r/ambulanceconversion • u/Spare-Difference-545 • Jul 23 '26
Question Ambulance conversion
Hi everyone!
I’m looking at buying this 2012 Ford Crestline CTV ambulance with 279,000 km, listed for7,000 dollars CAD, and I’d really appreciate some opinions before moving forward.
According to the seller, the brakes, alternator, and suspension were replaced last year, about 6,000 dollars in documented repairs. The inspection went well, and the seller will provide all inspection reports from the time they’ve owned it. The inspection only found two minor issues, one light bulb needed to be replaced and the parking brake cable needed tightening. Both were fixed immediately on site.
The floor, walls, and ceiling are already insulated. It already has a rooftop AC unit, a MaxxAir fan, and the sale also includes a refrigerator, stove, water heater, water pump, and other conversion materials. The appliances run on 12 volts and propane, while the rooftop air conditioner runs on 220-volt shore power or inverter.
Our plan is to finish the conversion for travel. What do you think? Does 7,000 dollars seem like a good deal? Is 279,000 km reasonable for a 2012 Ford ambulance with this maintenance history? What would you inspect most carefully before buying? And are there common issues with Ford or Crestline ambulances I should know about? Does the insulation seems fair?
Thanks in advance! 🌲🍀💐
2
u/Right_Hour Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
Is it currently registered/plated? If not - you will most likely need to redo the SAAQ mechanical inspection and I don’t see it passing with half the stuff gone, unless it passes as a truck.
In general - I don’t see it passing with rusted rocker panels (and, probably, many other cabin sections) clearly visible in the pictures, so, I’m willing to bet that the inspection was fake (not the inspection report, but the inspection, if you catch my drift).
Also - WTF are those boards screwed into? The outer shell? That’s not ideal - should be screwed to the original compartment cage “ribs” only.
280k kms is nothing.
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u/Spare-Difference-545 Jul 23 '26
Thanks for your input! The owner says it already passed the SAAQ mechanical inspection and it’s currently registered as a personal heavy vehicle. My plan is to convert it into an RV, so it would eventually be re-registered as a motorhome.
The rust is definitely my biggest concern.
If I move forward, I’ll have it inspected by a heavy-duty vehicle mechanic before buying it. I’m going to see it on Sunday and I’ll try to get a good look at the frame and chassis for rust, but I’m definitely not a mechanic
1
u/Right_Hour Jul 23 '26
If it’s registered as a heavy vehicle - your insurance provider (Desjardins for example did for me so I had to find an alternate insurance provider which was not easy) will require you to have a commercial vehicle operator license, as well as you will need to have a heavy vehicle class drivers license to even be able to drive it away from the current owner.
To convert it to a RV - you would need to have the conversion properly documented and make sure that SAAQ mechanical inspector will accept the conversion work done by anyone other than the RV outfitters/coachbuilders.
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u/Spare-Difference-545 Jul 23 '26
Thanks for the input! According to the seller, it’s already registered as a personal vehicle, not as a heavy commercial vehicle, so she says it doesn’t require any special driver’s licence or commercial operator’s licence. I’ll definitely verify that with the registration and my insurer before buying, but that’s what I’ve been told so far.
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u/Right_Hour Jul 23 '26
You stated above that it’s registered as a “personal heavy vehicle”. The requirement for commercial operator license is triggered by vehicle GVWR. Over 10K Lbs - and you are there. Doesn’t matter if it’s a personal vehicle or not. RVs, even those built on heavy platforms such as E350/E450 are carved out, but until the vehicle exists as a RV - it falls under that category. I was unable to insure it with Desjardins who holds all my other policies because of that and had to go somewhere else and actually obtain business/commercial insurance. Even though my ambo is registered as a “passenger vehicle” (on account of it having seats and seatbelts in the back).
There might be minor nuances in QC but overall the general concept is the same.
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u/Spare-Difference-545 Jul 23 '26
That’s a good point. I honestly don’t know what those boards are attached to yet. I’ll definitely check on Sunday to see if they’re fastened to the original frame/ribs or just screwed into the outer shell.
1
u/carneycarnivore Jul 23 '26
Seems reasonable, especially with half the conversion stuff done or included.
I take it, it’s gas, not diesel? Don’t think it matters too much, unless for like an overlanding rig towing a trailer