Hey all.

I know this is a long shot, but don't know where to check or look. Hoping someone has an idea on maybe what to do. I have 21 f150 xlt with a leveling kit. My wife is in a wheelchair. She can probably only lift her foot maybe 3 to 4in high. I built a wooden step for her to get in which works ok. I'm looking for a better solution and/or a creative solution to help her get in. I'm not really looking to spend 2000 dollars or what not to have retractable side steps put in since it is only needed on one side. Right now she climbs onto the wooden step, turns around on the step then moves backwards onto the side step and slides in. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

I'm posting from my phone so the formatting of these pics might be a bit wonky. Lol.

I wonder if you could modify a bracket to add the deployable step from the pro access tailgate setup under that running board.




Another option is you could add one of these universal hitch receiver to the underside of the running board with some brackets or such




And then you could insert any of a number of universal hitch steps so you could find one with sufficient drop to make it more comfortable for her. Just an idea.

 

Little overkill but I’d start with a platform ladder looks like a bench. Should be light and easily folds to store in truck. I would be worried about it being stable, sturdy, and big enough so she doesn’t miss the step. Currently the Home Depot has them on sale for Black Friday, I bought one for working on truck hood and roof hard to get to some spots. Here is a pic, probably make it half size and perhaps cut 1’ of height.

 

Free mods would be removing the front level and also the rear 4x4 blocks.
I removed the blocks on my ‘18 and my sons ‘22 to “level “ them, reused the u bolts.

 

Old geezer here and short Cathy is shorter. I have had Carr steps on my F150 since 2019.

This is a leveled 2wd about the same door height as a stock 4wd. These are the Super Hoop steps and do fit my 2017 just fine. May not be low enough but might help at a good price. Carr Steps KM

 

Rebuild a better wooden step that consists of multiple steps? It’ll be heavy and stable, will fit into the bed when not in use.

 

Its great you are helping your wife gain easier access to your truck.

Deleting the level, and removing the rear blocks will help, but I'm going to suggest something else. Because I'd hate to undo a set up you have paid good money for.

Get a set of rv leveling blocks.

Camco make a rectangular set with an inch or so of rise on each one that would be easier for a person to use than the square type that I have for my trailer. You can stack them lego blocks. Amazon search for RV leveling blocks will bring up dozens of potential candidates.

 

I have a couple of these Gorilla brand IIRC. They are great. Use them all the time.

 

This may not be the most appealing option, but piggy backing off artsr2002 said, my brother had a 1996 Ram 1500 on a 6" lift with 37's. Standard running boards of course were still a mile in the sky so the answer was to weld a receiver hitch to the frame and make custom drop down steps. Unfortunately this is the best picture I have of it, should still give you the rough idea though.

 

I have a little experience with this situation. A ramp is always easier to negotiate than steps.

Maybe you can make a ramp with folding legs that simply stores in the bed. I thinking a 1/4 sheet of 3/4 plywood would work. Two feet wide by 4 feet long. Might be able to do 3 feet long. Just a thought.

I am a wood worker so i would try and make something before I modified my truck.