New
Model, (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013). Rollx and Braun Wheelchair converted
Chrysler + Dodge lowered floor Minivans.
I already
have a
2007
Rollx Dodge Grand Caravan SXT and that is
discussed over on
these
pages.
This one shown here
is the newest 2008/ 2009/ 2010 version Rollx converted, side ramp left hand drive
model imported from the USA for cost reasons. A right hand drive UK sourced one
is a third more expensive!
Mainly because of the UK Pound versus US Dollar exchange rates in our
favour... (Updated April 2009, slightly less so now!)
I took this picture recently at
Bekker Mobility in 2007.
Its another US imported Rollx Disabled Converted "drive from wheelchair" van. It has a new owner waiting. If you are interested in one of
these brand new imported left hand drive ones at a very
advantageous price then please contact Bekker Mobility & ask
for Carla and tell them John Williamson sent you!
Most of what
is written
on my 2007 version pages also applies to all the
different Braun,
Rollx, VMI and other conversions, equally to the 2008, 2009,
2010 models.
As well as on this new 2008
onwards model pictured here. And there's four pages of it..
So go there for the real detailed info! This page
concentrates just on the new look!
To see a larger
picture of this new 2008 and onwards Chrysler Dodge Grand Caravan
(the same vehicle apart from minor trim differences as the
UK's right hand drive Grand Voyager and the US "Town And
Country) click the links. They open a new
window. Be warned I don't like small images!
This new 2008
Chrysler Dodge Grand Caravan is the same vehicle apart from
minor trim differences as the UK's right hand drive Grand
Voyager and the US Chrysler "Town And Country". All are from the same
basic vehicle design and share 99 percent of the parts.
Basically
the latest model is just a facelift (actually a pretty
intensive one!)
But all the wheelchair lift/ramp and floor
lowering conversion details are all still very much the same as before so
this will most likely be a pretty short page with a few pictures so
we can see how the 2008 model compares to the 2003 to 2007
version that I already use. Shown elsewhere
My firsts thoughts
were that it looked boxy and square and old fashioned compared to the
2007 model it replaces. I still think the rear end is pig ugly! But the front
and the side view do grow on you.
The body
like looks high and impressive from the front/side.
And the Rollx
conversion that is shown here with the side skirts actually make this effect
more impressive! It looks much better because of the ride height increase and
the side skirts than a standard Vehicle.
The
same is true of the 2007 one as well though. See
here for a comparison of my Rollx one parked next to a stock
Grand Voyager. Makes a standard non wheelchair accessible
Chrysler minivan look a little sad! If you still
prefer the 2007 model shape these are still
available at a very advantageous price already converted and
brand new as of mid 2008...
One of the comments by Carla, the woman who runs Bekker mobility, was that the new 4.0 litre engine was much better and pulls
better still at low revs. The 3.3 always was gutless and thrashy, the 3.8
in the later Chrysler minivans like mine was a much nicer
engine. But the new 4.0 is better still. Bugger I have to
get a new van...
They don't do a diesel in any US left hand drive variant
which in my book is great I hate deseasels! they are horrid
clattery things with very limited rpm range power band best suited to
ditch pumps and cement mixers or generators. Then we
wouldn't need about 12 gears to row the car along! They do
save fuel though.
BUT if you would rather have a lovely smooth 3.8 or 4.0 V6
cylinder petrol engine just get an LPG gas conversion.
42p per litre depending where you live - about 1/3rd o
the price of petrol (gasoline?) or diesel... And the
government has promised that the price differential will
always remain the same for the foreseeable future because
its clean and a waste product that the refineries cant get
rid of. The best of all worlds then - the flexibility and
smoothness and quietness of a big 6 cylinder petrol engine
with better economy than a smelly noisy narrow power banded
diesel...
If you are a masochist and actually still want a diesel
then you will have to buy a UK or European Chrysler Voyager as they are the
only ones available at about twice the cost of a US imported left hand drive
one. And half as pleasant to
drive.
Don't let left hand drive scare you.
It takes all of about half an hour to get used to it. After that you honestly
never notice it. Unless someone comments on it. You can see perfectly to
overtake both over and through most cars, and you can see to the left of them
too! Really at 20,000 UK pounds saving approx it is well worth considering a left hand drive option! That
saving could buy you a complete unmodified spare Minivan! Or a lot of beer!
OK
then a few more pictures of the 08 Dodge 4.0 V6 Rollx
converted van imported from the USA!
This is an in floor ramp rather than a folding ramp. Not
sure which I prefer but this allows access without the ramp
in the way for non wheelchair passengers when required. But
its useful if you have a dog or a horse(!) It works
just like the 2007 model and has a fully carpeted and
lowered floor to allow easy access and enough headroom to
drive while sat in a wheelchair if you want like I do. Or it
can accommodate up to 4 wheelchairs (one driver) with
occupants and three in the rear seats! No change over
previous versions here then!
The rear view just looks ugly to me. Maybe I will get used
to it? It looks like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit
every branch on the way down including the ground with its
rear end...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder they say. Maybe my
beholder is busted. And seriously it needs a better much
wider lower profile set of wheels and tyres. And a new rear
end. Or the old one even as below! They (narrow
wheels/tyres) look awful. Although better than the stock
wheels on the 2007 one! I swapped mine for a wider
prettier set.
My
rear (if you see what I mean...) to compare the 2008 minivan
to my 2007 Dodge SXT below - its much more rounded and organic
(and I prefer it!) and the wheels and
tyres that I chose to fit later on (about 1 day later on!)
after I collected it, are a better size match. (245/50/18 on
18x8.5J wheels ET 35) than either the stock 2007 or the 2008
minivan wheels. They both work and look better and fill the
wheel arches better. What is it with the manufacturers?
LOTS More
here
on
my 2007 van if you are interested...
That pic shows the rear end of the my earlier 2007
van
All information, charts, graphs, data,
photographs, software and content is (C) and the property of John C Williamson.
Email
burgerman@ntlworld.com
(Subject to possible publication)
