How to Install a Wheelchair Lift

Wheelchair lifts are typically attached to vans or cars and make it easier to handicapped individuals to enter vehicles. Because these lifts transport people, you must exercise extra caution when installing them. If a lift breaks while in use, it may cause injury and/or damage your vehicle. Each specific brand of lift comes with its own instructions, so read the instruction manual before installing the wheelchair lift.

Mount the tongue bar to the lift. Attach the bar at the bottom of the lift's column using the included grade-5 bolt, washers and hex nut. Check the instruction manual for more specific guidelines.

Attach the tongue bar to the hitch receiver. Push the tongue bar into the vehicle's hitch. Install a grade-5 bolt through the center of the tongue bar. Place three to four washers on the opposite side of the tongue bar, around the hex bolt. Add one of the included nuts and tighten it with a wrench.

Adjust the vertical column of the wheelchair lift. Loosen the bolt that connects the column to the rest of the lift. Tilt the column until it is vertical. Install a grade 5 bolt in the bottom of the column to keep it in place. Add 2 washers to the end of the bolt and secure with a nut. Check the instructions manual for additional guidelines.

Add the platform to the lift. Lie the platform parallel to the lift and attach it using an Allen wrench and the included screws.

Connect the power source. Tie the wire harness to the fuse near the battery. Pull the fuse out of the fuse holder and route the wire through the car. Check the instructions manual for diagrams and specific wiring instructions. Keep your car turned off when altering wiring.