Series 1 driver's height

[Dmmos]

Hi all,

I'm 6'1, normal build (I'm also a Gemini who enjoys long walks on the beach ;)) and I was curious as to whether driving a Series 1 (SWB) would be difficult or uncomfortable - I've heard even RR Classic's can be a little frustrating in this regard...

Any help is, as always, appreciated!

Cheers,
Dave.

[Dmmos]

LOL...

It couldn't be too different to the SIII SWB could it?

[BigJon]

- I've heard even RR Classic's can be a little frustrating in this regard...

.

I am six four and I drive a RR Classic. No probs.

All the Series and Defenders are a bit tight though.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

At 6.1 you would want to think twice about an 80".

You would also have difficulties in a RRc with the factory sunroof.

Diana

[JDNSW]

LOL...

It couldn't be too different to the SIII SWB could it?

Space is pretty much the same from 86" Series 1 onwards to the present day. 80" is a bit more cramped, I believe, and also has the difference that the pedals are more of a down push. Lwb is slightly better particularly in the station wagons.

One of the problems Landrover faces with the Defender is that it was designed to fit the average Englishman of the late 1940s - who had grown up starving during the depression and then had a restricted diet during food rationing during and after the war. Even in 1948 the average Australian was larger than the average Englishman, and we have increased in size (in all directions) in the last sixty years as well. Another factor is that there was in the 1940s little concept of comfort while driving a commercial vehicle - and this was a commercial vehicle almost exclusively at least until the late 1970s.

John

[Dmmos]

Thanks for all the help - one more question...

If I were stripping and rebuilding a couple of SI's, would it be possible to alter the pedal's and/or seat's position without doing a great deal of damage to the essence of the car? I'm sure it can be done, and I'm not a great purist, but I wouldn't want to mangle a SI...

[Larry]

Thanks for all the help - one more question...

If I were stripping and rebuilding a couple of SI's, would it be possible to alter the pedal's and/or seat's position without doing a great deal of damage to the essence of the car? I'm sure it can be done, and I'm not a great purist, but I wouldn't want to mangle a SI...`

I'm just over 6' & I don't have any height related issues in my 80".

Maybe it depends if you have long legs / short body or short legs / long body etc. :p:rolleyes:

[Dingo63]

At 6.1 you would want to think twice about an 80".

You would also have difficulties in a RRc with the factory sunroof.

Diana

I cant drive my 80", and im 5 11", :mad:

Tip 1: Test drive before you buy.... Even if its a 49.

[JDNSW]

Thanks for all the help - one more question...

If I were stripping and rebuilding a couple of SI's, would it be possible to alter the pedal's and/or seat's position without doing a great deal of damage to the essence of the car? I'm sure it can be done, and I'm not a great purist, but I wouldn't want to mangle a SI...

Small changes can fairly easily be made to a number of bits, and together they probably can add up to a significant bit more room. The pedals could be lowered a little and it would even be possible to increase the size of the footwell by an inch or so. A modified top steering bracket could raise the steering wheel by an inch or two, and, of course, a smaller wheel could be fitted, perhaps with a hub that effectively extended the steering column. The seat back could be moved back very slightly, and with some care, the padding could be made thinner. The seat cushion could be made thicker, which is probably the simplest and easiest adjustment. None of these are big changes, but together could be well worthwhile.

John

[Jock The Rock]

I drove my Series I, 140 ks home from the mainland. Took me 2 days :p

I'm about 6'1 and a bit stocky as well. I didn't find it too bad, mind you I did jump in the Defender afterwards and by geez it felt like a Range Rover :p

I am a young fella so that made a bit of a difference.

Here's my interior its not too uncomfortable

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/154.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/155.jpg

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks for all the help - one more question...

If I were stripping and rebuilding a couple of SI's, would it be possible to alter the pedal's and/or seat's position without doing a great deal of damage to the essence of the car? I'm sure it can be done, and I'm not a great purist, but I wouldn't want to mangle a SI...Converting the post-80" S1 pedal system to the series 2/2a/3 pendant pedal system is a very common conversion.

The parts for both the brake and clutch are readily available, the S2/3 firewall is basically the same angles as the S1 so all you need to do is add the reinforcings of the S2 top footwell and blank the holes in the floor.

You need to swap the hydraulic clutch mechanism from a s2/2a onto your s1 and if yo are using an original 2 litre engine you merely use the 6cyl S2a mechanism.

Some people even go to the extent of using the 6cyl/V8 pedal box with booster. This will probably require some trimming of the top of your front RHS mudguard.

Remember your master cylinder should be of the same type as your brakes. If you retain the 10" brakes you use the short wheelbase master cylinder and if you have 11" brakes then you use the 109" master cylinder or mastervac.

Diana

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I drove my Series I, 140 ks home from the mainland. Took me 2 days :p

That is quite some feat, do you have any piccys of the bit between Port Philip Bay and Launceston? Did the floor leak and did you carry a life-raft and EPIRB? :D :D

[Dmmos]

As always, you've all been extremely helpful!

Cheers, Dave.

[Jock The Rock]

That is quite some feat, do you have any piccys of the bit between Port Philip Bay and Launceston? Did the floor leak and did you carry a life-raft and EPIRB? :D :D

Look here smart ass :p :D

The bit from Devonport to Launceston was the bad bit. I rained pretty heavily all the way, I had no wipers (except for the handle to turn by yourself but then the blades were buggered), water was coming in through the top of the windscreen, the bottom of the windscreen, the door tops and through the floor :(

I almost had to open the window to let all the water out :wasntme:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-i-land-rover-enthusiasts-section/77469-my-project-1957-109-series-i-flat-tray.html

[dennisS1]

There is an easy solution to S1 comfort but before I tell you as a reference point I’ am just over 6" and officially I’ am fat or obese what ever that means.
I regularly drive my 80" on trips over 100Km and a couple of times a year 86 and 107s for 600 or 700K or so a day.
The answer "Harden up" Compare the number of bad back claims in the 50s to now, see driving a S1 is good for you.
Dennis
PS always drink lots at the end of the trip, will improve your memory of the adventure.

[Dmmos]

There is an easy solution to S1 comfort but before I tell you as a reference point I’ am just over 6" and officially I’ am fat or obese what ever that means.
I regularly drive my 80" on trips over 100Km and a couple of times a year 86 and 107s for 600 or 700K or so a day.
The answer "Harden up" Compare the number of bad back claims in the 50s to now, see driving a S1 is good for you.
Dennis
PS always drink lots at the end of the trip, will improve your memory of the adventure.

:Rolling:

It's funny 'cause it's true...

Cheers

[Aaron IIA]

The only problem that I have with my 80" is repeatedly hitting my knees on the steering wheel clamp bolts.

Aaron.

[Larry]

The only problem that I have with my 80" is repeatedly hitting my knees on the steering wheel clamp bolts.

Aaron.

You must have very long legs.:eek2: I don't think I have ever had that happen & I'm just over 6'.

Maybe it's your seats???

[Aaron IIA]

I am not quite that tall, but I do have a local patern seat with possibly a little more padding. It is comfortable though.

Aaron.

[back_in]

Hi All
A sharp saw will shorten your legs
in my case a 4 inch increase in seat hight means I can see over the bottom of the windscreen
cheers
Ian