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View Full Version : The Rebirth of a 6x6 Ambulance, into well I'm Not sure yet



samuelwest
13th September 2015, 07:47 AM
Well last year I fought and fought and paid to much for an ambulance at the Minto auction with the idea of turning it into a camper for an around Australia Trip.


So I hitched a lift from Mackay down to Sydney with my brother inlaw in his old defender about 1900km along the coast road.
Picked up my new baby and didn't stop smiling for the whole trip home.


I had land rover spares in mackay fit a new clutch and rear main seal, and also fit arb air lockers to the 3 diffs along with a ratio change from 4.7 to 3.54 in hope to achieve better fuel economy and a cruise speed of 100kph. I would have liked 3.9 ratio but I couldn't find anyone that makes them for the Salisbury.


a lot of people told me it would not work well in the lower gears but I have found 1st 2nd and 3rd are perfectly geared 4th not so much as the turbo wont spool up that low in the rev range, if I cant correct this with power upgrades I will be changing the transfer case ratio as there are so many options available there.


so plans for the trip have taken a backflip with news of another baby on the way due 2nd January 2016, should have got a crew cab haha.
Still desperate to hit the road we have opted to buy an Isuzu county and a bushtracker caravan.


so far in the whole with the 6x6 and not really ever wanting to part with it I have decided to build my dream truck.


I have taken the ambo body off and will sell it if I can, just picked up the aluminium to build the tray.


I seam to start a lot of projects and not finish them in a very set order, so I am pushing to get it right with this 1, I am currently fitting a TD04-19T Turbo and a big Front mount Intercooler. I have no experience with Turbos so wish me luck, also fabricating a 3'' stainless exhaust and a 4'' stainless snorkel.


I have never posted any pictures so forgive me if I stuff it up.
Ill keep posting progress shots and any details on fabrication and fitment.

Bearman
13th September 2015, 07:52 AM
Looks good Sam, For a novice you have the photos down pat! It will be interesting to see how the turbo performs.

samuelwest
13th September 2015, 07:58 AM
and a few more

rar110
13th September 2015, 04:10 PM
Well done. I look forward to hearing the drivers seat assessment.

samuelwest
21st October 2015, 09:15 AM
turbo install finally finished and I fabricated a 3" stainless exhaust with a hooker resonator and 4" Truck stack. also relocated start battery to battery box behind the cab. drove her round the block and ran great, sounded even better. fitting egt and boost gauges today so I can tune her properly.

samuelwest
24th October 2015, 07:21 AM
Fabricated the new aluminium tray yesterday

BadCo.
31st October 2015, 06:02 AM
Do you have an intended purpose yet?

carlschmid2002
31st October 2015, 06:20 AM
Looking good.

debruiser
31st October 2015, 06:30 AM
Looks good. Will keep an eye out for you on the road.

samuelwest
5th November 2015, 10:33 AM
I've been crook with tonsillitis for the last week so no further progress. Its registered now and i drive it everywhere.
I have a mobile engineering business and will fit a diesel welder, compressor and toolboxs as well as as fabricated alloy racks for the front and back.
Want to make it all easily removable so i can take it away and use it as a ute when needed. I'll post some more pics soon

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

samuelwest
5th November 2015, 10:48 AM
Only getting 14psi from the turbo, i was looking for 20psi, i will wire the wastegate shut and see if that helps.

Can cruise comfortably on the highway at 110kph now.

Low range and high range performance is the same as my county.

6x6 weighed in at 3120kg

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

BadCo.
5th November 2015, 12:19 PM
Almost the weight of a Nissan Safari!

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rovernutter
6th November 2015, 09:15 PM
6x6 weighed in at 3120kg

How does it drive now that you have taken 400 to 500kg off the rear axles?

samuelwest
7th November 2015, 09:34 AM
My pregnant wife says it's rough haha i think its fine, the welder and compressor come in at 800kg so should settle it down a little.
Also fitting a large stainless water tank and slide out drawer at some stage. Fitting a billet 6 point breather at the moment, 3 points for the diffs, gearbox,transfer and winch

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

Perentie Brad
8th November 2015, 12:26 PM
Great job I wish I lived closer I'd drop by with mine for inspiration, love the truck stack might do the same :D

Vern
13th November 2015, 05:44 PM
Only getting 14psi from the turbo, i was looking for 20psi, i will wire the wastegate shut and see if that helps.

Can cruise comfortably on the highway at 110kph now.

Low range and high range performance is the same as my county.

6x6 weighed in at 3120kg

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app
What spring is in the wastegate actuator?? Mine came with a 7psi, changed it to a 22psi and adjusted the actuator, now running 28psi. Same turbo as you😊

samuelwest
13th November 2015, 06:07 PM
I think it's the 22 psi spring, it the dark blue one. I adjusted the wastegate by 3 turns after closed, is there another way to adjust the wastegate? I don't know much about turbos or wastegates. Im just winging it at the moment haha

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cooee
13th November 2015, 07:11 PM
samuel
you have done great job love build on tray really sets it off look foward to see your next stage
look foward to seeing you on road some
cheers cooee

Vern
14th November 2015, 09:33 AM
I think it's the 22 psi spring, it the dark blue one. I adjusted the wastegate by 3 turns after closed, is there another way to adjust the wastegate? I don't know much about turbos or wastegates. Im just winging it at the moment haha

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

Keep adjusting the actuater rod, I did mine more than 8 turns I think, but also need to adjust the fuel. From memory fuel screw is out about 3.5 turns.