Big problem

[HYDRO FAN]

I have NL 3.5 ESCAPE.
Great car. love it, now the problem, my wife has recently had some medical problems which make it nearly impossible to get in and out of the car easily, the car needs to be about 2inches lower for her to get in and out of the car with some dignity. can this be done, we only drive on the occasional gravel road and tow a boat.
This is our only car and I would hate having to sell it and buy a crappydore or similar.

[Alex86]

The Escape originally came with 15in 235/75 tyres. Does yours still have these or have they been changed to bigger? If they have been changed to bigger then if you go back to standard that'll lower the car a bit.

I'm presuming you could lower it with the suspension a little bit but I'm not sure what exactly you'd do (unwind the torsion bars and maybe cut the springs down or see if smaller springs are available I suppose), nor how much you could actually lower it whilst still maintaining reasonable travel (like raising it).
Has yours had a suspension lift though? Going back down to normal would help.

Also, I've not proven it but I think front seats from a GLS are a little lower than in the Escape. Might be worth seeing if a seat swap could help?

I suppose a step to help get in and out isn't particularly practical for you either?

[Ian Sharpe]

I suppose a step to help get in and out isn't particularly practical for you either?

yeah i used to carry a set of fold up steps for when I was taking my elderly mum around. they work good .

[spot01]

Depending on the issue, there is a handle you can buy that fits into the door latch on the B pillar that some people find useful.

I think you can also get seats for some cars that turn sideways to make access easier.

Talk to a motor trimmer &/or automotive seat specialist to see if the seat can be modified or lowered.

As mentioned, folding steps may help - I wonder if a one of the slide out steps people fit to caravans could be fitted - there are several types, eg, single flat that slides straight out, some move down as they fold out, etc.



Perhaps you could make up a 2" high box to place on the ground for her - it could even be a simple 2" thick wood/aluminium/plastic plank or similar.

[alchemysa]

You need the seat to be 2" lower, not the car. Theres a lot of space under those seats. I would imagine that the seat frame could be cut down reasonably easily. There should be heaps of seats in wreckers that you could use instead of hacking your own seat. This could be the cheapest and easiest option. (I'm assuming you just need this for the passenger seat.)


As a side note, I recently hired a new Hyundai Tucson while on holiday. I had it for over a week. I was surprised how uncomfortable it was to get in and out of. The seats are mounted well 'inboard' so I had to really stretch my leg out to get over the door 'sill'. So, there's more to consider than simply the height of the seat. Along with the road noise it really put me off the car.

[erad]

Thinking outside the box, you could approach a suspension specialist and ask about air suspension. This would enhance the ride quality of the Pajero enormously (desirable) and allow it to kneel when stopped to allow your wife easier access to the seat etc. I have not heard of it being done on a Pajero, but I know that other cars are done (and of course Citroen had/had this feature as standard), not that you normally lowered it to the ground - it would do that by itself over an 8 hr period anyway.

[aussieguy]

https://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Running-Boards-Side-Steps/AMP-Research-Bed-Step-2

American pickups have automatic bed steps to help you get into their behemoth pickups.

[gemster]

I have seen several NL's lowered with 20" rims and 45 profile tyres... They are very low... if you fit a lower profile tire you will lower the car a few inches as well.. you should have at least 3" to play with... The link has some info on what they did to another pajero to lower it... It can be done...http://www.cardomain.com/ride/310855...ubishi-pajero/ Google Lowered Pajero's...


Gemster....

[geopaj]

Adjust the front torsion bars and install lowered rear springs is all that would be required to do it safely. If you can do it yourself (it’s an easy ‘home handyman’ job) it should only cost about $200 for the rear springs.
Keep the original springs and it will be easily reversible should you ever wish to.
Even paying a machanic should only be an extra $200-$250 (based on $100-$125 pr hour for 2 hours labour).

EDIT- I forgot about a wheel alignment so that would be an extra $50ish.

[alchemysa]

Adjust the front torsion bars and install lowered rear springs is all that would be required to do it safely. If you can do it yourself (it’s an easy ‘home handyman’ job) it should only cost about $200 for the rear springs.
Keep the original springs and it will be easily reversible should you ever wish to.
Even paying a machanic should only be an extra $200-$250 (based on $100-$125 pr hour for 2 hours labour).

EDIT- I forgot about a wheel alignment so that would be an extra $50ish.

Isn't that going to reduce bump stop clearance so much that its going to thud every time it goes over a speed bump or driveway?