W400 Ambulance: aka: Dubya Four Hundred Bambulance: I GOT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!

[michigandon]

But wait, there's more!

Did I mention it's also Cummins-powered?

It definitely has some issues that need to be addressed (IE the roof is in desperate need of some love!), but to the best of my knowledge it is the only one configured like this on the planet.

Let this serve as an Official Build Thread.

 

[gringeltaube]

Congrats! Looks very good!

 

[bikeman]

WOO!!! About time!

Seriously glad you found one. Just don't forget to make your "It's not an M886 /****it" posterboard.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Got to give more details than that. I thought it had a newere front end. Looks like it was built like that. What yr is it?

 

[M813rc]

Those are reeeeeally good looking trucks. Glad you finally got one, and a unique one to boot!

Cheers

 

[michigandon]

Got to give more details than that. I thought it had a newere front end. Looks like it was built like that. What yr is it?

It's a '79 with a '92 front clip and doors installed.

 

[michigandon]

WOO!!! About time!

Seriously glad you found one. Just don't forget to make your "It's not an M886 /****it" posterboard.

You may have just given me an idea for a vanity license plate.

 

[dmetalmiki]

Nice truck..in the unusual and collectable realm. Tend it and enjoy it to the full.

 

[wheelspinner]

It definitely has some issues that need to be addressed (IE the roof is in desperate need of some love!), .

But at least you now have the truck to give love to!

 

[michigandon]

But at least you now have the truck to give love to!

I was on the verge of giving up looking...again!

 

[michigandon]

So...any suggestions on how to deal with this issue?

Gentleman that I spoke to at Raleigh Sheet Metal said that I probably won't be able to obtain a another piece this big. He suggested going with a rubber membrane not unlike what is found on modern RV roofs.

I'm thinkg fiberglass sheeting such as what contemporary semi trailers are constructed with, but it anyone has a better idea, I'm willing to at least hear you out!

 

[snowtrac nome]

did you check vin numbers that's not the 78 dash either kind of looks like some one grafted a 92 or newer cab on to a 78 frame. being a dodge owner I say congrats the little be series will treat you well and should be a nice project.

 

[michigandon]

did you check vin numbers that's not the 78 dash either kind of looks like some one grafted a 92 or newer cab on to a 78 frame. being a dodge owner I say congrats the little be series will treat you well and should be a nice project.

The dash was also retrofitted from the 1st gen Cummins donor truck.

 

[Flyingvan911]

Nice!

 

[NDT]

It's a '79 with a '92 front clip and doors installed.

Looks like someone took a 1992 1 ton 4x4 dually cab and chassis and grafted a M886 body on to it. Firewall, front and rear axles gives this away. Unfortunately, the ambulance body is beyond economic repair.

 

[michigandon]

Looks like someone took a 1992 1 ton 4x4 dually cab and chassis and grafted a M886 body on to it.

That is NOT what it is.

There is a '79 VIN tag on the door jam in the cab, and I have a picture of what it looked like before it was repowered:

 

[NDT]

That is NOT what it is.

There is a '79 VIN tag on the door jam in the cab, and I have a picture of what it looked like before it was repowered:

View attachment 687121

Oh. I see you are correct. So in '79 is was built as a 1 ton 4x4 ambulance with a gas engine?

 

[michigandon]

Oh. I see you are correct. So in '79 is was built as a 1 ton 4x4 ambulance with a gas engine?

Correct. It originally left the factory with a 360/727/NP203.

 

[snowtrac nome]

the question I had was the vin in the dash changed if not its not going to match the frame or door tag I still like the idea of the b series cummins in it even though I liked the older style dodge body lines better

 

[michigandon]

the question I had was the vin in the dash changed if not its not going to match the frame or door tag I still like the idea of the b series cummins in it even though I liked the older style dodge body lines better

The one on the door matches the one on the title. Haven't looked on the dash to see if that one is still in place or not. I'm hoping it isn't!

I personally would NOT have installed the updated front end and dash had I been the one that repowered it. But the "damage" has already been done, and I can live with it.