I needed more storage space so I sold my 91 E350 and bought this 86 E350 ambulance. With only 41,000 miles on it, it is in excellent condition. The box on these are very well built. The orginal invoice from 1986 says it cost $60,000. Anyway, after painting it, building a hitch, and wiring a brake controller, I have $1000.00 into it. Other than it being a little lacking in the power department, it tows really nice. I weighed it and was surprised to find out that it weighs 9,800 lbs! It came with air bags in the rear which is great. It also had an automatic chain system. Since I don't plan on racing in the snow, I removed them.

Here are a few before and after pics.

 

Nice tow rig, blacks hot, I'd have gone lighter.

 

Black is beautiful. I like it.

 

Doesn't it have the 460? My RV had some nice power, and it was 6 tons loaded without trailer.

 

It has the 460. It seems to have good torque. The ambulance weighed 9800 empty. Throw in all of the tools and fuel, I bet it's close to 11,000 lbs. Combine that with the car and trailer weight of 6,000 lbs and it's a little slow on the hills. I think I'm just spoiled from having late model 1 ton Power Stroke and Cummins power. My first tow rig was a 57 Chevy 3/4 ton with a 6cyl and three on the tree. That thing was really slow.

 

You're into that for $1K? You're laughing. Very nice.

 

WOW ! If you're into this for only $1,000 going in you made out if only in scrap prices! With that mileage and use this was certainly a no-brainer---good on ya!

The paint job looks amazing---laid down very flat or flowed out perfectly--I'd hate to think of wet sanding and buffing all that metal to look that smooth.

Did you mask around the moldings, windows etc etc or remove everything first?

Nice looking rig regardless!!

 

I removed as much as possible and then masked everything else. Your right, I'm glad the paint went on smooth because wet sanding and buffing would not be a good time. All of the prep work and sanding all of the compartments was bad enough.

 

Very sharp! Looks like beautiful work.
I've seen some boat-racing folks use an old ambulance for a tow/support vehicle, a ton of space inside. It looks like you got a lot for your $ and effort.
Good luck with everything.
You may want to post one of the pix in the "picture" thread, too.

 

Marc you need to show some interior photos too----I'd love to see an ambulance body re-fitted for another use.

I'd love to have a retired ambulance or smaller shuttle bus chassis but I can't park anything licensed commercially (or that size/shape/configuration) where I live. Parking one elsewhere is not an option as I keep far too many tools for that.

 

Black is beautiful, but prepping, buffing, masking & "sanding all of the compartments" looks like torture. May be a $1000 ambulance, but it's probably got a $3000 paint job.

Considering the low mileage & how pampered the typical emergency vehicle is....Think I might have left the white w/red bar paint scheme alone & just added some dark blue bands w/white stars.