They chain it to the frame machine and take measurements. Figure out how and where to bend to get it back to where it should be. That is a time consuming task.

The cab will be a separate task. Some of the bend will move with the frame.

 

Thought I'd post some updated pics. Got the van out of the shop. Had the front end steering and suspension fixed, the frame straightened, and the body work repaired. I didn't pay for a first class job on the body work, and didn't get one, but it's good enough for the gals I run with.

The steering feels good although the driver's side front tire looks like it leans it a bit at the top (caster?). Will take it for an alignment next and see it they can pull that out. Rides straight, but the steering wheel is not centered.

The radiator has a small leak, probably on the bottom right, near the impact point. Just barely leaks a little drop every few seconds. The A/C condenser also go cut and lost all it's freon, I assume. I'm hoping that's all that's wrong with the A/C. I thought the rear A/C / heater was independent of the front and was worried about why it didn't work (I know nothing about A/C systems and electronics), but now I see the freon lines run from it up to the front of the truck so I'm assuming they share those systems and the leaking condenser makes both systems not work.

Otherwise, everything else works great except the lights on the box around the top (brake/turn signals all work).

I've taken the aluminum running board off of each side of the cab. One was demolished and the other was bent but repairable, I think. Will try to find someone to make a replacement if I can find one new.





you can see how the driver's side front tire is leaning in a bit at the top. That side wasn't damaged in the wreck that I could tell, and didn't replace any of the parts. Hoping it's just an adjustment.




Here's the replacement passenger fender and door. Still need a turn signal, and the bumper isn't completely straight.






gotta flat rear tire to replace. Most ambulances have a side door where the large window is on this side. Since this one is a cut-away, it doesn't need that door so I got a nice window and more floor space inside.






Interior showing the rear seating. One reason most box trucks don't make good family campers is because there's not enough seats - you can't legally carry the kids. This ambulance has legal seating for 5. That seat on the right swivels 360 degrees and has a small desk that folds up. Great spot to work on my computer next to the picture window.






The interior is in great shape.










That bench folds up.

 

These are the batteries. The 110v outlet inside the box doesn't work unless the external power is connected. Not sure if that means these batteries are dead or if it's not designed to work that way, or only when the engine runs.




This is the front exterior compartment. It holds the spare tire and battery charger. Note the 115v outlet to the right where I can plug into external power.




Not sure exactly what this does. Thought it charged the AUX batteries so they can operate the A/C/lights/110v outlet without running the engine or using external power.

 

Turns out that this ambulance was a gift from the Kuwaiti government and Kuwaiti Red Crescent (Arabic Red Cross) to the Amer Red Cross. There were words to that effect on each side but they pulled them off before the auction. It's been hell getting the glue off that held all the stickers on.

 

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