In addition to farm projects, I took on an even bigger project this Summer: acquiring, then building out my work truck.

I wasn’t looking for just any truck. I wanted a “million mile” Ford 7.3L diesel engine, which was only manufactured from 1994-2003. The engines are said to be bulletproof & are prized by those in the know.

I wanted the pickup truck to have been modified to carry a Horton ambulance box on the back that I could renovate to live in, as well as haul farm-related items.

Those are very specific requirements which made it easier to determine the vehicles that were worth looking at during my search. I traveled as far as Tennessee in search of my dream truck. In June, I found him in North Ft. Myers.

His name is Hurston. He’s a 1999 F350 7.3L diesel pickup truck modified with a Horton ambulance box on the chassis. He’s precisely what I wanted & more!

I didn’t let the Summer heat or rain stop me from beginning work on him immediately. Once I had a few engine repairs completed, I got to work building myself an off-grid studio apartment on wheels.

In order to live comfortably, I would need electricity & plumbing, a kitchen, bed & bathroom- all in just under 100 sq ft. Plus the space had to be designed in a way that I could still use the truck to haul farm goods. Fortunately, I love a challenge😉

I went to YouTube University😝 & learned how to install the solar powered electrical system & plumb the water tanks in my new RV.

I built a kitchen space & a sofa bed; cut out one of the stock ambulance cabinets to accommodate a shower & composting toilet.

After several months, lots of blood, even more sweat & some tears, my ambulance RV conversion is nearly complete🥳. Gone are the days of stuffing my sedan full of plants & supplies. Well…it might be fun to still do every now and then😅