Yes, I want to know how to lower the FJ?
As crazy as this seems in this forum, I'm going to brave the waters - like I did earlier today crossing the road which had become a river here in Eastern Massachusetts, fun stuff, especially the look of panic as other drives approached the moving water... I have a friend who uses a wheelchair, loves the FJ and he tried out mine, in order for him to pull in his wheelchair which is great with the suicide doors for wheelchair or tater-tot girl access. He needs to lower the cabin / body 4-5 inches so the front wheels of his chair will rest inside the lip of the vehicle while he scoots between the seats and pulls the chair in behind the drivers seat. I know everyone knows how to add lift kits and raise vehicles, now I'm looking for advice in going the other way. Can the FJ be lowered safely without screwing up the ride, handling or anything else? Ideally, an air powered hydraulic system would be ideal, that could be lowered to gain entry and then raised up once underway. I know the Range Rover has a system that lowers the vehicle - usually on the highway and then raises back up for off roading. I'd really like to stay away from Rover prices, maybe there are other systems out there that will do the trick. The cheapest way would be to swap out the wheels, but I'm having a hard time picturing the FJ with lowprofile rims and wheels, looking like a pimp'ed out Esclade.
Your help, humor, and whitisism, is always welcome, please include any rough estimates on prices or cost of lowering the FJ. THANKS JF - more reverse logic/ initials.
Search 'air suspensions' on Google for tons of info. This is not a far fetched idea and could proof to be a great mod for wheelchair users. Air bag systems are quite tough, universal in heavy trucks and lots of retrofit systems for cars and trucks. Check out the Hot Rod guys, they could surely hook your friend up.
The FJ wheel clearance would accommodate 4-5, 6"? drop no problem.
Can't wait to see the photos!
Hmmmm, airbags in an FJ....not just for wheelchairs!
I use a wheelchair and the openess of access is the reason I bought it... I actually get it tomorrow.
I know of several people that have done lowering but not an FJ. Not sure if I understand your reasoning - maybe it is too late in the day!! Why do the wheels of the wheelchair need to "rest on the inside of the vehicle?"
I can post a video of me getting in and out but I am having a hard time understanding the entry process here... sorry.
Yes, I want to know how to lower the FJ?
. The cheapest way would be to swap out the wheels, but I'm having a hard time picturing the FJ with lowprofile rims and wheels, looking like a pimp'ed out Esclade.
Your help, humor, and whitisism, is always welcome, please include any rough estimates on prices or cost of lowering the FJ. THANKS JF - more reverse logic/ initials.
Another brave soul willing to bare all.
Thats what I like about this forum, the honesty.
Go low my friend and good luck.
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as i read the posts here i listen to my itunes and i started reading this one and "low rider" started to play i just thought this was so funny
ok my tangent is done
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I think it would be cooler (and hopefully cheaper) to put hydraulics on the wheelchair to raise the wheelchair...as opposed lowering the FJC with hydraulics.
Okay, I have to start by saying - don't take my word for it and I know nothing.
Now, as I measure the wheel well, the tightest spot is eight inches in front of the vertical centerline. And there is only 4-inches there before rubber hits "steel". And if you turned the front tire it would be less.
So, 1) front can't be lowered even 3 ~ 4 inches without serious steel re-work.
Now, the back looks like there is a lot of room but, as you climb under the rubber axle bumper (inside the spring) has a gap of 2+ inches before it touches the axle "surface" and maybe there is more compression available in the rubber cone bushing (another inch?). As I look at the rest of the linkage under there - I wouldn't want to go more than 3-inches lower without getting very serious about all that and I'm talking beyond just springs and shocks - stabilizing linkage ....
So, 2) rear can't be lowered more than 2 ~ 3 inches without serious consideration.
Conclusion: from a quick glance I'd say you can go 2-inches lower all around by buying shorter springs and you'll feel the rear when you hit a bump - and I guess that would mean different shocks to match?
And I do hope someone in the hands on business (not just blueprints) can contradict all this and help you modify the thing.
One thing I have learned is nothing is impossible - it might cost though.
Recommend, not staying low (from my look see) I agree with only temporary lowering for access.
Reverse logic, need to come down 4-5 inches
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