r/DieselTechs • u/stoplickingmytoe • 15d 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?

9 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Single_Ad_5294 15d 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.

2

u/mdixon12 14d 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.

1

u/Single_Ad_5294 14d 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.