My latest toy

[smfdco1]

Several months ago I began to share my efforts to bring a '69 Suburban back to life as an ambulance like the ones that I rode a lifetime ago. When I started on this I had a goal to have it ready by mid-January. Though a lot of work is still to be done I met my goal to have it ready for my Squad's annual Installation of Officers dinner. In 2013 the all Volunteer Squad celebrates 55 years of service to the community. On each rear quarter panel is lettering that states "Dedicated to Those That Volunteer" in tribute to those fire and EMS volunteers everywhere that give so much to help their neighbors... Thanks to all who do.

The first three photos are the "finished" product...
The last photo it sits outside of the hotel banquet room on display...

Not only did fellow squad members find it interesting to "remember back when" but many hotel guests took the opportunity to look and photograph it.

[gearboxx70]

This is such a COOL resto! Its one thing to restore a typical vehicle that anyone could buy in its time. It becomes a whole different story when a vehicle was produced in limited numbers such as rescue vehicles! Kudos to you, sir. Thank you for sharing this with us, other first responders, and the general public. Truly a treasure!

[smfdco1]

Thanks Gearbox, I started volunteering at 16 and have done some sort since then, I'll be 66 shortly. Many of the younger members there the other night could not believe we worked out of those back then. Compared to the station wagons I started with they were big, we didn't know any better. I wanted to preserve an older ambulance so that those that come along now will appreciate what they have to work with.

I have really enjoyed doing this vehicle and have a lot of things that I still want to do though I plan on keeping it as close to "as it was when new" as I can.

[smfdco1]

I just noticed that the "dedication" lettering had not been installed in the first photos and is difficult to see in the night photo so here is a better look...

[jeremiah king]

I love it.

[vectorit]

You did a great job, and on schedule too!

[4shongo]

Very nice job!!

[jeremiah king]

YOU ARE AWESOME!!!! Jenn

[capev86]

at first i thought you were just doing a nice resto, something to pull the kiddies on a float in parades. but after seeing all the extra interior accommodations added, i almost wonder if you plan to press the old girl into actual service!

[nate_g_2003]

Awesome job! That is really a first class rig! And you have an intact rear GMC emblem!

[72 DIRTY RAT]

Thats very cool!!!

[4shongo]

Great job!!

[smfdco1]

Many thanks to all that have taken the time to provide all the positive comments. I'm sorry that I have been away from the board for most of the past month due to other commitments. I have found a few minutes though to fix one remaining issue that had me stumped, the lock set for the rear barn door. While reviewing the board over the last six months or so looking for a replacement lock I found that I was not the only one looking. Since these are not repo'ed people like me who were missing the lock were left with few options. Several weeks ago we had a nice day so I visited the local pick and pull yard. I found that the rear door lock set from a 70s/80s full size Chevy/GMC van will with a little creative "reforming" of the bracket work great in our Suburbans. I hope that this may be of some help to others missing the original lock.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by smfdco1

Many thanks to all that have taken the time to provide all the positive comments. I'm sorry that I have been away from the board for most of the past month due to other commitments. I have found a few minutes though to fix one remaining issue that had me stumped, the lock set for the rear barn door. While reviewing the board over the last six months or so looking for a replacement lock I found that I was not the only one looking. Since these are not repo'ed people like me who were missing the lock were left with few options. Several weeks ago we had a nice day so I visited the local pick and pull yard. I found that the rear door lock set from a 70s/80s full size Chevy/GMC van will with a little creative "reforming" of the bracket work great in our Suburbans. I hope that this may be of some help to others missing the original lock.

I have had some of these posted on the for sale board over the last couple of years, both new and used, but they did not include the lever on the back. Good to know that there is a replacement for that.

LockDoc

[smfdco1]

Thanks Lock Doc, that was part of my problem as I was also missing the lever so I had been looking for a complete assy. I got two while I was there, one of which had an OEM key in it. When I get time I am going to pull it back out and take the measurements of the bends I made to make it work and post them in case someone else needs one.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by smfdco1

Thanks Lock Doc, that was part of my problem as I was also missing the lever so I had been looking for a complete assy. I got two while I was there, one of which had an OEM key in it. When I get time I am going to pull it back out and take the measurements of the bends I made to make it work and post them in case someone else needs one.

Sounds good.

LockDoc