Overall I'm very impressed with your conversion. I do have one major safety concern for the wheelchair occupant. HF carabiners and straps are NOT safety rated and should not be used for human safety. In a crash, the force on the straps can be 3 to 5 times the weight of the wheelchair & person, there is no way they will hold. I highly recommend the Qstraint or similar safety rated device. Please!
I’d have to echo your safety concerns all round. This is an amazing budget conversion but safety wise I’d have major concerns. I’m extremely fortunate that I’ve had 2 wheelchair accessible conversions from here in the UK. The differences are stark. I have to congratulate the sheer effort involved here. I send my good wishes.
Thanks for identifying the Promaster as a good candidate for lowering and a ramp. I hear this ramp van is now available already modified from the manufacturer. I doubt we can afford the new one ready to go, but I hope to be able to find a shop that can/will lower a used one for us and install the ramp. My husband is a stroke survivor and we've had a conversion van and a class B+ camper, neither of which worked out due to lack of an affordable device to get him in. He's not wheelchair bound, just can't lift his feet more than 2 or 3 inches, and then only with a solid hand rail. I could push him up/down a ramp like yours. Lowering kits for vans are elusive; it seems they're only made for trucks. So I hope I can find a mechanic to do it. We're in southwest Washington State. It's sad that all the steps units made for RVs have a big distance between steps. You'd think one could be made that disabled people could use.
Men- you’re a God send. I was just flirting with buying a a 2011 Sienna with 168,000 miles after going through 2 Rusty belt vans for $18,000 - one was a $9000 E150 for which I had a ramp and as a gift family paid for that install and the next one was a 2008 Uplander that was given to us gracefully by the Church but they didn’t know that it was rusted up. It lasted 3 good years. Very thankful for that act of kindness. Anyways here I am again. The Uplander has a manual ramp that I can still use- maybe with a little more incline ( beggars can’t be choosers 😂). The only thing I think I’ll spend a little more would be insulation and just making it less rustic + since cars started to come down a bit - maybe I can get the same one with little mileage & hopefully still under warranty fora little bit less- not that I wouldn’t buy new For the same price you got yours, but honestly my wife health isn’t the greatest. the doctor prediction (not mine)- I love my wife -was 1 year- 2 years ago and my wife still looks like she is going to make that doctor think again before handing out lifespan predictions. . 😂 Anyways- What’s your opinion on reliability? What would you personally choose: a 2011 /168,000 miles Toyota Sienna fully equipped with who knows how much more $ would I have to put into it or your amazing idea. The Toyota is completely adapted with Braun ( not the best, because when they break its $$$ & it doesn’t have an emergency mechanism if it breaks- according to some RUclips videos there’s no way to enter/exit if there’s an electrical mechanical failure ( how do they get away with that? vs your creation cheap/simple and it works)! How has the Dodge treated you and do you have any other videos from where I can learn more? Sorry for writing The Bill if Rights, just desperate to give my wife back the little freedom she yearns. Thanks again Edit. What’s the height clearance space?
Great job! We built a custom wheelchair accessible camper van. Ours is a Ram Promaster too. We have the Under Vehicle Lift on ours. Of course those are pretty expensive. But we just finished our build and are getting ready to do a tour of the van with all the wheelchair friendly modifications.
Awesome! We’ve often talked about getting/building a camper. It would open up so much travel knowing we have everything we need the way we need it. We look forward to seeing your tour!
Great plan for a good price. Any ideas now in 2023 and also is there a way once the person is in the van to get them on a seat that moves forward so they can now drive the if their right leg works? Very interested in this. Thank you!
Only question i have is on the rear axle. You drilled a hole into the axle tube, for the spring nut? What about the gear oil? How did you seal the tube?
Great job man. I’m in canada and trying to find a good Ford T150 or Dodge Pro but no luck since 6 months. Prices are crazy here and to get the modifying done is so expensive. Your video has gave me courage to start this project on my own even though I don’t have that much knowledge of vehicles and I’m not that handy person but for my daughter who is in wheelchair I will do it. Thanks man.
Nice explanation on the axle flip and coil cutting. I'm curious about the mounting of the ramp. You said four bolts and you could move it. Are there any bottom plates/support plates or anything for additional floor strength where the ramp connects to the van floor? Could you provide pictures or maybe another video? I've been considering a cargo van with wheelchair ramp as an option for transporting a motorcycle. Person and bike going up the ramp is about 800 pounds and my concern is the added weight on the floor and eventual tearing of the bolt locations in the floor.
Michael, I did use some large fender washers on the bottom side where the bolts came down through the body. The fender washers were roughly 2.25" dia and maybe 1/16" thick. I know for a fact that this ramp will hold a motorcycle and rider as it has been done. The anchor point does not really bare any weight by design. The weight is distributed between the ground and where the ramp hits the deck of the van at the hinge point. The mounting plate support only comes into play when the ramp is in its up position. Kevin
Apologies if I missed it in the video, but what is the length of the ramp? I am looking at adding a ramp to a vehicle with 18" deck height, so I am curious about your incline.Thanks!
Our ramp is 72 inches long and 30 inches wide. The incline is steep even with the lowered suspension. A link to this specific ramp is in the description 😊
Great job guys! Can't express that enough. A++ I WOULD LOVE TO MEET THE GUY WHO SOLD YOU THE VAN AND DO THIS MOD MY SELF. Been in the transport biz for years. TRYING TO OPEN MY OWN COMPANY AND NEED ALL THE HELP I COULD GET. Gonna have to use this. Only thing I saw that could use improvement was the clearance between the frame a and the rubber bump stops but looks like they could be swapped or modded pretty easily.... ???if they're even called that. It just looks like it has little room before bottoming out. This is an awesome modification. Please send me a contact if possible? Thanks
Hey great DIY, im thinking of doing the same thing with my 2014 promaster. could you tell me how the van has been handling driving ext. with the cut springs, the rear axle drop not a concern, but everyone is saying ow god don't cut the springs. but i'm like you, why not try it.
Hi Larry, I’d say it drives/rides like the utility van that it is. It’s definitely nowhere as smooth a ride as a non-work van would be. But we have noticed a significant difference when there’s a lot of weight like when we’re loaded down for travel, it’s much smoother then. We did add special air suspension as well after this video was made which did help some.
Thank you! Let us know if you have any questions, Kevin is a pretty handy guy. I’ve always just used the seatbelt built into my chair and the straps that hook my chair to the floor. I’m sure you can install a seatbelt into your vehicle to use for the your son’s wheelchair if you felt you needed it. You can also look into a chest strap that attaches to the wheelchair. I actually have one but just don’t use it.
@@wheelsheels6814 yikes, just fyi, that seatbelt is not rated for crash safety. Combined with your harbor freight straps, this is a death trap. Please get a real seatbelt with shoulder harness installed. They're not very expensive. And look into a QStraint or EZ-Lock docking system or real tie downs that won't tear apart in a crash. Your life is worth it.
I am in awe Kevin! My handicapdaughter is moving home and I can't find an accessible vehicle to transport her in that is 8-10 years old with 60-100k miles on it for under $44000!! It's too bad that they have to charge so much if simpler ideas like this work. I do have a question though... So what about heating and air conditioning? Are there vents for those in the back of a cargo van?
You disabled and experienced with wherlchairs? 1 in 12 is an approved ratio FOR A REASON. anyone in a power chair hits this ramp going down is going to do a header! Its fkng dangerous. He didnt just shorten it a tad… he fkn kiled it. 18’ feet is what he needed…. Cut that in HALF for a paraplegic who is very active and he might be able to fo it… but to then cut it 3 more feet is STUPID. Notice he did t try it imself. No way he could pudh up that! Coming down is the death roll! Hahaha. Never use uncle bob or your trucker dad to build a paralized human being a lift. There are specs and safety for a reaaon. Some corners can be cut… but not like this man. I hope he trashed it before having his loved one use it. I doubt they would use it once they seen how steep it id!
![[Wheelchair-Accessible] 2017 Ram ProMaster Long-Wheelbase Conversion Van Walkthrough | 27758T](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yUr9Na7V9Aw/mqdefault.jpg)
As father of a disabled child (daughter) myself, this man is the definition of manhood. Thank you so much for posting this video!
Thank you for watching!
Overall I'm very impressed with your conversion. I do have one major safety concern for the wheelchair occupant. HF carabiners and straps are NOT safety rated and should not be used for human safety. In a crash, the force on the straps can be 3 to 5 times the weight of the wheelchair & person, there is no way they will hold. I highly recommend the Qstraint or similar safety rated device. Please!
I’d have to echo your safety concerns all round. This is an amazing budget conversion but safety wise I’d have major concerns. I’m extremely fortunate that I’ve had 2 wheelchair accessible conversions from here in the UK. The differences are stark. I have to congratulate the sheer effort involved here. I send my good wishes.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video
Thanks for identifying the Promaster as a good candidate for lowering and a ramp. I hear this ramp van is now available already modified from the manufacturer. I doubt we can afford the new one ready to go, but I hope to be able to find a shop that can/will lower a used one for us and install the ramp. My husband is a stroke survivor and we've had a conversion van and a class B+ camper, neither of which worked out due to lack of an affordable device to get him in. He's not wheelchair bound, just can't lift his feet more than 2 or 3 inches, and then only with a solid hand rail. I could push him up/down a ramp like yours. Lowering kits for vans are elusive; it seems they're only made for trucks. So I hope I can find a mechanic to do it. We're in southwest Washington State. It's sad that all the steps units made for RVs have a big distance between steps. You'd think one could be made that disabled people could use.
Men- you’re a God send. I was just flirting with buying a a 2011 Sienna with 168,000 miles after going through 2 Rusty belt vans for $18,000 - one was a $9000 E150 for which I had a ramp and as a gift family paid for that install and the next one was a 2008 Uplander that was given to us gracefully by the Church but they didn’t know that it was rusted up. It lasted 3 good years. Very thankful for that act of kindness.
Anyways here I am again. The Uplander has a manual ramp that I can still use- maybe with a little more incline ( beggars can’t be choosers 😂). The only thing I think I’ll spend a little more would be insulation and just making it less rustic + since cars started to come down a bit - maybe I can get the same one with little mileage & hopefully still under warranty fora little bit less- not that I wouldn’t buy new For the same price you got yours, but honestly my wife health isn’t the greatest. the doctor prediction (not mine)- I love my wife -was 1 year- 2 years ago and my wife still looks like she is going to make that doctor think again before handing out lifespan predictions. . 😂
Anyways- What’s your opinion on reliability? What would you personally choose: a 2011 /168,000 miles Toyota Sienna fully equipped with who knows how much more $ would I have to put into it or your amazing idea. The Toyota is completely adapted with Braun ( not the best, because when they break its $$$ & it doesn’t have an emergency mechanism if it breaks- according to some RUclips videos there’s no way to enter/exit if there’s an electrical mechanical failure ( how do they get away with that? vs your creation cheap/simple and it works)!
How has the Dodge treated you and do you have any other videos from where I can learn more?
Sorry for writing The Bill if Rights, just desperate to give my wife back the little freedom she yearns.
Thanks again
Edit.
What’s the height clearance space?
Just found this video. Please use heavier ratcheted straps as the ones shown will not hold up in court. Great vids though
Necessity is the mother of invention. This is great!
Yes it is, thank you Matt! Hope you’ve been doing well!
Congrats! Very well done. Kevin, you are a super smart and able guy to have been able to figure all of this out and make it real!
Thank you so much! We hope hope this is helpful to someone!
Great job! We built a custom wheelchair accessible camper van. Ours is a Ram Promaster too. We have the Under Vehicle Lift on ours. Of course those are pretty expensive. But we just finished our build and are getting ready to do a tour of the van with all the wheelchair friendly modifications.
Awesome! We’ve often talked about getting/building a camper. It would open up so much travel knowing we have everything we need the way we need it. We look forward to seeing your tour!
I mistakenly erased my story. Anyways- I’ll just ask what’s the height clearance to enter & exit?
Men, sincerely thank you.
Wow, great look at all of the chnges!
Thank you!
I have been looking for this for five years.
So glad we were able to help you out! 😊
Great plan for a good price. Any ideas now in 2023 and also is there a way once the person is in the van to get them on a seat that moves forward so they can now drive the if their right leg works? Very interested in this. Thank you!
That’s awesome! Thanks for posting!!
Thank you for watching!
Great work.
Thank you so much 😊
I wish I could convert an SHO...hahaha. I don't want to give up my car. It's getting to that point though.
Man this is amazing info. Thx
Just an awesome video. Thank you
Thank you!
Only question i have is on the rear axle. You drilled a hole into the axle tube, for the spring nut? What about the gear oil? How did you seal the tube?
Unbelievable creative and awesome! 😀👍🏼👨🏽🦼
Thank you so much!
You are my hero! Lol
I will certainly pass this message along to Kevin! He’s definitely the brains of this 😂
thank you for the info
It's our pleasure
Great job man. I’m in canada and trying to find a good Ford T150 or Dodge Pro but no luck since 6 months. Prices are crazy here and to get the modifying done is so expensive. Your video has gave me courage to start this project on my own even though I don’t have that much knowledge of vehicles and I’m not that handy person but for my daughter who is in wheelchair I will do it. Thanks man.
We wish you luck on your endeavor!
Nice explanation on the axle flip and coil cutting. I'm curious about the mounting of the ramp. You said four bolts and you could move it. Are there any bottom plates/support plates or anything for additional floor strength where the ramp connects to the van floor? Could you provide pictures or maybe another video? I've been considering a cargo van with wheelchair ramp as an option for transporting a motorcycle. Person and bike going up the ramp is about 800 pounds and my concern is the added weight on the floor and eventual tearing of the bolt locations in the floor.
Michael, I did use some large fender washers on the bottom side where the bolts came down through the body. The fender washers were roughly 2.25" dia and maybe 1/16" thick. I know for a fact that this ramp will hold a motorcycle and rider as it has been done. The anchor point does not really bare any weight by design. The weight is distributed between the ground and where the ramp hits the deck of the van at the hinge point. The mounting plate support only comes into play when the ramp is in its up position. Kevin
Awesome. Wish I were able to do this. Ingenious. Unfortunately, I'm an aging Caregiver, but kudos to you and your workmanship.
Thank you so much ☺️
Apologies if I missed it in the video, but what is the length of the ramp? I am looking at adding a ramp to a vehicle with 18" deck height, so I am curious about your incline.Thanks!
Our ramp is 72 inches long and 30 inches wide. The incline is steep even with the lowered suspension. A link to this specific ramp is in the description 😊
Love this! Who makes the ramp?
Inlad manufactures the ramp and it’s distributed by U. S. Outfitters. There’s a link in the description.
Great job guys! Can't express that enough. A++ I WOULD LOVE TO MEET THE GUY WHO SOLD YOU THE VAN AND DO THIS MOD MY SELF. Been in the transport biz for years. TRYING TO OPEN MY OWN COMPANY AND NEED ALL THE HELP I COULD GET. Gonna have to use this. Only thing I saw that could use improvement was the clearance between the frame a and the rubber bump stops but looks like they could be swapped or modded pretty easily.... ???if they're even called that. It just looks like it has little room before bottoming out. This is an awesome modification. Please send me a contact if possible? Thanks
Hey great DIY, im thinking of doing the same thing with my 2014 promaster. could you tell me how the van has been handling driving ext. with the cut springs, the rear axle drop not a concern, but everyone is saying ow god don't cut the springs. but i'm like you, why not try it.
Hi Larry, I’d say it drives/rides like the utility van that it is. It’s definitely nowhere as smooth a ride as a non-work van would be. But we have noticed a significant difference when there’s a lot of weight like when we’re loaded down for travel, it’s much smoother then. We did add special air suspension as well after this video was made which did help some.
I really wish I could build a van for my husband. Do you do these builds as a job? Your van is beautiful.
No, we don't. But Kevin is happy to answer any questions you have while doing the build yourself!
Nice video. Im looking into doing this for my son
What kind of seat belt do you use with the wheelchair?
Thank you! Let us know if you have any questions, Kevin is a pretty handy guy. I’ve always just used the seatbelt built into my chair and the straps that hook my chair to the floor. I’m sure you can install a seatbelt into your vehicle to use for the your son’s wheelchair if you felt you needed it. You can also look into a chest strap that attaches to the wheelchair. I actually have one but just don’t use it.
@@wheelsheels6814 thank you for replying
Nice job! What did you do for a seat belt for the wheelchair occupant?
I use the seatbelt built into my wheelchair. I do have a chest strap I can use if I feel it’s necessary
@@wheelsheels6814 yikes, just fyi, that seatbelt is not rated for crash safety. Combined with your harbor freight straps, this is a death trap. Please get a real seatbelt with shoulder harness installed. They're not very expensive. And look into a QStraint or EZ-Lock docking system or real tie downs that won't tear apart in a crash. Your life is worth it.
I am in awe Kevin! My handicapdaughter is moving home and I can't find an accessible vehicle to transport her in that is 8-10 years old with 60-100k miles on it for under $44000!! It's too bad that they have to charge so much if simpler ideas like this work.
I do have a question though...
So what about heating and air conditioning? Are there vents for those in the back of a cargo van?
Hi Janice, no there are no vents in the back.
We would like to introduce a new Keyless entry system for wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Is there? Clearance for speed bumps on this vehicle because I am in encounter lotta speed bumpers in California.
We've never had any scraping.
Thank you for the info. Ignore the idiots.
You disabled and experienced with wherlchairs? 1 in 12 is an approved ratio FOR A REASON. anyone in a power chair hits this ramp going down is going to do a header! Its fkng dangerous. He didnt just shorten it a tad… he fkn kiled it. 18’ feet is what he needed…. Cut that in HALF for a paraplegic who is very active and he might be able to fo it… but to then cut it 3 more feet is STUPID. Notice he did t try it imself. No way he could pudh up that! Coming down is the death roll! Hahaha. Never use uncle bob or your trucker dad to build a paralized human being a lift. There are specs and safety for a reaaon. Some corners can be cut… but not like this man. I hope he trashed it before having his loved one use it. I doubt they would use it once they seen how steep it id!
Where did you purchase the ramp?I need a 36 in wide ramp
What was the most expensive part? 25,000 seems like a lot
hey there, purchasing the van itself was by far the most expensive part of this project.
😇
Can I hire you?
Kevin is more than happy to answer any questions you have while you do this for yourself.
Me2
Me2
"Handicap accessible?" do you live in the 80's? Its a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.