Wheelchair lift causing sag...

R

RVRoadTrip

NAXJA Forum User
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Fulltime RVer
I have a stock 1999 Cherokee Sport 4x4 and I carry a wheelchair lift (and a wheelchair) on the rear hitch. The lift and the chair together weigh 275 pounds. I have heavy duty shocks on the rear, the kind that have springs around them for added support. Even so, the rear of the Jeep sags about 2" due to the weight hanging off the back.

Other than appearance, would this cause any problems? Would shackles be a suitable solution to level out the Jeep or would I need to replace the springs? Cost is a concern, as disability doesn't pay much. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

2011-10-09_10-39-17_343x.jpg
 
welcome to the site!, hopefully we can get you setup!

since youve got a lot of weight back there anyways, a rough riding (and stiff) rear bastard leaf pack. Thats where you take the main leaf off an s10 leafpack, or even another cherokee, cut both eyelets off, and add it to your existing pack. this usually makes for a stiff ride, but you need it. Your existing leaf packs very well may be done from the added weight... and may need to be replaced. If you do replace em, adding an extra main leaf will help carry more weight. a shackle wont help you in this situation.
 
Thanks for the welcome and the reply. Would replacing the stock leaf springs with some that add 2" of height work? Fabricating a bastard pack isn't really an option for me. Also, would it cause any issues when the wheelchair was not on the lift while driving?

I found this as reference for leaf springs: http://www.quadratec.com/products/16090_5056.htm

EDIT: I guess my shocks wouldn't be long enough then, huh? :/
 
the thing about so called 'HD' springs, is theyre designed for someone with a lot of camping gear, maybe a heavy tire carrier bumper... this is a wheelchair, mounted about 4 feet behind the rear bumper... i dunno if regular HD springs will be enough. maybe you could get the HD springs, and maybe find some full length add-a-leafs to add with them to help carry the extra load... pretty much all of this will be customish work, where are you located? this would be an easy project for an offroad shop, if explained well.
 
I installed air shocks on my Dad's Lincoln when we had to carry his powered wheel chair. Installed them with a small complressor and a pair of adjustable pressure switches. The low pressure was for no chair, the high for with the chair. Uses a single pole double throw switch to select between the pressures and a momentary switch connected to a bleed solenoid to dump the hig pressure when switching to low. Not the best control system but it had the saving grace of working. The air shocks will level the Heep and provide the extra capacity needed for a relatively low investment.
 
I carry about 200lbs of equipment for work+tow a boat trailer every weekend. My solution was twofold:
1) I found a shop that re-curved the original springs for me.
2) I added the rear-leaf spring helpers from Advance Auto (40 bucks)...it is the cheapest solution, not necessarily the best, as it rides rough when unloaded. But since you are always loaded, it should ride OK. And yes, your original springs probably need to be replaced or re-curved. You will be amazed at how much your handling and ride will improve with functioning leaf springs.

Air bags would be the best option for leveling your rig, but it would be kinda spendy.
 
i was wondering how much my chair/lift would sag the jeep. now i know. though mine i think is another 100#. i have picked up several different leaf spring combinations with various thicknesses to try, but i think the best solution to this is the air shocks as mentioned. not knowing your situation, i would look into the older cadilac shocks. they were a very good air shock with a great air pump/compressor ran on 12 volts. they can be found on many cadilac models, but the eldorado is a great donor as it is a long heavy car. now if you really wanted to get custom, they also were controlled by a sensor that when more load (people) were in the rear seat, the shocks automaticly adjusted for the weight. i for one would rather have the system on a switch so i can control the shocks myself. now if you cannot do this junk yard searching and fabricating, a good RV service center can hook you up with what you need. but it will be pricey. as i am sure you know, being a full time RVer and all. give us your location, and the locals in that area may be able to point you in the right direction.
 
I think air shocks would be your best option.
That is not alot of weight, but since it is so far back, it will affect ride height more than some equal weight just in the back of the vehicle.
 
Thanks again for all the suggestions. I am in Mission, TX and there is a local 4x4 shop just down the road so I went there to inquire about a solution.

I explained that the Jeep sits level without the lift and chair on the back, it squats a little with the lift only and squats a lot with the lift and chair. They suggested a full length add-a-leaf to solve the problem. Not sure of the going rate elsewhere in the country but he quoted me $161 out the door so I made the appointment to have them do it.

I don't think the rear springs are worn out per se, as the Jeep hasn't carried any weight other than normal use since we bought it in 2004. The 4x4 shop assured me this would solve the problem and the only issue would be the Jeep riding high in the rear if the chair was not in the lift. The lift is there at all times and swings out to let the hatch open.

Thank you again for all the suggestions.
 
I think the added leaf will probably do most of what you need, and the advantage is that it doesn't change much else. In general I'd opt for more spring rather than more lift in this situation, since the XJ's springs are pretty flexy at the best of times.

You can add a single leaf without changing [u-joints] edit: I meant U-bolts...., which is pretty handy.

The full length leaf will probably do it, but I will add here my favorite way to add a leaf, which I've done on both my 95 and 99 when they developed age related sag. The length difference between the second spring down and the third is very large, and the springs go flat or even reverse curved in that section. What I did was to cut down either a main or #2 leaf from another set to a length halfway between the #2 and #3. It's enough to add some load capacity and restore height with very little effect on ride.

jeepsprings.jpg
 
Keep a close eye on your rear frame rails where the hitch mounts up.

I made a cargo hauler for my jeep, and it's weight, plus the weight of what I carried on it (a deer a time or two), cracked my rear frame rails in the inner lower corner where the hitch meets the frame.

I now have to fix it before I can use the hitch or hauler anymore.

I was hauling about the same weight as you too BTW.
 
Sorry for being a little off-topic here, but am I the only moron who clicked on this expecting to laugh at some awesome lifted wheelchair with sagging rear wheels?:dunce:
 
Wouldn't hurt to weight the Jeep on a certified scale (CAT Scale). Last time I was in the RGV I think there was one at a truck stop along US-77. Reason to do so is to check the front axle weight loaded and unloaded.

Chances are that your shocks and AAL have done the job, but if it is convenient, then weigh it empty (driver only, full fuel) and then loaded (chair, passenger + as before). Run you about $10-12, just go inside to the fuel desk (where the truckers pay) and ask about how to use it (you'd be weighing twice: once "empty" and once when loaded). Ask a about cost.

IF the front axle is more than 100-lbs under the "light" reading when loaded, I'd try to correct it. A light FA is a problem in the rain, etc. Steering & brake control. XJ's ain't the greatest in the rain (on my third; continously since 1987).

This is being perfectionistic, but it's worthwhile, IMO. Carrying around a relative with limited mobility makes for a better feeling about safety when I check my work against the numbers. Been there.

Be sure to check tire wear. A change in attitude can affect alignment enough that tires can wear funny.

Good luck.

.
 
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