Fitting in the MK4

[aarvig]

I am wondering about fitting in this car. I am 5'10" and about 190lbs. Not huge but not small. I recently sat in a MK4 and my knees were just about touching the bottom of the dash and I felt scrunched to the steering wheel. I felt like I could not extend my legs to a comfortable position. My friend that built the car is maybe an inch shorter than I so maybe that is just the way the car was built but it looked like the seat was all the way back. I am suddenly concerned about fitting in the MK4. I recently drove a Hurricane 427 and it was very roomy and comfortable inside that is why I was taken aback when I sat in the MK4.
What is adjustable on this car? Are the pedals adjustable? Are there seat tracks that can be put on the car? At my size am I going to fit comfortably?

[dallas_]

There are a number of seat options that give more room and there are ways to move the pedals farther forward. I'm 6'1 and I fit fine in mine. I have the Kirkey vintage bucket seats.

[edwardb]

We're almost exactly the same size, and I feel that I fit comfortably in mine. People much bigger than us figure out how to make these work. So first bit of advice is don't give up. There are lots of options. I guess moving the pedals is possible, but the upper driver's footbox has a lot going on. That would be the last resort IMO and really should not be necessary for you. It's possible to raise the steering wheel a bit. It's also possible to adjust it's position in/out depending on other factors, like turn signal. Some guys do a removable steering wheel. But that's mainly to make it easier to get in and out. My first question would be whether your friend really had his seat installed as far back as it would go. You can't make the final determination before the body and doors are on, because that's what limits its position in addition to the back wall, trans tunnel, etc. As mentioned there are a number of seat options that are probably the main strategy. Having said all that, I would suggest it's also a matter of expectations. In the end, these aren't very big cars. You do wear them like a glove...

[BEAR-AvHistory]

+5LBS. Car is a very comfortable fit.

[NukeMMC]

I am 6'2" 225#, and tall from the waist-up (32" inseam)I fit OK, but if I were your size I would fit much better. I have a Kirkey on the DS but tried the FFR seat.

[pcww]

6'4" 220lbs before breakfast. I have the Kirkey classics and am comfortable. I had my seat back notched a little to move it even further back. I also have the Dark Water dead pedal and rest my clutch foot on that. My left knee is under the door hinge. I was out today and thinking that I worried too much about fitting when it worked great in the end. I do have the Jeff Kleiner mod on the passenger side which really extends that area. I sold my big and tall FFR seats since they really did not improve the legroom like the Kirkeys. This solution works. 34" inseam.

Henry

[JIMOCO]

I am 5'10/190 lbs and fit comfortably in the car. I have the FFR leather bucket seats with the drivers side back as far as it can go and the pedals installed according to the manual. To me it feels as thought the car was made to fit my size.

[David Hodgkins]

http://ffroadster.com/images/Misc/DH7-10.jpg
6'6", 300+, size 16 shoe.

Wilwood pedal box: +2" legroom
Kirkey racing seat: +2" legroom, ~2" lower seat height

On my MKIII I cut the driver's crash bar out to help with my size 16's. My foot rests against the forward driver's footbox wall. I didn't cut the bar on the MKIV I'm finishing now.

Another thing that helps is the small block driver's footbox metal. Again, for the boats. I don't know if that would be a requirement for you though.

As a matter of fact, at 5'10" I don't know think that you would require any mods at all, or feel hindered in your engine choice. Seriously. I'd maybe get the big/tall seat, but I like the look of it better than stock anyway.

Welcome to the forum, and we're here to help you through the entire build process.

:)

[DadofThree]

I'm 6'4", 205lbs. with a Mk3.1. Part of the reason that I decided to purchase was reading about the mods that can be done to help fit. I too purchased a Kirkey Vintage Roadster seat, and there is a huge improvement with my leg room. I also installed a quick release for the steering wheel so that I can remove it when getting out of the car. These were recommendations by the "Tall Guy" on another forum.
Tall Guy Link (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/1161-tall-driver-seats-detailed-pictures.html#post11654)

[Raceral]

So the Wilwood box does give you more leg room, that's good to know... you can bolt the seat straight to the floor and all the way back. plus you can raise up the steering wheel

[chopthebass]

Do the Kirkeys give more room that the Big Tall seats?

[David Hodgkins]

Do the Kirkeys give more room that the Big Tall seats?

Yes.

:)

[chopthebass]

Thanks David. Ah I remember these now. I was thinking of alternates a while back but I didn't like the seat covers they supply. Sorry to deviate from orig post.

[Avalanche325]

I'm 6' 1/2" 197 lbs with size 14 feet. The only things I did were to adjust the Wilwood pedals, put a few washers under the steering column bearing to raise the wheel up a little, and mounted the standard seats straight to the floor. No issues.

[Carlos C]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, is that you can get the original seat and purchase the seat track from FFR or one of the vendors. That way, you'll be able to adjust the seat position.

Carlos

[6t8dart]

another thing is that the FFR seats have a metal center support running up the back, which hits the horizontal back brace of the cockpit, I have seen people notch this brace so the seat can move back another inch.

[Carlos C]

I forgot to mention that I'm also 5'10" and about 190 lbs. I have sat behind the wheel of every FFR kit currently in production, besides the '33 Hot Rod, and I've never had any real issues. There are other kits out there with much roomier interior, but that's usually because their frames leave much to be desired in strength and rigidity, and they use their fiberglass body as part of the chassis (although Hurricane Motorsports uses what they call a "double dropped" floor pan, which may be the reason you feel to have more knee room). In my opinion, I think you will be fine.

Carlos

[skullandbones]

I can't remember if the Hurricane is a longer wheel base but I think a little bit. I'm about 6 ft and 215 with a 34 inseam. You should forget about not fitting in one of these. There are so many options to increase the comfort level, you will probably not have to use half of them to get into your comfort zone. I have what I call the "mini mod" on the left driver's side panel for my clutch foot. I see that they are now doing that as a standard feature in the MK IV. It allows your foot to rotate out about 1.5 inches along with a dead pedal. That gives you a place to anchor yourself for spirited driving. On the right side, my leg lays against the trans tunnel so that is another point of stability when you need it. The quick release steering hub is nice for working under the dash on the driver's side as well as kind of a cool factor. It freaks people out when they see me putting my steering wheel in the trunk when I have to be away from the car for a while. I'm somewhat amazed by larger guys being able to fit themselves in their cars but they go to additional strategies than I to make it work. Above it was mentioned that you fit like a glove in these. That is a very accurate way of putting it. You're in a 90 inch wheelbase car and a lot of that is given to the engine so get used to that or you will have to go with a longer version.

Good luck,

WEK.

[aarvig]

I was over at my buddies house again today and he had made a simple adjustment to his seat and what do you know, I fit just fine. I think that I am going to go with the big and tall guy seats even if I'm just a regular Joe sized guy. That should make it perfect.
WEK, where did you get the removable steering wheel option?

[skullandbones]

aarvig,

This is one that is identical to the two I have but not the same manufacturer.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-80160?seid=srese2

I think it was racersdiscount or something like that they had everything racing. They weren't over $25. Sorry can't find the link. You may want one with the "axle spline" design. Grant makes one that fits their wheels with a tighter fit (no play).

The steel male sleeve fits over the steering shaft and is welded flush. The piston is pushed in and creates a very secure connection. I modified my FFR adapter to fit the 3 bolt hub for my FFR wooden wheel and found a 13 1/2 inch AX wheel to fit the other one directly. It is a standard pattern. One of the best mods I did. Thought you might want to see a few pics.

Good luck,

WEK.

[aarvig]

Skullandbones,
Thanks for the pics and the tips. I'll check them out. From what I see of it, you've got yourself a nice looking ride as well.

[edwardb]

Mark at Breeze Automotive (great forum vendor) also sells a setup that I've seen a number of people use. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=413#. It too requires welding and tapping to match your steering wheel. I've not installed one of these myself, but I think these may cause the wheel to be out slightly further than stock, and they're not compatible with a steering column mounted turn signal assembly, e.g. the one from Russ Thompson that many of us use. Some things to check as you look at options.