How can I improving the space in the MK4's cockpit?

[trentonturner]

Good Morning Everyone

I have planned on purchasing a Roadster for a while now, about six years.
The problem is the foot-box is a bit small, being 6'2 about 290lb. with a size 13 foot doesn't help.

FF5 has informed me that things can be done to increase the amount of room in the cockpit area of the MK4.

So please if anyone has suggestion on how to resolve the following issues, it would help.

1 Length needs to improve, my inseam is 34inches.
2 Foot-Box needs to improve completely any extra space would help.
3 Steering Wheel is close to thighs in its standard position.


Warmly,

Trent

[NicksPapaw]

Trent, just a couple of ideas here. I'm sure that others will chime in soon.
1. Raise the front of your seat about 1.5". This can be done simply with a 2X4 block. Changes the way you fit in the car completely.
2. Bump out the footbox on the left side. You should be able to find pics and instructions about creating a dead pedal. This is another mod that makes the footbox seem a lot wider.
3. Don't know what engine you are running, but you probably can bump out the right side of the footbox some. Just be sure to add insulation since you are sitting right next to some warm headers on the other side.
Hope this helps you. BTW...... Welcome to the forum. :)

[skullandbones]

Trent,

It looks like you qualify for "Wookie" status or at least are approaching it. I had problems in my MKIII until I did two mods to get to where you are in the MKIV (already improved). The idea of raising your butt in the cockpit is very helpful and overall more comfortable. I did it by using adjustable runners and a 1/2 inch plywood peice on top. It also allowed me to move the seat around to position it until it felt perfect. Using a couple of screws to hold in place for fitment. The other thing I will suggest is a quick release hub for the steering wheel. I am going with the NRG thin version (1.25 in). So it will raise the wheel a little. You can also put a spacer under the carrier bearing for the steering shaft if necessary. The quick release will allow you to enter and exit with much greater comfort. I have talked with two different guys who admit they have to have a entry/exit routine for their roadsters. Good luck, I'm sure you will find a way to get comfortable in the roadster. WEK.

[Jeff Kleiner]

2. Bump out the footbox on the left side...

Can't be done on a Mk4. FFR already maximized the left side of the driver's box on the Mk4 by pushing it out to the body so there is no room for a kickout. I just shoved the camera up under to show an unmodified left side; the space you see here is less than an inch.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2628.jpg

What you can do with a Mk4 to gain some room in the driver's footbox when using a Windsor is modify the right side panel. Here are the pics and details of the mod I made when building Steves "indy14" car. Trust me, if you use the dimensions below you will have no interferance issues with a 302 running the BBK 4 into 4 headers. Rather than bending the entire panel, which would have effectively made it shorter horizontally affecting it's fit at the tunnel horseshoe, I cut a triangle out of it and then bent up "pyramid" to provide the 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://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff510/bwilloughby/100_1662-1-1.jpg

I think it's well worth the effort to gain the additional width across the pedal area.

Good luck,
Jeff

[skullandbones]

This is a variation of the mod that some like Jeff K have done on their driver's left side foot box. I didn't need the full amount of space just about an inch and a half for my foot to rest at a natural angle instead of straight up and down (so I could install a dead pedal). So I did a smaller version with only two cuts. This is a wedge 0 to 2 inches from bottom to top and 0 to 2 inches from back to front. The wedges I fabbed were like long skinny triangles. I think this will work with the MkIV but it would be good to double check the measurements first with someone with body on chassis. It would definitely take advantage of the remaining space between the foot box and body skin. This would only be necessary if you found your size 13 wanting a little more room in the larger foot box of the MKIV. WEK.

[Cobradavid]

I think the Dark Water dead pedal box can be used on the Mk IV.
http://www.darkwatercustoms.com/cart.php#ecwid:category=185737&mode=category&offset=0&sort=normal

I made something similar for my Mk 3.1. There are some photos on the "interior" page of my build site
http://mysite.verizon.net/resshc7d/id11.html

David