Footbox Driver side - gas pedal build out

[COBRA_DUDE]

Just starting to roll up my sleeves and begin work on my new MK IV and was wondering how much clearance does one have to build out the driver side footbox on the engine side (ie make more room beside the gas pedal).

Pictures attached - my apologies to John Phillips in advance, as I stole this from his site, shows the buildout to create deadpedal space on the left side. I'm thinking of something like that for the other side - gas pedal side.

Does anyone know what clearance is available to do so and any other issues/

Thanks,

Steve

[3kcarbon]

I must say after driving mine in gelcoat foot room is a issue. However there isn't much room to spare on the engine or body side. I made a point to see how much room there is to spare with the thought of doing a mods while the body is off for paint and there is only about 3/4 " to spare on either side. I saw another thread on the old forum where the engine side is cut and wedged out a bit. Anything is a help. I'd get smaller feet if I could!

[Dave O]

Isn't the dead pedal recess in your photo too deep for the left foot? It seems like you need to have the foot rest end before the clutch pedal. Otherwise, how can you rest your foot without pushing in the clutch pedal? I know you are asking about the throttle pedal side, but since the dead pedal configuration is shown, I had to ask.

[3kcarbon]

I put my dead pedal in line with the clutch pedal so all I have to do is slide my foot over.

[Jeff Kleiner]

First of all, with the Mk4 FFR pushed the left side of the driver's footbox out as far as possible. I did a mod similar to John's (even called it my "Phillips box" ;)) on my Mk3 but there is no need or room on the new cars.

If you are using a Windsor based engine you CAN gain some room on the right side of the footbox. Here are some photos and description of what I did to a Mk4.

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 I cut a triangle out of the lower engine side panel and bent up "pyramid" to provide some extra room around the throttle pedal:

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

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

Here are the dimensions:

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

Anything you can do to gain some extra room is worth every bit of the effort. If you are using a donor pedal box bending the pedals to position them for your preference is crucial as well.

Good luck,
Jeff

[jlfernan]

And for a dead pedal, this is what I did...

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/3606/dscf3071y.jpg http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/4175/dscf3073o.jpg


http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

[Scott7644]

I wasn't going to install a dead pedal. But, after seeing how Jorge fabricated his dead pedal so easy, I will after to add it.

I will also be adding Jeff's mod. I wear a size 10 1/2 and my foot hits the edge of the footbox and the edge of the brake pedal - without carpet or insulation. I have the coyote engine, so there isn't much room on the engine side.

[AC Bill]

At almost 6'3", my legs are so long that I couldn't straighten out my right leg, regardless of how much more room there is to the right of the gas pedal. With my knee bent, heel resting below the brake pedal, my foot sits at an angle to reach the gas pedal. I added some nylon to the footbox side, by the gas pedal to act as a slipper/carpet scuff protector.

I love Jeff's idea, but unless you have shorter legs, I can't see how this could help the taller guys. Now if the foot box was further forward, and you could hold your leg straighter, it would be the answer..:)

[AZPete]

I'm also 6'3" so I made a "city/highway" hinged dead pedal. Flip it up with your foot to stretch your left leg straight while cruising; flip it down for a dead pedal. I can't help on the right side but can say do whatever you're going to do to the footbox before mounting the body. Don't ask how I know this.
Pete

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb180/AZPeteCobra/Deadpedal-1.jpg

[COBRA_DUDE]

Thanks for the info guys - much appreciated. Will do Jeff on those measurements and like the dead pedal ideas. I'm 6'3" and need as much room as I can get.

Has anyone ever fabricated to move the foot pedals back even further?

[AC Bill]

You can use the three spacers that come with the kit, to move the brake master cylinder further forward, (depending on your master cylinder set up). This would give you an inch and a bit more on the brake pedal. The aftermarket, adjustable push rod, allows you to make these adjustments with no issues..

As to the clutch pedal..I made a spacer to adjust my clutch pedal forward slightly when at rest, mainly to keep it even with the brake pedal, and to act as a stop cushion when the pedal is released. With a firewall adjuster, you can still keep the clutch cable adjusted the correct length..

The Mustang donor gas pedal can't really be adjusted at all further forward. Using the Russ Thompson gas pedal bracket, the pedal can be adjusted soewhat closer to the floor, but you have to make sure that you can still attain WOT, (wide open throttle) when mounting it. Throttle cable would need adjusting as well. I still can't see how I could set it up though, to be able to keep my right leg much straighter. It would be nice to figure out a solution, as that leg gets a little cramped up after a few hours driving.
Not so much with the left leg, as I can stretch it out further, at least till my shoe hits the high beam switch, mounted on the down tube..I found that even with the left foot box dead pedal modification in place, I still need to stretch my left leg out once in awhile. The dead pedal mod, makes a nice resting spot for the foot, but still leaves my leg bent at the knee.

Mounting your seat back as far as it would possibly go and directly to the floor, is also one way to gain some extra legroom. You have to forgo the seat track, which may make it awkward for someone else driving your car. (Or a good excuse for why they can't drive it..lol) Raising the steering column, using a few extra washers under the upper bearing block can also help the long legged drivers.

I think it's a fact of life for the taller builders, that we are a tad cramped in these cars. I can live with it though..lol

[ksamson]

Hello Cobra Dude, I am in the process of modifying my pedal box. I have a pedal box from a 1997, I am planning on following your mod the same way. Can you give my any feedback on how to install the AC pedals on the brake and clutch levers.