Wife Can't Reach Pedals

[nautoncall]

Hey, guys I have a question. I am the fortunate owner of a beautiful 3.1 and my wife loves cars too. She wants to drive and unfortunately, and she can barely reach the pedals. Any thoughts since the seats aren't adjustable and the FFR adjustable sounds like its hard to install and since it already has seats installed with holes drilled, etc?

[MRSQSL]

Sounds like you need to build her a car of her own. :) I don't know if this would help, but I sit on a lumbar support from the Ford dealership for our roadster. Maybe if she used it like it was intended and put it behind her, she might be able to reach. That or she should wear stilettos when she drives. Good luck! I hope you find a solution.

[DaleG]

I see the only logical solution to be: bite the bullet and install a sliding bracket. Check here: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/290671-seat-sliders.html

I did it on my MK II a few years after I finished the build. Not hard, just take your time. Drill a few new holes and plug the old ones.

Cheers, and good luck.

[riptide motorsport]

Pillow???? :)

[skullandbones]

It's not that bad. I needed to get the seat up a little to allow for a little more curve in my leg and so that was app. 1.5 inches in height. So I chose to use the sliders from Summit and bolted a 0.5 inch plywood plate to the sliders. The seat was placed on the slider/plywood platform and attached in the first trial position and screwed down with four sheet rock screws. By doing it this way I was able to install the sliders without the seat then add the seat and place it perfectly in place. I did try different positions until I found the best one. Then I thru bolted the seat to the plywood. I did not really need the sliders (could have used spacers) but I wanted the forward adjustment just in case my wife would someday want to drive the roadster. That hasn't happened yet but I think it could. Good luck, WEK.

[CraigS]

jus be aware that sliders add height. Depending how tall you are that may be a problem. It depends a lot on what seats you have now and how much she needs to move forward but a custom cushion might be the best choice. It will take a bit of work, but once right, it sure will be easy and, when you drive, just throw it in the trunk. The only problem I see, is that, as you add cushion to the back to move her forward, eventually she may be not have much seat bottom left to sit on. How far does she need to move?

[nautoncall]

I'm 6'1" and that's why I didn't want to add the sliders due to the height. I don't want to be right at the windshield. I think we will try the pillow thing!!!! I can go ahead and predict that it won't take her but a couple times to drive it with the mechanical steering and mechanical brakes that it will be more trouble than its worth.

She got in it and had big chunky shoes on and she could barely reach the gas pedal in them and I don't think she could push the clutch all the way in even with the big chunky shoes.

The prior owner had a photo shoot done with the car and this was one photo. I guess these would work.

[Doutie]

Hi, I'm the proud new owner of DaleG MK II and thanks to this thread I now know the driver's seat is on sliders. My girl friend was excited because she wasn't comfortable with the clutch and needed the seat closer. I ran out to the garage to check it out and sorry dear the seat is already all the way ahead.

[nautoncall]

Nice idea Wantin2B!!!

[mike w]

Hey, guys I have a question. I am the fortunate owner of a beautiful 3.1 and my wife loves cars too. She wants to drive and unfortunately, and she can barely reach the pedals.

And that's a bad thing????????????

[nautoncall]

And that's a bad thing????????????

Well, if I don't let her drive it, I can't drive the Viper

[Stengun]

Howdy,

Do what I did: I traded the 5' 2" wife for a 5' 11" wife.

I'm 6' 1" ( not 5' 9" and "claim" to be 6' 1" ) so we are closer to the same height.

I still call her "Shorty".

Paul

[myjones]

Howdy,
Do what I did: I traded the 5' 2" wife for a 5' 11" wife.
I'm 6' 1" ( not 5' 9" and "claim" to be 6' 1" ) so we are closer to the same height.
I still call her "Shorty".
Paul
Same thing I did. It feels funny the first time you go to Victoria's secret to buy from the other end of the rack doesn't it.
DB

[CHOTIS BILL]

You could make foam or bead seat insert that could be inserted for her and removed for you. Here is a link for a bead kit. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=4525 This is a DIY kit and there are companies that come to your house and do a professional job including a custom cover for the insert.

Bill Lomenick

[nautoncall]

Bill, sounds like a good idea and it gave me a thought.....a regular bean bag. Much cheaper.

BTW, my ex wife was 5'9", my current wife is 5'2"....so I went the opposite of you guys.