Make the truck squat down?

[Hivolt]

My wife has medical issues and has a hard time getting in the truck, even with automatic running boards. She would also like it to ride smoother due to her back pain. I would like to be able to make the truck squat down like a bus for her to get in, smooth out the ride, and not mess with the max to capacity. I have been looking for a while now and have not seen anything that would do all of that. The truck is non powerboost but it is a Platinum with max tow, but no scales. Am I asking too much? probably

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[Pedaldude]

My 2001 Lincoln Navigator has air bag rear suspension and it lowers when parked; however, it’s still a pretty high step to get in the back seats and it really doesn’t matter at all for the front seats.

Your best bet is some kind of porter’s stool. Which was pretty much invented for this problem, albeit for steam locomotives.

Kneeling busses are designed from scratch to go as low as possible and at great expense. Their drive axles are flipped portal axles where the center of the hub is above the center of the driveshaft and even then they take advantage of the height of the curb cut when lowered.

Good luck and hope that helps!

 

[JohnMcClane]

I think one of these may be your best bet.

In terms of improving ride comfort, off the top of my head, I know the Platinum comes standard with 20” wheels, some have been able to get a 17” wheel to fit max tow, but I’d recommend getting an 18” wheel with a quality tire, that will definitely help with bump absorption.

 

[Hivolt]

I think one of these may be your best bet.



In terms of improving ride comfort, off the top of my head, I know the Platinum comes standard with 20” wheels, some have been able to get a 17” wheel to fit max tow, but I’d recommend getting an 18” wheel with a quality tire, that will definitely help with bump absorption.

Great ideas, thank you!

 

[Hivolt]

They want about $15k for the transfer seat, I still may do it after I pay the truck off. If I could get the truck to drop about 4" so her foot could reach the running board I think she would be happy. The automatic running boards don't drop down very far on this year. A mobility running board would be nice, drop to the ground and lift her up so she could get in on her own, lol. Thanks for any help.

 

[780]

Do you require the factory ground clearance while driving?

What about a static drop?

Or what about airbags and a hard wired air compressor?

 

[Hivolt]

A static drop might work, I still want to be able to tow an excavator from home depot if I need to, or something else heavy. I think airbags and a compressor would be a good way to go if they don't change the tow capacity much. Can airbags make it ride better also? I will see if I can find an airbag setup that will fit the truck and see what they say about it. Thanks for the help!

 

[JohnMcClane]

They want about $15k for the transfer seat, I still may do it after I pay the truck off. If I could get the truck to drop about 4" so her foot could reach the running board I think she would be happy. The automatic running boards don't drop down very far on this year. A mobility running board would be nice, drop to the ground and lift her up so she could get in on her own, lol. Thanks for any help.

Ohh you need to check out these then, they're supposed to provide an additional 3" of drop over stock I think, I'm not sure if the regular AMP power running boards come down the same distance as the stock power running boards.

https://www.amp-research.com/powerstep-xl-running-board/2021/ford/f-150

This may cause a larger second step though, which would defeat the purpose.

Lastly, I'm not an expert in this stuff, but if it's medically needed/required, there may be a way to get insurance to help with the BraunAbility seat install cost.

 

[Hivolt]

Since the truck has leafs in the back it would be hard to drop the back with air bags. But since where my wife gets in is very close to the front tire, I think replacing the front springs with air bags and a compressor may do what i need. I am not finding anyone that sells that. It may be something for a custom shop. The transfer seat is sounding better again, lol.

 

[780]

Since the truck has leafs in the back it would be hard to drop the back with air bags. But since where my wife gets in is very close to the front tire, I think replacing the front springs with air bags and a compressor may do what i need. I am not finding anyone that sells that. It may be something for a custom shop. The transfer seat is sounding better again, lol.

Yes, think custom car builders / restorers. They will be the ones familiar with installing air bags.

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