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Live Axle, Long Cockpit, Bench Seat - The Perils of a Short Arse


Tazio

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The original owner at 6 foot 2 specified a long cockpit, with a bench seat, snug for him, but I can't reach the pedals being a more normal 5 foot 7. Slide down the seat someone says...yep, then put the seat belt on, ( it's normal, not an inertia one, ) so you have to sit right back in the seat.... see the problem?

I'm pretty sure in times gone by that I've seen booster cushions that overcome this slight difficulty, either that or my memory is even worse than thought.  Am I right?, and does anyone know where they came from, or maybe has something suitable in the loft gathering dust ?

Alan

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Alan, is yours a cable clutch?  If so then I cannot comment but if you have a hydraulic clutch then there is quite a range of pedal adjustment available by changing the length of the push rods  (I have the opposite problem of long legs and short cockpit).  I see you have bench seats so a thicker back should be a fairly easy job and if necessary seat squabs to bridge the floor cross member could be done if the originals end up too short

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Unless your precious about the bench seat you could always fit one of these with a few subtle mods....

https://www.nrshealthcare.co.uk/bedroom-seating-aids/seating/high-back-chairs/jubilee-high-seat-fireside-chair-winged-armchair?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkL6t_Ir77QIVlO7tCh1UIAsyEAQYBSABEgJzafD_BwE

with the 'wings' it kind of like a race seat for OAP's.......  *rotate* 

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Far too comfy Neil, I'd be nodding off.

I do want to keep the bench as part of the character of the car, I've got a cut down low profile Tillett that I could use, but I'm reluctant.  

I sure have seen vinyl covered boosters in the past, so I'll have to work out a solution, a slab of foam off the market perhaps.....

 

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Hi Alan

Of course this is why Marcos cars had a lead screw adjustment for the pedals as a set.

As you know I am of similar height, I find the longer cockpit of the 21 less comfortable than that of my Seven.  I think that there ought to be a way to construct a frame to bring all three pedals towards the driver.  I'm tempted to see what could be done.

In all honesty, I think the whole car industry ought to do this, I think there will be an ideal position for the head to be and everything should be adjusted to fit this.

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"... a slab of foam off the market"

That's exactly what we did some years ago for my Good Wife to sprint our bench-seated short cockpit Seven.  Covered with some black vinyl from the same market and she promptly won the prize for Fastest Lady!  *driving*  

Oxted Trimming also supplied a thin seat base which transformed the driving position.

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Alan

I had the same problem and I brought the back forward by about 75mm. Lower edge is held forward with aluminium angle brackets and a simple piece of timber covered with vinyl at the top edge. The big bonus is that you then have a reasonably useful stowage area behind the seat. If you're interested, you can pop over and try it and I'll maintain a safe distance, but it's pretty easy to mock up until you get the right position for yourself.

Cheers Brian

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Alan

I had the same problem and I brought the back forward by about 75mm. Lower edge is held forward with aluminium angle brackets and a simple piece of timber covered with vinyl at the top edge. The big bonus is that you then have a reasonably useful stowage area behind the seat. If you're interested, you can pop over and try it and I'll maintain a safe distance, but it's pretty easy to mock up until you get the right position for yourself.

Cheers Brian

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Brian, 

Thank you for the offer, but as you say it's pretty easy to mock up.  I've found out that when Caterham announced the Long Cockpit, it was achieved by moving the backrest back 2.5 inches, so it looks like I'll be digging around for suitable sized bits of wood as a temp fix, but a bag seat maybe the longer term fix.

Cheers, Alan

 

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Re a bench seat, could you not get away with something as simple as making a wooden extension to sit behind the seat back, pushing it forward as far as you need? I run a bench, and i'm 6 foot 2. Should be simple, mdf, wrap top in black vinyl?

I take it you've adjusted the pedals?

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