We were recently notified by the owner of an adapted van that he’d like to donate it to a deserving person with a mobility challenge. As we learned more about the van, it certainly raised some eyebrows but after speaking with the owner, we felt compelled to share the details with the SCI community given the high cost barrier for an adapted vehicle.

The van is a 1991 Ford Econoline E150 with only 28,500 miles on it. Now, before you say no way, the owner/donor, who is a C5 quadriplegic, said that due to his disability, he was unable to drive the van for long distances and he used it sparingly for purposes that he could manage to drive to. It is currently stored in San Jose.

The design and gear was installed by Driving Systems in Van Nuys, CA. It has a Ricon wheelchair lift with three operating switches: outside, inside control panel and on the lift itself. There is non-obstructed entrance for a wheelchair in place of the driver seat with a locking mechanism for the wheelchair. Additionally, the van has a front passenger seat next to the driver. The van is operated with a full control panel that controls automatic transmission, windows, lights (including high-beams), turning signals (including emergency flashers), windshield wipers, emergency brake, ignition and horn.

There are safety covers for ignition and emergency brake buttons. The van is operated via Scott-system 3-post tiller which controls accelerator, braking and steering. The elbow padding on the tiller has also been replaced. The van is equipped with dual batteries (both are new batteries), where the second one acts as a back-up to the primary. The alternator is new. There is also separate on/off interior light switch at the entrance for night operations. The roof has been raised about 8 inches with roll bar. The van passed California smog check and is currently registered till July of 2019.

The owner is not aware of any other known issues and says the wheelchair of the eventual recipient would need to be fitted to the locking mechanism and they would need to practice driving with the tiller.

If you have additional questions or would like to view the van, you may contact the owner, George, directly by e-mail at georgemorellojr@gmail.com

Donor offers free Ford E150 adapted van

More Than Walking providing global access to SCI knowledge and community

Spinal Singularity conducting clinical trials involving male bladder management device