1997 Blue Dodge Ram Van Handicap Conversion Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom!! on 2040-cars

I am selling this 1997 Dodge Ram Conversion Van for my father, who has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and no longer needs this vehicle.  I am very familiar with the van, having driven it hundreds of miles, and will try to accurately represent its condition.  My parents purchased the van in June 2012 from Presidential Conversions in Fayetteville, AR (479-521-8433), one of the state's oldest and most reputable dealers of handicap conversion vehicles. 

THE GOOD:  This van is in great condition inside & out, especially considering its age (17 years).  It is loaded with features, including:

- Braun Vangater II Wheelchair Lift with remote control
- Electric Passenger Transfer Seat by B&D Independence, Inc. (Model #L71P)
- Wheelchair Tie-Down Restraints
- Wheelchair Occupant Seat-belt Restraint System
- Dometic 500 Plus Series, Model 111 Toilet with Bidet spray feature
- 25 gallon freshwater tank with SHURflo 4008 RV By-Pass Pump
- 25 gallon wastewater tank with Valterra 3" Bladex Valve discharge outlet
- Lavatory cabinet with sink
- Roof conversion with 60" interior headroom.
- Custom cabinetry throughout
- New carpet
- Heavy duty cabin air-conditioning system
- Full cabin custom lighting
- Power and cabling for TV and DVD entertainment system (TV & DVD player not included)

All equipment WORKS!  This van is ready for long-distance travel.  The engine starts right up, idles perfectly, does not leak, and does not burn oil.  The transmission shifts smoothly.  The entire drivetrain is in excellent condition, and is the most powerful combination that was available for this van at the time of manufacture.  All dash gauges and buttons work.  All lights work.  The exterior paint is original, and is still glossy.  The interior dash and console is original, and is in great condition.  No cracks in the dash or console.  The wheels are shiny and still in great condition.  The tires still have at least 50% of their tread left.  The 5.9 liter fuel-injected engine pulls very strong, and easily cruises at 75 mph on the highway.  The wheelchair lift is rugged, reliable, and folds into a small footprint when it is stowed.  The electric passenger transfer seat is only two years old, and cost over $4,000.  It works perfectly, and will swivel completely around, allowing the wheelchair occupant to safely transfer into the front passenger seat.  Some of my photos show the operation.  The toilet and lavatory are only two years old, and cost over $3,000.  The carpet is also only two years old, and still looks new.

THE BAD:  Although this van is in great condition, it is not perfect.  There are some minor cosmetic issues that must be noted.  Although the paint looks great standing 6' away, close inspection will reveal tiny nicks that one would expect with almost 80k miles of use.  There is a small dent at the passenger side cargo door sill, adjacent to the wheelchair lift (see photo).  The driver side plastic window guard is cracked (see photo).  The spare tire carrier has a small amount of rust on it adjacent to the rear door, but is hidden from plain view.  The interior console, located between the driver and front passenger seats, has a 2" long x 1/4" wide defect that appears to be melted plastic.  I do not know what caused it.  Perhaps a technician laid a hot soldering iron there.  Regardless, it is not very noticeable, and does not compromise the functionality of the console.  The windows are tinted, and the window tint is showing its age with numerous small scratches and blemishes in the tint.  Window tint is easy and inexpensive to fix, and would be a worthwhile investment for the new owner to consider.

Overall, the GOOD far outweighs the BAD on this van.  It is a good-looking handicap van that will provide years of reliable transportation for a small fraction of the cost of a new one.  A comparably equipped new vehicle will easily cost $60-80k, and will likely not include a bathroom.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.  I will be happy to answer them, and arrange a test drive.  The van is located at my home in Benton, AR (only a 20 minute drive from Little Rock).  If you fly into Little Rock to pick the van up, I will be happy to drive to the airport and meet you there.

Good Luck, and Happy Bidding!