too tall driver

[redstack]

Tried searching but didn't find a good answer to the what should a tall driver do to keep from busting his knoggen on the roll bar in a boxster. I would like to move up in the world from my miata to a Boxster, but it appears that I would have the same roll bar brain pan interference problems in the Boxster. What have you guys come up with to deal with this?

I read the velcro squeak silencer, but that didn't have any answers either.

[Jamikest]

I am 6'5".

I put the seat as vertical as I can stand, and move it nearly all the way back. Going vertical will keep your head off the roll bar.

[Wayne 962]

I've seen it where people put rollbar padding up there to help in situations like this...

-Wayne

[jjflash]

Dumb question....is the steering wheel adjustable on all Boxsters? On the test drives of a '99 and an '01 I noticed that my thighs didn't fit under the steering wheel, but I didn't try trying to adjust the wheel at all....my attention was on other things.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by jjflash

Dumb question....is the steering wheel adjustable on all Boxsters? On the test drives of a '99 and an '01 I noticed that my thighs didn't fit under the steering wheel, but I didn't try trying to adjust the wheel at all....my attention was on other things.

The wheel is not adjustable up or down, only telescopically (in and out). The height of the seat itself is adjustable up or down...

-Wayne

[racer]

One item to help legroom is the GT3 console delete. The more room your legs have, you can change your seating position (ie, slouching )

Not sure their is a good answer for the OP.. some folks just don't fit in certain cars. I think the 987 Boxster has a little more room.. maybe try that one on?

[Wayne 962]

I have a tech article on the GT3 console delete - email me at wayne@pelicanparts.com and I will send it to anyone who wants to take a look before it's published.

thx,

Wayne

[redstack]

I have the best padding on my miata. But it still is over steel. I read in GRM about this bar padding that they put on their Saab. It had a two part construction, dense under layer with a much larger second layer. But would it be feasible to try and attach something like this to the Boxster rollbar, and would it work with the rollbar extension that is supposed to raise the original a bit higher?

I like so much about the boxster, the mid engine handling, the useful trunks, the ready made trailer hitch for my tire trailer, oh yea and the part where I go to the beach with the top down.
But I have struggled so much with my head poking up on the miata on track days, even pulling out the foam in the seat to get low enough. I am seriously doubting that in the end the boxster would keep my Knoggen safe like a hard top car. Too bad I'm not in Cayman range..

[redstack]

Looking at your signature, you have owned all the cars I consider buying. Of all those which did you consider best for safe autox, track days, Sunday drives without a helmet?

As for the leg room and thighs under the wheel room, I can live with all the limitations there, do it now. My only real concern is will I be able to keep my head down enough with a helmet on, and will I crack my head open if rear ended without a helmet on.

Or am I just foolish to think I could have a does it all car, none too seriously?

[racer]

Redstack:

I can't pick just. That's too hard.. its like choosing a favorite kid. They have all have their perks and drawbacks. I've owned all these examples in part because I wanted to try all the flavors. At the times I have owned them, they were all perfect.. but my tastes have changed over the years.

In the end, though, I am an aircooled fan and will have another one someday.. unless i get too old and cranky and want modern conveniences to go with my sporting nature.. then I guess a GT3 would be nice

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by redstack

But I have struggled so much with my head poking up on the miata on track days, even pulling out the foam in the seat to get low enough. I am seriously doubting that in the end the boxster would keep my Knoggen safe like a hard top car. Too bad I'm not in Cayman range..

There is a roll bar extension that we sell that is designed to protect your head if you are wearing a helmet and the car flips. Sounds like that may be what you're looking for?

Wayne

[racer]

One issue with some of the rollbar extensions is that they protrude forward of the factory bar so as to leave room for the roof to open and close.. which can put taller folks in more danger of hitting their head than before.

[redstack]

ARRRG I guess there is no real answer other than trying them on and seeing about bolting the seat to the floor.

Thanks fellows,

[Grantsfo]

Suspect you could have a custom bar fabbed. I didnt care about using top but no reason why you couldnt get custom bar made that allows use of top.

[gzulli]

Can anyone 6'4" or taller tell me how you live with the Boxster. I have an 84 911 and fit fine but in the Boxsters I looked at my head came up to the top of the windshield. Top down driving would have reduced my forehead to being a bug catcher. Maybe my one and only attempt to fit in the Boxster at the dealer lot 10 years ago wasn't indicative of the room in the car. That car wasn't running so maybe there was additional adjustments that cold have been made with the car on.

I love the early Boxster and if I could find a way to lower the seat or have some type of adjustment made I'd start searching seriously for a 1st gen model daily driver (Zenith Blue my personal favorite color). Any suggestions from taller drivers is greatly appreciated.

[Wayne 962]

I hear you! I'm just over 6' tall, and my wife's Boxster is uncomfortable for me. Strangely enough my 2000 with power seats is much more managable (hers are manual seats).

I think the later 987 cars (2005-) have more legroom, but I'm not really sure. Custom seats that can be mounted lower in the car can also help too.

Here's the article to that GT3 console installation: Pelican Technical Article: GT3 Center Console Uprade - 986 Boxster (1997-04) -

[mikefocke]

What I've always heard:
1. Gt console delete to allow the legs to splay.
2. Special mounts to allow the seats to mount directly to the floor and not on mounts that cost you inches.
3. Special seats with less padding and thus more headroom.

The combination allowed a 6'8" guy to drive in relative comfort.

The 987s do have more room than the 986s. I'm 6' and probably a 6'4 equivalent height from my rear end to the top of my head and I have to position the seat forward and angled up so if I'm rear ended my head doesn't swing back and hit the rollbar in an unmodified 986. I'm lucky my short legs can handle the angles.

[gzulli]

I've seen some of the seat rails from Brey Krause (in my home town too!) and sounds like the seats can be lowered quite a bit. I bought my 84 factory wide body because I didn't think there was a fit for me in a Boxster. I'll have to see if I can sit in a Boxster with the se seat rails to see if it makes that much of a difference. (And maybe I can convince the Mrs the 911 stays and the late model Boxster is now a daily driver

[Wayne 962]

This car had lowered GT3 seats with Brey Krause rails, I believe: Pelican Technical Article: Sport Seat Installation / Seat Removal - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-08)

-Wayne

[redstack]

Ah so this is what I was curious about. I have Ultrashield seats that I can swap in and out of the miata in about 1/2 hour. I wondered if it was possible to do the same here. I see that they are going to be a more permanent setup, but if you buy good seats then it could be an ok swap. Something like the Recaro's that Grant used in his race car.

Next question is then what about a harness bar to attach some 5 or 6 pt harnesses to?