lowering f-150 for wheelchair user access
01-30-2020, 02:59 PM
#1
lowering f-150 for wheelchair user access
Friends, I need help locating parts/kits for a air-bag system to lower a 2019 F-150 XLT Supercab 2WD, V8 to facilitate an easier transfer into the truck. I need to be able to raise it back up to normal height while driving. Can anyone suggest a compatible kit?
Many Thanks,
~Greg
Many Thanks,
~Greg
01-31-2020, 08:22 AM
#2
Senior Member
Never found a bolt on setup.
I looked for such a system, as I wanted a slightly lower ride, the ability to adjust to payload, and thought it'd be really neat to drop it really low when parked for loading / unloading and just easier entry/exit. Even the RWD seems really high in stock form as I still needed to go up a bit, and I'm not on the short side. As the wife is, the grab handle gets a bunch of use so she can pull herself in.
The back is probably fairly easy to pull out the springs and replace it with a rear 4 link setup and full bags. There were places that made something similar years ago that were sort of a universal "bolt" on. Depending on how low you want the back, you may need to notch the frame. I still have one such kit in my garage that never got used for a project. I thought about it, but had some concerns about the weight added, but depending on how heavy the stock springs are, it might not have been that bad in reality.
The bigger challenge is to find something to replace the front coils / shocks with a new setup with bags. I don't recall where, but the concept of an integrated shock / air bag does exist, I just never saw applications for the F-150. If you're willing to go full custom, then there probably exist places that can fabricate something out of existing components.
What about fabricating something that slides out horizontally from under the truck and then lifts up sort of like a Tommy gate? That'd still be a bunch of fabrication work, but does have the advantage of not messing with the suspension.
I don't recall if the current Navigator / Expedition still have a bag setup, or if that was only the prior generation. That might be a way easy route, as all you'd need to do is intercept the control circuits to get it to empty the air bags, and then just turn it back on when done and let it do it's thing.
The back is probably fairly easy to pull out the springs and replace it with a rear 4 link setup and full bags. There were places that made something similar years ago that were sort of a universal "bolt" on. Depending on how low you want the back, you may need to notch the frame. I still have one such kit in my garage that never got used for a project. I thought about it, but had some concerns about the weight added, but depending on how heavy the stock springs are, it might not have been that bad in reality.
The bigger challenge is to find something to replace the front coils / shocks with a new setup with bags. I don't recall where, but the concept of an integrated shock / air bag does exist, I just never saw applications for the F-150. If you're willing to go full custom, then there probably exist places that can fabricate something out of existing components.
What about fabricating something that slides out horizontally from under the truck and then lifts up sort of like a Tommy gate? That'd still be a bunch of fabrication work, but does have the advantage of not messing with the suspension.
I don't recall if the current Navigator / Expedition still have a bag setup, or if that was only the prior generation. That might be a way easy route, as all you'd need to do is intercept the control circuits to get it to empty the air bags, and then just turn it back on when done and let it do it's thing.