Wow! I never imagined so many suggestions! If possible, I would like to operate the clutch by hand. My dad's John Deere backhoe has a button for the clutch on both the gear shift lever and loader contol lever. The only thing is the transmission still has a torque converter and it can't be stalled, so the clutch is just used to shift gears or freewheel the tranny.

 

With the knowledge on this board I would say anything is possible!!

If you are wanting the clutch a hand control I think Alwaysworking has a great idea.

 

I wonder if a hand brake and hand accelerator would work?. The stick CTDs are easy to drive since you can let the clutch out in 2nd from a dead stop without touching the accelerator.

 

Wow! I thought it was a pain to try and eat while shifting gears. I guess it takes folks in your situation to make others realize that they have got it pretty easy. More power to you. I know with a 12 valve, you could set up a hand thottle the way a lot of the pullers do. I would bet you could set the brakes up in a similar fashion. I don't know about the 24valves and common rails though. I'm sure the guys and gals here would be willing to help you figure it out. Out of curiosity, are you from Alaska?

 

I think that if it is possible to modify these trucks in some unheard of way, these guys will have heard of it, done it, read the manual twice, and be prepared to argue with one another as to which unheard of way is better.

I have a friend who is a paraplegic and uses hand controls in his cars. It seems to me the big problem is keeping one hand free to actually STEER the truck.

Now, a question that I hope is not too personal: Do you have a prosthesis and would you be able to operate a clutch or other foot pedal with it if you did?

 

Yes I do have a prosthesis but because my right leg ends about mid-thigh, I cannot create enough downforce through the prosthetic knee when I am seated.
My friend came up with a suggestion last night that may just work. He said the brake and throttle could be raised to seat level through a linkage mounted to the floor. The pedals would be placed where I could reach them with my right thigh. Then I could operate them with a simple up and down or side to side motion. My left leg would operate the clutch as a normal driver would. Hearing this gave me hope that I may be able to get into a stick shift without too much cost.

 

That sounds like the best option to me. Since you have plans to tow with this truck, a push-button clutch would be a bad thing. You will have to be slipping it for maneuvering and for smooth take-offs.

 

Actually since I missed that it was your right leg, than the clutch doesn't need to be fixed.
A hand throttle / brake assembly are very common items for drivers. Since you are used to driving tractors most of them have hand throttles anyways so it would not be to hard to make the switch. I would suggest searching for some place that modifies cars for this reason and see where they recommend you get a system from.

 

I'll bet your physical therapist and/or Doctor would have an idea on where to get more information. Might even be able to get some private or govt funding to pay for the modifications. I am pretty sure I speak for most on here when I say that I would rather my tax dollars go to help you than some illegal alien or never ending welfare project!!!!! If not, we may even be able to pass the jar around the site if you need some help with it. I've got a 20, anyone else???

Did a quick search and found this site. -> here

This is the Google Search -> google

They may be able to get you some help, and with the guys on this site, you almost can't go wrong!!!

For what it's worth, I Think BlueDually4X4 is right. this seems to be the most logical, and straight forward solution. Best for control of the vehicle, especially in the snow and ice. You do get that up there don't you????

 

Could you do some kind of twist thottle on a lever, that is also hooked into the brake system? Then you would use your right hand to comtrol the thottle and brake, and it would be adjustable hieght wise, and you could really get on the "go" pedal, or the "binders" if need be.
DS79

 

I THINK WE FOUND A SOLUTION!!!!

Here's what we're going to try: A linkage system for both the brake and throttle that will attach to the dash below the steering wheel (kind of like the hand control systems that several companies sell). There will be a few key differences that we will attempt. The linkage will activate the throttle at a 1:1 ratio because little force is required for it. For the brake, there will be a 2:1 advantage for the lever because there is less pedal travel but more force required (especially in a panic or loaded situation). This arrangement provides two pedals side by side right in front of the seat cushion. I still use my hands to shift and steer and my left leg for the clutch. But how do I activate the brake and thottle you ask???

My artificial leg has a knee joint that can be unlocked and swivelled to the side. In this position, the knee joint easily reaches where the two adapted pedals will be located. By moving my thigh up and down I should be able to operate both the throttle and brake quite easily. We're going to use a beat up 5-speed GMC pickup that my grandfather has as a "test mule", and I'll try driving it around the farm to see how it works.

Today when we were taking measurements, I felt kind of stange sitting on a pickup bench seat with my right leg folded up with the foot laying on the seat beside me! My brother said it looked pretty funny! I'll keep you posted as to how it works, I'm pretty stoked!!!

 

That's pretty cool! I'm excited for you. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

To add some safety measure it should also be possible to include a motorcycle style brake lever to the shifter that connects to the brake pedal and pushes it down with a hydraulic piston like a clutch slave. This would greatly faciliate backing up trailers etc where you need all 3 pedals in very quick succession. With that you could use your right thigh for throttle, left leg for clutch and right hand for braking.

We once built a van for a paraplegic and used a vespa steering bar with the vespa shifter and the brake and throttle on the handlebar- the van had progressive steering setup. We kept the stock pedals to make it easier to drive for folks who are used to normal cars.

HTH

AlpineRAM

 

GENIUS! As I understand it, the only thing "new" about this setup is the interface between your artificial leg and the hand controls used by thousands of people every day. Someone was using a smart approach to innovation--don't reinvent everything, just enough to make it work!

Now let me play devil's advocate:

--Will your knee be positively attached to the control so you can be sure it works in an emergency, or can you feel enough so that it is 'attached' in the way a flesh and bone hand is attached? If you have to look at it to know if you are ready, that seems unsafe.

--Now the other side--if your knee is mechanically hooked to the control, will it injure you in a wreck or make it hard to get out of the truck?

You probably already thought of these things. Just sayin'.

When I first saw your post on this, I thought, "Why not just get an automatic?" I know I do not have to explain it to you, but I get it now, AND I bet there are a lot of people who use hand controls who would love to run a manual. An elegant solution like the one you propose might have some commercial possibilities, too. I really learned something here. Thanks, and keep us posted.

 

Yeah, Alpineram just said it. If you have one leg left, just make a motorcycle style clutch handle to the shifter, Dodge uses hydraulic clutch as well.

You just get somewhere a bigger cylinder/piston and a larger fluid container to the handle and attach it to the shifter. That would be the best solution.

And then just use your left leg for the brake and throttle. Just put the throttle on the left side of the brake pedal then.

Like this:
http://www.chinawheelie.com/the-trik...s/img_6777.jpg