air supension

[Matt Donaldson]

is there a way to deflate the rear suspension to make it easier to load the vehicle. asking for a funeral director friend of mine

 

[aggiegrad05]

Nope. It's not air suspension, so there is no way to lower it.

 

[rumline]

Edit: Aggie beat me to it.

 

[Flexpedition]

On this Navigator hearse the rear suspension is unmodified.

While a full size SUV isn't the ideal vehicle for the job for many reasons, the IRS low floor height makes the Expedition/Navigator the best choice of the segment.

 

[aggiegrad05]

That is surprisingly well done. I wouldn't think it comes from Lincoln that way, but with the badging and the lovely leather-work on the interior of the...cargo area, it kinda looks like it is. I'm impressed.

 

[Artie]

Hmmm.... I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a suv hearse before. That looks pretty neat.

 

[1955moose]

The Chevy SUVs running around SF used for Livery, look like a Hearse all blacked out. Not sure of what model, I'm not a Chevy guy.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[aggiegrad05]

Sooo...morbid question: why does there need to be a window behind the driver's seat? It's not like there's going to be much action in the rear.

 

[1955moose]

I guess it's if someone screwed up and Uncle Vito, starts sliding out the back door. I'd think you'd hear the crash when the coffin starts sliding down the freeway. That would be a real show stopper on the 6:00 news.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[rumline]

So the driver can see out to the sides and rear?

 

[aggiegrad05]

So the driver can see out to the sides and rear?

Apparently I'm an idiot.

I was thinking of it like a package truck...but if you've got windows in the rear, why wouldn't you use them?

 

[rumline]

Naw if you gave poor Uncle Edmond over to UPS he'd end up two counties over and three days late for the funeral. Those windows are what gets him there on time.

Didn't mean to insinuate you were an idiot.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Naw if you gave poor Uncle Edmond over to UPS he'd end up two counties over and three days late for the funeral. Those windows are what gets him there on time.

Didn't mean to insinuate you were an idiot.

Oh I know you didn’t...but I did. Haha

 

[Flexpedition]

Sooo...morbid question: why does there need to be a window behind the driver's seat? It's not like there's going to be much action in the rear.

Couple of reasons. Visibility is the main reason - they are only "loaded" about half the time, right?

Hearse builders offer what is called a "combo car". When not in full hearse mode the front half of the loading floor opens up to reveal seating. Usually jump seats, sometimes a full bench. Thus this window and the OEM door panels being unmodified.

This one clearly has a glass divider but usually there is an additional solid partition, like in a passenger limo, that the driver can raise/lower. Respect and privacy reasons. Like when a child casket is being transported.

Tongue in cheek the drivers will tell you the glass window is because they are allergic to flowers. Its not the roses that can smell. Speaking of flowers, they fall over and slide around a lot. Window up & driver doesn't have to get hit in the head by a huge wreath. Window down he can reach back to fix them before the hatch opens to the awaiting audience.

Although I'm pretty sure that Navigators rear HVAC is fully functional, lowering the partition window keeps air circulation on long rides in vehicles without the rear zone HVAC.

Lastly, ideally "passengers" are transported from the hospital, morgue or medical examiners office in a plain windowless van. When the van is unavailable, its best for the driver and public to not see whats going on back there. No dignity in a cardboard box or plastic bag.

I have family in the business. I washed and vacuumed the cars as a teenager, but knew early on this wasn't the industry for me.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Couple of reasons. Visibility is the main reason - they are only "loaded" about half the time, right?

Hearse builders offer what is called a "combo car". When not in full hearse mode the front half of the loading floor opens up to reveal seating. Usually jump seats, sometimes a full bench. Thus this window and the OEM door panels being unmodified.

This one clearly has a glass divider but usually there is an additional solid partition, like in a passenger limo, that the driver can raise/lower. Respect and privacy reasons. Like when a child casket is being transported.

Tongue in cheek the drivers will tell you the glass window is because they are allergic to flowers. Its not the roses that can smell. Speaking of flowers, they fall over and slide around a lot. Window up & driver doesn't have to get hit in the head by a huge wreath. Window down he can reach back to fix them before the hatch opens to the awaiting audience.

Although I'm pretty sure that Navigators rear HVAC is fully functional, lowering the partition window keeps air circulation on long rides in vehicles without the rear zone HVAC.

Lastly, ideally "passengers" are transported from the hospital, morgue or medical examiners office in a plain windowless van. When the van is unavailable, its best for the driver and public to not see whats going on back there. No dignity in a cardboard box or plastic bag.

I have family in the business. I washed and vacuumed the cars as a teenager, but knew early on this wasn't the industry for me.

Awesome info, thank you!!!