Is Ford dropping their Econoline E Series Van?

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Hino announced an ambulance cab and chassisfor the north american market that could be converted but I haven't seen any yet... we have lots of the smaller Hino cabover trucks around so perhaps could work-- big problem is getting a low lift...
They have Hino van ambulances in Japan
 
Wonder what the Europeans use for ambulances? Surely they work OK, and whatever we come up with will be sufficient also.

We quit buying Diesel light pickups at work; they cost too much extra over the gasoline version, the fuel got high, and they are expensive to repair.

I have a 2008 Ford Taurus company car; I've put 113,000 miles on it and it has been a good, comfortable car, no complaints to speak of. I am supposed to get a Fusion in 2012, which is a smaller car, so I hope I can keep this one a while longer.
 
looks like a GM van. the mirrors and the not of this country box are what makes it weird. but it's the way of the work force now. we have been making it cost efficient for companies to produce over seas rather then in our borders. they have been riding on the gravy train for as long as the loose easy credit was out there. but now the gravy train has turned cold. no one likes cold gravy. not even on hot pancakes.
 
Tony Blair said:
I would guess it will be the Chevy Express/GMC Savana 3500 series vans for Type II ambulance use. The Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter vans are too expensive for most ambulance services. Ford will continue to build the E Series cutaway chassis past 2013 for use as a Type III ambulance platform.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20111208/AUTO01/112080355/1148/auto01/Ford-steers-fleet-to-Transit
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It's too bad Ford did away with the diesel engine for ambulances that I love . My service that I work for as a paramedic went to the Chevy 4500 series Type III 168 inch modulars by McCoy-Miller 2 years ago . They're fast :)
 
Anthony J. Rzucidlo said:
How do you know that the new Tauarus is junk? They are just strated or soon will be starting production of them.
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You try getting a combative 350 lb. drunk in the back seat of one of those little cars without a can of Crisco to grease his sides and then tell me how great the Taurus is. NO THANKS :twak:

Scott, Ford is still king here in Ohio for some reason. I have yet to see a Sprinter here and I really want to check one out. As far as they go I drove Dodges Chevy's and Fords they all drove great .............but they were no Caddys those were the best!
 
Ron Devies said:
First they do away with the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor an now this. Oh yes they replaced it with their lame Taurus replacement but junk! And now get rid of the most popular ambulance base. I really do not understand manufacturers.
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Ron Check Out The Crown Vic Replacement THE CHEVY CAPRICE LOL


Russ
 
Isn't Ford discontinuing the ambulance prep package on the E-series due to the diesel engine not being available due to fit issues, or are they making them with gas engines? I know this is pushing users that do SSM to go to Chevy/GMC if they want type III's.
 
I know of at least two Sprinters in Ohio, one is in Cleveland area (Physicians) and the other was in Toledo (Rumpf) which I believe is now out of business
 
won't fit

Bill Anderson said:
Isn't Ford discontinuing the ambulance prep package on the E-series due to the diesel engine not being available due to fit issues, or are they making them with gas engines? I know this is pushing users that do SSM to go to Chevy/GMC if they want type III's.
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Yes, I believe that is correct. The new Ford 6.7 Diesel will not fit in the E-series van. Also, the previous 6.4 also would not fit. Currently you cannot order a diesel Ford van or van chassis. The 6.0 International engine definitely had issues, and is the main reason why I have not managed to buy my second tow rig yet. 2000-2002 7.3 diesel vans and trucks are hard to come buy, and everyone wants a lot of money for them. The funny thing is that I could sell my 2002 F350 for about $4k more than I payed for it a year and a half ago!
 
Tony Blair said:
I'll bet at least one of the ambulance manufacturers will eventually build on the NV3500 chassis and offer it as a BLS interfacility rig.
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From what I hear, Nisan will be offering an extended chassis with ambulance prep package either later in 2012 or early 2013.

I had the opportunity to look at the shell of a NV3500 that is at the plant of our local ambulance manufacturer. There is a lot of space in that vehicle. Its design (similar to the Sprinter) with the straight sides, built in high roof and rear doors that allow for full access to the back does give us way more space and options for design than the current Fords.

It will also be interesting to see the full size Ford Transit when they come out.

We are currently looking at a total re-design of our ambulances interiors, and are limited to the shape of the E350, so it is exciting to think of what the Nissan / Sprinter / Transit can offer for design features of Tipe II units.
 
In Minneapolis, it was al over the news this week the last Ford Ranger rolling off the line. Truly saddening because they had perfected the truck over the years and it suited the mid-range crowd, if you don't want to own a full size truck with a short box. Well the plant is 20 some blocks away and on the trip to the photo shop I drove by and the lot is full of white Rangers, possible large last build contract they might be going to NAPA as a fleet vehicle or to another purpose.
 
Michael Mykulak said:
In Minneapolis, it was al over the news this week the last Ford Ranger rolling off the line. Truly saddening because they had perfected the truck over the years and it suited the mid-range crowd, if you don't want to own a full size truck with a short box. Well the plant is 20 some blocks away and on the trip to the photo shop I drove by and the lot is full of white Rangers, possible large last build contract they might be going to NAPA as a fleet vehicle or to another purpose.
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I've got a little 2000 Ford Ranger XLT 4 cylinder 5 speed single cab SWB that I bought new in August 2000 with 6 miles on the odometer from our local Ford Dealership. Other than the usual repairs, maintenance and upkeep I've had no major problems out of that little truck! The only major mechanical repair I've made was having the drive shaft rebuilt about 3 years and almost knocking the front end off once! It has never left me stranded anywhere and has never been towed! Its currently reading a little over 185K on the odometer and it still has its ORIGINAL CLUTCH too!!! My plan is to run it till it's completely dead! When that little truck finally dies I can't say a word because it dosen't owe me a thing!
 

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