2012 ambulance
9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
I don't think a diesel would be smart for an ambulance nowadays, gas is the way to go.
You get the power, and heck, it's an ambulance, who cares how much it shifts, and you're not towing, a gas engine will get the job done.
The diesel emission systems work best with highway driving, an ambulance idles too much and is used primarily for short trips.
You get the power, and heck, it's an ambulance, who cares how much it shifts, and you're not towing, a gas engine will get the job done.
The diesel emission systems work best with highway driving, an ambulance idles too much and is used primarily for short trips.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
I don't think a diesel would be smart for an ambulance nowadays, gas is the way to go.
You get the power, and heck, it's an ambulance, who cares how much it shifts, and you're not towing, a gas engine will get the job done.
The diesel emission systems work best with highway driving, an ambulance idles too much and is used primarily for short trips.
You get the power, and heck, it's an ambulance, who cares how much it shifts, and you're not towing, a gas engine will get the job done.
The diesel emission systems work best with highway driving, an ambulance idles too much and is used primarily for short trips.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
This actually surprised me a few weeks ago. The gas station I frequently stop at in the morning is right down the road from the garage where a local EMS service keeps their rigs, so they fill up there often. One happened to be pulling in while I was walking in and it seemed quiet, then I noticed they pulled up to the unleaded pump. I think that was the first time I had ever seen a gas powered ambulance.
Now that the E-series is going away, I wonder if they are going to make an ambulance package for the new Transit van, and if they will have a diesel option or gas only. Of course, there's also the F- series ambulance, which I believe is still available with the diesel.
I've also seen a few Chevy ambulances running around the last year or so, where they had been nothing but Fords for many years. The ones I have seen are built on cab- chassis Express vans, and have Duramax emblems on the doors.
Now that the E-series is going away, I wonder if they are going to make an ambulance package for the new Transit van, and if they will have a diesel option or gas only. Of course, there's also the F- series ambulance, which I believe is still available with the diesel.
I've also seen a few Chevy ambulances running around the last year or so, where they had been nothing but Fords for many years. The ones I have seen are built on cab- chassis Express vans, and have Duramax emblems on the doors.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
You'd be surprised. Ambulance work is a lot more "severe duty" than you might imagine. A number of years ago I did some work with the Fire Dept. at Bullhead City, AZ. The Chief was telling me how they averaged 2 transports a day to Las Vegas. The 460 Fords they were using at that time were needing rebuilds every 30-50k miles.
I'm guessing an ambulance might weigh 14-16,000 lbs, which is well within reason for a 6.2 engine, maybe even a 5.0.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,460
Likes: 14
From: The Land Of Time
Power Stroke,
Im not sure but I know the reg says 2010 Ford E-350, Im not sure if they were cut away or not but they are vans so they arent duallys or anything. It is very possible that they were left overs or late orders in 09 that came in as 10's?
And to the OP, the 6.0s in the 2010's have been way more reliable than the 7.3's they have, this is comparing cost per mile. The 7.3's seem to have more break downs but they are cut away trucks and way heavier than the vans.
I am a fire chief up here in NY, I dont do EMS I let my EMT # go and I really dont have intrest in going back to school for 15 weeks to get it. Im a self employed mechanic and I service/repair the local ambulance fleet.
Sarge
Im not sure but I know the reg says 2010 Ford E-350, Im not sure if they were cut away or not but they are vans so they arent duallys or anything. It is very possible that they were left overs or late orders in 09 that came in as 10's?
And to the OP, the 6.0s in the 2010's have been way more reliable than the 7.3's they have, this is comparing cost per mile. The 7.3's seem to have more break downs but they are cut away trucks and way heavier than the vans.
I am a fire chief up here in NY, I dont do EMS I let my EMT # go and I really dont have intrest in going back to school for 15 weeks to get it. Im a self employed mechanic and I service/repair the local ambulance fleet.
Sarge
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I'm not sure where Navistar stood on EPA credits when it comes to the 6.0L. It may be that they had enough EPA credits for Ford to manufacture some 2010 models with the 6.0.....not sure. The links to the story about it from Ford are in my post above.
Also, if the E-Series cutaway chassis is considered an incomplete vehicle, it could be that the chassis was manufactured in '09 but the ambulance conversion was done and sold as a 2010 model.
Also, if the E-Series cutaway chassis is considered an incomplete vehicle, it could be that the chassis was manufactured in '09 but the ambulance conversion was done and sold as a 2010 model.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
According to the info that was linked to earlier in the thread, the ambulance package has the V-10, not the 6.2.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
redford ive heard a simalar story but 60k. all i knw is id hate to be the owner of thos 460 lol
and sarge ur right on the money of the cost per mile till 280-350k after that everything starts to go on the 6.0 and thats from our fleet witch get full PMs every 3k miles all filters, with top of the line fluids (moly xl pro-spec III) and to who dont know what that is it is gods gift to us
,gear boxes fluid change every 15k and everything in between gets done too
but thats just our fleet of 31 trucks maybe uve had diff experiance
and sarge ur right on the money of the cost per mile till 280-350k after that everything starts to go on the 6.0 and thats from our fleet witch get full PMs every 3k miles all filters, with top of the line fluids (moly xl pro-spec III) and to who dont know what that is it is gods gift to us
,gear boxes fluid change every 15k and everything in between gets done too but thats just our fleet of 31 trucks maybe uve had diff experiance
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Oct 8, 2010 10:18 AM