Wheelchair Accessible Project Ideas

Hey!
the 1958 gmc Panel I did for firedome would be nearly perfect! with the Camaro clip, all of the "guts" move away from the floor-meaning you could move the floorpan down on the passenger side for more room for the chair! It may only be 3 or 4 inches, but that may be all you need in there (they have a mile of room inside)- and the chassis can for sure handle the addnl' weight. (Firedome routinely loads his panel to the roof with motorcycles and camping gear)

there is about a 6 inch lip in the rear you could build ramps into-so modifying the barn doors out back is a non issue.

we, of course , lowered the heck outta F.D.'s, but that would work to your advantage- if you were to back it against a curb, there would only be about a 2 inch lip to climb. crafty work with airbags out back, and you could get away with even more load carrying ability, not to mention lowering the truck like a "kneeling bus" when it is time to load up or head out.

They bed floors are wood, so modifications in the rear are simple enough.
small block chevy drivetrain= easy and cheap a/c, and the ability to but any replacement parts at 7-11.
overdrive transmission-easier on the wallet, and easier to cruise at highway speeds do to converter lock up ability.

the entire inside of the truck is BEGGING to be modified for hold downs, safety harnesses and other "sundries" a special needs person has to travel with. ( hell, these things were used as ambulances for a loooong time.)
and to top it off, they are waaay cooler than a corvair.

 

if him and the chair are roughly the same height as a british bike, it can be done.


they're not too bad lookin, either!

 

I think the easy way to accomplish this might be to make a section in the floor that hinges somewhere just behind the rear axle and use air or hydraulic to raise and lower it. When its raised it would be even with the floor. Make the bumpers 2 piece with a gap in the middle. You wouldn't really have to modify the doors because the drop floor would sit even with the rest of the floor. I got a design floating in my head and I will post more as it comes together.

 

Kuztomz, That idea sounds good. I'd like to see that design your talking about.

Lux, I've starting looking for a suburban from that era. We need 60" of room. I taled with Craig Wilderman of craigwilderman.com who has a sweet ride he had modified for himself, he lowered his floor 5" and still had to moidify the roof. I'm willing to go that far. Does Fire Dome still have his GMC?

I found a '54 suburban but I'm tild those have 43" high entrance and 49" wide entrance but I'm going to go see close up and maybe I can modify.

 

Found something that might be of interest that is in your state at least. '49 TO '53 Ford milk truck. Check out the link.http://www.oldcarpart.com/page9.htm

 

Texas Deuce's wish sounds like a darned good idea for an upcoming Art Challenge....Hint, hint...

 

Anyone have some pics of a straight on rear shot of a panel with the doors open showing full height from the top to the ground that I can use to photoshop? Any vintage from 40's, 50's or 60's will do. Maybe we can get this project rolling. Sounds like a fun one! Thanks for any help.

 

So you need 60" of headroom? How wide do you need to go so his wheelchair will fit?

 

The truck at the pileup was sweet. If you go to my fotki picture link below and open up the "2007 Hunnert Car Pileup" pictures, you will find a good picture of that truck.

 

more thinking outside the box...just imagine with some fat tires and a cool rake.

 

How about a Corvair van, using the lowered center and ramp from a Corvair truck. Lower the passengers side front floor to match. Then use a FWD power train in the back. I would run either an old 500 CID Eldo or a late model Northstar drivetrain, but I am a little biased there. There are lots of rear-engine Corvair car conversions out there using both 500 CID and Northstar based FWD power trains.
At stock ride height, the center 3rd and pass front would be less than 12" off the ground. Use the top half of the van side door in a flip-up configuration like a late model SUV tailgate setup. You could use Caravan power rear hatch mechanisms to make the ramp and flip-up top part power operated by remote. If the lowered floor doesn't give you enough head room, there are plenty of cool ways to raise the roof a hair and still have a traditional look. Just look at pics of 60s Kustom vans and you'll find dozens of ideas. Lots were set up to be able to stand upright inside them, and 60" is only 5' even.

 

Check out SPinner43's link of the 48-50 Ford Milk Truck- I think he hit the nail on the head. You could probably give that thing a MEAN chop and still manage 60+ inches of head room. Sacramento Vintage Ford sells all the repop parts in the world for that thing and it is WIDE open for a custom.

 

(cfish50chevy)---SAID---I wish you were in Florida...I would help you build it! What a great way for you two to have some long lasting fun together! Let us know as you go! Wish more dads were as cool as you!

I to love the idea that you and your Son will have a project to work on together,Let your Son know that their are alot of people on this board that want to give you both HIGH-FIVES for even trying to take on a project of this size..Where their is a want ,THEIR is away!
Good luck to ya both and my prayers are with ya....

 

.
Take a look at Doc Lavinder's ride, it may give you some ideas. Best wishes on you cool project...H

http://www.geocities.com/doclavinder/

 

that is nice! you need to account for a little more than 60'', when you're rolling down the road, you don't want to hit a bump and smack your head.

 

How about a C Cab?

 

That thing is cool as hell! Looks like it's way taller than a suburban. Looks better than a Divco IMHO.

 

exactly my thoughts, looks like the least fabrication involved in anything presented so far. if i didn't already have too many cars, i'd consider it for myself!

 

If the Burb search doesn't work out. I drive by a Corvair Pickup a few times a week during my workday. It needs work but if you're interested I'll see what the guy wants for it as well as more info, etc. It's located in North Salt Lake, UT.

 

WetAtt,

Thanks for the positive words. We hope to find a project soon. The milk truck, Econoline and all the other ideas really look cool.

Oh and thanks for the prayers we'll take all the prayers we can get.

 

Snapper, Thanks for the cool link we are getting all kinds of cool ideas. Now he wants one of each.

Monsterflake, We both liked the idea fo the milk truck, The Goon thinks we could get that milk truck tubb it out and put a blown Hemi and take it to the drags.....I Love this kid!

CT, I'd appreciate the info on the Corvair. We are still in the looking process and in the saving process so the only two obstacles would be to get it way down here in Texas and of course the $$$$ that pretty much is the determinant of what rout we will go.

Thanks again to everyone we are totally blown away with all the awesome ideas and positive feedback.

 

how much do they want for the blue milk truck? the great thing about that one is that there are tons of parts for those trucks. i'd add some more side windows, a dropped front axle, a 300 inline six from a late truck and hit the road!

 

Monsterflake,

I called that Countyline Classics place and they said the Milk Truck is gone.

It would have been a cool project though.

 

Yup, that would work, and that ad about a yard in GA had a Rampside sitting in there, StevieG could probably snark it for ya.

My buddy had a Rampside and I had to move a heavy as shit and awkward jukebox with it, it was EZ with that ramp and the 5' x 5' flat area in the middle. I had a Corvan myself at the time, and that would be an easy conversion.

 

It is so cool that you are figuring out what kind of ride to build for your son.

I love the idea of the Divco truck and the Suburban.

Here are a couple more ideas, these are obviously working trucks, but it might give you an idea how to do something different. The 30 Ford Post truck is pretty cool, and I am sure it has 60". You could also graduate to AAs or delivery type trucks. There are ads for them in Hemmings from time to time.

Good luck.

 

Hey 73,

Good Idea. I remember seeing an old Willys/Jeep military ambulance or transport truck near by hear I'll go check it out.

 

NEW QEUSTION????????


Is it possible to drop the floor on a '54 Chevt suburban?


I found out there is one near by.

Seems like I might be going with the Corvair rout though....still looking.


Thanks in advance, TD

 

Those above trucks reminded me of this one that's for sale in Arundel. I'm going down south this weekend, if you want, I can stop by and check it out.

1939 Ford REO Express, 350 chevy, Automatic, PS $7900.00 (It's been on their site for a while, you could probably knock them down on it, especially considering the good cause it would be going for...)
the website ...http://www.championautomaine.com/secondpage.html

 

I think that has mad potential as a custom ... slammed, chopped a wee bit ... hell, I even like the color.

 

There was a shop in Pickerington, Oh. called Auto Metal Masters. A couple great & talented guys. Before they folded, they were working on a 41 Poncho torpedo 2dr. for a lady. Using an 82 Eldo rear frame,an Astro fwd &4.3 in the front, a leveled floor & small slide out ramp that was real low when the bags were down. Of course, no seats in the front & set with tracks & locks for her chair & all hand controls.
Last I saw it was looking fine but I didn't get to see the finished car.
Wonder if it (or they) are still out there?
Al