You know my van pretty good. Yes, the side exhaust has melted many rubber souled shoes. Bait & switch is how I'd describe my Wheeler's experience. The four week job became nine months. The door (paid by the VA) has been repaired like 50 times. They were the only people to claim they easily could do the conversion but after a few snags my van was known as the van from hell.
I just tell potential buyers not to order. Get in and out, get a good ride in and shop around. Take all the advice and comments here and check them out. It is the dealers job. Unfortunately us disabled auto buyers are stereo typed with elderly, women, and Hispanics when it comes down to it I've been told. Merrill Ps I think I might be the only owner of a short wheelbase conversion. _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 3:57 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Vans with raised roof LOL, but not at your expense, Merrill. I know exactly which conversion you are speaking of. Ron and Tammy Smith of Wheelers, thought they were smarter than NHTSA and NMEDA when they constructed those vehicles without the benefit of approval of the Chyrsler Corp or being crash tested. They told their customers that the design has been crash tested by others... but not by them.... to save money. It wasn't until the NHTSA advised them that they were in violation, that Ron closed up shop and stopped converting mini-vans. They also tried to make a deal with their recognized competition and offer some of their suppose patents, without success. Did your van have an in-the-floor ramp system and the exhaust system that ran along the outside of the driver's door too? Oh man, my heart goes out to you. Tammy and Ron Smith are still doing well and operate their rental business from Glendale, AZ if you need to contact them. Best Wishes In a message dated 3/2/2008 12:34:14 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: When time came for me to buy my van, I had dreamed of this day and what I wanted. The opportunity arrived. I purchased my then new 1995 Dodge Mini Caravan with a short wheelbase and ramp mounted under the floor. Turned out that no conversion fit on the short wheelbase until "Wheelers" came around and said no problem that it will be the first but they would do it. Long story short is because of all the customizing my door never worked right and never will. My next opportunity will be an off the line conversion with nothing custom. Gas mileage before conversion was like 27 mpg. After conversion the mileage dropped to 9 mpg. That's right, 9 mpg. Next time. Merrill _____ Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch <http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-du ffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598> the video on AOL Living.
