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JDThorns
February 9th, 2006, 06:57
Hello all
I just wanted to let all you Ford LT. 9000 drivers know of a possible safety problem with the Ford LT. 9000 trucks.
It appears that the window crank knob comes off and the gears inside the drank mechanism wear out prematurely causing the window to be a two handed operation when lowering the window. Also the springs in the door handle break and fall out. The distance between the window crank and door handle is a whopping 2 inches.
On 01/21/03 my father was killed in an accident involving an 84 Ford LT. 9000 dump truck. It appears that Watchdog was trying to roll the window down by pushing down on the glass with his right hand, this resulted in his shoulder putting pressure on the door, when his watch caught on the door handle causing the door to pop open, (it took about 6 ounces of pull to open the door versus 8 pounds on the passenger side door), this resulted in Watchdog falling out of the truck and being run over by the truck. It was in low low with 1st stage Jake on.
the truck was traveling very slow on about a 12 degree grade.

If any of you have one of these vehicles please please check the window crank mechanicals and the door latching mechanicals and repairing them if defective. I lost my father a 52 year veteran driver because of an often overlooked door defect. If this saves just one life then it is worth checking.

:crying:

Big_Dave
February 9th, 2006, 10:54
Sorry to hear that you lost your father.

You didn't say what type of operation the truck was being used in, but since you said the truck was moving very slow and in low low gear, I'm going to assume road construction or pit type operation

As far as the door and window crank, beings as the truck was 19 years old at the time of the accident, most likely the door latch, door hinges and window crank were worn out and in need of replacement.

About 7 years ago, I used to run a '84 LT9000 dump truck for a site preparation construction company and plow snow with it in the winter. We had 3 of these trucks and they were pretty beat up. I replaced quite a few things on the truck I was assigned, just to get it to where I felt safe driving it. Left door latch and hinges were the first things I replaced.

Again, sorry for the loss of your father. That's a bad way to go.