Headroom

[crshann]

Re: Headroom

My wife is 5'4" and drives the bird every day so when I get the chance to drive there is a major seat adjustment. I have found that moving the seat all the way back, lowering it all the way and then tilting the front up and adjusting the steering wheel for comfort works pretty well even on extended trips of 3 hours or more. BTW, I am 6'5" and weigh 240 but using that method I don't have to shoehorn in too much. As everyone says, it's worth it, especially cruising with the top down and enjoying all the looks you get because, let's face it, it's a classy car!

[Black Bengal]

Re: Headroom

Larry,
You & I have the same issue. See the link below. I don't know why in the world Ford would want to exclude tall drivers from the joy of T-bird ownership. I am 6'2" & have come to the conclusion that the lack of headroom is caused by the seat not being able to be lowered far enough. I know that many TBN members believe that the T-bird driver seat goes down far enough but the power seat in my friend's BMW practically rests on the floor when lowered all the way. I sure would not want to change the exterior design of the car but the driver seat mechanism design could definately be improved.

-Mark

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...060#post249060

[larry1q]

Re: Headroom

Thank you for all the informative posts, I thought I was some kind of a freak. ( My wife has thought that for some time.)

This Thunderbird is the most beautifull car I have ever owned.

As for driving with the top down all the time, I live in Pittsburgh. The chances for a nice day are about the same as the Pirates winning a baseball game. It happens, just not very often.

[BIRD 42]

Re: Headroom

Larry

I too understand your situation, I am 6'2" and 200+ and it is a close fit. But learning to adapt. My other problem is getting into and out of the bird if I can not open the door too far. Not saying that age might be part of my problem as well. Oh well.

What is the number of your Cashmere?

[larry1q]

Re: Headroom

My number is 561.

[EllisonCal]

Re: Headroom

When getting in to your car, try putting your right leg in as you lean forward to clear the top. I'm exactly 6'0" tall and about 230 pounds, but sitting down first without putting your right leg in will guarantee that you hit your head on the top of the window opening. As far as finding a comfortable seating position, I also find that my tilting the front of the seat up and the back of the seat at the bottom of its travel works best. To do this, I have to move the seat forward a bit, because the seat will bump up against the bulkhead if you don't. You then loose a bit of legroom but it is not significant because your knees are somewhat elevated. Hey, It's a lot roomier than my 1977 Cadillac Seville was! Remember those?
Cal

[1mintjulep]

Re: Headroom

Just joined the site and was asking the same thing on my hubby's behalf. I think it's the only real hesitation we have about buying one. I don't want him to be uncomfortable. I will show him this thread and maybe he can try some of these tips in our next test-drive. Thanks.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Headroom

I'm 6' 1" and 229 lbs. I've got no problem in the Thunderbirds. I just got to duck my head down a bit getting in and out of the vehicle when the hardtop or convertible top is on it.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Headroom

Okay. 6'2" here. Thats why I have a beard. No head hair. But really, adj's can be made to be comfortable.

On a side note: Remember the "Manage The Wait Program". Yeah as if we could ever forget that. Soooo, anyway, that recall from all the DSM's back to Wixom was for the Driver's Seat being too low. A safety factor. Soooooo, all they went, back to Wixom, for higer rails to be installed.

Hey anyway, just crouch. It's worth the ride.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Headroom

. Soooooo, all they went, back to Wixom, for higer rails to be installed.

.

So, could the rails be removed, cut & re-welded, to bring back the lower position? Sounds like their would be clearance to allow it. Anyone had their seats out to see whats up under there?

[MintTbird]

Re: Headroom

they were brought back for safety reasons i assume... dont know if you would want to cut em

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Headroom

So, could the rails be removed, cut & re-welded, to bring back the lower position? Sounds like their would be clearance to allow it. Anyone had their seats out to see whats up under there?

Yep. Found a dead Frenchfry. Bob & Sandy swore they never ate in it either. Guess it explains the 42.5 miles FORD put on it. 21 miles to McDonalds from Wixom. Now, on a serious note: I don't think with the control box under there, you'd even get a full inch lower, maybe if you cut the carpet you'd get an inch. But that's about it. Not a mod I would try.

[Brad]

Re: Headroom

Passengers seat

[Brad]

Re: Headroom

Drivers seat

If you removed the seat motor and the rails and bolted the original bracket right to the seat frame (not sure there is enough metal in the correct spot, so might take welding extra metal to the frame) looks like you could gain 1 3/4". The frame is right below the bottom edge of the leather.

Complicating things further on the drivers side the black plastic you can see on the outer side where the switch is would need to be cut or removed since the rail only extends a 1/2" below it so if you were doing what I suggested it would get in the way.

And yes I have an extra set of seats and NO you can't have them, and no you can't cut them up for practice (unless you come up with a better idea).

On a positve note you shouldn't need to relocate the seat heater module!

OK, I took one more measurement... Right about 3 inches between the frame of the seat and where I believe the floor to be at the rear mount. If you open the drivers door you can see the front mount of the seat...it is not flat and it is mounted at an angle.

Ok, I looked one last time and it gets worse, although you could unbolt the rails and the mounts, parts of the actual frame extends down to just as low for mounting...this is the same piece of metal that the back of the seat is connected to. After you removed the rails and mounts you would need to torch cut off the part of the frame that extends down....This wouldn't be a huge deal from a welders standpoint, however returning them to original I don't think would be very easy and clearly a potential structural issue.

If anyone wants any other pictures or measurements feel free to ask away