4 wheel drive vehicles

[Emi2]

We are trying to sell our van and buy a new vehicle. We want 4 wheel drive, a truck would be nice, but i need to drive from my powerchair and need to fit 2 kids (hopefully) and the hubby would need to be able to drive it too. Is there any solution out there? Does anyone make 4 wheel drive minivans? Or convert subarus etc?

[addiesue]

Trying to get a new vehicle is so hard isn't it. I have no help but wanted to say good luck.

[Riz]

I have an 04 Chrysler Town & Country mini van and I think that it had an all wheel drive option.


Good luck!

[sjean423]

Emi, I'm confused here. If you will be driving from your chair, doesn;t that mean the front seat is taken out? How would anyone else be able to drive it, can the seat be put back in or something?

(Dealing with new cars myself too here .... need a car with room for 2 teenagers, 2 adults, a dog and the chair, with a level transfer! We have a minivan now, which has the room, except that I can't get in independently)

[Scott Pruett]

subaru... no powerchair's gonna fit.

lowered floor minivan... no 4wd b/c you can't send a driveshaft back to the rear wheels.

full size vans... these guys can do a 4x4 conversion: http://www.quigley4x4.com/

[Emi2]

Emi, I'm confused here. If you will be driving from your chair, doesn;t that mean the front seat is taken out? How would anyone else be able to drive it, can the seat be put back in or something?

(Dealing with new cars myself too here .... need a car with room for 2 teenagers, 2 adults, a dog and the chair, with a level transfer! We have a minivan now, which has the room, except that I can't get in independently)

yeah, the drivers chair can usually be put back.

[paramoto]

Trying to get a new vehicle is so hard isn't it. I have no help but wanted to say good luck.

Buying anything SCI is tough. I bought a volvo XC70 for me, but now my wife needs a new car and we either buy something that I can drive when needed (her car now is a 4x4 stick shift that used to be mine some time before my accident) or she gets the volvo and I buy something for me.

I would like something AWD or 4x4 but no more than 25" floor to seat bottom, preferrably not too big. The only thing I have found is the Suzuki SX4, but that is 4 doors and they seem very small to pass a chair through. I have looked at everything I think. Is there anything with two doors, AWD, not too tall and not too big????

[Scott Pruett]

the 2008 Audi A5 looks promising & should have an AWD option... :mega:

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/A5.html

...likely well out of my price range though.

[forestranger52]

It is difficult for people in powerchairs to fit into vehicles because of the floor, to top of head measurement. Powerchairs are typically much higher than manual wheelchairs. Mine is 58 inches and I don't fit into many vehicles. I would check your's before searching too far. Most drivers in powerchairs end up in full size vans, 4x4's or regular. I came on a vehicle conversion web site in Canada, that would lift a driver in a powerchair, on a platform that you drive onto, into the driver area of a pick up truck. The conversion cost $45,000.00 without the truck.
Thanks. MAC

[nick]

I remember Shaun (moderator on here) posting pictures of his new pontoon boat he had bought and he had a F-250 4x4 conversion van. Maybe trying to send him a PM and see what his thoughts are on having such a vehicle.

Why are you concerned with having all wheel drive or 4x4?

If you really never had vehicles with it before it may be a waste of money to buy one now. We have a construction company with lot's of trucks but have never bought with the 4x4 package. Our moto was, if it looks like you can't cross it, then you probably aren't going to make it.

Unless you are looking into off roading, it we be ideal.

Just my $0.02
Eddie

[Emi2]

thanks guys. We want 4 wheel drive because we live in northern canada! lol. Will keep looking...

[Scott Pruett]

I came on a vehicle conversion web site in Canada, that would lift a driver in a powerchair, on a platform that you drive onto, into the driver area of a pick up truck.
www.kvb.ca

[forestranger52]

Thanks, Scott.
MAC

[forestranger52]

This is a brand new one. It would be a long way from your home, but they are searching for new companies to install the equipment.
www.further-options.com (http://www.further-options.com)

[forestranger52]

This is a brand new one. It would be a long way from your home, but they are searching for new companies to install the equipment.
www.further-options.com (http://www.further-options.com)
I'm not sure if they can do them with 4x4 or not. The list includes both 4 wheel and 2 wheel drive. I have done a lot with a pick-up equipped with posi-traction, or a limited slip rear end. I would use pea gravel, spread evenly, in the truck bed. Usually 3 or 4 inches would give me enough weight to balance the truck. The gravel would freeze solid in winter, and I could still use the bed normally, as It would still have a flat surface. I do this with 4 wheel drive too.
Also recommend purchasing limited slip rear end, even with 4 wheel drive. Cost about $300 US. Much better traction. Without limited slip, a 4 wheel drive truck only has one wheel on the front axle, and one wheel on the back axle turning. With limited slip in the rear end, the power from the differential is delivered to the wheel that has traction. Often changing , back and forth, from the wheel that looses traction, to the wheel that has grip.
This got me loose from the tundra in Alaska.
Good luck, MAC

[canuck]

Emi make sure any modified vehicle you buy in the states is certified by transport canada, otherwise you might not be able to get it registered & licensed. Google for Register of Imported Vehicles. Sorry I don't have a link for them.

[jjams007]

Hello all, I'm new here and have found a lot of useful information. Thank you all. To get right to the point I have met a guy down here in sunny florida, that owns a company called Rhyno Mobility. They do conversions on full size pick up trucks, many with 4 wheel drive. The phone number is 727-521-6056. His name is Jim, and he seems to be a straight up guy. Apparently they ship their trucks all over the world. I just bought an invacare top end trike from him and he has been very helpful.

T5 para, 2yrs post

I just talked to JIm at "rynomoblity" and got his web address.. www.rynomobility.com they have some pretty sweet trucks!!

[medic1]

not sure if it helps but braun makes a turny power seat that comes out of driver side and down to allow for easy transfer. I have an 07 silverado crew cab. plenty of room for my manual chair in the back. The bed of the truck I am getting a lift for my power chair. You could get the lift with a power cap. Your turny seat would allow for an easy transfer from chair to seat. The lift picks up the chair and puts it in the back end of truck. then anyone can drive from the driver seat. My truck is big, need to get a step on side so easier to get in. Right now I pull myself up with the steering wheel and handle. 4 wheel drive is possible and there are ways to get it modified. Although you did say you have to drive from your powerchair, this option may not be for ya.