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Chassis for short arses!
Matthew_1 - 20/1/04 at 10:25 PM

I've just finished a chassis built to my own custom suspension design and width, but to book lengths - because I assumed it would be long enough. Wrong. I'm 6'1 and with Cobra Roadster seats I haven't got a chance!

Chassis rear section (the biq square) needs to be at least 100mm longer! Time to reach for the grinder.

****ed off dosn't even begin to describe it !

Anyone else of a reasonable size find they fit in ok ?


200mph - 20/1/04 at 10:29 PM

I am 5'8 ( well maybe), and the book chassis is tight, very tight, compared with a normal car of course

Us small folk are here for a reason

Mark


stephen_gusterson - 20/1/04 at 11:30 PM

'the book' doesnt really use seats......it upholsters the rear panel - that saves room.

I think there is 4 or so inches behind my seats....but then my car is longer anyway - but I can see how the angle of the seats to angle of rear panel, and seat tickness, steals space.

im 5ft 9

atb

steve


David Jenkins - 21/1/04 at 08:38 AM

I'm 6ft, my chassis is 'book', and I'm wondering if I've mounted my seat a bit too far back! I have to stretch a bit to depress the pedals fully.

Before you carve up your chassis you might like to try thinner seats...

rgds,

David


Mix - 21/1/04 at 08:57 AM

6', book length chassis and roadster seven seats work for me.

(But the first thing I'll do when I'm next in the garage is to check again)

Are you using runners and if so do they allow the seat to touch the rear panel?


Mick

[Edited on 21/1/04 by Mix]


Matthew_1 - 21/1/04 at 09:19 AM

The problem seems to be the angle of the seat and/or the angle of the seat-back part of the chassis. The seat bases themselves will go back about 100mm, but then the seat backs will go through the chassis back. Think I'll have to redesign the chassis seat backs to be slightly less vertical


stephen_gusterson - 21/1/04 at 10:35 AM

think thats the situation I described....

david - have you just got tiny legs

atb

steve


David Jenkins - 21/1/04 at 11:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by stephen_gusterson
think thats the situation I described....

david - have you just got tiny legs



I think I've got 'duck's disease'
(my @rse is too close to the ground)

No - I'm normally proportioned - if you ignore the spare tyre...

DJ


nick205 - 21/1/04 at 12:47 PM

David,

I think carrying the spare tyre about your person is a good use of space myself!

It also saves the effort of making an additional bracket to fit to the rear of the car for spare tyre storage

Cheers

Nick


Alan_Thomas - 23/1/04 at 03:24 PM

Height is not everything to consider my 6' 2" is because of grossly long legs and I luckily found out before building that std was no good for me I added 6" to the overall wheelbase adding 3" to the main cockpit section and 3" to the scuttle area. I did this because I thought it would still keep its proportions. It does, but it causes huge headaches in non std Bonnet, side panels, steering and scuttle. no chance of using f'glass bits.
If I did it again I would leave everything forward of dash the same dimensions as book - Alan


James - 23/1/04 at 05:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Alan_Thomas
Height is not everything to consider my 6' 2" is because of grossly long legs and I luckily found out before building that std was no good for me I added 6" to the overall wheelbase adding 3" to the main cockpit section and 3" to the scuttle area. I did this because I thought it would still keep its proportions. It does, but it causes huge headaches in non std Bonnet, side panels, steering and scuttle. no chance of using f'glass bits.
If I did it again I would leave everything forward of dash the same dimensions as book - Alan


I basically did the same- and regret doing so for the same reasons!

James


Kitlooney1000 - 23/1/04 at 09:10 PM

with a standard size chassis and westfield seat pads, an 11" steering wheel, pedals are floor mounted, and the chassis is fine. just need to loose some weight of my arse..
"I think I've got 'duck's disease'
(my @rse is too close to the ground)
"all locosters have this disease!


[Edited on 23/1/04 by Kitlooney1000]


TPG - 24/1/04 at 05:23 PM

Length wise my car is as book.I put 4" extra on the copit width.I've used seats from a suzuki carry/bedford rascal van,recovered.These are very comfortable and recline and slide.I've a standard Sierra pedal box in and at 6' & wearing rigger boots have no trouble in fitting in and driving.


David Jenkins - 24/1/04 at 08:37 PM

I've been thinking about this, and came up with a suggestion - sit in the car with no seats whatsoever. If you're stretching for the pedals a lot then an ordinary seat will probably be OK. If you're only stretching a little bit then you may want a thin seat (drop-in seat pads), but if you're still feeling cramped then you want a bigger car!

rgds,

David


stephen_gusterson - 25/1/04 at 12:44 AM

my suggestion is make getting seats one of the first things you do. dont even think of making pedals and stuff until you chan check space in the car is right.

if you srew up before the chassis is panelled and floored you can correct it with a grinder/cutter and welder fairly easily.

atb

steve