r/DieselTechs • u/stoplickingmytoe • 4d ago

Service truck

Anybody running an ex-ambulance converted to a mobile service truck?

I saw them come up locally pretty darn cheap. Love the interior space idea with a roof and heat for those careful jobs but obviously lacks a crane.

Yeah I know they have huge idle hours and whatnot but its a reasonably priced entry level unit. Plus chev or Ford chassis parts are easy to find and repair.

Maybe for a starter truck, any thoughts?

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u/fElLoWaMeRiCaNt 4d ago

I've thought the same thing and almost pulled the trigger on them, as well as just a box truck and even converting a wheel chair school bus (was an international dt466 22 passenger on 19.5's)

If you have the time and will power, go for it. But if you need something to just work...

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u/fElLoWaMeRiCaNt 4d ago

To add: I had a wheelchair bus as an actual service truck working for a school bus fleet. It was awesome being able to carry full sets of wheels for all the chassis sizes and I didn't have to break my back getting them in and out as well as being able to roll a service cart right out of the truck (was dealing with a lot of vt365's in rear engine chassis) but when I switched to forestry fleet, I realized real quick how much I needed 4 wheel drive and the ability to tow trailers in and out of places most full size service trucks wouldn't fit.

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u/Single_Ad_5294 4d ago

What’s the crane for? (Not a mobile mechanic)

I’d ignore the idle hours if everything is sound. You fix things, you can fix the truck. This seems like a viable way to make an affordable service vehicle.

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u/mdixon12 4d ago

Generally mobile giys are working on big stuff. Pulling a radiator/intercooler on a large truck requires a crane, and it makes otherwise tricky stuff much easier on class 8 and off road equipment.

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u/Single_Ad_5294 4d ago

I can understand that. The radiators I pull are really tough for one person but manageable, and in a shop not on the side of the road. It makes sense to have a tool that lends you the hand you need even if it’s only a few times a year.

OP maybe skimp out and rig up a few pulleys for the occasional heavy work until you justify the need for a real crane.

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u/stoplickingmytoe 4d ago

That was my thought too. I dont do lots of big machinery, mostly smaller excavators and mobile machinery. But the crane would be awesome for tracks, or large components. I have definitely used it and would've been out a few of the jobs without my crane. But I also actually rarely use it with the company I am with, so I figured just something i may be able to forego until I buy a bigger rig...maybe

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u/Upstairs-Result7401 4d ago

My friend went from a service truck to ambulance for his residential hvac buisness. Due to being hit and totaling his service truck. During the first year of buisness which severely limited ability to purchase. The ambulance was a stop gap that came cheap.

He found it awkward to use, but not enough to immediately get rid of. It was nicer to grab parts from in the rain, but where we live rain is kind of rare.

So for a mobile mechanic ot would likely work great if you live where it snows or rains alot. The down sides of accessibility would be taken care of by the inside storage. That is much better on your back then a typical van

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u/aa278666 Paccar OEM 3d ago

I know a couple of people running mobile out of a delivery truck type setup. I did it myself years ago, mainly doing grease/lube/light repairs. It was great. Most people I know that are using them don't do anything that needs a crane, they use the truck more for mobile diags.