m width
2.0m height
...and how many new lives started in this ambo? And how many lives saved. It isn't all sadness and pain. Cursed vehicles are for horror films. Great vid, mate; best summary I've seen. Parts, though - trim might be a pain, but mechanically, it's a M-B, soyou can get anything, right?
You need a contijunsay sp 2k stashed just for reaplacing parts on the road
4x4 ambulance, yup more expensive but it is the way to go if you can afford the extra cost.
I have purchased a merc ambulance. Still had all working lights and siren. I left my tail lift on and made it into a barbecue table/ outside bed settee. The electrics are a nightmare but mine came with new batteries and I’m loathed to remove. Fitted 600 watts of solar panels so hope this is not an issue. Mine does not seem to have an inverter.? Unless I have yet to find it. Any help on location for it
Sounds ace! My inverter is located behind the passenger seat. Some may not have had them as the equipment in each are different
Thing is you didn't have to build it, you could have de badged it and stripped all the stickers and lights off and sent pics and it would have been classed as a van ie HLG .
THEN YOU CAN TAX IT...
It's easy I done it even recently
There is an ambulance almost exactly the same on gumtree just around the corner from me, I must admit I’m quite tempted at just £2500. !
👍
Thanks😁👍👏👏👏
Hey amazing ca.pa conversion . I'm doing one exactly the same any chance e yiu could share the wiring diagram with me please . And also some pics of the inside would be great . :)
What are yr thoughts of buying a decommissioned ambulance straight from Merthyr Auto Auction they have got loads priced around £5k for 2011 plate. Thanks
What app have you been using for free overnight spots? Never had a problem with free spots in Europe but finding it difficult in some areas back in UK...
When you dropped the tail lift. What did you replace in the void ?
Would love one but can't be driven on a normal licence
With the dividing wall between the cab and the box, could you completely open that up without reinforcing it or running into a lot of technical issues or is it just filled with the electrical loom?
100 % servise history up to that point , Feid well done Thanks can you cut to the chace as they say and buy direct , can you and would now with your exsperiance , looks the wright size for me to do music custom builet , well done have a great time .
Hey bud, not sure about buying direct to be honest, the company is now called Babcock based in the Midlands l, but word of warning, they sell these things for £250,000 new 🤦🏼♂️ I think the only real was is used.
Yeah I think as long as you are under 6ft. You'd do OK in these, would make an ace music studio
@@ProjectAmber Hi many thanks for taking the time went down to Brightwells Leominster started having a look talked to the macanics they recon you can get an Ambulans under 1k with a hundred % service history one figer that was quoted was around £450 2011 man it looked realy tyde in the drivers side they wont let you in unless acumneed NEXT Wach for a coupple of months who nose might jump sooner ATB Again thanks Love your van again thanks am 5 foot 10 .
you got lucky with the mileage most of them I have seen are 300k minimum or 400k more likely.
M8 its awesome
Hi Ian looking for one how did you do your mains power thanks del
Great post! Love the red walls, looks very good. Some questions:
1. Did you find a special adhesive remover for decals? I used a heat gun and razor but a real pain. Took me 3 days and the gum just never came off.
2. The exterior color is very pleasing and blends in. Did you use bedliner paint or automotive enamel? Does this color overheat in direct sun unlike white?
3. Did you use EBay to sell the parts you removed from the ambulance? Or Craigslist? Is there a specialized niche market for these parts?
4. I heard that diesel engines need a costly major overhaul at some point in their life. Did you have this experience yet?
5. What size inverter came in yours? True Sine Inverter? Watts?
6. What type of house batteries did yours come with?
Thanks for the informative post! I enjoyed seeing what you did with this, its impressive. I was all set on a Ford Transit van and build from scratch, but this looks way better. Guess I have to date an electrician now! Subscribed.
The adhesive was a nightmare, I ended up doing the same method as you but with added carburettor cleaner!
The paint is military self leveling paint, I guess very similar to coach enamel yeah. Battleship great mine is. 🤜
With the insulation and ventilation in the van no I've not experienced it overheating in the sun anymore than a white van.
Yes I ebayed most parts and they went pretty quickly, the seats got bought by a coach company. The clock by a charity ambulance service. There is a small dement for ambulance parts still.
My gearbox needed an overhaul but the engines in these old sprinters are pretty damn strong.
I have a 1500w pure sine wave inverter which does me really well.
The batteries in my I can't remember now to be honest, unfortunately they were all dead and beyond reviving so went but off the top of my head I beleive the van had 800ah of battery power in total! 4 HUGE batteries that in scrap alone got me £300-400.
Good luck with your ambulance hunt! 👍
@@ProjectAmber The carburetor cleaner tip was excellent! It contains toluene which is used in stripping paint when combined with DCM or DiChlorMethane. By itself, it is an excellent cleaner. This is very helpful. Can't wait to try it out. Finding an adhesive remover is a herculean task. I tried everything on the planet, then thought I would let it dry out and sand it off. Thanks for the detailed responses, much appreciated!
If you don't mind me asking, what company did you buy your vehicle from? I'm looking to buy a van in the next 1-2 years and was considering an ambulance instead since I feel like they are fairly well maintained compared to the average second hand vehicle but I'm struggling to find a company that sells or auctions them. Anyway, the conversion looks amazing, totally the dream!
Thanks! I'm afraid the company I bought mine from only had this one as they'd replaced it with a new one.
@@ProjectAmber Hahaha seems you lucked out on this one then. Thanks anyway mate! The search continues!
@@daycelooo246 yeah Real lucky, it was just down the road from me lol. just keep your eye out on ebay, maybe look into ex emergency vehicle specialists, the right one will crop up 👍
They sell both vans & De stickers Ambulances
Https://www.brightwells.com
www.brighwelllive.com/livebidding/index/4679/17
@@mbk1251 ebay - theres 2 on there right now
love your videos, What size is the box?
Loll Watdiznie Hollywood want the dog , not a bad idea Ship the Van and let me no how much it cost loll electrics .... You have done a really good job Dood
I had not even thought there'd be any negative opinion on the previous use. Seems a silly point of view!!
Technically you are wrong on the death bit, Paramedics can diagnose death now in the UK. Google Recognition of life extinct criteria in pre hospital setting if you’re interested in reading more!
Just pointing out that it’s haunted! 👻
Do you have your class 2 license then or 7.5t entitlement..must mean you have a CPC card as well then..? You got one cool Ambulance there man..✌🏻
Could you convert these as a business???
paul young maybe, one day
What is the fuel consumption?
Hi. I was wondering what weight your converted ambulance is now? Cheers..
It's my dream to own of these but I know nothing about electronics. Would it be wise to hire an electrician? Would it be costly? Thanks
How about buying an armoured truck...
Security 1 guitars worth 10k should not have said that BUT your a good 1 again well done what was the total cost Insurance and rest if you got the Time ATB and old git loll
What do you do for mot in uk what class does it come under
Where can I find an ambulance. Been searching for a while. Please help.
If it's an emergency most people dial 999.
You say you ripped out the charging system, so how do you charge the leisure batteries now?
A Sterling 3 way split charger, more suited for the job.
This is kind of an older video. where did insurance land?
What about the respray? difficult covering the yellow?
Sasquatch I just got some anti rust metal paint from Lidl and it seems good on mine. 1 litre did the roof in one coat and doesn't seem to need a second coat
Sasquatch i just used roll on military paint, this is covered in my van tour video
Your lucky I travelled 500 miles, people may have died in it but people have been saved in it...
I found a fair few bodies on mine, no insulation at all, I ended up ripping that nasty fibreglass off and starting again, I should have custom made a back
please buy a camera with better quality ;-) good info
Im with my LWB iveco daily also a very good option i have 600k miles and it neve lets me down
Holy crap 600k! that's good going! Fair play man! I guess if you keep on top of them they'll reward you.
Hi, i have a couple of questions, what about european breakdown cover, a van your size must require more specialist recovery and therefore more pricey? Also I read on a ambulance conversion blog that vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are banned in a lot of towns and villages in Europe, have you ever come across this, seems a bit odd?
McLovin hey.
Breakdown cover wasn't so bad, the AA (British breakdown recovery if your not from the UK) do not cover vehicles over 3.5 but the RAC do have a package, however yes to get covered in europe was £250 extras!
As for restrictions in europe, in my experience that's not been the case at all, I've have maybe 3 occasions where I haven't been able to use roads, usually country roads, only due to weak bridges etc.
I've never had any real issues getting around due to weight restrictions.
Project Amber Thanks for replying, £250...ouch but worth it i guess. I'm in the uk so your comments and videos are a great help, still doing my research before I buy an amberlamps, off to my local ambulance station tomorrow to badger them for advice as well.