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Driving/Seating position
gy351100 - 23/1/07 at 08:12 PM

I am having a problem determining the best most comforable driving position to suit me.
Reading thro the posts on this subject most questions seem to be by members who over 6ft and about 10st.
I must be an unusual Locost builder being 5ft 4ins and 14st.
I have mocked up the dash and steering wheel as a datum point.
Using a mock up seat I find that it has to be at least 4ins from the rear bulkhead.
That in it self is not a problem, the main problem is the pedal box has to a long way back from the bulkhead thus making the mounting of the m/s difficult, ie it would require a very long m/s push rod.
I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had this problem.

keith


caber - 23/1/07 at 08:21 PM

This is a tricky bit of the build. I used a Sierra pedalbox bits and built a new box this lifted the master cylinder clear of the bulkhead retaining the original pedal length. I am 6' and will be tight against the bulkhead, I will be using an original Lotus style bench seat and pads, I have lost about 2" width at the tunnel as I am using a Capri axle so i am a tight fit between wall and tunnel!

Caber


Humbug - 23/1/07 at 08:49 PM

Apart from thinking about moving the pedal box, you could look at adjustment in the steering column/wheel, e.g.:

Move the top column further towards the front of the car (may need to shorten some of the lower column .

Custom make a shorter connecting bit between the steering wheel and the part of the boss that goes on the column first - I know what I mean, anyway! I have got a Mountney wheel and the boss comes in two parts, so if you have got the same it may be possible to shorten the overall length.

Put the steering wheel on "back to front" i.e. with dishing the other way. It might look a little odd, but if it helps you get a comfortable position, it may be worth it.

Good luck


gy351100 - 23/1/07 at 11:32 PM

I am quite happy with the position of the seat reative to the steering wheel, the crux of the problem is the position of the pedal box in that it will have to be so far back from the bulkhead for me to be able to reach the pedals (being a short arse).
Thus with the m/c mounted on the bulkhead it will need a very long rod which could possibly flex under load


Humbug - 24/1/07 at 07:50 AM

yeah, so if you were able to move the steering wheel closer to the front of the car, and move the seat the same amount, you could maintain the steering wheel to seat position but bring your feet closer to the pedals?


James - 25/1/07 at 06:31 PM

What about using the adjustable Sierra column?

I'm not 100% what plans of movement it allows but must be worth investigating.

Cheers,
James