Dodge M43 Ambulance - Jalopnik Comments

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Ghostdriver86 — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:54:46 EST

I have one I need to sell. '58 or '59, if I recall. It isn't currently running, spun a bearing at 13,000 miles (they tend to do that - lots to pull for an inline 6). I do have a rebuilt motor for it, though. Just never put it in. Most of these were converted to campers, this one was not. It still has beds in the back, plus the surgical lamp. It is painted this funky home-job desert camo, I had intentions of restoring it to OD green. It does have some 50 cal bullet holes in it. Truck is in Colorado, email me at madcapcelt@msn.com if you are interested. She needs to go to someone who has the time to finish her.

p.s. Yes, you will need to know how to double clutch.

Susie

Ghostdriver86

Dodge M43 Ambulance

monkeymissile — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:52:04 EDT

It looks like a 1953 M43. I just bought one: some quick specs:
230ci straight 6
7200 lbs gvw, can carry 1500
4 stretchers in back
spot light on roof (to look for casualties)
4x4 hi/lo
4 spd unsychronized manual tranny (anyone know how to double-clutch?)
no siren
some had a PTO under left front bumper
24 volt electrical (2 batteries)
entire vehicle is water proof (optional snorkels for carb/exhaust allowed it to be driven in water up to driver's neck!)
top speed, maybe 50

check out the more popular Dodge M37

monkeymissile

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Elhigh — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:34:05 EDT

Now THAT's a TRUCK.

This is my new favorite for Manliest Vehicle. (Runner-up is still whatever I'm driving.)

Elhigh

Dodge M43 Ambulance

dculberson — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:34:14 EDT

Murilee, this is beautiful. The siren on most of the old ambulances (like my '66 Pontiac Superior!) is under the hood. They're plenty loud to make it through the radiator and then over a few blocks radius. The only other awesome mounting point would be the driver's side fender.

The roof is only good for lights. Lots of flashing lights. Optionally, an electronic horn siren, but something this old really just begs for a mechanical siren. My '66 has both - underhood mechanical and rooftop electronic.

dculberson

Dodge M43 Ambulance

buggy_bee — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:24:03 EDT

@Subaru Axle: Now, even my wounded cow can fit in there.

buggy_bee

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:38:29 EDT

I'm putting two of these in my Fantasy Garage (one stock, period correct and one Dakar/Baja/Apocalypse ready custom with living quarters in the back, an 800-or-so horsepower Cummins 5.9L under the hood and rock-crawler-grade rolling stock on the hubs).

Tomsk the red-nosed reindeer

Dodge M43 Ambulance

brownie — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 16:06:14 EDT

Sweet jeebus, this is the kind of ambulance we ought to have in New York City. A-hole drivers might not pull aside for flashing lights and a siren, but they would probably pull aside for a BIG-ASS MONSTER TRUCK ABOUT TO DRIVE OVER THEIR PRECIOUS STATUS SYMBOL.

Yes, I'm bitter about this.

brownie

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there! — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:37:20 EDT

Leave it as it is and save all your money for necessary back surgery, dental work etc.

Whats the bet that the guy who rocks this wears an Armani suit and carries a briefcase?

Rust-MyEnemy is stll out there!

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Euromobile — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:07:27 EDT

I love old military hardware like that. Nice to see it still rolling.

Euromobile

Dodge M43 Ambulance

AmishJohn — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:10:55 EDT

@brandegee:
Looks like a gas can.

AmishJohn

Dodge M43 Ambulance

brandegee — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:22:23 EDT

Wasn't this Dodge the basis for several variations, like troop carriers and half-tracks? Don't suppose they'd allow a half-track even on that island of yours.

What's that box on the front right fender?

brandegee

Dodge M43 Ambulance

TPSreports — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:12:45 EDT

Driver's-side impact airbag, of sorts...

TPSreports

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Mad_Science — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:58:15 EDT

These usually had some mid 200s ci straight 6, making ~100 hp, but lots or torque. Whatever size those mil-spec pizza cutters are (they're usually 12 ply tires), you can run 38"s without a lift.

That actually makes them more drivable, b/c they came with 5.13s in the diffs. Hard to find new wheels, though as they have the 5 on HUGE lug pattern.

I would kill for one of those. Modern Cummins + 6speed + some interior work and you'd have one badass camping rig. (No exterior modifications, though)

Mad_Science

Dodge M43 Ambulance

conrod — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:49:58 EDT

what a beautiful machine. One of the many forms the Dodge Powerwagon took in service of our country. I am sure it runs just fine and while it may not go more then 50- it'll probably do a good 30 while driving over the roofs of other cars in an emergency. These are some of the most honest and enjoyable machines still around. respect. westside.

conrod

Dodge M43 Ambulance

conrod — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:45:42 EDT

Jalopniks,
Although a member of some high falutin' brands, my love is of all things beater ranging from items with spinning blades, two wheeled to big ex military type 4 bys. Plus I know Spinellis nickname from high school, so let me in.
Jeff Ehoodin (from Maserati

conrod

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Grib — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:35:25 EDT

"enraged seamen"

Grib

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:28:33 EDT

Want. One. Now.

Vintage Racer is out taking pictures

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Lonestar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:20:45 EDT

WOW paint it green and youre living in a MASH Episode

Lonestar

Dodge M43 Ambulance

RalphieDC — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:01:02 EDT

@TinaChow: That was Army.

My uncle had a 1949 Dodge Powerwagon(pickup) that looked almost exactly like this (front end), although his had farm gearing and wouldn't break 25mph. On the other hand it would pull a redwood out of the ground and you may not notice it was attached.

RalphieDC

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:59:27 EDT

When I lived in Rochester, I would see a WW2-era Dodge military pickup that someone used as a daily driver. It was intensely badass. I'd love to have one of these trucks, they have loads of character, and possibly also sap.

Paul Y. can't think of a better, shorter handle

Dodge M43 Ambulance

TinaChow — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:53:10 EDT

Suicide is Painless!

TinaChow

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Five10er — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:31:38 EDT

I was wondering when you were going to post this one. I often see it on my evening walks. For some reason I alway think of M*A*S*H 4077. Im waiting for Hawkeye to jump out of it with a martini in hand. Anyway, looking forward to more DOTS gems.

Five10er

Dodge M43 Ambulance

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:22:43 EDT

There's no misplacing the spare tire.

FЯeeMan is slowly cЯawling out of the new commenting system

Dodge M43 Ambulance

Comrade Teargaskov — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:18:20 EDT

Now that's a daily driver.

Comrade Teargaskov