driving position in the new 110s?!?

[truK]

Hi there,

Just have a strange question and was wondering if anyone else has had this problem?

Im quite tall (201cm) which has always been an issue with getting a good driving position in cars. Im looking at upgrading my 4wd from a well setup 80series landcruiser and was really interested in the a 110 defender.

The driving position in the 110 is great with one exception, the steering wheel is quite low, so that when i go to put my foot on the brake, my knee hits the steering wheel and i cant get my foot in properly. I was suprised when the salesman said the steering coloum cannot be adjusted?

Anyone have any advice on this? I dont know if moving the seat back any further (though custom rails or something) would help as the problem seems to be with the length of my shin?

Cheers!

[Xtreme]

Mud Rails are your solution - they allow the seat to be adjusted about a further 50mm back thereby giving you more legroom. Look here -
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/98184-mud-rails.html

[one_iota]

Hi Truk,

I have Mud Rails.

I'd be happy to let you sit in mine to see how you fit.

I'm in Marrickville.

[Allan]

Buy mud rails or Australian version, huge comfort change, D3 like (almost)
Allan

[SVX37]

I have the Australian version that Allan mentioned. They are from Mulgo who is a member and advertises on this site as Exploz.

Exploz.com.au (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/Exploz.com.au)

They are such an unbelievable improvement that they should be offered by Landrover as an option. But then again, I would prefer to deal direct so I am not funding another Landrover margin on top!:p

Note: I am not affiliated with this company in any way but always happy to pass on a great product and great service.

In fact, I am getting the Ex-Box put in on Friday! I will let people know what it is like if interested.

Nigel

[camel_landy]

...or you could save yourself even more $$$ and make them yourself.

All it takes is a couple of lengths of 20mm box section and some slightly longer bolts. ;)

M

[Tusker]

Defenders & tall drivers don't mix well.

I had to resort to fitting a smaller diameter steering wheel to get in & out.

Even so, a foot on the clutch means the left blinker goes off with your knee. And the wipers go off with the other knee when braking.

Regards
Max P

[Chucaro]

...or you could save yourself even more $$$ and make them yourself.

All it takes is a couple of lengths of 20mm box section and some slightly longer bolts. ;)

M

Yes this is the way to go ;)

[Izmirblue]

In fact, I am getting the Ex-Box put in on Friday! I will let people know what it is like if interested.

Nigel


I have been interested in the Ex-Box - let us know what you think of it once it is in - are you fitting it yourself?

[one_iota]

The other factor to consider is the impact of the extended seat on the passenger in the seat behind. Leg room there is affected and there wasn't much to begin with.

On long trips I have to move my seat forward to give that long suffering passenger more space. But on a country trip the pedal use is much less than in the city so we manage.

[truK]

thanks very much for the replies, very helpful!

thats exactly what i was looking for, i think with these rails (and a smaller steering wheel if needed) i should be okay. space behind the driver isnt a problem, i usually dont have anymore then 2-3 in the car.

suprisingly enough, when i mentioned defenders to a few mates in my 4wd club, they said your biggest concern will be the handbrake...which i didnt even notice!

thanks again,
kurt

[SVX37]

...or you could save yourself even more $$$ and make them yourself.

All it takes is a couple of lengths of 20mm box section and some slightly longer bolts. ;)

M

Mmmmmmmm...........let me think about that for one sec.

I don't have the skill or the time and for the price, I have better things to do.;)

Each to their own I guess.;)

[SVX37]

I have been interested in the Ex-Box - let us know what you think of it once it is in - are you fitting it yourself?


No, I am not fitting it myself. I will start a new thread when it is done so I don't hijack this one.:o

[camel_landy]

I don't have the skill or the time and for the price, I have better things to do.;)

Ahhh... Cheque book engineering. ;)

M

[Tombie]

Defenders & tall drivers don't mix well.

I had to resort to fitting a smaller diameter steering wheel to get in & out.

Even so, a foot on the clutch means the left blinker goes off with your knee. And the wipers go off with the other knee when braking.

Regards
Max P

Agreed!

I fitted a Momo to my defender... Much better...

I also have a 'gut protrusion' issue :cool:

[waxer]

A couple of questions on seat extensions ,how much does the Aussie version raise the seat height?,it looks like the Brit versions raise the seat about 30mm or so.I tried the 20mm tube and extended bolt route but on my 1995 defender 110,the rail does not clear the bulkhead lip even with the original spacers,it seems 25 to 30 mm tubing would be a minimum .Even if it did ,the seat refuses to go back any further on the rail,looks like it should but have to investigate further.Also looks like the centre anchor point for the seat belts might only just clear any extension on my older defender anyway.

[Allan]

A couple of questions on seat extensions ,how much does the Aussie version raise the seat height?,it looks like the Brit versions raise the seat about 30mm or so.I tried the 20mm tube and extended bolt route but on my 1995 defender 110,the rail does not clear the bulkhead lip even with the original spacers,it seems 25 to 30 mm tubing would be a minimum .Even if it did ,the seat refuses to go back any further on the rail,looks like it should but have to investigate further.Also looks like the centre anchor point for the seat belts might only just clear any extension on my older defender anyway.

The Brit version is shapped to clear the bulk head, cant comment on Australian version. I removed all but 1 thin spacer on my seat mount and this seems ok. I had to mod. one runner slightly because one of my fittings is a nut, not bolt. As far as seat belt mounts mudrails do give instruction on mount point mods if I remember correctly.

Allan

[one_iota]

The other thing to add is that if you drive with the seat at the greatest extension, the top mounting of the sash of the seat belt sits forward of your shoulder because you are positioned rearwards of the B pillar.

As it is I look through the rear passengers window to see what's coming from the right.

I do wonder what would happen in a collision :eek:.

So maybe a combination of seat rail extension and steering wheel replacement is the best answer.

[Allan]

Worth trying. A Defender crumple zone is the other vehicle (stolen from someone here)> Good luck

Allan.

[Mulgo]

A couple of questions on seat extensions ,how much does the Aussie version raise the seat height?,it looks like the Brit versions raise the seat about 30mm or so.I tried the 20mm tube and extended bolt route but on my 1995 defender 110,the rail does not clear the bulkhead lip even with the original spacers,it seems 25 to 30 mm tubing would be a minimum .Even if it did ,the seat refuses to go back any further on the rail,looks like it should but have to investigate further.Also looks like the centre anchor point for the seat belts might only just clear any extension on my older defender anyway.

Without any spacers you need at least 30mm to clear the bulkhead.

Normally there are two spacers at the back (although I have already seen 3 or 1), which means the Australian version of the seat extensions raises the seat about 25mm.

Cheers,
Daniel