818 Passes the Tall Guy Test

[AZPete]

First I'll explain that I am 6'3", 225 lbs. with a 32" inseam. My FFR roadster was comfortable with Kirkey seats (for low seating) and a few easy mods to the pedals. But, when I was seated in the car the door hinges were at my knee so the only way to get out was to lift myself straight up by pushing down on the seat bolsters and then getting my left leg out of the open door, then my body, then my right leg. Getting into the roadster meant that I had to basically walk in and then sit down only after both feet were in. Since I had to get in and out from above, a top for the roadster was out of the question. I got tired of the pounding wind and relentless sun.

Into my new 818 frame I placed the stock WRX seat and a piece of tape from the windshield to the roll bar, 2" down from the top where the top of the door of a soft top would likely be. From outside the 818 I can bend over and put my butt on the seat and then bring my right leg in, followed by the left leg, all without touching the tape. Once seated, I can bend my left leg to get it out and then my right leg and then bend over and get my butt out without touching the tape! When seated, the door hinges are just above my ankle which makes all the difference. For big guys this is BIG! For me, it means I can buy the soft top, add air conditioning and enjoy my 818 all year long . . . note my location.

The WRX seats are too high for me so I'll find seats that are lower and I'll get the Boyd fuel tank to add 3" of leg room, but I know now that I'll be able to get into and out of the 818 with the upcoming soft top. I'm really happy about this test and I might keep the 818 longer than I kept my roaster . . . until I want to start another build.
Pete

[wallace18]

I also am doing the Boyd tank for the same reasons. Tony at FFR gave me a helpful hint about the roadster/33 seats. He cut a 1 1/2" off the back foam and 1" off the bottom. He said it gave a 6'4" guy plenty of room in a MK4. Also said seat was still comfy. I am using Kirkey seats in my818.

[RM1SepEx]

AZPete

What year stock seats did you sit in, did you bolt up the mounts from the kit, is your fuel tank installed?

My seat rails don't fit the 2005 WRX seats and the frame properly, they couldn't line up with the frames x braces at all, they are making a new set. I don't think that I can use the stock seats w/o some serious mods. The seat w/bracket takes up all of the space between the stock tank and the diagonal frame support by your legs. My 5'2" daughter wanted the seat back a bit more. I'll update everyone when I get my new brackets.

I'm playing with some extra 1999 Miata seats that I have and if need be I can also play with my old Cerullo SC seats in my reverse trike...

[FFR-ADV]

When finalizing my delivery FFR indicated that a new tank / firewall has been developed for Big/Tall guys. It is not available yet, but they will exchange my tank when it becomes available (plus whatever delta cost of course). This changes the firewall and the tank. On the 818R they were able to move the seat 4 inches further back! See the update:

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/project-818-news-from-dave-smith/

Availability and pricing, tank capacity are not available yet. No question the Boyd tank is really nice. I would like to get a little more gallons/ driving range if I can.

Cheers!

[AZPete]

RM1S, my seats are from an 06 WRX with the OE brackets, not the FFR brackets, but either way the seats are too high so I'll buy lower seats. There's no gas tank in yet either but all I did was enough to test for getting in and out with a top on the car. I'm thrilled there's more room to get the left leg in and out - thanks to Dave and Jim and others who did the design!

I thought Dave's comment about a gas tank in the Update was just about the 818R but when they come out with a smaller tank for the 818S I'm on it.
Pete

[WRX Dave]

Great news. I was a bit worried about this part (6'4" 34" inseam).

[skullandbones]

Hey Pete,

Now you can cancel those dreaded yoga lessons! Glad you fit. Good luck, WEK.

[David Hodgkins]

6'6" 315 lbs, size 16 shoe:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18737&d=1371919468

The 818 has the most driver legroom of any FFR IMO.

:)

[EricScottZehnder]

@David - Was that in an 818R with or without the Boyd tank giving more legroom?

[David Hodgkins]

Eric, good question, and worth noting. The 818R at the open house had a passenger-side only gas tank, and from what I've heard has approx 1" more legroom than a Boyd tanked 818 would have. Factory five is finalizing a passenger-side-only tank design option.

:)

[EricScottZehnder]

My ideal 818R is one that has a tank that gives extra room but also can have a usable passenger seat. I'm also looking for road legality. Too much to ask?

[Xusia]

I think that's the plan, so no, not too much to ask!

[wallace18]

Here is some pics of an 818S I am building. Kirkey seats. I am 6'3", 32 inseam and weigh 240lbs. Plenty of room with the tall guy gas tank IMO.

2219222193

[FormerFF]

Here is some pics of an 818S I am building. Kirkey seats. I am 6'3", 32 inseam and weigh 240lbs. Plenty of room with the tall guy gas tank IMO.

2219222193

Did you have adequate rollbar clearance?

[wallace18]

Did you have adequate rollbar clearance?

About 1-1/2" to 2" from the top of my head. Not sure with a helmet on though. Seat could be tilted back for more headroom if needed. You would then lose a little leg room.