- HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SIT IN FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION DRIVERS
- HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SIT IN FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION DRIVER
BraunAbility estimates that an MXV with a transfer seat and basic hand controls will be priced in the mid-$60s. Most wheelchair-accessible vehicles are custom-tailored to fit their owners' needs, so out-the-door pricing will vary. Pricing for the BraunAbility MXV starts around $60,000-about double the Explorer base price. (Owners should take into account the weight of the converted vehicle and their wheelchairs when calculating the maximum tow capacity.) However, the MXV can be fitted with an optional towing package. Modifications to the floor dictate that the MXV may only be based on Explorers powered by the 3.5-liter V6 with front-wheel drive, precluding the conversion of the top-of-the-line Sport and Platinum models and losing the winter traction of AWD. The seat stays in place after the conversion, allowing the MXV to serve as a true family vehicle. One of the appeals of the Explorer is its third-row seat. BraunAbility has developed a sliding mount that allows the Explorer's console-mounted transmission shifter to be moved out of the way for easier access to the front seating positions. Or they may use a locking system to secure their wheelchair in place.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SIT IN FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION DRIVERS
Drivers (or passengers) who can transfer out of their wheelchair may use the standard-fit removable front seats, which can be rolled back into the passenger area (or out of the van completely). The suspension itself remains unchanged, ensuring that ride and handling are similar to an unmodified Explorer.ĭriver's seat arrangements are tailored to the customer's needs. They rework the floor to provide space for a side-access wheelchair ramp and fit a kneeling function to lower the ramp angle. The Explorer's second-row seat is removed, and BraunAbility replaces the rear passenger door's front hinges with a mechanism that allows the door to move out and back in a plug style, similar to the sliding door on a minivan. Like all BraunAbility conversions, the MXV is recertified to meet government safety standards, with third-party head-on, side-impact, and roof-crush testing to validate the vehicle's structural integrity. The conversion involves reshaping the right-side B-pillar (the structural post between the front and rear doors) in order to provide enough width for a wheelchair to enter. Turning the Explorer into an accessible vehicle requires some serious reconstruction. "Now wheelchair users can own a vehicle that’s edgy, tough, and a true original.
“We all aspire to drive a vehicle that’s a reflection of our personality,” says Megan Wegner, BraunAbility brand manager. BraunAbility is the same company that some years ago developed a wheelchair-accessible version of the Scion xB, and their latest creation is an accessible Ford Explorer dubbed the BraunAbility MXV. So, it's no surprise that most accessible vehicles are minivans, vans, or raised-roof vans.įord and BraunAbility, a mobility manufacturer based in Indiana, are teaming up to provide something a little different and a lot more stylish.
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SIT IN FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION DRIVER
To be wheelchair accessible, a vehicle must have a large door opening and a low floor, as well as room for a retractable ramp and enough space inside for a wheelchair occupant to turn and roll into position (as driver or passenger). This isn't for lack of demand by some estimates there are well over 3 million wheelchair users in the U.S. If you're in a wheelchair, your choice of vehicles is pretty well limited.