Okay, here’s my blog post about installing a power wheelchair lift for my pickup truck, written in a casual, first-person style:
So, I finally bit the bullet and got a power wheelchair lift for my truck. Getting my chair in and out of the bed was becoming a real pain, literally. My back was killing me! I figured it was time to make things easier on myself.
The Hunt Begins
First, I spent some time looking around online, to find some picture, checking out different models. There are a bunch of options, from simple platforms to ones that swing out and all that fancy stuff. I needed something pretty heavy-duty, cause my power chair is no lightweight. I also wanted to be able to use my tailgate without any issue.
Making the Choice
After many searching, I finally decided on a lift that mounts inside the truck bed, near the tailgate. It seemed like the best balance of strength, convenience, and not totally destroying my truck’s usability.
Installation Day!
I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about the installation. I’m pretty handy, but this seemed like a bigger project than I usually tackle. I watched a bunch of installation videos, which helped a lot. Make sure everything clear!
The lift came in a big box, it’s really heavy!. The first step was to assemble the main frame of the lift. That was pretty straightforward, just bolting some pieces together.
Then came the tricky part: mounting it to the truck bed. This involved drilling some holes in the bed, which always makes me a little anxious. I measured like five times before I actually drilled anything. Gotta make sure it’s lined up right!
Wiring Woes
Once the lift was bolted in, I had to do the wiring. I’m okay with basic wiring, but this involved running wires to the truck’s battery. I carefully followed the instructions, and took my time. I definitely double-checked all the connections to make sure I didn’t short anything out.
I connected the lift’s control switch inside the truck cab. This way, I can operate the lift from the driver’s seat.
Testing, Testing…
With everything connected, it was time for the moment of truth. I grabbed my wheelchair and carefully positioned it on the lift platform. I hit the button, and… it worked! The lift smoothly raised my chair into the truck bed. I was so stoked! I lowered it back down and did it again, just to be sure. It was awesome.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this lift is a game-changer. No more struggling to get my chair in and out of the truck. It saves me so much time and effort, and my back is definitely thanking me. If you’re in a similar situation, I highly recommend looking into a power wheelchair lift. It’s a worthwhile investment, for sure. And if you’re reasonably handy, you can probably install it yourself, just take your time and follow the instructions carefully.
