Welding truck build

admin

So I'm building a welding rig out of an old ambulance, here's some pics so farThe idea was to keep all the exterior boxes, the end result being like a utility body, this was the concept drawing haha

Here's a few pics of what it looked like inside






http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Heres a few pics of the progress, I gutted about 1000lbs of plywood, cabinets, and insulation out of it,I have to cap the tool boxes, seal the cab, and then build a ladder rack, should be in good shape in a week or so I plan on reusing a lot of the aluminum that I cut off the top and sides to finish it up,









http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:A little paint, new tires, and I'll be on the road again, I've been hauling my trailer around with my 2.3l Ford Ranger which is woefully inadequate, oh yeah I have to make a hitch for the truck too that shouldn't be too hard

http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Can't wait to see it done. Should be awesome.You can get amber lenses for the intersection lights, if you're ever working in a roadway may come in handy.www.FirehouseFabricators.comZachMillermatic 255Lincoln SW200Hypertherm Powermax 45xp2x4 CNC Plasma Table.
Reply:Looks like a great idea. I'd suggest you add in some strap hold downs to the floor so you can strap small railings and such.Are you going to keep the chair in the back and strap a manikin to it? That would be funny to be behind.Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
Reply:Looks good. I'd be interested in any lights you are not using.Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:Talk about thinking outside of the box. You have great vision. You do quality work on your rails etc, this will also be impressive.
Reply:

Originally Posted by BrooklynBravest

Can't wait to see it done. Should be awesome.You can get amber lenses for the intersection lights, if you're ever working in a roadway may come in handy.
Reply:I'll be cutting the top down, so my hope is with the savings in weight and air resistance I'll get better fuel economy, I think it gets 8 now, not very good

http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:PM sent Phil.Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:Maybe consider keeping all the emergency flashing lights & sirens on it in case you need to get to a welding emergency in a hurry.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Bistineau

Maybe consider keeping all the emergency flashing lights & sirens on it in case you need to get to a welding emergency in a hurry.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Country Metals

Looks like a great idea. I'd suggest you add in some strap hold downs to the floor so you can strap small railings and such.Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
Reply:I know you said you need to seal off the cab, have you thought about making/installing a lockable door there? That way you could go right from the cab to the bed without stepping foot on the ground to do it. It could have a window in it covered with some expanded metal and you could have an inside rearview mirror. It would also allow you to keep an eye on what was happening back there, ya know, like things about to start sprouting legs so they could walk off.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

E track would  look tidy and provide almost infinite mounting points.
Reply:I got the top down finally I'm going to try to finish up these two front tool boxes and put the top back on today



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Got one toolbox ready to weld up



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Progress, got both boxes welded up, now I just have to cut down the doors, and re-attach the hinges



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:I managed to keep track of the wiring for the interior toolbox lights I was able to hook most of that back up



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:I put the top back on, it's about 12" lower than it was originally, I got all the wiring ready for the clearance lights, I'll start fitting it and welding tomorrow, then I have to seal the cab, and cover the toolboxes in back, I'm making some serious progress here, I have to get this thing on the road so I can start making money with it.I'm thinking of tack welding the top back on and then seam sealing the rest, I think a full weld would be overkill what do you guys think?



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Any ideas on how I can put a window in the back wall, haha I was thinking of putting in a double hung window, that way I could open it for some fresh air

http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

I put the top back on, it's about 12" lower than it was originally, I got all the wiring ready for the clearance lights, I'll start fitting it and welding tomorrow, then I have to seal the cab, and cover the toolboxes in back, I'm making some serious progress here, I have to get this thing on the road so I can start making money with it.I'm thinking of tack welding the top back on and then seam sealing the rest, I think a full weld would be overkill what do you guys think?


Reply:Stitch weld would be good ,tacks may flex and break. Don’t forget to wire truck up for a lot of work lights.
Reply:I think weld around the corners solid and then skip weld the panels.Mike
Reply:GOOGLE “Conversion Van Replacement Windows” and there should be a wide selection available.  OR if you are real lucky you might even find one in a salvage yard for short money.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPY

Salesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

I put the top back on, it's about 12" lower than it was originally, I got all the wiring ready for the clearance lights, I'll start fitting it and welding tomorrow, then I have to seal the cab, and cover the toolboxes in back, I'm making some serious progress here, I have to get this thing on the road so I can start making money with it.I'm thinking of tack welding the top back on and then seam sealing the rest, I think a full weld would be overkill what do you guys think?


Reply:

Originally Posted by Bls repair

Stitch weld would be good ,tacks may flex and break. Don’t forget to wire truck up for a lot of work lights.
Reply:Lights that shine 40-50 feet away from truck are nice when you can’t get close to your work.
Reply:This was on my last truck



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by kize

Im going to be the odd ball here and recommend a full weld. Those boxes are originally engineered with the top as main structural for roll over protection per EMS build codes.  Fact is you will end up having a ton of heavy stuff in there.  If it was me I would want all the protection I could get. I went on a call where a guy was using a Van for HVAC. He fell asleep on the road and rolled it. The equipment inside he was hauling killed him beyond recognition. No I'm not THE safety guy. Just would like you to succeed in your endeavors.   Carry on.
Reply:school bus window! they open and can even make an emergency exit... likely to be on the cheap


Reply:Got some welding done today , no pics, too tired .  Thinking of putting a little extra room in the cab for a bench seat/sleeper

http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Got the back wall on,   



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Pretty much got the back sewed up, I have to weld it out tomorrow, I'm getting pretty close now, I still have to cut done the front tool box doors, cap the rear tool boxes, make a ladder rack, and mount my welder, I'll be good as gold in a few days



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Looking good

.    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk:
Reply:MetalMan, Great thread! Interesting & very creative re-purposing of the available materials. Have enjoyed watching the progress. Hope the end result is a rock solid platform which provides many years of service.

Hobbyist - At what point is a "hobby" out-of-control?


Reply:Thanks, I need a work truck so I'm in a rush to get it done.   I might have enough aluminum to make a nice ladder rack if not I'll just make it out of steel. Be on the lookout for more pics

http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:the truck looks nice i made a rig out of a old e450 box truck with a service bed on it
Reply:Thanks, here's some more pics, I cut up the top of the ambulance and used it for the top of the boxes



In the second picture you can see the lights I wired up  behind the cab

http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:I'm tired of working out in the cold, my Gatorade kept freezing today,



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

This was on my last truck


Reply:

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

I'm tired of working out in the cold, my Gatorade kept freezing today,


Reply:

Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:I'm really getting close to being done with the major stuff, tomorrow I'll get all this welded out, then I have to start on the ladder racks



http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:I wish I had the vision you had for this build

.  Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk:
Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

I wish I had the vision you had for this build

.  Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Personally I would advise against making the ladder racks now unless you really need them. I say this because you don't know the routine of your new truck yet and you may end up putting the racks right in your way. With my 3rd truck, actual utility body, I put a full cross rack on. With my 4th truck, brand new utility body truck, I only put in a rack over top the passenger side boxes. In 7 years, it may have cost me like 3 unnecessary trips to get a trailer, but i love the fact that I never hit my head and I can load anything into the bed.Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
Reply:Also, when I made the passenger side only racks, I made it so I could still put a box under it and fully open it. I moved 1 cross bar so I can put big things in there like rigging stuff.Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
Reply:What is your paint plan? You do it? Basic or multi-tone? Graphics?Thunderbolt AC/DC330AB/P + Bernard coolerSyncrowave 250Oxy/Ace torchDayton 160 MIG6CF pot with 185 compressorToo much big equipmentEven more small tools
Reply:

Originally Posted by Country Metals

Also, when I made the passenger side only racks, I made it so I could still put a box under it and fully open it. I moved 1 cross bar so I can put big things in there like rigging stuff.Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk