1996 Ford E150 Wagon Handicap Conversion

1996 Ford E-Series Van E150 Description

Van originally from Oklahoma. I brought it to MI 5 years ago and it’s only been in the salt a handful of times in the last 2 years when I had to take my wife to hospital or medical appointments. Runs great, I’ve put about 8000 mi on it in 5 years and it’s never let us down. <115,000 miles.

Lift is a Braun Millennium. Power operated side doors are raised to provide about 54” vertical clearance through the opening. Interior height is about 61”. Lift leaks a little bit of fluid but is reliable. Braun 6-way transfer seat base and ez-lock available if needed (buyer to install). Floor is stock (not cut out and dropped) so an average height person seated in a power wheelchair will have limited visibility outside. That’s the only reason we’re selling this van. We replaced it with a drop-floor with under-vehicle lift so my wife could see out better. Had to go to CA to find one that wasn’t completely rusted out.

The good:

1996 is the last and best year of the reliable 5.8L Windsor engine for vans. They have mass airflow type fuel injection and run as smooth as anything today. Newer vans have the expensive to repair overhead cam aluminum head and are prone to spark plug issues. Wish our new 94 ran this well.

Doesn’t burn oil or overheat. Rock solid oil pressure. Transmission is smooth and shifts well.

Body and chassis is as solid as you will find in MI. No worries with rusted out brake lines, e-brake cables, backing plates. Exhaust is solid. Don’t need a cutting torch to work on this vehicle.

Club wagon windows (don’t leak like the typical conversion van junk).

Tires are at least 50%. Can supply extra rims for snow tires if you want.

The bad:

ABS and air bag lights come on sometimes (common on many vehicles this old). ABS seems to work (pedal pulses). Probably just a sensor/pickup issue.

Paint at interior are generally good for 20 years old, but are tattered in spots. Custom graphic are peeling. Couple areas where interior panels have deteriorated. Minor dings. Evidence of a very minor right front bump in the past. No frame or body shell damage, but you can see it has a different fender, hood is cracked slightly, and headlight/turn signal support sheetmetal was bent a bit. Turn signal light mounting screw won’t hold so it’s taped.

Ignition switch and shift lever are worn. Need to take a little more care than a new vehicle selecting gears.

Oil pan leaks. It was never enough to justify the cost of resealing so I live with the drips on the floor.

Rear AC leaks so it’s blocked off (front AC works).