Some questions re. EZ-lock and similar

[LROBBINS]

At my wife's insistence we are looking for a new vehicle to replace our !997 VMI dropped floor Chrysler and recently went to a trade fair in Bologna to look at what's available with roughly the form factor of our 2001 Renault Kangoo (drop floor & kneeling suspension). Up to now we've used 4-point tie downs (AMF), but one of our surprises was that no one here is any longer using L-track. They've all gone to Q-straint "mushroom" sockets in the floor, and they're all so closely spaced that we'd have to unplug the rear belts, put in the chair, and re-plug in the belts every time Rachi gets into or out of the car. One shop has said they'd mount an L-track system at the same price if we wish, but the car Ellen liked best (VW Caddy maxi) is a few cm narrower at the door than the Kangoo and even with L track the tie downs may be too close together.

As an alternative I'm thinking of mounting an EZ-lock or similar even though the car is for wheelchair transport not drive from. The car modifier wants E400 + cost of EZ-lock, but would be willing to mount a used one if I can supply it. I'd have to make chair side of the fixing. So, my questions:

(1) EZ-lock uses a 5/8" grade 8 bolt - easy enough to find in the U.S., probably impossible to find in Siena. Can one substitute a 16 mm grade 10.9 or will that 0.005" larger bolt not fit? (2) somewhere here a while back a non-EZ, non-Qstraint dock was described that didn't properly over-center the locking plates, can someone remind me of that brand TO AVOID? (3) I probably could install an EZ-lock myself and save E400, but not knowing how VW runs their wiring, nor whether I'd have to move any under-chassis stuff to mount it where Rachi's chair would need it, I'm a bit hesitant to start in on another project. Any advice on that?

The Kangoo has served us well for 250,000 km so far, and we could get another, but it does have its flaws. The front seats were never terribly comfortable, and with age they've gotten decidedly uncomfortable (Ellen HATES them). We've had to replace NINE of its FOUR ignition coils (though the current ones seem a different and more reliable design than the 2001). Handling is less than stellar - it has lots of torque steer that I don't like. They don't have a decent automatic transmission available and Ellen now has left leg problems thanks to a herniated disc. The VW costs more, and has no kneeling suspension so the ramp is longer, but it has better road manners, the seats are more comfortable and I'll bet are better made, and VW has a reputation, deserved or not I don't know, for quality and durability. The Caddy Maxi is also roomier (other than rear door width) than the Kangoo and seats 5 + wheelchair rather than 4+wheelchair. Strangely, their dual clutch automated conventional (no torque converter) transmission is only available with the diesel motors. [BTW, my own prejudice is to keep cars until they are fit for naught but the junkyard, but Ellen wants new and we can easily afford that. As usual, a WC conversion makes the price levitate - the Caddy Maxi costs ca. E20k, adding the dropped floor, ramp and manual tie-downs adds E10k. (The Chrysler conversion, way back when, cost $6,000 over the price of the vehicle, so with inflation, not much different from current rip-off pricing.)

Ciao,
Lenny

[Burgerman]

The one to avoid was a clone from bekker mobility I think.

As for which vehicle I really don't know.

400 to FIT? Crazy! 4 bolts and a wire...

[rustyjames]

Agreed, 400€ is pretty rich for installation. Lenny, I see EZ locks on Ebay often, even new for like half price.

[sacharlie]

You could just use the manual release and forgo the lock buzzer so no electrical needed. My solenoid went out quite a while back but I have a release cable attached at the door frame.

[Burgerman]

Went out where?
Did it go alone?

[Irving]

Lenny,

VW reliability/durability is good and the Caddy chassis/suspension is based on the Touran MPV and Golf so ride/handling good for the class. Most of the interior fixtures & fittings are taken from the earlier Mk5 Golf but still serviceable. The 1.6 and 2.0 tdi engines are well proven and being turbo's are open to a little tweaking of the engine management . Go for the 2.0 if you can but we've borrowed the 1.6 manual from the Barbara Bus Fund and its fine for most purposes. They don't offer a petrol version as the Caddy starts life as a van and the conversions are done to the 'crew bus' variant it appears.

Irving...

[LROBBINS]

Thanks Irving,

Here they do offer a petrol version, just not with the automated transmission. We are figuring on the larger diesel as most of Italy is not exactly flat. Seems as though the modifier has figured out how to mount L-tracks far enough apart that we can use AMF 4-point belts matching those in our other car, the set I lent to our volunteer transport service, and the fittings already on the chair so I'll go with that and add the EZ-lock myself if we want one.

Ciao,
Lenny