Ford 

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

  

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Ford Motor Company. The name alone evokes images of the early history of automobiles, and the famous Model T. Ford has come a long way since it early days pioneering production lines to manufacture its vehicles and is now one of the largest automobile manufacturers on the planet. Ford full size vans were some of the earliest wheelchair accessible vehicles commonly seen on the road. As time went on, Ford released other vehicles that would be converted for wheelchair access including minivans and SUVs.

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- For the sake of relevance, we will only cover generations of this vehicle that were converted for wheelchair access and are still widely available on the handicap accessible vehicle market. - 

 

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- Ford E-Series Vans (1992-2014) 

- Ford Transit Vans (2015-Current) 

- Ford Explorer SUV (2015-2019) 

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Ford E-Series Vans - Fourth Generation (1992 - 2014)

 

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The Ford Econoline (later known as the E-Series) were originally designed as a cargo van or passenger van. However, between the large interior space and the ruggedness that comes with many of its parts being shared with Ford F-Series trucks, the Ford E-Series van has always been an attactive vehicle to convert for wheelchair access. The heavy duty suspension could handle the extra weight of the conversion equipment such as the lift, power door openers, and high top roof, and the large engines ensures that the vehicle would is not lacking for power. For the Fourth Generation of E-Series vans originally released in 1992, the body and interior underwent a complete redesign and the vehicle has received several revisions throughout the Fourth Generation. For the 2008 model year, the chassis underwent the largest revisions of the Fourth Generation. Larger brakes were added as well as improved steering, rollover stability, and a higher Gross Vehicle Weight Rating in an effort to improve safety and handling. The Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 full size wheelchair vans will be continue to be available on the used wheelchair van market for years to come.

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Ford Transit Vans - Fourth Generation (2015 - Current) 

 

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The Ford Transit traces its origins back to post-WW2 Europe in the 1950's. However, it wasn't until 2014 that a Ford Transit was released for sale in North America. Released in the US as a replacement for the outgoing E-Series full size vans, the Transit was intended to take up the spot of full size van and cargo vans in the Ford lineup. The Transit has some design differences from the Ford E-Series that offered benefits to both wheelchair van converers and users. One major change was the sliding side door. The Ford E-Series had two barn door style side doors, whereas the Transit offered a single sliding door for accessing the rear area of the van. Not only was the sliding door welcome, but the door opening height was increased substantially, which the roof and floor of the van wouldn't have to be modified to accomodate taller wheelchair users. To learn more about Ford Transit full size wheelchair vans, please read this blog post.

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Ford Explorer SUV - Fifth Generation (2015 - 2019)

 

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For a long time, when most people thoguht of a wheelchair accesible vehicle, either a minivan or full size van come to mind. Many find these options unattractive and hoped for an alternative vehicle to enter the wheelchair accessible vehicle market. BraunAbility, one of the largest wheelchair accessible vehicle manufacturers in the country, set out to change that, and in 2015 released the Ford Explorer Wheelchair Accessible SUV. This was the first mass produced wheelchair acessible SUV from a wheelchair conversion manufacturer. It was the answer that many were looking for with attractive styling, higher ground clearance, and the ability to tow up to 5,000 lbs. The Ford Explorer wheelchair accessible SUV from BraunAbility was an immediate success, and soon the only problem became producing enough of them to meet demand. There are some trade offs with the Ford Explorer compared to a wheelchair accessible van. For example, The Ford Explorer has a smaller ramp door opening width and height compared to wheelchair accessible vans, as well as less interior space, which can make it difficult to maneuver inside the vehicle depending on the size of the user's wheelchair.

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To shop our inventory of Ford E-Series Full Size Wheelchair Vans and Ford Transit Full Size Wheelchair Vans, follow this link. 

 

To shop our inventory of Ford Explorer Wheelchair Accessible SUVs, follow this link.  

 

You can contact us by filling out this form, or giving us a call at: (800)918-7433