Looks like my parents will be moving in with my sister and will need a stair lift to negotiate the stairs. I'm responsible for finding one. There are a fair number of used units available on Craigslist. They will be have to be cut to length to fit the stairs. Has anyone here cut down an existing stair lift track to make it fit? I won't be doing it. My BIL will. How difficult is it?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I guess the question is how good you think he is. Before I go that route, I would ask a DME store to give you a quote for modification. Client I talked to hurt himself because his so and so tried what you are doing and didn't do it quite right. Not sure of the details but there it is.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

End of track stop would have to be modified on one end I would expect. I have no knowledge of these devices other that they appear to be anchored on the stair treads.

The newer stair treads are particle board with a thin hardwood veneer so I would not just screw them down to this. Should be bolted with load spreaders. Otherwise should not be rocket science.

If a used one were purchased a really good mechanical inspection of the power system that is used to provide movement should be done. Perhaps periodically as well. Also there should be a website describing the various brands pros and cons. I can almost see one slamming into the bottom stop if a mechanical failure occurred.

I thought about installing one for the tired out women that want to return to the first floor of the house in my dreams. Unfortunatly there is no need of one.

I found the mfg website with instructions on how to shorten them. Barry, you're right. The bottom end is to be shortened. Doesn't look too difficult.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

This is exactly why Dumbwaiters were invented.

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It might not be IF you are good at doing that. They do it all day long when they install a stair lift. BUT, if you screw up anything like with my client, you can find yourself on the floor with a broken hip. So unless the potential for saving is huge, I'd have a professional install it. In my work, I've seen some installs for grab bars that were installed poorly. YMMV

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

We have a chair lift in our carriage house that we installed for my mother in law when she lived there. Cutting the track is not the difficult part, working with the wiring harness which has to follow the chair up and down is the tricky part. I'd check and see if I could get a pro to do the installation if it were me. Might not cost too much. Maybe $500? Getting it all done right with the wiring shortened professionally would be nice. Saving the cost of buying a complete installation new would be nice.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The instructions do give directions for shortening the wiring harness as part of the process. I'll have to take a close look once I purchase one and make a decision.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

So, are you OK with people on this list ( with minimal mechanical skills ) that change steering tie rods / brake hoses?

I've sewn my own lifejacket.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I'm pretty sure Mr. Lim would argue that the sky is neon green and it's right that the sky is that color given the opportunity.

Was that before or after he took the brown acid? Or visited Studio 54?