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DISCO FOR DISABLED. ADVICE NEEDED.

 
 
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 7:10 am    Post subject: DISCO FOR DISABLED. ADVICE NEEDED. Reply with quote

Hi,

SWMBO (age 7Cool is scheduled for a pair of new knees, which will drop her licence to AUTOMATIC ONLY for several months. She currently has a 12 month old Hyundai IX20, with 3000 miles under it's belt. She refuses to spend our pensions on replacing it with a new Tuscon automatic.

SWMBO is a non-smoking, very light drinking, clean licence, full NCD, senior-ish Civil Servant ... in a previous existence she was the Press Officer at DVLC. She has been disabled from 3 days old, due to a medic wrenching her right arm to where he thought it ought to be, destroying her shoulder, elbow and wrist.

I taught her to drive on Penang Island, in a Sunbeam Talbot 90, followed by a rusty Mini when we returned to UK. She had one professional lesson before passing her test in South London in the aforementioned rusty Mini, on January 1st 1971 (it snowed that morning)

For her 70th birthday, I gave her three laps round Silverstone in both a Ferrarri and an Aston Martin. She hit 120mph, and declared that she still wanted a Ferrari, but had found the Aston Martin to be cumbersome.

ANNO DOMINI is taking it's toll, and she is scheduled for a pair of titanium knees. DVLA have indicated that her driving licence will then be reduced to "Automatic Only" for several months. That suggests that her present car, a 2018 Hyundai IX20 (manual), with 3000 miles on the clock, will need to find a new home. Doh!

Further complications include the need for her car to have room for three strapping grandchildren, a wheelchair, and a JRT.

My 1959 Land Rover 109" had to move on, because it was too high for her to climb into, and it's replacement, a Suzuki Jimny is only slightly easier, and with a lot less space.

My question .... Land Rover Discovery! I owned one several years ago, but at that time did not need to consider it's ease of access. Discos come in AUTO format.

So, my question .... how high does one's bum need to be above sea-level to be able to get into a the driver's seat of a Disco without having to clamber?

Suggestions welcomed.

I am 5ft 10ins tall. She is 5ft 4ins. But we both have 29 inches of "inside leg".

602

PS... she would accept a SAAB 900i AUTO ... if I could find one. She wrote two such cars off in spectacular fashion. One was hit by an articulated tail lift on the M4 ... she phoned me, told me to write down the registration of the lorry she was chasing. The second time, her car started whille in reverse, and ran amok. It destroyed my Disco which was parked behind it, and the Transit van parked on the other side of the road.

PPS. Penang? I was in charge of vehicle servicing on an RAF SAM site (Bloodhounds) on RAAF Butterworth ... had to go to work by ferry. Google "33 SQUADRON BUTTERWORTH SATELITE VIEW".

PPPS. Two years on Penang Island ... and she still says I never take her anywhere. When my Campaign medal arrived in the post, I told her she had been living in a "war zone". Shocked The Ozzies were fighting in Viet Nan ... which wasn't very far away.[/i]

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Don't force it, use a bigger hammer, cos if it doesn't fit, the hammer is not big enough.
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 7:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

Try http://www.bloodhoundmkii.org.uk/images/33/33_1.jpg for a picture of all my Bloodhounds.

602

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Don't force it, use a bigger hammer, cos if it doesn't fit, the hammer is not big enough.
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Scrunt44
Just got MTs


Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Odometer: 137
Location: Scotland.



PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Best go along and try how the Discovery is for getting in and out pre op with bad knees.


Not an answer, just a question from someone with only 1 leg, so only 1 foot and an Automatic only licence.
?
What makes it OK to drive a few months using an accelerator and brake with one leg with a new artificial knee but not use the other leg with a new artificial knee to use a clutch?
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Mr Tyre
Mr Tyre


Joined: 17 Jun 2002
Odometer: 4957
Location: Darlington Co Durham



PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The problem with Discos and a few others is how deep the frame/seatbox is that the seat sits on it's easily as deep as a 109 seatbox if not deeper still.Team Chaos's Disco had a specialist hoist for getting less able bodied people in an out of the front seat if thats a help.
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 7:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What makes it OK to drive a few months using an accelerator and brake with one leg with a new artificial knee but not use the other leg with a new artificial knee to use a clutch?

Hi Scrum,

I'm guessing that most cars now have servo brakes, so no effort required to stop and go.

I've seen queries on the Land Rover Series 2 Forum about converting the clutch pedal to "servo". But they are usually from drivers with a knackered left knee, rather than a new knee.

I believe the Quacks will inform DVLA that you have a new knee, and DVLA will have developed a "policy".

Point of interest ... at one time your disability was spelled out on your licence. That changed after the Thalidimide (sp?) scandal, in the 1970s.

602

602

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( Gray )
Articulating


Joined: 15 Apr 2012
Odometer: 597




PostPosted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 4:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I too am 5'10" tall, though probably stand at 5'9" because I slouch.
Anyway, I have a 300tdi auto Disco which will be for sale in the next few weeks.
I'm not sure if this particular Disco would be for you as it has a 2"lift and some larger sized tyres, which makes it taller.
Basically the seats are almost as high my bum, the seats are leather which makes sliding in and out slightly easier! It also has rock sliders/sill protection which some shorter people use to climb in.
If you are interested in having a look when it's back on the road (currently SORNed), I have family close to MK so can take it down to you one weekend.
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 6:13 am    Post subject: DISCO FOR DISABLED. ADVICE NEEDED. Reply with quote

Hi Gray,

Sorry for delay in replying, I don't visit here too often, nowadays, though I recently had a phone call from Ritul (who was driving up the M1 at the time, and seemed very impressed with the traffic).

I met Ritul on this forum some years ago, when he was asking for advice about his Land Rover S2 109", that peaked at 45mph. It eventually dawned on me that he lived in Mumbai. We been E-pals ever since. He was visiting UK to buy machine tools.

He solved the S2 problem by replacing it with a 110 estate.

Ritul drove the S2, flew a 5ft wingspan model Spitfire, followed Fred Basset when he was at boarding school, and went into the mountains looking for "rare breeds". I accused him of nicking my culture. But I let him off, when he explained that the rare breeds were TIGERS.

Ritul is a "JAIN" (Google ...very impressive), so I was circumspect in my discussions. I asked if he understood my "blonde" jokes, as they don't have blondes in Mumbai. He replied that one of the ladies in his circle of friends dyed her hair blonde, but when they went swimming, it was obvious she was not a real blonde. That was the end of my self-imposed censoreship. Very Happy

602

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Don't force it, use a bigger hammer, cos if it doesn't fit, the hammer is not big enough.
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 5:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi All,

Just to keep you amused.

I have seen Barbara standing on the middle lane of the M4, traffic passing both sides, eyeball to eyeball with a police sergeant, fingers wagging in each other's faces. How did that end?

"Get your wife out of my sight, and I'll say no more about this!"

An offer too good to refuse.

602 (Who still wakes up screaming)

PS. I have also watched her drive a Triumph 2500TC over a 100ft cliff. I hadn't warned her about coasting downhill, when the car has servo brakes.

She was caught by a tree, about 10ft down.

The truck driver and I climbed down. The car was vertically sideways, with Barbara's bum in the passenger footwell, feet pointing upwards, on the driver's seat.

I said we'd grab a foot each and pull her up and out.

"Oh no you won't! I'm coming out head first!"[i]

Why did such a tough cookie choose me?

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Don't force it, use a bigger hammer, cos if it doesn't fit, the hammer is not big enough.
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 4:28 pm    Post subject: DISCO FOR DISABLED. ADVICE NEEDED. Reply with quote

Hi,

I done a Google for .....

Land Rover Discovery Internal Dimensions I found a drawing with a few internal dimensions, but nothing useful.

However, I could see that the top of the front seat cushion was lower that the tops of the tyres.

Google say that Discovery tyres are a smidgen under 29" OD

SWMBO had her first proper run in my Suzuki Jimny today She had difficulty getting in, as the seats covering is not "slidy", and the "rock slider (?) meant she could not stand close enough, and her legs are reluctant to step up that high. Suzuki seat cushion is a smidgen over 29" from the ground.

602

[/i]

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jojo
Mud Obsessed


Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Odometer: 5422




PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have great sympathy for your SWMBO as I have got an infected left knee at present and can't put any weight on it and must keep it straight in order to avoid a pain like a kick in the nuts, only in the knee.

Getting in and out is a bit tricky (and painful) but I manage it by hanging on to the grab handles, door handle and a walking stick or anything or anyone I can get hold of. The walking stick sometimes gets a bit of sympathy from people and is also handy for tripping up old ladies who get in the way. It's also good for waving at traffic wardens while shouting "if you like giving tickets to cripples here's your chance". Getting out is a bit harder than getting in as I land on my a*se when getting in, but getting out I usually land partly on the bad leg; ouch! I drive an auto so no problems there and it is interesting trying to use the walking stick to operate the brakes and accelerator, but don't try it, although you can use it to give hand signals to dimbos who drive BMWs. If I had two bad legs I could use two walking sticks for the foot pedals, one in each hand, but I wonder what could I use to steer.

Other than that no problems thanks to the painkillers - another couple of them and I will be on the moon.

As said, sympathy for SWIMBO and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

J
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

A thought just crossed my mind.

What is the VED on a Disco Auto. We'd prefer petrol, as she doesn't do many miles ... under 3,000 miles since buying her new Hyundai IX20 in June last year.

A bloke down the road is paying £300 PA on his Toyota Raf. Would that work out at 10p per mile for VED?

602

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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

Barbara also has had a dicky left arm since she was three days old. Apparently if the quack had pulled it into place immediately she was born, there would not have been a problem.

I taught her to drive on Penang (two years, and she still says I never take her anywhere) in a Sunbeam Talbot 90. One professional lesson in UK, before taking/passing her test, in a rusty Mini, in South Norwood.

One day, driving between Swansea and Croydon, in a Moskvitch van with a 12ft caravan on the hook, she asked if she could have a go. OK by me! As we approached London, I could see her glancing at me. I wasn't going to offer, and she wasn't going to ask. She got us to Croydon, via Tooting, without incident, bless her.

Google 361WYD IMAGES. That was Barbara's shopping car for 9 years. She "topped the ton" most days, on way to the office (DVLC). Similarly in her Honda CRX, and TVR Vixen.

Sitting in the Swansea Paddington train ... a little old lady expressed surprise that her mother let her travel alone.

"I'm flying out to Malaya tomorrow, to join my husband"[/i]

She has served her time at DVLA as Press Officer. Monthly meeting with Secs of State. Twenty minutes before one meeting, she was told she was taking the Chair. In the lift, on way to lunch, TOM KING commented ....
"They dropped you in it there!"

Then she became the DVLA Contracts Manager. She said the silly Mandate ruined her housekeeping skills.

Friends used to ask me "Where did you meet that tough cookie?


She's sweetie ... provided you are not threatening me. But her knees are dragging her down.

602 (who still wakes up screaming, despite retiring aged 45)

PS, Our daughter is a bank manager. Similar qualities and strengths. Shocked

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Scrunt44
Just got MTs


Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Odometer: 137
Location: Scotland.



PostPosted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Would a Skoda Yeti with DSG & AWD (Haldex so Part Time) not just be the job.

Easy in and easy out. Steering assist can be increased and so can brake assist be increased under Disability settings.

Rear seats can even be removed. Heavy so not easy though, but they can fold down in situ.
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Scrunt,

I done a Google. There ain't no such naminal as a Yeti ... it is now a KAROQ ... and over £20,000 new.

Best to assume that is out of the ball game.

SWMBO accompanied me out to Malaya, and afterwards got herself pregnant, so broken Civil Service career ... did 20 years.

I got no pension from RAF, anjd never paid into a pension scheme, but also have 20 years pension from Civil Service.

I believe 42 years in Civil Service gets you a pension equal to half your final salary. So we both have pensions equal to about a quarter of our final salary. Me EO max, she HEO max.

We also had to take out a mortgage in order to move to a bungalow ... I was 79, she was 76, but VERY easy if you know where to send the begging letters (joke). But yes, very easy and quick.

So .... paying mortgage, HP on her new Hyundai (circa £200pm), just made final payment of Adjustamatic furniture @ £600per month, but still managed to settle credit cards every month, including the month when Civil Service forgot to pay our (and everybody's) pension. Whoops!

I will lok into me buying a Skoda, trading in the Jiminy, let her keep her Hyundai (bought last June, still under 3,000 miles). My Jiminy has had one full tank, and two gallon cans of petrol since Xmas. Fuel consumption is not a problem, but overheads could be.

Thanks for your interest.

602

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Scrunt44
Just got MTs


Joined: 11 Apr 2016
Odometer: 137
Location: Scotland.



PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 6:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Now i am confused,
I thought you were looking at Used Discoveries of the style they no longer build.
I had no idea you were after a newish or new Discovery which does not come cheap.

There were Yeti built until just over 2 years ago.
If you want a clattery diesel awd with 2 pedals there are Yeti from 2009-2017 with that. (Defeat devices were free...)

As to the Karoq, used versions of those are not £20,000.
The problem is with that it is because of issues with 1.5 TSI EVO engines,
rejects now at Main Dealers,
but not many of them about with a DSG(auto) & with AWD.
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w3526602
Difflock Royalty


Joined: 10 Jun 2002
Odometer: 10758
Location: Glynneath, South Wales



PostPosted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 7:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Scrunt,

Sorry, I tend to break into my home tongue ... fluent Ambiguity. I think Barbara is on her fifth or sixth new car in a row. It would be nice if she could add to the "suite". But income would keep that to the lower end of the market. Something VED Exempt, like the 1971 Range Rover she showed me on Ebay, £1500, would be nice. VED Exempt, Classic insurance. MOT exempt?

What can we afford? That depends if she has to pay for her own legs. I think we can afford one, hands in pockets, whistling. She doesn't ... or rather , she refuses to.

Whatever, probably best if we drop the subject before she finds out I'm talking about her. She doesn't seem to realise that the more people who know, the greater the wealth of knowledge available to be tapped into.

My thanks,

602

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