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2005 town & country vmi handicap van shocks and kneeling help....

10K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  bbjlkauffman  
#1 ·
Hello,
about a couple of months ago, I bought a used handicap 2005 chrysler town & country limited edition with a vmi system. Now, I need help/suggestions in two topics of this van. When purchasing it the man that sold it to us mentioned that probably in the near future. The front shocks/struts will need to be replaced. So, we thought, no big deal because we have mechanics in our family. However, we did not know that these handicap van don’t use regular shocks/struts, I found that out when trying to order some online. So, my question is, what kind or brand of front shocks/struts do I need to look for and purchase. Now, this brings me to my second question. If any of the shocks/struts whether it’d be front or rear are malfunctioning or need of service. Does this problem affect the kneeling system of the van? Right now, the van doesn’t kneel when operating the ramp. My brother remembers that the seller told him that if that happens and the van does not come down when using the ramp. The system has a reset button but we haven’t found one. Is there one or any steps to reset the system that when applied the kneeling system should work again. Unfortunately, the seller of the van has gone MIA and we can’t ask him where it is or how to reset the kneeling system. we looked everywhere on the net and found these forum. The reason that I haven’t taken the van to a local vmi authorized dealer. Is that I was able to purchase this van with money from an insurance claim when my old van was hit and declared totaled. So, after I payed taxes, tag and insurance. I’m only left with enough to purchase the shock/struts, if need it. So, I cannot afford to pay an authorized dealer to just look at the van and give me the answers to my previous two inquiries. I hope you guys can help no matter how little your input it is. It may be more than I knew yesterday. Thanks in advance……………..
 
#2 ·
Welcome aboard,
Unless you get really lucky and someone with a modified van chimes in, the questions you ask should be addressed to the modifier.
If VMI modified the van, you might be able to contact them for any info they might have on modifications performed.

Unfortunately only someone in the mod industry would have any idea of what parts are used in conversions and where to find replacements.

If you find any identifying info on the ramp or kneeling system, you might be able to find some install or operating literature - otherwise it's down to trial and error in looking for control module and reset switch...
 
#3 ·
My mom recently bought a 2006 Braunability GC. I thought it had stock shocks, but will look closer tomorrow. Her kneel actuator is broken, but in my research I only found them to have a manual release lever tucked under the back seat or on the sidewall in the back. No reset, but hers has an on/off switch mounted up front.
You tube has some videos that might be helpful, but you have to wade through a bunch advertising the vans.
The shocks are totally independent of the kneel system.

Here is the manual I found for my moms. It might give you some general information.
 

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