This is the current orthodox view now:


However, while Ford is busy trying to be modern with a fuel efficient Transit connect, they have been losing market share to GM in the diesel van / ambulance market.


The fact is, the new Transit (full size) will not make a very good ambulance conversion vehicle as it is likely to have small European engines, and possibly not even a diesel in the first few years.


Here is my guess:

Ford can actually fit the 6.7 in the existing E-Series Van / Chassis with a minimum of redesign if they just detuned the power.

That is what was done with the old 6.0 in the van --- it is a detuned version of the 6.0 in the F series.


Dearborn is screaming at every sale lost to GM in the ambulance market, and also in the critical diesel van market, which is surprisingly, large.

With one year under their belt, it is pretty clear that the 6.7 is not likely to be a maintenance nightmare that the 6.0 was initially.

That makes fitting it in the van compelling --- if that is what it takes to recapture market share.

By 2011, GM will add CNG to the lineup, making them the only supplier that have a full range of vans, from CNG, Gas, to Diesel.

Someone at Ford is going to notice they can't afford to lose market share to GM.

So, watch for a reversal of the decision to kill the E-series, at least at the 250/350 and cutaways.

Next, watch for a diesel (6.7) to be offered again as of 2012 model year.

 

I thought the ambulances were built on the F550 chassis.

 

The vast majority of ambulances built these days are on the E350 Chassis. The E450 is also being used, as are F350 Cab and Chassis Trucks. I have never seen a F550 used - once you get above an F350 you usually see something like a Freightliner chassis being used.

 

I believe you will find that the full size transit will be appropriately powered for the American market and it is likely that they will make a good platform for ambulance conversions. Over in Europe all you really see for ambulances is Merc Sprinter's and Transit's, so I see no reason why they would fail here. I would not be surprised to see Ford's 4.4L diesel pop up in it for the American market.


One small problem. The 6.7L physically will not fit in the current E-Series. Well it would fit, but the doghouse would have to be so big that there would be no place for ones feet.

 

There are plenty of F-550 ambulances running around out there...

 

I work in hospitals all over the country.

The "standard" ambulance I see, most common, is the nose and front 2 door configuration from the E-series. You can tell by the roof line, doors, and the short hood.

There are also the larger ambulances similar to the EMS Rescue trucks out there that do appear to be based on a Chassis-Cab. They have the front hood and doors similar to our pickups. In a Chevy, it looks like a Kodiak sometimes. You also see some Freightliner chassis out there.

 

I wonder what the 6.0 would have been like if one of the design criterias would not have been; Needs to fit in an E series van.
Would it have had the series plumbed cooling system with the EGR cooler buried under the intake manifold? Would the displacement have been reduced to 6 liters?...................Oil cooler and HPOP system location?

 

Don't forget the RV market. The E-series is used for many "C" class RVs. Usually with a gas engine, but I'm sure the 6.7 would be a big seller as well.

 

Yep....there are two here locally.

 

The 6.7 engine would be a killer application in the Class C RV but if it does not fit into an E the application there will be limited

gear... where you been?

Regards

 

The gossip is the 6.4 fits, and so can the 6.7.

The issue is cooling --- which either need some real interesting engineering (e.g. aux. electric fans) and also a slightly bigger dog house.

IMHO, the 6.7 NEED to go into the E-350/450 simply because there is a need that the Transit / Sprinter cannot fill.

In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sell the Sprinter with a 519CDI (3l) engine that puts out 190hp / 440nm torque.

That is in a chassis with a 2,000lb towing capacity.

Mercedes-Benz UK - Sprinter - Technical data comparison


Maybe for Europe, who generally have smaller engines, that is OK.

But for North American use, that is just not enough power.



Rick,

I have been busy --- you have my email --- try there.