fast_cat Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 Hi, I know these things have been discussed before but I couldn't find all the relevant threads. I currently share a Caterham with my brother. I'm 6'3" and he isn't, which means when I drive I need the seat (leather adjustable) right back , but he needs it forward. Even with the seat right back (pedals adjusted) I still struggle for space (height and legroom). Are other seats available that give more room but are still adjustable ? I havn't yet tried removing the foam padding from the leather seat, and I'm not sure how much extra space this gives. Eventually the plan is to have my own Caterham, so the seat won't need to be adjustable but until then I'm struggling to fit... Thanks Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 When its your turn to drive try removing the seat base and sitting on the floor. This will give you clearance between your legs and the steering wheel as well. Has the advantage of costing nothing too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fast_cat Posted October 23, 2000 Author Share Posted October 23, 2000 I tried sitting on the floor, in fact the seat is out of the car at the moment, and whilst there is much more room I think the floor seems to flex a bit too much , with me sitting right on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 Rob. I guess it's down to inside leg type measurements (honest) I'm 6'3.5" with i/s of 32". My 7 has 'Oxted' 'S' type seats & is no problem. What is is the small pedal box space (so race boots are the order of the day) ,but that's another problem! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lydford Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Hi Rob, have you tried corrective surgery :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISmall Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 I'm 6'2" and I've leather adjustable seats as well. If I didn't have a mini removable MoMo I'd be unable to get in let alone drive! I've heard about replacement seat pads for the larger chap. Where could I get my hands on one? It's either that or go on a diet and I like currys too much for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpotter Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 The replacable seat base is definately the way to go, not only does it improve the leg room but it also drops your height in the car so you actually look through the windscreen, what a bonus ! I have just invested in a pair of driving boots and have had to move the seat forwards ! I had to look up in the manual how to move the seat as I never expected to have to do that ! If you need any help with getting new seat base etc drop me a mail James R212 DKX 6'4" Tall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fast_cat Posted October 24, 2000 Author Share Posted October 24, 2000 It's more of a leg room problem than height. Although I'm 6'3" I have inside leg of 34" so it's definitely leg room that's the real prob, with my left knee wedged up between steering wheel and dash. Placing the foot behind the clutch pedal helps a bit, but changing gear is dodgy ;-). I may try a smaller wheel to see if that helps. Thanks for the advice so far.. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fast_cat Posted October 25, 2000 Author Share Posted October 25, 2000 If I go for a smaller (Removable) steering wheel what is the smallest that is practical ? I read somewhere that someone went for aq really small wheel (can't remember size) and the thing was almost impossible to drive. Any experience anyone ? What about flat bottomed wheels which may give extra leg room ? I'm still planning to buy my own Seven, which means that I don't need adjustable seats... but first I need to sell my TVR which is taking up garage space... Cheers Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipper man Posted October 25, 2000 Share Posted October 25, 2000 I would reiterate what others have said about concentrating on the seat base. I personally like larger steering wheels (I use a 290mm item) which I am comfortable behind despite a 33 in inside leg, and 6ft 3in overall height. The standard seat base can be pulled out and a foam pack item made up. See "Tall lanky git can't see dials" 3rd September under tech talk for details. If you do this, with a 96 onwards spec car, I can set the car up so that I cannot reach the pedals comfortably, and there are compromise settings that I, and a much shorter person can use by swapping the seat base back, and adjusting the seat position. Sounds complicated, but changing drivers is literally a matter of seconds The best solution though is to have your own car - then you can set it up to fit you like a glove, with no compromises! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lydford Posted October 25, 2000 Share Posted October 25, 2000 Rob, [!] what kind of TVR do you have ? I may be interested in a deal with my long cockpit caterham wink.gif e-mail me teeth.gif Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Walker Posted October 25, 2000 Share Posted October 25, 2000 Rob, don't go for the flat bottom steering wheel - I had one until recently but found it annoying as occassionly a turn requires you to move your hands from the ten-to-two position and you discover that for one hand there is no wheel!! Once in the car it doesn't actually give you any more leg room. For getting in and out a removable wheel is better, plus it is an additional security device. Size wise the smallest is probaby 260mm (why do I get the feeling that this thread is suddenly going to get longer - Anna?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISmall Posted October 25, 2000 Share Posted October 25, 2000 I use a 26cm MoMo removeable wheel. I don't have to remove it to get in, but I found any larger wheel made the car impossible to drive (no leg room, particularly for clutch). The wheel itself is great, apart from one of the small bolts on it that corroded after 6 months and I replaced it because it annoyed me a bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 26, 2000 Share Posted October 26, 2000 Order a new 'SV' (deliveries start in April) & you won't have any problems fitting in!!!!! I had to move the seat fwd. 150 mm to operate the pedals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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