I too get shocked upon exit. Did with my Jeep GC as well (cloth seats in that too) What I've taken to doing is hitting the door with my forearm (with long sleeves) as I get out to close the door. That way the shock is taken by the shirt, not my fingers

 

Ok so I read this some where, Here why you have static. While your Screw is going down the road the air-rushing past causes the body of the Truck to build up static electricity. It builds up because there is no grounding point for it to discharge to. The proposed solution is to create a ground. Someone had suggested hanging a small wire down that would contact the ground. What are your thoughts?

 

Big trucks (particularly Fuel Oil trucks) used to hang a length of chain from the frame (just behind the rear axle). This chain would be just long enough for the last link to drag on the pavement (thus discharging all of the built up charge while driving).

I have also seen 1 inch wide rubber straps suspended from the frame to the pavement years ago. I bet JCWhitney still sells these "Static Discharge Straps".

 

Guys,

I'm in the electric fork lift industry and we use static straps on every truck equiped with poly urethane tires to reduce static buildup. We sometimes use them on special models that are UL rated for double protection. I think pickup trucks would look pretty funny with static straps hanging down to the ground and they probably wouldn't last very long since pavemant is so rough compared to smooth warehouse floors that fork lifts work on.

DaveMan

 

Touch the metal part of your door with your left hand as you open it and before you slide out of your seat. This results in a gradual discharge of static electricity as you slide your butt across the seat which eliminates the shock of a sudden discharge. Make sure to keep at least one finger in contact with door metal during the entire exit process.

 

OK ...This is from a techno-geek . I wear static electricity discharge straps on my shoes . They are a strap on device that looks pretty goofy but when I forget to take them off before going home , I never have a problem with the ZZAAAPPPZZZ .

How goofy do you want to look to rid yourself of the problem ???

 

Hughie, sorry for slow response. I have never been to Leeds but have been to Manchester many times (My company is based there), Altrincham and London. Many narrow streets that I would not want to navigate with my screw but again it is what you are used to. It takes me a day or two to get used to switching sides (road and seat) and adjusting to a rental car.
Cheers!

 

Why don't we have a lightning bolt icon??? Maybe I'll just cover myself in dryer sheets!!!

You know, it has to be something dealing with the truck being turned off. I have to get out of my truck to open the gate, and I leave the truck running... no shock. I pull in the garage, turn the truck off, get out, and ZAP!!! It happened on my old GMC also. Another strange thing about it is that my girlfriend will get out of the other side at the same time that I do, and never gets shocked... it's just me. I really don't mind getting shocked, I'd just kinda like to know why it happens.

shocked,
-stilmore

 

I too get zapped big time when I exit my SCrew. It took a while for me to get used to it. I have chrome tubular bars and when I exit I make sure that my leg/pants rub that bar before touching the ground.

Also, when it's cold and humid, I don't close my door using the metal frame, I just push the plastic door handle.

My girlfriend once drove my truck during a cold January day, and she got zapped big time spilling her latte all over the place

 

I'm the Ser. Mgr. at a small dealership in SC and
as such end up getting in and out of many vehicles
a day. While the humidity in SC is usually only low when it's below freezing, it can be painful at
times. I think for your personal veh. the static
guard on seats(cloth only) and carpet/mats would be the best solution. Mine is to put a dryer sheet
in the pocket of my coat or pants. You probably could rub a dryer sheet on your seats if you wanted also, although the carpet can also cause this. I too have read that it is caused by the composition of modern tires (carbon black).

01 black Lariat Super Crew (gen I) 2wd
cd changer
cab steps
trl. tow
parchment CC
sliding window
wish I ordered the moonroof

 

I get NAILED from my Expy and my SCrew! Try to remember to catch the door with my elbow on the way out. Still an attention getter when I miss or forget! These are the only vehicles I've ever had the problem with

 

It happens to me all the time...I always try to touch something now because I almost blew myself up at the gas station. Got out, didn't hit the door, grabbed the pump nozzle, went over to open the fuel door, and zap! It was the biggest blue spark I had ever seen. I make sure and get the zap out everytime at the pump now.

 

Amen on the shocking. It knocks the crap out of me. I didn't know static electricity could hit so hard. Just bought my first Ford Truck period. Heres a picture of it

 

Hey guys/gals,

I had the problem when I had an XLT but very rarely if ever got shocked with my old '00 Lariat Scab nor my present '01 KR Screw both with leather of course.

I counted the respondents on this thread and 9 out of 10 are all XLTs which are cloth seats and since I had one too with cloth seats in '99 then that makes 10 out of 10.

Sounds like it is primarily a cloth seat issue and not necessarily a Screw thing. I had a '99 Scab with the same static problem and man I used to hate that crap. When I was up for ordering a new one I got the leather 'cause I noticed on friends cars that had leather I got no shocks but on the same day I created bolts an inch long after sliding out of the truck to go to work.

I also owned a '97 Siverado before trading in on the '99 XLT 4x4 and it too had cloth seats and I could make huge bolts of static with that truck too.

Just for testing purposes, maybe someone can make a jumper wire with some copper stranded speaker wire with aligator clips on each end and connect one end to the metal part of the chassis and hold the other end in your hand as you slide out of the seat. This will allow for all the static electricity to discharge while it's being created upon sliding out. If this works okay, then you will need to find a way to ground yourself to the frame of the truck as you slide out. Grounding the seat fabric will probably not work since the problem is probably between the seat fabric and your pants.

Of course the other way is to get leather seat covers or trade up to a Lariat or special edition with leather seats if it bothers you too much like it did me.

Good luck and I feel your pain 'cause I've been there too and it doesn't feel good.

DaveMan