I'm trying to convert a 55 panel into a front wheel drive. Can anyone help with donar options. The reason for front wheel drive isfor a wheelchair conversion. I know there are options like GM Riveria or Caddy. My goal is to use newer technology while balancing it with wiring, option, and sensor nightmares. I did check if any front wheel drive air bag option kits are available, no usable feedback gotten. Was told of the possibility of using a Ford Escape (which is front wheeldrive, problem is all unibody. Need someone who could build up strut supports, etc.

Enough rambling, anyone have experience with a F100 front wheeldrive conversion?

 

Old Toronado. A nice big 455 with a front wheel setup. As long as you are nice to it it will work fine, they used them in a bunch of motor homes in that configuration.

Chuck P
www.oldjeep.com

 

There are plenty of FWD vehicles to choose from. I'd start with something that has about the same track width and enough power. Maybe a Taurus? OBD1 isn't all that complicated if you get the computer that went with the drive train. Many FWD use a subframe system of mounting that you could adapt. I'm curious why you say you need to go with FWD for a wheelchair, are you planning to lower the floor?

 

Giving it some additional thought: This sounds like a major project with some serious fabrication and engineering challenges, this is as far from a bolt in as you can get. By your asking for help the very most basic part of the conversion I have to ask the question. Do you have the skills, equipment and finances to see it through? I have no doubts it can be done, and would be an interesting project, but I'd hate to see a good panel end up as scrap if you are way over your head on this.

 

There is an outfit in Canada somewhere that converts full-size trucks to a chain drive set-up (rear wheels) so that the box can be replaced with a hydraulically operated floor, 4' x 8', I believe it is for loading cattle primarily. I will put a pic of it in my Gallery if you like (or email me). I saw it on eBay and was somewhat interested because of the potential benefits in hauling a motorcycle -- no ramps; drive in, push the button, raise it up.

So I'm thinking that they could do a smaller-scale version of that to your panel, probably retain the RWD solid axle even. Just have a wheelchair-sized section of the floor behind the axle that drops down to ground and raises back up.
-- Ross

 

There are a number of companies that convert vehicles for wheelchair operations. A friend of mine has a full size ford van that he uses. When he saw my 48 Panel he started to look for something like it for a project. He plans on using the rear doors for the lift.
I'd check them out before I tried a FWD conversion.

 

Related subject: Any of you guys remember the panel at Pigeon Forge, I believe 1999, with the Cadillac FWD, along with the dash, seats, etc? Had the murals on it, was parked by the main show entrance? What ever happened to it? He was asking 80K for it!!! Good luck.

 

I'm still trying to figure out what advantage FWD would give a wheelchair conversion, you still need a rear axle even with FWD, and the panel's floor is flat, no tranny hump.?
It would be a challenging project, maybe Overhaulin would be interested, other wise I'd expect $30-50K depending on the condition of the starting truck even if you did a lot of the work yourself.

 

Are you invisioning a hydraulic lift coming in the pass side like in a bus? John

 

Yes, but the frame would be much more of a problem than the driveline? Don't they usually store vertically? Why would you put in doors on the side when you have the big doors in the rear of a panel?

 

Thanks, for the feedback. Let me try to answers your questions and give you a little more background. First the bacground, I am in a wheelchair so this will be even more expensive so planning is key here. I have some friends who have built many customs, one has sub framed about 15 Ford trucks mostly with the volare front suspension. But no one has done a FWD setup. I currently have a 55 Ford panel setup with a volare front suspension, 9" Ford 4-link rearend, a couger 3.0 v6 with a 4 speed automatic, and a caddy tilt steering. The panel is setup with a wheelchair lift and power remote door openers at the back doors. The rear bumper was removed and a smooth roll pan installed giving extra lift clearance. The engine and tranny were tilted slightly to lower the tranny drive shaft height. The frame from the front body mounts was lowered ~7" for a distance of ~4ft, then there is a tapered incline to front of rear wheel wells with the remaining rear floor lowered to the rear door sill We custom fabricated a new floor pan front to rear (obviously the wood flooring removed) this did require a floor tunnel to be created. Then a front seat was setup on a minivan quick disconnect floor mounts so it could be located in either the drivers or passengers position. The result is I can using the lift enter the panel from the rear and roll my wheelchair up to the front seat positions. Typically I am a passenger, this does not have the controls I need to drive. Why start over you ask, I want to drive! So the planning begins. Currently the 55 is getting a few body repairs and then will be going in for a new paint job and then new glass stripping and interior hopefully back on the road this summer.
Now to your questions:

1. I know the Riv and Toronado have great FWDs but will it fit in the fenders stock? Do you know the names of the motorhome using it?

2. Has anyone setup a f100 with a Taurus FWD, what about the uni-body strut tower supports? Who made the new ones? My goal is to lower the floor in the front 6-7" and in the back 3-4" giving a more flat and cleaner look.

3. I agree it is far from a bolt on conversion if it will be done right. As far as money, no I don't have it all , but planned correctly and built if steps I can afford it.

4. I have looked into many wheelchair lifts and would stay with one used through the rear doors.

Thanks again for the input and keep it coming. I am wondering has anyone done a FWD conversion on a 53 - 56 Ford truck?
Scott

 

Ok, strut towers and supports would not be much of a problem for anyone qualified to do this conversion. A removable strut tower brace that spanned the two towers could be built or one of the aftermarker ones sold to the tuners might be adapted. If I were doing it I'd do a triangulated STB that also tied into the center of the firewall. First order of business would be to research FWD vehicles and find choices prior to OBD II that had close to the same tread width and came from a 3000# + vehicle. Ford and Cadillac both have an extensive aftermarket driveline program that might be able to give you some help. I really think this is a doable project, dropped floor and all.

 

Have you considered using an Expedition's front end and using the front half of the drivetrain only? It is a frame-based suspension, unlike a Taurus or FWD car, so it would seem to graft on more easily. It uses rack & pinion steering, has CV joints unlike a 4x4 truck, and is for a heavier vehicle. With the right mods to the trasnsfer case, it would seem to be a very stout, smooth suspension and drivetrain. I can't imagine a Taurus drivetrain, or from any FWD car that isn't frame-based, lasting under a truck. They're not exactly bulletproof under cars!

At the rear, if you used a beam axle from a Caravan or similar, they are about the right width, mount the same way as your present rear, and are very low to the ground. Getting the right bolt pattern for wheels would be an issue.

Ross

 

What exactly do you need for controlls? My father is a parapallegic broken around the T12 I beleive. He drives a 4X4 automatic Ford Ranger standard cab. You can buy hand controlls that mount to a steering column and run the brakes and the gas from a sinlge lever on the column. Have you looked into any of these setups? You could park the chair in the back and transfer to a more confortable bucket seat when driving.

 

I autocross race nationally with a guy who's a PP that drives a Corvette and wins regularly.