Hi guys. Usually I hang out over in the 1990s section of the forum. Today I find myself in something a bit newer.

I'll try to keep the backstory short. My stepdad was in a wheelchair from a broken neck. He had vans customized for him so he could drive around. The final years of his life, he spend mostly bedridden, so the last van didn't see much use. He died during covid and my mom ended up with the van. She sent it to the local place that does these conversions to have some of the equipment removed. The van sat around for the past 3 years, with little being done to it. I went and picked it up today. Basically, it still has 95% of all the handicapped accessible parts still in it, and now it has some of the interior panels removed and laying in the back.

The van is a 2007 E250HD with 44k miles on the clock. I ran the VIN and it says it has a 5.4L motor. It has a wheelchair ramp that comes out the side doors. The floor is flattened and lowered, so you can roll all through it in a wheelchair on up to the driver's spot. The company said that the work done to lower the floor and make it flat was a $30k job. Most of the manual controls are still present for stuff like the power windows, lights, blinkers, mirrors. But you have to use the mobility system to start the engine and select between park, reverse, drive, etc. The system thats in it is 10yr old electronics, snaked behind the panels throughout the doors and dash. I dont think anybody who works on these systems will touch the 10yr old system. What's there seems to work fine now. It would cost a fortune to have it completely removed.

So the state its in. Fairly low miles 5.4L van with a fancy lowered floor. Its probably not the best for my mom, because the little song and dance you have to do with the mobility system to start and drive it. She's getting old and can't remember all the little steps you have to do. She'd be better with a wad of cash or a little honda/toyota.

I'm trying to come up with a game plan for this van for her. It would probably be most useful to somebody who needs this sort of van, and perhaps needs a second vehicle.
It would also be useful to somebody just as a van, but who was willing to live with the mobility system.

What say the hive? How would one determine a value on something like this? Are there specific places people buy, sell, and trade these customized vans?
What are some other thoughts about how to handle it?

 

Moved to van forum.....

 

Maybe call a local disabled vetern's group to see if they have any suggestions? With the positive attributes of the body and chassis it would still be quite a nice vehicle to fill the needs of someone needing such a vehicle.

 

Much depends on how complete and immediately usable it is. It’s not clear to me whether it’s good to go or panels and components aren’t installed.

Are there used mobility vans listed for sale in your area?

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 197K miles

 

The aftermarket mobility components are still all installed, except the part my stepdad used to steer. They put a normal OEM steering column back in it. Some of the interior panels are present, but not installed. Like door panels, lower dash panel, and the plastic covers for the column.

I have not yet done an inventory nor gone looking for all the screws. I'm assuming there will be screws missing and was planning on a trip to pull-a-part after i have an idea of which ones i need. Looks like an hour or so worth of work to put the panels all back on, plus whatever time tracking down screws and clips.

I did find some of these vans listed on facebook. The prices are all over the place, and most are double this amount of miles.

 

Low miles are definitely on your side.

Sixto
07 E350 5.4 197K miles

 

They are worth a ton
They cost a ton to have the modifications made

 

Check for non-profits in your area that serve the disabled. They may be able to help you out.

Years ago I drove a wheelchair van part-time for one and they would occasionally get such vehicles offered as donations.

I don't remember for sure but most weren't accepted because of liability issues.

 

I dont think mom is in the position to just give it away. Somehow i would like to parlay this into money or a vehicle she can use. Ideally, the van would end up helping somebody that needs it, but i am not above parting it out or selling it to a crew of painters or plumbers as a work van.

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Oops, I didn't have time to edit. I meant that maybe getting a non-profit involved in helping you get it put back in usable condition might be a problem with liability. It's worth a try and I agree it should be worth something to somebody with that lower mileage.

 

List it on the facebook market place, there are several around me, betting it has the guardian unit on it, person responsible for designing that should be burned at the stake, removing it is not bad, its putting the door latches back and adjusting them thats a pain, the lift is pretty heavy, moved several myself, if you plan to remove and sell the lift later, try not to tear it up, unplug the parts, don't just rip them out. Handicap shops want to sell minivans, they don't want to repair, sell, or upkeep anything over 10 years old, I can't even get the one here to order parts for me. You could try craigslist too, believe me people in wheelchairs search these sites, I do all the time.

 

I agree, sell it as a wheelchair van to someone who needs it
Ask a fair price and get a fair price
Sell it as is