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One thing that I've been wanting to do ever since I got my FD is to move the steering wheel closer towards me. I'm quite tall (6'6") and have the seat all the way back. With the steering wheel at it's current position, my arms are a bit outstretched and my legs are wrapped around it to some extent. It's not necessarily uncomfortable (actually, I'm quite comfy in the car) but it could be better.
On my old FD I had a Sparco D-shaped steering wheel that was relatively small. Then, I added a spacer that was about a half inch or an inch. It was GREAT - I could have my arms in a proper driving position, and I could actually touch my knees together under the steering wheel.
I'm considering getting an aftermarket steering wheel for the FD at some point. But, since my car is a '94, I'd want to get a hub with the air bag resistor so the passenger air bag still functions. Even better, I'd LOVE to have a later Japanese stock steering wheel with airbag, but move it closer somehow.
Thing is, with the stock wheel, I'm just not sure how it would be possible to safely extend the wheel out a bit. Safety is a HUGE concern, of course - having the wheel come off in your hand while driving just ain't cool .
Has anyone ever contemplated something like this? Any ideas how it could be done?
Dale
Bump this thread. Maybe some tall, ingenuitive, RX7-owner has figured out a way to heel toe properly with an airbag (and cruise control) in the last year.
I had a scary encounter attempting a standard heel toe in my FD at the end of main straight and banged the wheel hard with my knee (I have ostrich legs). It was scary and I am seriously considering moving forward with a small wheel (D shaped possibly). Any new ideas out there?
This is another one of my projects to make the FD more comfortable to drive since I'm 6'2''. I still don't think I'll be able to heel/toe, as my knees sit halfway up the stock steering wheel now with the seat all the way back. I basically have to apply throttle with my foot at an angle. I'd like to buy a 330mm D shaped wheel (Audi style) and also a quick release or regular hub to help out.
BobH had a thread where he talked about a comparison between cutting the bottom seat cushion and buying a Bride Low Max seat. They both provided the same amount of extra room (iirc 1"). These are good alternatives for racing, but they're not for my street car. Other alternatives would be bolting the seat directly to the floor or moving the seat rails closer to the bins for a little more leg room.
Hey guys, I'm reviving this thread in the hopes that someone has a fix for this. I desperately want to move a stock steering wheel closer to my chest and giving me some much needed knee room.
I guess I got bad knees or something because when driving, my knees kill me. I have to angle my leg in an awkward manner and so if I could bring the wheel a little closer and use a slightly smaller steering wheel.
Wow there are a lot of convoluted ways suggested to move the wheel closer..
I simply bought one of the quick release steering wheel hubs. The 2 inch long chunky types. This moved the wheel towards me HEAPS. And also doubles as a security feature- I take the wheel off and take it with me.
The only downside with extending the wheel towards you, is yes the turn signal stalks are now not within easy finger-reach while handling the wheel. But I'm used to that.
Wow there are a lot of convoluted ways suggested to move the wheel closer..
I simply bought one of the quick release steering wheel hubs. The 2 inch long chunky types. This moved the wheel towards me HEAPS. And also doubles as a security feature- I take the wheel off and take it with me.
The only downside with extending the wheel towards you, is yes the turn signal stalks are now not within easy finger-reach while handling the wheel. But I'm used to that.
Thanks for the reply! Are you using a stock-type wheel? If so, would you mind posting a picture??
Well, to close out my part of the thread, I got an aftermarket wheel a number of years back. I'm running a spacer with it as well. Been VERY pleased with it.
There are a lot of aftermarket steering wheels that are clean and sharp looking. The stock steering wheel is just big and awkward.
While there is something to be said for it having an airbag, I don't know if I'd trust a 20+ year old first generation air bag. That's a call for you to make personally, I decided to ditch the whole airbag system. I'd be more afraid of that thing exploding at me in an accident than any good it would do cushioning the accident.
This is my intention, however I plan to utilize an NC Miata wheel.
What sort of spacer are you referring to? The adapters for aftermarket wheels are what most end up using to bring the wheel closer, but I want a factory wheel.
05-11-09, 11:59 AM
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