So before AAV was a real place, I had purchased and started into a M1010 ambulance project that at the time I was really not in the position to get deep into. Time was short and I had a lot of other classic car projects going on. We also wanted to get out camping right away from our previous Cherokee/Kamparoo setup and didn't want to have the downtime for a build. This moved me to a Ram/FWC rig, which was a really nice setup and had some great trips with it. I still regretted selling the M1010 and it has been burning in the back of my head for almost 8 years since selling it. During that time I always poked around looking for another one but prices had really jumped up and I could not justify the cost. Here is a picture of the one I sold in 2011.
Well getting a little more serious about wanting to get another one, I have been searching for the last 6-8 month fairly seriously. Thought I had a deal lined up about 6 months ago but things didn't work out and it was sold before I could get to it. I kept looking. About a month ago I ran across one on Steel Soldiers that was in the right price range. After a number of back and forth with pictures and info, we struck a deal. Now to get it shipped out. That has been a little bit of a challenge due to the 8.5' height. Well today it got picked up in Troy, MI and is headed out to San Diego. Here's a pic the seller sent with it loaded up.
Hopefully should be here in about a week. This is going to be a slower build up, to help with finances and available time. I learned a lot from the last two setups to know some definite changes or required items we want in this rig. I was really thinking a 4x4 Sprinter as a build but the cost to get into one is way out of our budget and it likely would not get to some of the places we like to travel. I am figuring about a 20-25K total budget, over the course of a couple years or so. We will have a very serious and capable rig that should be easy to maintain and service. Here's a couple more pics I was sent.
Well stay along for the journey as this comes to life. Now we need to come up with a cool name... Desert Turtle (following in another M1010 build called Mountain Turtle and the Turtle Expeditions). Who knows...
Well getting a little more serious about wanting to get another one, I have been searching for the last 6-8 month fairly seriously. Thought I had a deal lined up about 6 months ago but things didn't work out and it was sold before I could get to it. I kept looking. About a month ago I ran across one on Steel Soldiers that was in the right price range. After a number of back and forth with pictures and info, we struck a deal. Now to get it shipped out. That has been a little bit of a challenge due to the 8.5' height. Well today it got picked up in Troy, MI and is headed out to San Diego. Here's a pic the seller sent with it loaded up.
Hopefully should be here in about a week. This is going to be a slower build up, to help with finances and available time. I learned a lot from the last two setups to know some definite changes or required items we want in this rig. I was really thinking a 4x4 Sprinter as a build but the cost to get into one is way out of our budget and it likely would not get to some of the places we like to travel. I am figuring about a 20-25K total budget, over the course of a couple years or so. We will have a very serious and capable rig that should be easy to maintain and service. Here's a couple more pics I was sent.
Well stay along for the journey as this comes to life. Now we need to come up with a cool name... Desert Turtle (following in another M1010 build called Mountain Turtle and the Turtle Expeditions). Who knows...