Leg room dilemma

[John-knee]

I have an '86 Carrera, stock. My girlfriend wants to drive it but she can't touch the clutch pedal to the floor--even with the seat all the way forward. She isn't overly short either, but I guess her legs are short.

The dilemma: How can this problem be rectified? Is cutting the seat rails out and modifying their position the only way? Putting extensions on the pedals doesn't seem right...

Any input would be much appreciated!

[stuartj]

Welcome.

Clearly a taller girlfriend is the answer.

Otherwise, race tape a block of wood onto the pedal.

Before you do anything expensive, permanent or elaborate- my SO is quite an accomplished club level track driver and she really wanted drive my (then) 86 Carrera. Till she actually did drive the 86 Carrera, and that solved the problem.

Fit a small Momo wheel and make sure the car is carrying a relatively aggressive alignment just to make sure and I doubt you will have this probem for long.

Edit: Also- You need to post pictures of the girlfriends legs. Its the olny way a real assesment of the problem can be offered.

[docrodg]

Another solution is pillows behind her lower back to get her hips further forward.

[carson911s]

[safe]

Creative are we today...

I would try some form of lower back support as suggested. That has worked for short legged friends of mine.

ps. I agree about the pictures, it would be the only way that we could adequately help you/her.

[John-knee]

Thanks for the current input guys! All jokes aside, it's really something that needs a proper solution. Using padding behind the back might work, but I'm wondering if that'll change seat comfort.

Has anybody heard of anything else?

Thanks again!!

John

[HawgRyder]

How about one of those ortho-type back supports that you see in drug stores?
They invite you to sit in the chair to see how comfortable they are.
It would provide the forward position required and show the lady you are trying to make her driving experience better at the same time.
Bob

[Hugh R]

It's a rule here that you have to post pics of the car and the SO if you want meaningful answers.

[J2Hanson]

The problem with moving the seat forward is she will be real close to the steering wheel and the shifter may be awkward to reach. My wife is short and peddle extenders fixed the problem so that she can fully engage the clutch and still have a comfortable reach to the controls. She did the pillow thing years ago but it's not the best solution. I'm over six foot so the biggest issue now is when I drive her cars!!@#!

[docrodg]

Originally Posted by J2Hanson

The problem with moving the seat forward is she will be real close to the steering wheel and the shifter may be awkward to reach. My wife is short and peddle extenders fixed the problem so that she can fully engage the clutch and still have a comfortable reach to the controls. She did the pillow thing years ago but it's not the best solution. I'm over six foot so the biggest issue now is when I drive her cars!!@#!

I have the same problem! 6'1 and when wife drives a car and I get in I hit the dash with knees, if I can get in at all...

[safe]

Originally Posted by John-knee

Thanks for the current input guys! All jokes aside, it's really something that needs a proper solution. Using padding behind the back might work, but I'm wondering if that'll change seat comfort.

Has anybody heard of anything else?

Thanks again!!

John

Its pretty easy to remove a seat.
Do that and see if you could move the seat forward on the rail, that must be easier than moving the mounting point on the car.
But doing this limits how far back you can move your seat for your comfort.

[gsmith660]

They do make pedal extensions I dont recall where I saw them but they do make them for height challenged people so they can drive. I would try a google search and modify them to be Porsche savy.

[Wyvern]

Mr "John - Knee"
Interesting forum name considering your dilemma ..
Some of the Ortho Pads are high tech.

Funny that you posted this, because this weekend while watching the endurance racers on TV my SO noticed that the changing of seat backs was a regular thing to do for drivers of different heights.

In my case I was very quick to state that could NOT be done in my P car ...

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by Wyvern

Mr "John - Knee"
Interesting forum name considering your dilemma ..
Some of the Ortho Pads are high tech.

Funny that you posted this, because this weekend while watching the endurance racers on TV my SO noticed that the changing of seat backs was a regular thing to do for drivers of different heights.

In my case I was very quick to state that could NOT be done in my P car ...

Racing seats are usually bolted to the roll cage. There is usually some adjustability, but this is a pits job, not at driver changeover function. So seat inserts (baby seats) are often used.


OP- quite seriously- before you do anything too elaborate- suggest you find out whether she really does want to drive a heavy steer, heavy clutch, 915 equipped 3.2 (with "airconitioning"?) or whether it just sounds like a great idea.

[911st]

If you do not need full full extention back, remove the seat and reset the rail further forward. You will have to drill some new holes. Should not be a bid deal.

If you seats are electric, unplug them before you unbolt and bolt them up.

Should work.

[piscator]

Just another point of view

I have somewhat short legs and experienced this problem. I can't explain why, but it went away when I raised the seat 1 1/2" It enabled me to sit closer to the wheel and seems to provide better leverage on the clutch. I have a lot less trouble getting it to the floor.

Of course, if you've already got the seat as far forward as it will go, my solution may not help. But it's not a hard one to test, just put a pillow on the seat. I did a lot of trial and error testing with foam behind and under me, before deciding to fabricate risers for the seat tracks.

The seats do come out easily and I didn't find the modification difficult. If you cut two lengths of steel channel you can bolt them into the existing holes, but a few inches forward of where the regular seat tracks sit. When you bolt the existing seat tracks to the steel channel you'll have the same amount of seat travel, only a little farther forward. You'll need to find a 'happy medium' to accomodate both drivers.

It wasn't a difficult project, I did it in an afternoon. If you don't like it, just rip it out and put it back to normal. It doesn't alter the car at all.

Good luck!

piscator

[John-knee]

Thanks so much for the input everyone! I'll give a couple of the suggestions a try this weekend, hopefully something will work.

In passing, I think it's too bad many think that Porsche is a "man's car", suggesting I try and dissuade her from driving it or not take the issue seriously. They are amazing machines that provide fun and exhiliration for both genders

That being said, she better not scratch it... haha

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by John-knee

In passing, I think it's too bad many think that Porsche is a "man's car", suggesting I try and dissuade her from driving it or not take the issue seriously. They are amazing machines that provide fun and exhiliration for both genders

That being said, she better not scratch it... haha

Did anyone say that? I dont recall that it was either stated or implied. If you are referring to what I suggested, it was about making sure she really wanted to drive it before you engineered some elaborate solution.

It not that an older 911 is a mans car, its a drivers car.

[911st]

An older 911 is mostly an older man's car.

I have never had a woman approach me or check me out in my 85 Carrera. It is always men over 50.

However, any time my friends Wife and daughter went out in his, they would come back with all kinds of stories about being approached...

[safe]

Originally Posted by 911st

An older 911 is mostly an older man's car.

I have never had a woman approach me or check me out in my 85 Carrera. It is always men over 50.

That is so sad but true...

Well, young children likes it to sometimes.