Optimizing seat position for 6'2"

[GTP]

Well good for you two.

I know what the optimum position is. That doesn't mean that I can achieve it. I need a little more legroom, a little lower seat cushion, and so forth.

The car adjustments get me close, but not quite perfect. Hence the purpose of this thread. Apparently I am not alone.

Let me say this. There are plenty of sports cars out there that are fine for drivers 5'10" and under. I was so glad that the Mustang had headroom, and legroom, etc. for those over 6'.

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[Jeffy_2010]

I'm 6'3" so I understand the pain, just wait till you go to the drag strip and have to wear a helmet... It's a all new problem to figure out haha

 

[113]

So driving it home from the dealership today I definitely was/am having issues with seating position. I really wish the seat lowered more and the bottom cushion tipped back more. For me the main issue is finding the best leg and feet position to operate the clutch smoothly.

I know the clutch issue is seperate, but I feel like I could be fine with it if the seating position allowed for better operation. As of right now I'm really leaning towards removing the clutch assist spring because my shifts are not smooth at all right now due to the high engagement point.

 

[BBB]

So driving it home from the dealership today I definitely was/am having issues with seating position. I really wish the seat lowered more and the bottom cushion tipped back more. For me the main issue is finding the best leg and feet position to operate the clutch smoothly.

I know the clutch issue is seperate, but I feel like I could be fine with it if the seating position allowed for better operation. As of right now I'm really leaning towards removing the clutch assist spring because my shifts are not smooth at all right now due to the high engagement point.

pull the clutch spring... I hesitated for good 3 months and when I did it, I was really glad that I did

 

[Chameleon]

Will you figure out the right seat position?

 

[brandonsmash]

pull the clutch spring... I hesitated for good 3 months and when I did it, I was really glad that I did

QFT. I pulled the clutch spring at 500 miles on my GT and have not for one second considered putting it back in. It's so much easier to drive the car smoothly now, and engagement is WAY more predictable.

 

[GTP]

I'm 6'3" so I understand the pain, just wait till you go to the drag strip and have to wear a helmet... It's a all new problem to figure out haha

Yeah, I was already wondering about that, too. (Would be autocross for me, but same problem.) I'm guessing there is about 2" to spare right now, maybe 3" max.


If only

• The wheel pulled out a little farther
• The seat cushion lowered a little more
• The seat cushion tilted back a little more
• The mirror raised a little higher

That is why I am interested in bushings under the front seat bolts - to go for the tilt. Seems to be the only DIY option.

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[113]

I've had it, I'm removing the clutch assist spring tomorrow. 180 miles so far and while my shifting is slightly better I'm slipping the clutch way too much, and the high engagement point is making my feet/ankle fatigue way too quickly. I really hope the clutch difference after removal ends up being night-and-day. It's been maddening feeling like I need to completely relearn stickshift.

 

[Cascadia_302]

I've seriously considered adding the clutch pedal extension. It adds a few inches of thickness to the top of the pedal.

Just do it. I had the same issue as well and the clutch pedal extender solved the problem. My preferred driving position is with the seat all the way back.

http://www.cjponyparts.com/clutch-pe...-2016/p/PCS68/

 

[GTP]

Just do it. I had the same issue as well and the clutch pedal extender solved the problem. My preferred driving position is with the seat all the way back.

http://www.cjponyparts.com/clutch-pe...-2016/p/PCS68/

(This is almost a :threadjacked:, but as the OP I'm allowed...)

Seems to me that the pedal extension could really help driving position for the MT guys. But that still does not change the engagement point, or the free-play travel (and the same holds true for removing the spring).

In the old days, one would shorten the clutch cable, correct? So if that was done, one could move the engagement point right near the floor, and still reach the pedal with the extender. Am I on to something??

.

 

[GTP]

If only

• The wheel pulled out a little farther
• The seat cushion lowered a little more
• The seat cushion tilted back a little more
• The mirror raised a little higher

That is why I am interested in bushings under the front seat bolts - to go for the tilt. Seems to be the only DIY option.

So I went ahead and implemented this yesterday.

I had to buy a large Torx drive bit from Sears. It clips onto a 3/8 ratchet. And yes, I needed that much torque to remove the large seat bolts. I also bought eight 3/8" washers. Four of each makes a 1/2" thick stack.

1. First, I popped out the two front black plastic covers under the driver's seat to expose the bolts.
2. Then I removed the two front bolts. In my judgment, they are plenty long to accept 1/2" spacers and still retain full thread engagement.
3. I had to tape the stack of washers together, lest they "spill" apart when trying to push them into position under the seat rail.
4. I started each bolt by hand, while pushing hard against the top of the seat, so as to lift the front of the rail. (This might have been easier if I first loosened the two rear bolts, but it worked with additional grunting.)
5. Last, I tightened everything down. Whole deal took just over 1/2 hour (not including two quick trips to nearby hardware stores).

By my calculations, this mod provided less than 2° more tilt to the seat cushion. But I could tell that it gave me more support under my legs, and I didn't have quite so much "frog leg" action.

I may return for a couple more washers (or an actual sleeve/bushing) to gain just a tad more tilt, but I don't want to push the thread engagement past that.
Also, the seat rails actually have nice textured black plastic decorative trim, which lifts off the carpet slightly. The pictured black cap matches the rail trim.

 

[Dawg]

I am 6'5" and 235 I Bought a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and could not get comfortable with the seat. It was maddening. Solution? Gave it to my son.

There was no way I was getting comfortable with a coupe Mustang, so I bought a convertible. More headroom.

A great daily driver for tall guys, 15/16 Subaru WRX. I've got close to three inches of space over my head and I have a sunroof. It's the only car I have ever owned with a Sunroof. I actually have the seat adjusted in it a little forward from all the way back. An adult can actually sit behind me. The WRX has a very useable and comfortable back seat.
The leather in the limited is like butter yet firm and doesn't wrinkle like the Stang. Plus, after a year and a half it still smells like new leather. My Mustang didn't smell like new a month after I got it. The first week it already had a wrinkle in the drivers cushion.

 

[Burger2002]

6 foot 4 here. Anyone know if there is a way to lower the seat, maybe a custom frame? Or maybe a way to extend the steering wheel more, like with a spacer of some kind?
Wishful thinking here I bet. This car is so close to being perfect in most ways that I just wish I could squeeze out a little bit better seating position to make me feel in control /comfortable.

 

[Rickycardo]

If only

• The wheel pulled out a little farther
• The seat cushion lowered a little more
• The seat cushion tilted back a little more
• The mirror raised a little higher.

Thats what I wish, if I could just sit and inch or 2 lower and the steering wheel came out an inch or 2 more. That would be perfect.

 

[GTP]

6 foot 4 here. Anyone know if there is a way to lower the seat, maybe a custom frame? Or maybe a way to extend the steering wheel more, like with a spacer of some kind?
Wishful thinking here I bet. This car is so close to being perfect in most ways that I just wish I could squeeze out a little bit better seating position to make me feel in control /comfortable.

I feel for ya, man. 2" taller than me - gotta be tough.

I can't imagine that the wheel could come out further. Too much going on, mechanically and electrically.

Same for lowering the seat cushion. I suppose if you took out the seat, and removed the leather, then you might be able to fashion a custom cushion that is a bit thinner. Best I could come up with is more tilt in the cushion, for $10 and 1 hour.

But yeah, a lower cushion, extended wheel, and higher mirror would be da bomb, IMO.

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