Which Van is the best to use as an AMBULANCE?

**OTEP** · October 4th, 2011 01:39 PM

The company is in charge of maintaining the Powerstrokes. Not sure of any issues but none has left me stranded yet. Power is adequate, I don't notice any bad smoke. I'm just not sure if all the emissions control equipment are still in place on the rigs. And there are a variety of generations for the 7.3. The older ones being really bad even in the domestic market. Powerstroke.org is a good place to visit if you need to study Powerstrokes.

GM has Duramax motors (manufactured by Cummins? Not sure). And they're supposed to work well anywhere because the engine is used in a variety of vocational applications.

**cripple_rooster** · October 5th, 2011 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by OTEP

GM has Duramax motors (manufactured by Cummins? Not sure). And they're supposed to work well anywhere because the engine is used in a variety of vocational applications.

Duramax was co-developed with Isuzu but currently made by GM itself. The old 6.5L was developed by Detroit Diesel when it was still a GM division, but is currently still made by AM General, renamed as Optimizer 6500, mainly for the military market. Cummins has the B-Series engines, that are used in the Dodge Ram, but these are straight-6.

**OTEP** · October 28th, 2011 03:15 AM

2011 October 22: FOTON Big Show | Facebook

That's my facebook link with lots of Foton Ambulance photos.

**eggman** · October 28th, 2011 12:24 PM

The Joylong Hivan Ambulance version is available in the local market but its priced at 2.755 Million Pesos almost:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...5666028&type=1

**cripple_rooster** · October 30th, 2011 09:40 PM

As long as they're turbocharged, these Chinese copies of the Hiace seem to be a good option...

**Verbl Kint** · November 2nd, 2011 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by cripple_rooster

As long as they're turbocharged, these Chinese copies of the Hiace seem to be a good option...

Do they have verifiable crash test ratings posted (always a concern with Chinese brands)?

**OTEP** · November 2nd, 2011 02:03 PM

Even the 'real' Hiace has a bad rating so I don't expect stellar results with this one. Probably at par with a previous generation Hiace.

**cripple_rooster** · November 20th, 2011 10:37 AM

If I were willing to buy an ambulance considering the crash-test rating I'd try to get a Volvo...

Anyway, something I consider essential to an ambulance nowadays is a diesel engine due to its advantages...

**OTEP** · May 31st, 2012 12:16 AM

Hyundai is now selling CBU basic life support ambulances from Korea. SRP Php1.498M

Pertinent info:
*Non-CRDi (TCi engine) with 5-speed manual
*No central locks, no power mirrors, no foglamps
*No ABS, no SRS, no traction control

Converted by AUtech Korea.

**vinj** · May 31st, 2012 09:04 AM

^Pwede na ba yan Otep?

I like the interior as it's clean with no sharp edges. Hows the weight as against your usual Hiace and Urvan set-ups?

**niky** · May 31st, 2012 11:42 AM

The "no ABS" bit is a downer, but the Starex is stable under braking, anyway, and the Grand Starex body and suspension make for good handling.

Hmmm....

**OTEP** · May 31st, 2012 06:04 PM

The plastic cabinets are lighter but the patient compartment is less roomy since the engine is up front and not inder the seat. The TCi engine is not as peppy as the Hiace D4d probably due to the fixed geometry turbo.

No airbags, abs or an at option is kind of a downer for me. But the gray market can probably get autech to send over a unit with those goodies.

Autech also has an advanced life support unit with a bubble top for standing room and more goodies than some small hospitals. Probably cost an arm and a leg too. A china grandia Joylong advanced life support unit is already close to Php3m.

I want this starex as a daily driver. Hehe.

**OTEP** · May 31st, 2012 06:05 PM

In terms of ride, this feels like a limo vs the stiff legged hiace and ford e350 ambulances

**niky** · May 31st, 2012 07:47 PM

Yup. Starexes really do ride much better.

The E350 migtht improve if you retrofit an air suspension... but those are a pain-in-the-butt.

Grey market bubble-tops are already cheaper than HARI units... I suppose if you add the ambulance tax breaks, you can get a bubble-top ambulance down to 2 to 2.5m...

Dayumn. I want to test-drive that baby.

**OTEP** · June 17th, 2012 10:42 PM

Saw this one getting livery/graphics at SpeedSigns in Banawe:

Probably configured for "Load and Go" or Basic Life Support transport.

**vinj** · June 18th, 2012 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by OTEP

Saw this one getting livery/graphics at SpeedSigns in Banawe:

Probably configured for "Load and Go" or Basic Life Support transport.

Nice to have that if you operate in tight, urban areas. The APV is quite spacious albeit, a little narrow.

**OTEP** · June 18th, 2012 10:01 AM

SRP is below 900k. I hope it comes with dual a/c already. Forgot to check.

**jdee12** · June 18th, 2012 10:40 AM

Just saw this:

**OTEP** · June 18th, 2012 01:42 PM

That looks great. I wonder what the srp would be. It also looks like a conversion done by Korean company Autech.

Versus the autech starex selling at local dealers for Php1.4m, this one has:
-automatic tranny
-gps
-dvd head unit
-strobe lights, better siren control
-foglamps
-squad bench can be an emergency bench

**OTEP** · June 24th, 2012 07:51 PM

Refurbished Kia Bongo with custom rear body:

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Which Van is the best to use as an AMBULANCE?

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