“Emergence” is the name of this 1988 Horton Type III Ambulance that is being converted to a vessel of fun and enjoyment for all. Primary goals include capabilities for the sequestration and use of alternative fuels and electricity, provision of life support (i.e. food, shelter, climate) for at least two humans, and as much autonomy as possible. Similar to the concept(s) of emergence in the physical world, I hope this vehicle will become something more than all its parts; a unique phenomenon created by many small interactions and developments that come together to create something entirely new and unpredictable.

People often ask me “What are you going to do with that?”. I don't have a straight answer for that, but it's not for lack of plans or ideas. I don't have a straight answer because there isn't one. Part of the beauty of this vehicle is that it can serve multiple purposes - Work Truck, Party Wagon, Grocery Getter, RV/Van Down By The River, ATV (Apocalyptic Transcendence Vessel), Community Transportation, Moving Truck, Spy Van, etc. Another part of the beauty I hope for it is that I won't have to come up with everything it will be - that's up to anyone who wants to imagineer with me. You have ideas for it? Let me know what they are and we'll see what we can do. I can use all the help I can get.

Invest some time/energy/resources and I'll lend it out to you one of these days. I checked with my insurance, and as long as you aren't a frequent driver, it's still good. I will have to request you sign a waiver of some sort, though, because it's not comprehensive. Please add any suggestions or discussion-y things at the suggestions section at the bottom.

I do have a few concrete ideas that I'm planning at the moment. It will have onboard Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) harvesting and processing equipment and a modified fuel system to allow it to burn said WVO. It will have a decent sound-system. It will have a sweet (but not-yet-determined) paint job. It will have an on-board integrated computer system to monitor and control certain functions (although I'm trying to keep most essentials mechanical or mechanical fallback - you never know when an EMP might just saunter along and fry your ECU, right?). It will ideally have a dedicated set of tools stored in the vehicle to allow complete on-road service.

• Compression test all cylinders
• Determine knocking noise
• Check injectors
• Re-check GVWR/weight

• Replace Fuel Filter
• Blow out radiator
• Test Fan Clutch
• Change Rear Differential Fluid and re-seal w/ RTV
• Grease front ball joints, test for play
• Fix Transmission cooler hose (slight leak)
• Fix coolant line @ front of engine (slight leak)
• Fix high-idle solenoid

• Install relay and wiring, including manual override (see wiring diagram)
• Remove old pump hard lines
• Loop or block-off mechanical pump
• Install New fuel lines, supply to pump and pump to filter head
• Test

• Need to get access to spares in front dash, Driver Side (DS).
• Install GP bypass/enable (see wiring diagram)
• Install fuel system bypass/enable (see wiring diagram)
• Install amplifiers, re-route speaker wires
• Install Motorola MW800 Vehicular Computers
• Replace rear exhaust fan

• Drain & Flush
• Replace hoses and valves Hoses to front and rear heater cores and coolant return from rear were not replaced due to sufficient condition; could still be replaced in future (esp front heater core w/ quick-connects)
• Install tees/QuickConnects for alternate accessories
• Install or leave room for secondary coolant pump
• Install real temperature sensor

• Acquire diesel-fired heater Note: I ended up cobbling one together from two Webasto DW80/Thermo 90 units “for parts” on eBay. That project has its own page.
• Decide on location and construct mounting bracket.
• Connect to fuel system, coolant system, and electrical system.

• Work out fuel system routing, allowing for proper switching and monitoring
• Pressure/temperature sensors to monitor flow and temperature
• Heated TIH lines, AN bulkhead fittings
• Coolant heated arctic fox
• Secondary fuel tank for WVO
• Secondary fuel pump
• Secondary fuel filter

Current plan is to be able to harvest and process ~15-20 gal of used vegetable oil for use as fuel. Current plan for harvesting is to use vacuum pump to evacuate a tank, preferably cone-bottom, attached via valve to hose with sieve and heated shroud. After oil is sucked into tank, it will be heated and settled. First X portion will be dumped to waste, next amount will be fed to secondary processing vessel of ~5 gal, where it will be heated and run through the OC-20 Centrifuge under vacuum to remove any excess water. During the last cycle, it will be diverted to the final holding container until the shutdown cycle, where the last remaining oil will be dumped to waste. I would like to eliminate at least one of the three tanks this will require by modifying the design, but I'm still working on that. Suggestions welcome.

The processing system will be located in the compartment behind the passenger to allow access from the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The final holding tank may be located in that compartment or under the vehicle.

• Mount and wire in console
• Connect accessory sound device to allow playback of select pop-culture sounds (dub-alarm?)

• Determine location and run high-current DC supply
• Determine audio signal routing
• Add accessory ports

• Locate and install intercom system for cab/module communication

• Install MW-800 mobile workstation

• Battery or fuel operated engine pre-heater
• RGB LED Lighting in clear side-lights
• RGB LED lighting in rear compartment
• Fog machine
• Lasers
• Cover the entire side with an LED array like this
• DC UPS for backup power, low-voltage cutoff
• On-board multi-camera video capture with GPS metadata for documenting trips
• Mini-split heat-pump for A/C and aux heating

1988 Type III Ambulance, manufactured by Horton

• Chassis: 1988 Ford E-350 Cutaway/Cab-on-Chassis
• GVWR:10,500lbs, DR (Dual rear wheels)
• Wheelbase:138“
• Body Type:EK
• Engine: 7.3L InDirect Injection (IDI) Diesel produced by International Harvester more
• Rear Differential:E2, Dana 70-1 HD 4.10 ratio, 7400lb capacity
• Tire Size:
• Current Vehicle Weight: ~10,000lbs, weighed

Fluids

• Oil:15W40, Rotella
• Differential: 80W90 (Dana) 75W-140(?), Mobil SHC ID, 4qt, LSD Additive?
• Wheel Baring Lubrication:NLGI No 2 Lithium EP Grease
• RTV: Permatex Ultra Grey
• Grease (regular and disc brake bearings, all chassis points, U-joints, etc): Lithium Complex, No. 2, EP, GC-LB
• Grease (tie rods, rack and pinion, ball joints, and CV joints): Moly-fortified ref

Hoses/Plumbing/Fittings

• IP Inlet: 1/2-20 ORB (#5)
• Fuel Filter: 1/4” NPT
• Lift Pump (stock): 1/4 NPT
• Fuel Lines: 5/16“ return, 3/8” Send, stock nylon

One of the reasons I chose this vehicle was the inclusion of the Horton documentation for the additions made to the vehicle.

I have copies of most of this on my website (including a 9.6MP wiring diagram).

I made some svg files in inkscape to use for fleshing out design concepts. They are multi-layer so you can change the designs and should be complete, but no front view yet. They are also not to scale.

Oilburners is a forum of diesel enthusiasts fond of burning used motor oil in their vehicles. This is their 7.3L/6.9L IDI Forum

The Diesel Stop 7.3L IDI Forums

PowerStroke.org 7.3L IDI Forums

PowerStrokeNation 7.3L/6.9L IDI Forum

Ford Truck Enthusiasts 7.3L/6.9L IDI Forum

Biodiesel and WVO Discussion Forum

Frybrid WVO/SVO Forum

BurnVeg SVO/WVO Forum

BATBoard - Forum for Vehicle computers/warning systems/radios/etc incl. Motorola Workstations

Diesel Power Products 7.3L IDI Section

• Converting a Ford E-250 to a camper van (great pictures and write-up)
• EcoModder tips for aerodynamic improvement
• Awesome centrifuge-based vacuum-assisted biodiesel setup (huge)
• CATLAB: Project 54 - Voice-controlled computer integration with police equipment

• DC UPS: Powerstream PicoUPS
• Mobile PC: Motorola MW800
• Diesel-Fired Heater: Webasto Thermo 90/DW80
• Air Tanks:KMW Performance HornBlasters

• SVO Tutorial - Drying WVO
• SVO Tutorial - WVO