2001 Ford w/ deeply lowered floor (much headroom)
76,000 Miles
Current Price: $17,500
INCLUDES WARRANTY

Ø Deeply lowered floor all the way to the dash in driver and passenger areas. This creates similar headroom and clearance to a van with a tall roof and tall doors...but it looks and feels like a normal van, cool and nice!

Ø Long list of features make it possible for a person in a chair to use this van with full independence.  Drive from wheelchair, or transfer to special drivers seat... your choice.

Ø Top-of-the-line Château model is the best Ford makes.

Ø A similar van bought new today would be about $70,000-$80,000
 

Options and Equipment

THE VAN:   This began as the rarest and most desirable of Ford vans, which is the Chateau model.  Less than 1% are built with this trim level.  It is a 1/2 ton (E150) with 5.4 liter Triton (more power, better mpg) V8 and overdrive automatic.  Due to the special package, it is extra-loaded inside and out with functional and cosmetic features galore, such as: common power and convenience features such as power windows, mirrors, locks and cruise control;  factory two-tone paint with special striping; dark windows; alloys; upgraded  high-power C.D. stereo system with cassette; dual heat and dual A/C; fancy chrome bumpers with color strips; factory installed running boards; rear tire carrier with full size spare; leather-wrap steering wheel; full gauges.  And I am sure I am missing some other goodies...this van is super-equipped!

THE GOODIES:  Has a large, power operated rear bench which folds into a bed with push of a switch !  And there is an extension which makes it more than just a bench which folds flat, it truly is a bed.  Also has nice hitch and wiring system, which has had very little use.

MOBILITY:  This is the most highly equipped and  full-featured full size  mobility van I have ever had.  Wheelchair vans with this level of equipment are very hard to find.  Simply put, this van is not only built for a person in a chair to be able to be fully independent, but it goes even a notch or two past that in its accommodation and versatility.   Here's the list:

* The most deeply lowered floor available on a full size van.  And very notably, it is not only lowered in the middle area to allow carrying a person in chair, but it is lowered all the way to the lower dash area, on BOTH sides!   This combo of deeply lowered AND being all the way to the front is valuable and VERY uncommon.   This not only creates the ability to drive from chair (if you remove the swivel seat) or park chair in front passenger area, but it of course adds headroom and clearance that even if not needed is sure nice to have...for the person in the chair as well as other folks in the van.  This type of deeply lowered floor is only available from the largest conversion companies...not independent shops. The specialty shop who serviced this for me is pretty sure this one was lowered by a division of the mobility industry giant, Braun.

* Braun lift with tri-fold platform.  This allows for easy movement of passengers even with lift stowed.

* Emergency brake is operated with a toggle switch, requiring no foot use

*  Has Ricon power transfer base in drivers position.  This has extreme travel fore/aft, up/down and swivels approximately 100 degrees.  Mounted on it is a custom, orthopedic seat made by Recaro.  This combo of special seat and top-of-the-line power base is the ultimate setup if you want to transfer from your chair to the drivers position.  If you don't want or need this and want to drive from your chair, this can easily be removed with only 4 bolts.

* I had brand new flooring installed, which is the vinyl/rubber type which is now being used in a lot of new wheelchair vans.  It is a superior surface to drive a wheelchair on and is very resistant to wear.

*  Passenger front seat is mounted on a special wheeled-base which is very easily removable.  This allows flexibility for general seating or chair-parking.  Underneath this seat is currently an EZ-Lock electronic docking station.   This could be used on the drivers side if a person wants to drive from their chair, or it can be installed anywhere in the van.  At one time, the man who owned this was in fact driving from his chair in the configuration I speak of.

* Wow, it even has custom 'low effort' power steering and 'low effort' power brakes.  Many people who are in chairs and drive, find that they either very much need these features, or they at least prefer them.

* Power opening side doors

* Multiple locations of operating switches

* This had hand controls in it when I bought it.  I had them professionally removed (but saved them) because the eventual buyer of this van is likely to not need them.  They could be re-installed if the buyer does need or want them.

Dimensions, capacity and specifications: Please feel free to email or call me with any such questions. I will gladly assist with anything you wish to know. I have discovered that due to the unique way each person evaluates, measures and expresses their needs, I can be most helpful regarding this subject if we communicate directly.

History of Ownership

This van has had one owner.  He passed away a few months ago and willed it to a friend of his who was also in a chair.  I purchased it from him.

History of Care

This van was in exceptional overall functional condition when I bought it.   And as with each of my vans, it is now fantastic.  It runs, rides and drives like a newer van.  And as you see, it is beautiful inside and out.

Each of my vans receives a detailed (about 75 items) inspection by the general mechanic shop which I consider to be the finest in my area. Then, after discussing their report, I have them do what is needed to repair, replace or service items on the vehicle in order to reach my high standard of overall mechanical condition.  And in case you may wonder, their process on each van does include an oil, lube and filter service.  The aforementioned inspection, repair and service process is a major and very valuable element of my "Rick's rejuvenated" process.

As a result of the above mentioned process, here is a list of some items which were cared for by the shop I speak of:

* Rear differential has been serviced

* Cooling system flush

In addition: as part of my 'Rick's rejuvenated'' process, each mobility/adaptive component is inspected, serviced, adjusted and repaired (if needed) by a different mechanic, who owns the premium company in this area which exclusively cares for wheelchair vans.

Carfax Report Summary

(Carfax is a widely used database which indicates the history of a vehicle including accidents, prior owners, etc.)

 Shows as a Carfax "one owner".  No red flags.

You Might Like To Know...

* Most vans which offer independence do so with a tall roof, but not this one.  Due to the deeply lowered floor, this van looks almost like a normal van from the outside, can be driven in any parking garage or drive-thru and will get much better gas mileage than a van with a tall roof.  I suppose you could say that with this van you get the 'best of both worlds'.

* Each of my vans has a superb paint sealant as the final step of the extreme detail. If you were to have a professional apply a treatment the cost would be several hundred dollars.

Summary of this Gem

Few full size vans are like this one, having had the wide range of modifications and features added to enable a person in a chair to operate the van fully independently.  And this one is beautiful and has some very special features.  Please feel free to call or mail with nay questions about this truly exceptional van.

 

This van has the deepest lowered floor available in a full size van. With this degree of lowered floor, this van has similar headroom and clearance to a van with a tall roof.
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This photo demonstrates several things: the swiveled seat; the new flooring; the current location of the EZ Lock mechanism in the floor; and you can also see the lowered floor which goes to the dash area.
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Driver Side Full View
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Passenger Side Rear View
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Passenger Side Rear View
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Passenger Side Front View
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Here is a view of the power transfer base with custom orthopedic seat.
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Odometer
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Notice several things in this photo: front and rear ventilation controls; high power factory stereo system; in the lower left are two toggle switches, one of which controls the electronic emergency brake, the other operates the power side doors and lift
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This is the control box for the EZ Lock mechanism.
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Passenger Side Interior
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The short rectangular piece shown in this photo folds flat, which greatly increases the size of the bed.
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Extensive rear ventilation system.
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Hitch and wirings system has had very little use.
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These are the hand controls which were in the van when I purchases it and could be reinstalled.
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Generously sized and capable wheelchair lift.
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General view of van ready to load.
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This custom seat has many beneficial features such as being very supportive, comfortable and durable.
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Notice the large wheels underneath the seat which make it easy to bring in or out. Note: there are silver turnbuckles at the rear and front of this seat which add stability but some people would simply use the EZ Lock to secure the seat
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Wonderful power operated tri-fold platform combined with space-saving single arm lift creates generous entry/exit room
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EZ Lock can be repositioned to accommodate most wheelchairs in this front passenger location
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Custom sized seat/bed fully utilizes the rear area and is covered with heavy duty marine-grade material
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These are the control switches for the power bed and are mounted on the stationary portion of the wheelchair lift.
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* I apologize for any unclear photos. At times, the conditions make a clear photo impossible.

If you would like more information or to see and drive this vehicle,
please call Rick at 541-973-7377.