Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

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Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby flagman1776 » 08 Sep 2019, 15:05

Somehow I ended up on Rollx Conversions mailing list. I got a notice encouraging those who want new Chrysler Dodge Minivan conversions to realize that the maker is discontinueing them.
no longer able to use my TravelScoots
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 08 Sep 2019, 15:36

https://www.rollxvans.com/saying-goodby ... chair-van/

True. But theres toyota, VW, honda, and more still to go.
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby flagman1776 » 08 Sep 2019, 16:41

On this side of the pond, the Chrysler Dodge are common where the others are less frequently encountered. With so many already produced, pre-owned vans are found in abundance.
One can't just look at the negative. New models may offer new opportunities for creative modifications.
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 13 Sep 2019, 22:02

I am going back to one of these... Better design/build quality/paint and so on. And also side lift is prefered to the ramp. At least by me.

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... b-side.jpg

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... b-side.jpg

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... vw-swb.jpg

Built to last, and plenty room for luggage, passengers, and your full sized powerchair.
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 13 Sep 2019, 22:16

If you dont like the ones with a side lift they also do a rear ramp version, still with lowered floor. Bit daft if you ask me. You have to drive through all your shopping and model airoplanes in the rear to get in...

But some prefer this. Theres a long and short wheelbase version.
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... vw-lwb.jpg

I think this is called a multivan in the US. It has a turbo 5 cylinder deisel, tiptronic gearchange/auto and cruise, a multitude of safety stuff like auto lane control, auto braking, follow cruise, and a bunch of other stuff. But its very quiet, smooth, and well engineered if a little heavy. And expensive. The chryslers, hondas (us vans) and toyotas etc are all badge engineering, and are lower build quality than these. But cheaper... :oops:
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 13 Sep 2019, 23:01

Watch this. This is a VW specialist where I live about 3 miles away.

This one is YELLOW. But take the time to look at all of it. He takes stock vans and pretties them up...


youtu.be/SogfWRcQ5gk

Stock ones... Are not bad already!!! I would get a modded lowered floor one, and take it straight to this guy, and do all the best mods - esp lowering and 20 inch rims. And a few other bits.


youtu.be/OrU-oKPs5CI
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 14 Sep 2019, 01:27

But I would have this one.


youtu.be/yrm5TQge3Wc
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby hank » 14 Sep 2019, 14:59

Love it :thumbup:
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 14 Sep 2019, 17:54

Me too. These are 65K for the Caravelle with 200HP and around 45K for the window van called the Kombi...

https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/conte ... ax/img.jpg
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 17 Sep 2019, 00:59

I have one coming to my house oct 3rd.

Heres the details.

By the time you add all the best goodies (many not on this list) like a set of 20 inch x 9, and 10 rims, runflat 275/30 - 20 rear tyres, 255 35 fronts, and 2nd battery, fridge, that fancy lane warning, town stopping, and fancy cruise control, powered everything, fancy high power LED lights, the best satnav with voice control, and 101 other things like leather and fridge /warm box under the rear seats, etc etc, and the 200bhp motor, bigger fuel tank (I cant get out easily to refil) etc, its adding another 20k to the price... But results in a very nice van! And as I mentioned, the paint and build quality are superb. Makes the rest all look like scrap yard specials.

Heres the PDFs.
Attachments
caravelle-brochure 08 2019.pdf
(8.8 MiB) Downloaded 252 times
MODDED-PRICES.pdf
(817.86 KiB) Downloaded 239 times
passenger_carriers-pl July 2019.pdf
(1.36 MiB) Downloaded 292 times
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby sweettrax » 10 Dec 2020, 23:41

I never saw these VW vans.....they look tight
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 11 Dec 2020, 01:14

They have em in the US, but its the eurovan. Dont look this good, and no proper lowered floor conversions.
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby sweettrax » 11 Dec 2020, 03:25

the eurovan is homely compared to your version.....infact I don't think vw offers any vans here
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 11 Dec 2020, 03:47

Here its a transporter van. Not sure about there.
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby LearnerDriver » 01 Jan 2021, 20:08

The only problem with a lowered floor is the fact that you can’t fit a tow bar :thumbdown:
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 02 Jan 2021, 03:36

Depends on vehicle. It also depends on towbar. A stock towbar may not fit, but a decent engineering shop could fit one to any van. But it would be expensive and a custom build.

For what its worth a stock towbar fits the SIDE ENTRY lowered floor VW Caravelle/transporter vans such as the GM COLARADO. This is the ONLY VW conversion there is with a fully lowered floor with proper headroom in any real powerchair. The others like brook miller etc are only lowered a bit or not at all. The colarado is lowered in front, and centre, but not the rear. So a stock tow bar not an issue. This only applies to the GM side entry VW transporter and VW caravelle conversions.

Old model, old vid, but basically the same setup.


youtu.be/9YuHXlrlGNQ
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 02 Jan 2021, 11:16

No towbar, drive from or passenger or both... Run over your luggage, and no room to move or for large chairs or legs properly. Fiat.
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... miller.jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... -close.jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... -front.jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... r-fiat.jpg

Same problems drive from or passenger VW
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... hair1%20(1).jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... hair1%20(2).jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... hair1%20(3).jpg

Sedona kia, almost as good as the US conversions just a bit too tight inside, and requires a lot of shuffling around. But can be OK in a push.
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... lchair.jpg

GM Coachwork, full lowered floor. No others do this. Rear ramp - no towbar, and run over your luggage or model planes or anything you store in the rear every time you get in or out. Works but not for me. Drive from or passenger. A little hard to get square on to the wheel. Latest versions have excellent options and performance and build quality.
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... b-side.jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... vw-lwb.jpg

The SIDE entry one has tow bar option. As the reat 25% is not lowered. This is the best option. Called Colarado.
Drive from wheelchair or passenger.
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... b-side.jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... vw-swb.jpg

Small kia. Same probs as small VW and Most small conversions.
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... -close.jpg
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... lchair.jpg

The best options are the US converted left hand drive minivans fro VMI or Rollx with a personal import. Usually at considerable savings. And with plenty of interior height and space and side ramp/kneel features.

Like my own van or newer options. Left hand drive, winter... Rush hour.
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/gopro/ramp.mp4
http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/gopro/town.mp4

https://www.rollxvans.com/wheelchair-va ... price=all#
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby LearnerDriver » 02 Jan 2021, 21:54

Thanks for all of this info, I really do appreciate it.

We have some slightly odd needs in a vehicle. A side lift won’t work as we have 2 assistance dogs that travel right behind us as my wife’s dog also medically alerts. A caravan believe it or not is easier for breaks away than a hotel. You know how hard it is to get a hotel that can accommodate a power chair, try 2 chairs and 2 dogs. Even as assistance dogs hotels still refuse entry, I know it’s breaking the law but this happens to many people with dogs like these.

A tow bar makes life easier and although a company could fabricate a tow bar for a lowered floor, these now have to go through formal testing/crash testing. Let’s be honest, some of these small firms make a better job than the major corporations do.

As always it’s a compromise.
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Re: Final year of Chrysler Dodge Minivan for conversions

Postby Burgerman » 03 Jan 2021, 04:54

A drive from wheelchair VW colarado can have a stock towbar fitted.

It can have 1 wheelchair driver. Or 1 wheelchair passenger. Or one of each. In the front. And enough space behind you for 8 dogs. Or another 2 powerchairs... As well as a rear row of seats. The centre row of seats is ommited. Lots of space.

http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... b-side.jpg

No compromise.

The VW is 3 rows of seats like the chrysler. Same layout as the chrysler van here, but van use a stock towbar.
Can have 2 wheelchairs and 3 passengers. It can be 2 chairs in front, or two normal seats, or one wheelchair. In either side. Swappable. And as many dogs as this floor space allows directly behind you.
Attachments
810_2234.JPG
810_2236.jpg
810_2236.jpg (48.25 KiB) Viewed 5116 times
810_2237.JPG
NOTE:
TWO seats up front. Can be Powerchair or Normal seat.
2ND ROW REMOVED!
3RD ROW seats another 3 people.
ALL the floorspace you can see is for a dog!!!
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