E-250 lowered floor
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E-250 lowered floor
I will be looking at a 2001 E-250 starcraft conversion van,with a 6" lowered floor,raised roof and wheel chair lift. My question is regarding the placement of the gas tank, exhaust system,and drive shaft, as these are located under the floor that has been lowered. I have not seen the van yet but will be looking at it this saturday. currently have 1993 E150 with raised roof and lift but not a lowered floor. Does anyone have experience with a lowered floor van ?
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The driveshaft should not be modified, The exhaust system may or may not be changed, but the gas tank on the lowered floor mods I have seen has been removed and a replacement tank is installed behind the axle.
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From: Oregon Coast
As a chair user, riding in a non lowered floor van is down right degrading (can't see out of the van very far) and makes me car sick. The raised roof does nothing to help the person in the chair. They only modify the driveshaft if you use a UVL lift. (under vehicle lift). The lowered flor is the only way to fly unless you insist on being able to stand up in the van. Then a raised roof helps but I believe it structurally weakens the van and is a place for rust to start. If you ever dump one on it's side or get up against something with the wall it blows the top off.
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From: S Alabama on 200 Acres
I too use a powerchair and drive from it. I'm only 5ft 7in when standing and just 53in in my Invacare Arrow Powerchair. With that height I'm able to use my 06 E-350 Diesel without raising the roof or lowering the floor by just leveling the floor with a thin sheet of aluminum tread plate and have no difficulty with viewing.
I do have an 02 E-250 Diesel that I just picked up (bought it at an estate sale for $4200.00) with a 4in lowered floor. On it the fuel tank has been relocated to the rear just behind the axle where it will make it difficult to check/change fluid level. The exhaust is stock except for a 4in piece added where the pipe drops below the floor pan.
I do have an 02 E-250 Diesel that I just picked up (bought it at an estate sale for $4200.00) with a 4in lowered floor. On it the fuel tank has been relocated to the rear just behind the axle where it will make it difficult to check/change fluid level. The exhaust is stock except for a 4in piece added where the pipe drops below the floor pan.
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From: Oregon Coast
That's really cool Hab. I wish I could use a regular van. I was 6' standing and now 57" in my 646SE. I'm still waiting on the state to send the voucher so I can get mine modified. My 08 still only has 60.1 miles on it since we brought it home in February. My current 88 E350 has an 8" drop in the drivers area and 7" in the cargo area. It still has the mid tank and the stock rear tank. I'm going to miss my dual tanks.
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From: S Alabama on 200 Acres
Yeah, waiting on the state is a real bummer.
Fortunately I was on active duty when I broke my neck in three places at Ft. Benning in 81. With the VA when I decide to get a new van I just call in to the prosthetics dept. and let them know. Then order the van. By the time it arrives at the dealer I pick it up have someone drive it to the DME dealer, which by then has received authorization, and go back to pick it up. Less the time it takes for Ford to build and deliver its usually less than thirty days. Since 81 have averaged a new van every four years. Only one took longer than usual, the 06 E-350 Diesel. The DME dealer was in the middle of a labor crisis, all his good help left for better pay and the ones he hired did a crappy job. With me spending $40,000.00 there every four years I bet he's going to miss me next year.
Fortunately I was on active duty when I broke my neck in three places at Ft. Benning in 81. With the VA when I decide to get a new van I just call in to the prosthetics dept. and let them know. Then order the van. By the time it arrives at the dealer I pick it up have someone drive it to the DME dealer, which by then has received authorization, and go back to pick it up. Less the time it takes for Ford to build and deliver its usually less than thirty days. Since 81 have averaged a new van every four years. Only one took longer than usual, the 06 E-350 Diesel. The DME dealer was in the middle of a labor crisis, all his good help left for better pay and the ones he hired did a crappy job. With me spending $40,000.00 there every four years I bet he's going to miss me next year.
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From: Oregon Coast
That sounds pretty good. Great really. Through the state here I am told they do one per lifetime. Since we did it to such an old van to begin with they are doing an exception. I was injured in 1993 so had we converterted a 1994 I would have been expected to make it last for life. I was given the go ahead to buy a new van in Jan of 2007. I waited for the body style change so my van would look a current as possible for as long as possible. I finally recieved it in Feb 2008 and then it took them 6 months to draw up my "plan". I signed it off near a month ago and was told it would take less than a week as it was all preapproved. Well, here I sit, still patching up my POS 88 while the warranty runs out on my new van in the garage. Grrrrrr!
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From: S Alabama on 200 Acres
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E-250 lowered floor
Thanks for all the replies and input. I went and looked at the van this morning. they raised the body about 4" to compensate for the lowered floor,allowing them to leave everything underneath in its original location.
you couldn't ask for better workmanship,they did a nice job. its important for us to be able to stand up inside because the van is used to transport our 21 yr old severly disabled daughter. I agree with "Hired gun "
about structural issues with a raised roof, but i' ve also owned the current ride for 15 yrs without issue.I also would like to thank " Hired gun" for the input about visibility in a non lowered floor van,I had never given that a thought before, again thanks to all for the info, i put a deposit on it and hopefully will have it home soon
Dave
you couldn't ask for better workmanship,they did a nice job. its important for us to be able to stand up inside because the van is used to transport our 21 yr old severly disabled daughter. I agree with "Hired gun "
about structural issues with a raised roof, but i' ve also owned the current ride for 15 yrs without issue.I also would like to thank " Hired gun" for the input about visibility in a non lowered floor van,I had never given that a thought before, again thanks to all for the info, i put a deposit on it and hopefully will have it home soon
Dave
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From: Oregon Coast
Your daughter will really enjoy the increased visability from the lowered floor as it puts her eye level about the same as people in the regular seats. The 6" lowered floor shouldn't have more than a 2" body lift. They can do 4" with no lift at all.
How about some pictures?
I'm in a good mood as the state finally called me and said the voucher should be approved by next Friday. WhoooHooo!
How about some pictures?
I'm in a good mood as the state finally called me and said the voucher should be approved by next Friday. WhoooHooo!
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