Wheelchair Accessible Project Ideas

Check this out. After seeing the pics posted by Gigantor, my wife remembered seeing an old military truck with a "box" in the back.

We went to go look for it as the sun was setting and we found an old man sitting on his porch smoking a cigar and drinking what smelled like moonshine in ice out of a tupperware cup.
I told him I was interested in the old military truck in the back and why I wanted it. How I wanted to modify it.
He mentioned he had an old amunition truck, an ambulance and an M-something jeep. I think he said M-151 or M-38 not sure.

I looked at the ambulance and it would be perfect for The Goon, Unfortunately, he said "the owner of that old thing was an old doctor from Alice, Texas and is dead and his son's are doctors and they are nowhere to be found."
He said, "that thing will probably sit there 'til I die and then some else will do whatever they want with it."

He then pointed out an old Jeep M-something or other, he said it was a 1950. He asked if my son liked military vehicles I said "sure he likes anything old. That is why I want to build something I can put him in."

He then said "I can give you that, It belongs to me, If your son would like it then you can have it so you guys can build it together"

Wow! We now own a 1950 M-151 Jeep (I think it is a 151)

I'm going back this weekend to pick it up and I plan to ask him if there is any way he can sell me the ambulance.

We'll see....I'll post some pics this weekend

 

Now thats great! Excellent news for you.

 

There is a custom bread van that shows around St Louis, MO I think it has a "Snow Cone" theme or such, I know the guys up there have seen it and might have a picture.

I have driven a late 50's short wheel base IH Metro, and its all curved everywhere, but its built like brick shithouse. People used to buy them up for fishing rigs from the bread companies around where I grew up. Lord only knew what they might have had under the doghouse, the companies would have an engine program and they got what they had. Don't be surprised to find a Chevy 6 in a Ford or IH step van. Very common.

Here is a link to a big one, they made small ones for Holsum Bread, but its the shape:

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/international/unspecified/180168.html

A lot of forward control vehicles just aren't very safe. An early '60s Econoline would fold up like a gum wrapper if you hit a dog with it.

 

Gigantor's find is pretty damn cool!

Love the fact that you found the Jeep, I hope that you can get your son into it. It seems like the military had about a billion different configurations for those, so you should have no problem finding a good body style. Also, I hear, the engine is practically un-killable though I trust you are going to swap that out.

 

Congratulations on finding the jeep. It might have a GMC 302 in it, in which case I'd build the bejesus out of that thing ... kinda like I'm planning on doing to the military 302 I got two weeks ago. Man, what a beast.
BillBallingerSr.'s link is to a guy here in Maine who runs the Golden Rod Garage. He has a lot of nice toys and fixer uppers, but he is a gigantic ASSHOLE. I'm hard pressed to even consider dealing with him, and if it says that milk truck is rusty, rest assured it's amazing it's even on wheels.
It sounds like you found a good man with a good heart there in Texas, something you wont find in that prick here in Maine.

 

the st louis truck was done by Clean Cut Creations, john pops up here once in a while, i'll see if he has any pictures of it...

 

Rob Lee built his pickup with the idea of sharing the truck with his Dad,this is a link to the post. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140010&page=3
I applaud you guys for your efforts.

 

I don't know the fellow at all, I just googled for a picture of a '50's Metro and that was what came up. I sure liked driving that little one, back as a teen we used to go to the river and get really drunk in that old van. One thing that was cool about it too, was it had lock notches along the side for securing things. If you wanted to put a motor in the back to haul home, you could strap it down like you would as a load master on a cargo chopper. Good memories.

 

We built these for custom use but maybe they can be an inspiration to build a handicapped version of your own. We have been through several of these type of vans so if you need any help give me a call at the shop or shoot me a PM.
Here is a link to "SNOW SLED": http://www.cleancutcreations.com/snowsleadpics.html


Here is a link to "BREAD SLED": http://www.cleancutcreations.com/gallery1.html

 

clean cut's trucks...






beat me to it!

 

Anybody in this area (where the above stepvan is at) to possibly go look at condition for us? Please let me know ASAP.

 

Dang! That is one cooool bread truck. I'm sure we won't have headroom clearance problems in one of these.

I know exactly where one is. I can't wait to go check it out in the morning after I drop off my kids at school!

 

We just bought this from cali !!!! Whoohoo...Snow Sled II !!!!!!!!!!! It'll be here in a few weeks.

 

i think something like this in the dirt with a modern cummins or powerstroke would be awesome

 

Found this one also:
1958 1 1/2 ton Chevy Stepside Van - $800 (Mt Home)

Reply to: sale-617534598@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-03-24, 8:48PM CDT


Former Ms Allisons Cookie Truck, has all origional parts on 235 motor, 3 speed,
some rust, but just about all complete, driven to farm, and used to store parts.
Farm Sudivided and it was towed behind the old Natoma Service Station about 4 miles south of Mt Home. <TABLE summary="craigslist hosted images"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle></TD><TD align=middle></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://jonesboro.craigslist.org/car/617534598.html

 

are you cornering the market on snow cone trucks? is this a for a customer or is snow cone truckin' a part time gig?

 

These would be for us. St. Louis Snow Cone is getting so overwhelmed with bookings that we are getting more trucks to meet demand. The new ones will be more "stock appearing" restorations and not as modified as the first one. Yes, snowcone sales, and party planning is ALOT more than a "PART TIME GIG"......
Visit this link to see what we do and to get party pricing: http://www.cleancutcreations.com/snowsled.html

 

Dang-it! I went to go see that chevy van like the Clean Cut bread van but the little old lady wouldn't sell because she wouldn't have abywhere to put all her junk. She said she needs the storage space.
Go figure????

 

So tell her you will buy her a shed (you can get them pretty cheap) and will trade her storage spaces. Did you tell her what you wanted to do with it? I bet if you didn't, she would be more receptive if you did.

 

A few years ago there was a dodge panel truck in Rod & Custom magazine. I think it was like a 36 or thereabouts. It had a slightly raised roof and used a front wheel drive configuration. Rear floor was dropped down and rear doors formed a ramp.

I will look this weekend to see if I can find the issue.

Kael

 

Check to see if you can find her an old cube van or semi trailer. I know around here, that if you build a storage shed you will be assessed extra property taxes. Since a vehicle (or semi trailer on wheels) is not a permanent fixture, no extra property taxes.

Just a thought.

Kael

 

Yea MilkMan,

I offered to buy her a shed or a storage in trade for the truck but shw wouldn't budge.

I'll wait a couple of weeks and I'll go and try again.

 

How big ya wanta go???????????
I seen this over on StoveBolt & thought , mmmmmmmm
I know this might be way, way overkill but how about a 1952 Fageol Bus Conversion $5000 completely self contained, sleeping area, it has back doors that open, & the whole nine yards & then some.
Anywhere you go you'd definitely would be the only one there w/one.




or a Fire Truck and you could build it the way you want.
This one needs a top over the rear & in close it.

 

TM2C,

Thanks for the idea but we are trying to keep it in the Hot Rod arena or atleast something that we can take to a carshow or cruise.

Although I've always wanted to own a firetruck......hmmmmm.

 

Old school bus or something on that order! My Son found a '47 Ford and they call it a 3 window. Its damn short, with in an inch of a E150 Just a though.

 

Ol Deuce,

Can your son get some pics, price more details.

Like I said we are open minded.

 

firetruck with a lift in the back? that's not a bad idea, there are plenty of old firetrucks around and the smaller ones are usually based on a 1 ton pickup chassis.

 

I'm going to look at a Model A firetruck tomorrow ... don't know what he wants for it, but I can try to snag some pictures. I'm just going to look, the guy wants to show off his collection, I can't afford to buy.

 

After reading through all the meesages in this thread, here are my 2 cents. I'm a C5 quadriplegic, 59" tall in my chair, and up until 2 years ago I sold wheelchair vans, lifts, and driving controls (from basic manual to digital driving aids) so I do have some experience in this
.
I was in the same situation as you for awhile, trying to decide what to build for my ride. My friends and I went with a roadster pickup on bags, with a power sliding ramp that slides in under the floor for rear wheelchair entrance. We made this a single seat position for me in my chair with an EZ-Lock tie down system, low effort steering pump, and Menox hand controls. With the single seat idea, that puts your son behind you. We also put a full roll cage on it so I can run open top or canvas top.

A few key things to rember are 1. Totally flat floor, 2. LOW LOW LOW floor height even if it means air bags. 3. Certified welders ONLY!!,4. Use NHTSA approved seat belts (3 point is best), 5. Most states that I know of require at least 2" of headroom above a wheelchair seated occupant or driver.
I hope this helped some.
If you need any help or have any questions please email me at dynodoug@zoominternet.net

Doug

 

I have air bags on my wheelchair, they work great! www.teftec.com