I am modifying my 2015 dodge grand caravan for my hadicapped daughter. Anyone know of a way to lower a mini van a few inches? Lowering springs?
I don't know a thing about Caravans, but depending on budget and/or what's available, you might want to consider an air bag suspension so you can lower it when stopped and raise it to normal height when driving so you don't have clearance worries.
yeah been thinking about that. would be about 4-5k i think including install. just a 2-3 inch drop would work
so believe ig or not i have a plan, ordered some ramps on ebay, just gonna make a few minor additions to them and they should work fine and they will even have the proper ADA slope for the chair. Going to test that and then see if I should air bags or not. Regardless, still way under the 25k cost of a convertion van.
You could always cut a coil out of the springs but then that might make the ride a little rougher. If you can't figure it out and you have a fab shop nearby I bet they wouldn't have a problem helping you out because a lot of them enjoy helping out people with special needs children.
yup, thtat's the back up plan, should have all the parts arriving by Wednesday and then I can see how it works. I have a buddy on the police force so I am asking if I can get my whole contraption inspected.
Wish I lived closer cause I would love to help out and fab something up for ya. Keep us updated on the progress.
Sounds like a heck of a project! Is there going to be a mount of some sort for a chair where the current center bench seat is now?
So the van has good spots for tie downs. And her chair fits perfectly. So I ordered some ramps that will fit and make sure everything works first. The. Try to figure out the best way to attach and store the ramps.
did some test runs today, stopped by Top Flight Corvette, and they had some ideas for custom fab stuff. Should be done in a week or two
This is what I've been playing around with today. I really like the progress made. I have ramps too which are light weight and. Or in the picture. #ad #ad #ad
I wonder if someone makes any kind of latch down system to save the time of the tie down strap setup?
I am waiting on seatbelts and a back plate for them to install and other then that I think I am done. Hopefully this will make life a bit easier for us. This little girl loves her road trips.
it's not going to be that spectacular, though i was color coding the tie downs with nail polish last night The spectacular part will be the functionality. When I have time, I will spray paint the tie downs purple for Aicardi Syndome.
For what you are doing for your daughter, it makes it spectacular and that's why I am interested in seeing it
Well folks, here is where it stands. Notice in one of the pictures, the extra seat belt buckle I installed to the frame of the chair. #ad #ad
