drivers footwell modifications

[chopthebass]

Has anyone widened their drivers footwell, and got some good photos? I am after some inspiration!

[CraigS]

You really need to use the search function. There are many many threads on this here and on the other forum.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

What engine?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Here's the mod I've done when using a Windsor which is simply cutting a triangle out of the right side panel and bending up "pyramid" to provide some extra room around the throttle pedal.

Before, with the flat panel:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_1658.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_1660.jpg

And after:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_1662.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_1665.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_1662-1-1.jpg

A number of other builders have done similarly. Despite what some will say you CAN NOT modify the left side to gain any appreciable room. I've gotten a couple of cars in for body & paint that the builders added dead pedal bump outs to and have had to remove them because of body interference.

Cheers,
Jeff

[carlewms]

The search function that I use is in the following format in your browser:

"www.thefactoryfiveforum.com: foot box mods" where the first part is the website, the colon and then the item you want to search (quotes shown should not be included).

You can also use the search function on the forum.

I did two DS modifications:

1. The inside mod like Jeff describes above, and,
2. The outside panel mod to provide a little more room for the left foot. On the Mk 4 there is a little room for expansion on that side so measure and execute carefully.

Carl

[carlewms]

Further to my previous post....

On the FFR Mk 4, there is not a whole lot of room on the outside of the DS foot box for expansion room. After researching all the possibilities, it looked like I could gain about 1.5 inches at the top of the expansion and .75 inches at the bottom.

Here is the layout and dimensions I used ...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4dd32b3127ccef5cee5fa321800000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420140313091301723.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Mockup views ... from the inside of the foot box and then from the outside:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4dd32b3127ccef5ce44d672fc00000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420140313091304766.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

After cutting three sides of the expansion panel, I bent the third side (at the rear of the panel) and then used the brake to fabricate the walls (or I guess you would say sides) of the expansion box.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4dd32b3127ccef5ceb67f722c00000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420140313091302389.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Here is the finished installation ... Outside

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4dd32b3127ccef5ce469d72b600000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420140313091305679.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/

Inside

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4dd32b3127ccef5cf4d3393f900000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420140313105545480.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

In final execution, mainly because the brake operator (me in other words) did not take proper care to make sure to take into effect the bend allowance, the panel sits out about an 1/8th of an inch more than it should. After I mount the body I may find the need to re-fabricate the walls if the expansion "pushes" out the body.

This panel will probably be one of the last panels permanently installed before the final installation of the body so that I will keep good access to the pedal box and foot box.

Carl

[chopthebass]

Thanks everybody. I can never find what I want using advanced search.

The pictures are a great inspiration, and I like Jeff's simple pyramid idea. My engine is a 351W stroker. I don't know yet how much available room I will have, but at least now I have ideas how to fabricate.

[chopthebass]

Here's the mod I've done when using a Windsor which is simply cutting a triangle out of the right side panel and bending up "pyramid" to provide some extra room around the throttle pedal.


Jeff, what engine went in? Mine is a 351W and if I can avoid temporarily dropping the engine in to check clearance, even better!

[pcww]

CTB,
I used Jeff's mod and I have a 351w/427. There was room left over. I think if you test fit the engine you could really improve the size. If I had to do it again I would have increased how tall the opening was. It works great though otherwise. Henry

[JKolbfleisch]

In addition to the foot extension .. I also widened the box near the transmission tunnel where my knee/thigh would rest. Makes a huge difference.


http://s5.postimg.org/3qz7uu67b/Driver_Footbox_Inside.jpg

[NukeMMC]

If you have a 351w-based engine, check out what Mike Kelly (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/407033-need-measurement-427w-header-bolts.html#post3753610) is doing for his on the other forum. His early version did wonders for plug/header bolt access and his new version looks even better!

[carlewms]

In addition to the foot extension .. I also widened the box near the transmission tunnel where my knee/thigh would rest. Makes a huge difference.


http://s5.postimg.org/3qz7uu67b/Driver_Footbox_Inside.jpg

Did you simply take the supplied panel and cut it down to move it farther into the tunnel?

[Jeff Kleiner]

CTB,
The car in the photos above has a 302. As Henry noted he and others have done similar when using 351 based engines.

Carl,
Have you installed the body and tried to fit the driver's door yet? Generally the lower body/rocker panel has to push inward all the way to the frame rail in front of the driver's door. I'll be interested to learn how the outside expansion works out for you.

Jeff

[MPTech]

I think your best resource for build mods is the FFCars site. (just more years of knowledge and examples there)
That said, the engine side bump is a good value and adds clearance between the gas & brake, if you're running a 302 / 351 and have the room.
I think the outside (towards the body), is just about maxed out by FFR already (I wouldn't want to do this mod and discover it rubs when you put the body back on). If you go this route, take very accurate measurements and double check your work.

I did this and really liked the results, similar to Jeff's approach. Added about 1 1/2" to the throttle pedal (later I also bent my Russ Thompson pedal to the engine side about 3/4". This is now ideal and I haven't caught the edge of the throttle pedal since!
MK4 DS FB expansion (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/285649-mk4-ds-fb-expansion.html#post2609097)

[carlewms]

CTB,
The car in the photos above has a 302. As Henry noted he and others have done similar when using 351 based engines.

Carl,
Have you installed the body and tried to fit the driver's door yet? Generally the lower body/rocker panel has to push inward all the way to the frame rail in front of the driver's door. I'll be interested to learn how the outside expansion works out for you.

Jeff

Jeff,

I am close to trying it but have not done so yet ... I am prepared reduce the "expansion" to fit if need be ... I will post when I get to er done.

Carl

[JKolbfleisch]

Did you simply take the supplied panel and cut it down to move it farther into the tunnel?
Yes, I just flattened the bend and trimmed excess so that there is no longer a bend at all. Like others mentioned, I have a 302 and there is GOBS of room rear of the headers. You can hug all the way up to the frame rail like below.

43003