Author Topic: Re: E-Body leg room, or lack of... (Read 3688 times)

filmsurgeon · « **on:** April 15, 2013 - 06:07:47 PM »

Regarding driver's front bucket seat: For those of you who may be having an issue with a lack of leg room, there has been a recent discussion on the Moparts Forum that you may find interesting.

I have been fairly active in posting to the thread in hopes it will help those who are looking for a simple solution. My first post starts about 1/3 the way down in the thread. My most recent contribution (04/15/2013) has the most detailed info and photos. Enjoy.

Here is the link:

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=7658449&page=0&fpart=all&vc=1

johannes · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2013 - 04:42:58 PM »

Good effort ! Thanks for sharing.

I found my best sitting position by installing a smaller steeringwheel, and removing the crush can.
Then shimming the steering column ca 1/2 " downwards using small U-shaped pieces of plywood....

What I need, is someone making custom frontseat plastic backside....
If you look at a modern Merzedes, you'll se that the back of the front seats are curved inwards (frontwards) allowing more legroom for the passengers. (Or kneeroom is a better description)
Yup,...more kneeroom in the backseat is what I need....

BIGSHCLUNK · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2013 - 05:08:10 PM »

Installing a TUFF Wheel really helped me...........

Matt70 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2013 - 06:08:57 PM »

Im 5'8" did not think this was a problem

MEK-Dangerfield · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2013 - 06:25:58 PM »

The 6-way seat helped me.

Mopar_Mudder · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2013 - 10:10:25 AM »

I made brackets just as filmsurgeon posted, I made them 2" from hole to hole so I would gain 2" in seat placement.

Well it all seemed like a good idea but their is a problem. You can not slide the seat back that much further because it hits the seat belt retractor. I think all I gained was about 1" until it the retractor. Looks like I am going to have to go to a smaller wheel.......

filmsurgeon · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2013 - 04:00:26 PM »

Quote from: Mopar_Mudder on April 23, 2013 - 10:10:25 AM

I made brackets just as filmsurgeon posted, I made them 2" from hole to hole so I would gain 2" in seat placement.

Well it all seemed like a good idea but their is a problem. You can not slide the seat back that much further because it hits the seat belt retractor. I think all I gained was about 1" until it the retractor. Looks like I am going to have to go to a smaller wheel.......

Interesting. I hadn't experienced that issue when my seat were in the car. However, the prior owner did NOT have seat belt retractor covers installed, and I found that he had relocated the driver's belt retractor almost a full 2" closer to the door.

Mopar_Mudder · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2013 - 04:07:25 PM »

Quote from: filmsurgeon on April 24, 2013 - 04:00:26 PM

Interesting. I hadn't experienced that issue when my seat were in the car. However, the prior owner did NOT have seat belt retractor covers installed, and I found that he had relocated the driver's belt retractor almost a full 2" closer to the door.

If the cover was not on it would problably solve the problem. I might play around with it and see what I can do.

Mopar_Mudder · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2013 - 10:00:48 AM »

Quote from: Mopar_Mudder on April 23, 2013 - 10:10:25 AM

I made brackets just as filmsurgeon posted, I made them 2" from hole to hole so I would gain 2" in seat placement.

Well it all seemed like a good idea but their is a problem. You can not slide the seat back that much further because it hits the seat belt retractor. I think all I gained was about 1" until it the retractor. Looks like I am going to have to go to a smaller wheel.......

Wanted to update that this week end I pulled the seat belt retractor off and was able to drill anther hole in the retrator that moved it 1" further to the rear of the car. This let the seat come back another 1". Now between the two mods I think it is accepteable with the oringinal wheel still on it and I can drive it. Smaller wheel would be better yet but I want to keep the original.

high perf mopar · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2013 - 08:25:11 PM »

just installed the extensions today in my 71 barracuda

followed filmsurgeon's guide,took about 1 1/2 hours,pretty straight forward,, much easier 4 me to enter and exit the car with a rim blow wheel..im 6'4" 200 lbs...at 54 my flexiblility is not what it used to be,neck,among other things,,in fact after entering the car i actually moved the seat forward a bit..

did not have to grind down the dimples,,counter sunk with a 9/16" bit,,2 holes only..2 1/4" ctr to ctr..used 3/16 x 1" bar and the tapered bolts..seat belt retractor was not an issue..THANKS...

PlumCrazyChris · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2013 - 05:41:50 PM »

Guys,
I'm 6'4" 250 lbs, and have owned and driven 5 Challengers over the years. I've found the simplest solution, that makes the a very comfortable driving position is to put about 1.25 inches of spacers, (I've used all kinds of things, but large nuts work pretty good), under the front seat post and it reclines the seatback, giving you much more room between you and the steering wheel, and provides more thigh support, which I find more comfortable.

Give it a try, it may be just the ticket for ya, if not, then nothing lost. Just loosen the rear bolts some (not all the way) and remove the front bolts. Lift the front posts out of the floor and put a spacer over the posts and set them back through the floor. Climb in and see how it fits, add more, or less depending of your needs. Then just tighten up your bolts.... 1/2" deep well with a short extension.

Good luck and let me know what you think.