Projects Wheelchair accessible panel truck floor height

Here's another question regarding the wheelchair accessible panel truck. I want to use a side entry ramp for access. To make the ramp length and angle work out right the interior floor height needs to be no more than 15 inches above the ground. Ideally the majority of the floor from just forward of the rear axle all the way to the firewall will be flat. In other words, if a driveshaft tunnel is required, the top of the tunnel should be no more than 15" off the ground. Is this achievable without a variable height suspension? You think a custom chassis would be required? Thanks for any feedback.

 

What panel truck? If a driveshaft tunnel is a problem, what about using an Eldorado or Toranado front wheel drive as a swap. They are low to start. Just an idea.

 

50s trucks are way taller than that....the floor is flat, but it's 24-30" off the ground

 

a lift for the ramp?
bag suspension and lower it to load....

 

The truck is just on paper right now. The front wheel drive is a good idea. But, it appears most builders are lots more experienced with rear wheel drive. I'm assuming that also means more comfortable and proficient with rear wheel drive.

 

Obviously you have thought about this side entry a lot since your last thread,,but have you decided on what you are going to build?,,does it all hinge on a door?

I fell certain if a side entry door is paramount to your panel truck a good metal man can make it happen. HRP

 

The van I drive now has a lift and it's not as reliable as I'd like. I'm not sure if a bag suspension would be more or less reliable and maintainable than the lift.

 

To clarify about the side entry ramp: it would be the same sort you see if you Google "wheelchair minivan" and look at images. The ramp is independent of the door.

 

Deep drop trailer axle in the rear. Olds Toronado FWD transaxle in the front.

 

This frame low enough?

 

Or this (more OT):

 

how do you get from that low floor to the driver seat?

 

first thing that comes to mind is a greenbriar.

 

I drive seated in my wheelchair. I do not transfer into the driver's seat.

 

The low floor would have to be built all the way to the firewall.

 

Think COE panel truck, with a flat deck floor.

 

I vote for front wheel drive, if you can't find a hot rod shop that can build it keep looking. If you don't need gobs of power there are tons of different choices for a drive train. I've always been intrigued by something like this trailer. (don't know much about it)
The Stude pick-up might be too street roddy for some but it shows that front wheel drive is very do-able.

 

My only other concern with another FWD transaxle, is finding one wide enough to fill out a van width. Power, otherwise, can be had in OT stuff, even if we can't talk about it here.

 

Let me ask a related question. In a typical RWD is the approximate centerline of the driveshaft at roughly the same height as the center of the rear wheel? Aren't most rear tires you find on hot rods about 28" or 29" in diameter? If so, that puts the drive shaft at about 14"-15" above the ground. Does that mean it would never be possible to achieve the 15" floor height anyway?

 

It would be a little below the centerline of the wheel, depending on the axle/ring gear size. 3-4" at most below.

You would need a tunnel higher than that, to allow for suspension travel.

 

How about a Vette tranaxle and IRS? Gets the front trans out of the way and no driveshaft movement.

 

Sounds like it's on the ragged edge of possible to make a RWD work. Maybe.

 

Off topic (new) but you could make this look pretty cool. Doors and ramps on both sides even.

http://www.jeanandashly.com/photos/wheelchair_accessible_nyc_taxi.jpg

 

I built handicap driver vans and did hand controls and wheel chair lifts I build hot rods for fun if I can help let me know. I am trying to understand if you are trying to get the floor low for a lock in chair mount or a access ramp most of the vans I worked on were front wheel drive. If your set on rear wheel drive maybe some kind of offset drive line could be worked out .There are side load ramps that operate from under the side of the vehicle .

 

Have a look here, might get some ideas about the front wheel drive.

http://canadianrodder.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15823&highlight=cabover&page=6

 

if you use a quick change the drive-shaft is lower
it would be easy to adapt front drive to and thing there was a guy that converted a school bus to a front wheel drive car hauler to get it low for easy loading

 

the center of these are low, nice wide doors, come with automatics, and cool.

 

would a two piece drive shaft help (if airbagged). a late 40 thru early 50s panels have a lot of roof height, allowing for a raised floor and still get around potentially (how much room from floor to your head do you require?. The airbags get it down to roll into (or maybe do a flip down lift (to raise you into the panel (rather than ramp).. The two piece drive shaft keeps the tunnel a minimum height until behind the side door (then the second driveshaft could pivot with the rearend (and potentially taller driveshaft tunnel)