1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Long Legs

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Old May 5, 2004 | 07:39 AM
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Long Legs

Anyone have a good idea for making someone 6'2" with long legs more comfortable. My RX's are starting to get to my boyfriend( good way)...he is even thinking of taking one on and starting a restore....His big complaint is his knees hit the steerling wheel and he feels a bit cramped.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 07:47 AM
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My knees hit the stock steering wheel pretty bad. I got a smaller one.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 07:48 AM
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I'm about 6', and my first time in the 7 I felt cramped. Moved the seat back a little more than I was used to, and tilted the back of the seat. Also double check the tilt on the seat, there's a second lever on the left that basically brings your knees up into or down away from the wheel.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 08:00 AM
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The stock seats are really high up. Some aftermarket seats mounted to the seat rails would probably help a bunch.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 08:10 AM
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I'm a 6'3" 85 GS Owner. Stock Seats and Stock steering wheel. I weigh about 188 lbs, and I fit very comfortably in the driver's seat. My head does come *very* close to the headliner but nothing I can't live with. I love my 7 too much to let small stuff like that get to me. Of course I have the seat leaned back all the way and reclined quite a bit as well. I just put my legs around the steering wheel instead of under it. I'm pretty skinny though, (workout 4-5 days a week). So I can see how someone of my height would have a problem if they weren't a beanpole like myself. You could always pull out the storage bins, do a little work with the carpet to make it look nice, and then mount the seats farther back. Just an idea.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 08:13 AM
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New boyfriend? Just kidding KC, we do that alot. Or at least I do.

Ray
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Old May 5, 2004 | 08:49 AM
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Ray ; You are unclear, what do you do a lot,? change girlfriends ,boy friends , cars. or move your seats about in the car. KC We have to have this clarified , before you take his advice. Gotcha Ray
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Old May 5, 2004 | 09:59 AM
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Like Glazedham42 I'm a 6'3" 85 GS Owner. I weigh in at 150lbs, with steel toes and a lot of crap in my pockets. My seat is one or two clicks shy of all the way back and its 2 or 3 clicks from full tilt.

I have never liked driving being all strechted out and leaning back. I am fairly close to the steering wheel and I whacked my head on that car every day the first week I had it, but its snug. I can reach everything without streching.

Ideally when you put your arms straight out, your wrists should rest on the steering wheel. This ensures that you have enough bend in your arms to move the wheel effectively.

My girlfriend is 6'1" and only moves the seat forward one click. She prefers to be closer to the wheel and gearshift than even I do.

Tall people fit in these cars. Your boyfriend just needs to move things around till he finds the right spot and/or he may have to get used to a more intense driving position instead of just leaning back and looking cool.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 11:43 AM
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Same boyfriend now for many years but how can you live with me all this time and not get overly aquainted with these little cars.

He's a mustang man...but lately he's been saying things like " I think Im beginning to get attached to these little guys...or i have an idea for the Red Rocket might be cool..etc.
.. maybe i'll start restoring her...wonder if i can install a 5.0...

I'm gonna take boyfriend advice from Ray! hehe..maybe Ray can start a new thread..Ask Ray column, 5 stars!
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Old May 5, 2004 | 12:47 PM
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Well, I'm about 6'3" and I fit like a glove in my car. But then I also have a 13.5" steering wheel. Just adjust the seat properly.

I have a little question though. Why do people always say the steering is a little hard with a small steering wheel? my steering is EASY!!!!. The only time I have trouble is when its sitting still. Once the car moves, the steering becomes real easy, almost like power steering.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 12:56 PM
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The 83 seats are enough thinner, and no less comfortable, to make it comfy for my 6'2" and 220 lbs. In the 85s I warp the seat undersprings down and put a 330 mm steering wheel, and remove driverside door pull handle. Once you get the seat adjustment right it works OK.

B
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Old May 5, 2004 | 01:01 PM
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I should mention I am also 185 lbs. Not a large guy, but not slim either. My legs are LONG and big. There is a lot of weight in my legs.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 01:10 PM
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Man, how do you skinny mo fo's stand up? At 6'3"/150 don't you worry that your body will collapse under its own weight?
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Old May 5, 2004 | 01:18 PM
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Well Bob, as usual, I was giving advice of questionable value. I was suggesting that KC get a "New Boyfriend", one under 5'8" (like me) that would fit nicely into the 7 and also be easier to feed. (No ulterior motives here Bob, like you, I'm happily married).

Notice I followed my advice very quickly with the disclaimer "just kidding KC", lest I get myself in trouble with KC's 6'2" boyfriend. We live in the same town afterall.

So KC, please don't take my "advice". But you can tell your Boyfriend that if he does get a 7 and puts a 5.0 in it, I'll kick his butt.

Ray
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Old May 5, 2004 | 05:03 PM
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Hi i am 6'3 250 lbs and i own a 79. I very comfortable. And the seat is in the normal upright postion. If i was u just move the seat track back to create some extra leg room. But other then that your man must have some long *** legs. have a good day.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 05:32 PM
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Its kind of interesting to see how many small people have more trouble than me with fitting in their cars. You would think that since plenty of people who are 6'3" and weigh 180 or so have a hard time fitting in their cars, that it would be impossible for my 6'8" 320 to get in. From what I read here though, I fit better than most anyone. Just **** my legs to the side and go.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 05:51 PM
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I am 6'3" and about 170 lbs and I fit fine in my car. Of course, my seats are falling apart cuz the foam has broken down so I sink in my seat. However in my bro's 84 GSL, I have a hard time turning the wheel cuz I sit higher cuz his sears are like new. (55k miles on the car) and it sucks.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 06:11 PM
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OMG Conrad we need pics !
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Old May 5, 2004 | 06:45 PM
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Originally posted by Feds
Man, how do you skinny mo fo's stand up? At 6'3"/150 don't you worry that your body will collapse under its own weight?
Well it only happened the one time. I doubt that will happen again until the next planetary aligment screws up gravity again.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 06:52 PM
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Damn, you guys are skinny!

6'3" and 180!

6 feet and 235

w00t Football!!!
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Old May 5, 2004 | 06:53 PM
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Damn, you guys are skinny!

you: 6'3" and 180!

me: 6 feet and 235

w00t Football!!!
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Old May 5, 2004 | 07:05 PM
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whoa, i'm almost 5'7 and i'm 210. sometimes i have problems getting into my car because, 1. its lowered, and 2. i don't like to have my seat all the way back. But this car was made in Japan, and its proven that their culture is shorter than our's on average, sure you sometimes get the huge guy from Japan thats like 7 something, but i've only seen 1 guy.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 07:19 PM
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I was a funny sight when my roomate and I went to D1. 1300 mile round trip, me at my above posted size, and him at around 6'5 and 165. It was a pretty comfy trip too, even with a couple hundred pounds of computer crap for my other friend down south.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 07:24 PM
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I'm 6' 7", and I fit fine (according to me). Some people say I look funny unfolding myself out of my 83 gsl, but I would never be rid of it. KC, who drives? you or him? I don't fit passenger very well, but behind the wheel only takes a minute to get used to.
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Old May 5, 2004 | 07:31 PM
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I hate driving passenger in any car, its like being on a runaway roller coaster. I need to be in control the whole time while driving. I don't trust anyone else.
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