1970 SIIa Ex mod Marshall Ambulance

Yes!

Spent the weekend removing the ambulance "bits" from the patient compartment, so I can have a bit of a blank slate to start planning out what to do next in the space. I'd like to have a comfortable camping set-up, but also be able to use the space for carrying cargo (lumber, supplies, etc.). Maybe some cabinets that mount on locking french cleats so I can move/remove them whenever necessary. I removed the janky green linoleum floor and replaced it with a temorary foam sheet. Eventually I'll be installing a wood floor.

I also removed the front prop shaft as I know both u-joints needed replacing. Unfortunately, there's quite a bit of side-to-side movement in the slip joint, so I think I'll just replace the whole shaft.

New front prop shaft is in, and with this warm weather we're having I also had the opportunity to install a Canadian Polar Pad 250w oil pan heater to make winter starting a little easier. Very easy to install and it warms up so fast.

With the intention of using it for both camping and general utility, the big question now is what to do with the bulkhead? There are 3 options:

1. Leave it as-is
- easier to heat the front and back independently, and to keep the heat in
- no worries about cargo flying into the back of my head during an accident or hard stop
- can use the bulkhead to mount stuff (cabinets, shelves, worktop, seating, etc.)
- probably a bit quieter when driving



2. Remove bulkhead altogether
- will need to fabricate bracing to keep the rear compartment rigid
- easy access between front cabin and back
- opens up some additional seating and bed options
- more volume to heat
- likely a bit louder when driving
- would need to make covers for front windows/windshield for camping



2. "half" bulkhead with pass-through
- access between the front and back, though might be a bit awkward
- can still mount things on the bulkead that remains
- can close off cabin with a sliding door or heavy curtain
- will need to re-route one of the heating ducts that is built into the bulkhead

This is the option I'm leaning towards, as it's the most flexible but also introduces the least number of problems.

The ambulance came with 2 heaters, but both blower motors were shot, and there's no demister/defroster plumbing. The cabin heater matrix is between the two front seats rather than in the engine bay or on the firewall under the dash. The blower motors pull air from ports above the cab, through ducts in the bulkhead behind the seats, through each heater matrix, then out through some vents. It's a long path for each route, and the ducts prevent me from modifying the bulkhead. The 2 matrices also looked in pretty rough shape.

As a result of all this, I've decided to strip out the heaters, blowers, a ridiculous amount of heater hose and jubilee clamps, and the ducting in the bulkhead. A "modern" aftermarket heater unit for the cab is on it's way, and I've got 2 heated seat covers ready for the front seats (much more efficient than trying to heat the entire cab). I'll eventually install an RV diesel heater in the patient compartment so that I have heat without needing to run the engine.

One other benefit now that the front heater matrix has been removed - I'll have an open tray between the front seats. I'm going to install a marine-grade power box here, which has USB-A and USB-C ports, 2x 12v cigarette ports (for the heated seat covers) and a voltage meter.