Our ambulance

[JimCT]

here is a link to some info about our ambulance.
http://drivetheglobe.com/blog/?p=667

[jimsshuman]

is that a radar detector i see in there?!:)

really nice truck tho, i'm jealous!

[JimCT]

Keeps us out of trouble on those back roads where the speed limit drops dramatically to provide the locals with income.

[yorker]

Jim What springs are you using? standard mod 3/4 ton ones or 1 tons?

[JimCT]

Probably a good question for Les. I think they are the heaviest version rover made but they are what came on the ambulance.

[yorker]

Jim- just count the leaves.

[JimCT]

OK, just counted , 8 leaves. So what are they? Jim

[yorker]

HD apparently. Cool- good to know. :thumb-up:

[JimCT]

I wonder if anyone sells the extreme heavy duty, that is really what we need when loaded up for a months camping and towing a trailer.

[yorker]

Jim- your ambulance is set up on the MOD chassis with the extended spring hangers right?

RN shuld be able to get you the extra hd springs or you could get some custom made ones from Alcan (http://www.alcanspring.com/)- they quoted me ~$250 a spring for the rear.

I wonder what the GVW for the ambulance is vs its curb weight? I don't have those specs at hand but other ambnulance owners have indicated that they thought they were somewhat undersprung. Almost as though the vehicle was near max load capacity with the body alone.

[JimCT]

Start of a month long camping trip, two of us plus big dog and gear and supplies, 6200lbs.

[yorker]

http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/springs.htm

according to the info there you are probably exceeding the springs intended max weight 6085 but not by a lot. One ton springs would allow you to be ~ 6750.

Give Alcan a call and see if you can get a set of rears from them. IF I keep leaf springs I'll probably get a set from them too- but our ambulance project is still a ways off.

[TeriAnn]

http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/springs.htm

according to the info there you are probably exceeding the springs intended max weight 6085 but not by a lot. One ton springs would allow you to be ~ 6750.

You choose springs by axle weight, not vehicle weight. Vehicle weight tells you nothing about how the weight is distributed and how much each spring pair is expected to handle.

First thing you need to do is fully load the truck for traveling, top off fluids & head down to the scales to get axle weights. Individual wheel weights don't count unless the difference is in the order of 150 lbs of greater. Then handed springs come into play. http://www.tjwakeman.net/1dancing_santas.gif

[yorker]

You choose springs by axle weight, not vehicle weight. Vehicle weight tells you nothing about how the weight is distributed and how much each spring pair is expected to handle.

First thing you need to do is fully load the truck for traveling, top off fluids & head down to the scales to get axle weights. Individual wheel weights don't count unless the difference is in the order of 150 lbs of greater. Then handed springs come into play. http://www.tjwakeman.net/1dancing_santas.gif


I am aware of that and thats great but it is difficult to do when you are building the vehicle from scratch and trying to get somewhere near right to begin with.

[JimCT]

Pretty much I try to have eveything heavy as far forward as possible, and at least amidships. Forward of the rear axle so some of the weight is taken on the front end. Works for us. Jim

[TeriAnn]

I am aware of that and thats great but it is difficult to do when you are building the vehicle from scratch and trying to get somewhere near right to begin with.

Not at all. You just use your old springs until the truck is built and do new springs last. Its just a matter of doing things in order and using your old springs as a place holder.

Everyone seems to want to put new springs on early in a rebuild but that's not a good idea if you want to get the correct springs for your application.

[KingSlug]

Part of the problem is that our ambulance springs are 44 year old and probably suffering from age. All ambulances seem to lean down in the back, although they seemed to be level when new. I actually have the 9 leaf extra HD springs on the back, according to the 1 tonne guys the 1 ton springs were flatter (not as much arc) compared to the other leafs offered.

I have gone back and forth between parabolics and standard 1 ton leafs. I think if I went with parabolics I would put air lift bags to help top end lean in turns at higher speeds. Of course you probably have the ambulance anti-roll bars the earlier ones (mine) didn't have. Did you put a SW tank in back yet? Another 19G of fuel weight.

I think when I did my weights for expedition I figured 6500lbs, but if I add a 4bt is goes up 250lbs in front.

Jared

[yorker]

Hey Jared I was hoping you'd chime in-

I don't have the anti-roll bars- in fact at the moment I don't think I have any rear springs at all, that is why I am curious what you guys have found to be the best solution for rears. I have toyed with he idea of just getting another set of 109GS springs and using Firestone Ride Rites too.. Maybe I got the idea from you. ;)

are you committed to the 4bt? I can't help but think an Isuzu 4bd1t would be ideal too...
http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16

[KingSlug]

I think some Heystee type 4 springs w/ air lift would be ideal. 1 ton springs have no articulation and ride like blocks. If you are itching do the red ride-rites, then upgrade the springs later.

I have the new 4BTA in the garage and NP435/Hi-Ratio xfercase waiting. The 4BTA was a repower kit w/ an A pump, that was still crated and only cost $5k.

Jared

[yorker]

Sounds like you are commited to it then- not a bad deal! I almost had a low mileage Isuzu Diesel but the guy running the yard changed the price of the engine AFTER we pulled it. That made us mad and we left it there on principle. In retrospect we should have paid the $400 and bought it anyway.