For the Tall folks

[Firedawg85]

I've been looking at ways to increase the leg room in my 72 GMC single cab. The seat appears original and at 6' 8", I'd love to improve the leg room. Since the gas tank sits behind the seat, I'm looking at relocating it and mounting the seat further back. Head room doesn't appear to be a problem, since I'm used to being an inch or so from the ceiling in most vehicles, including fire trucks...

Has anyone done a project like this? My thoughts are to mount it further back and redo the seat with a more modern foam to sit me back further.

Side note, I'd like to keep it a three-seater to fit my two little girls. They love cruising with daddy.

Thanks!

[joeydurango]

I'm running the tank in the stock location, but I have had the seat in and out several times, and it certainly appears that the tank isn't actually what prevents the seat from moving back any further. I'm pretty positive that the top of the seat contacts the back of the cab rather than the tank itself, so relocating the tank won't help at all, although it will gain you a bit of storage room...

[67 cst swb]

look into a 88-98 Chev/GMC 60/40 bench seat. they are thinner in the foam and place you lower and farther back I the cab. Others may have more info on this.

[Firedawg85]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

I'm running the tank in the stock location, but I have had the seat in and out several times, and it certainly appears that the tank isn't actually what prevents the seat from moving back any further. I'm pretty positive that the top of the seat contacts the back of the cab rather than the tank itself, so relocating the tank won't help at all, although it will gain you a bit of storage room...

I noticed the same thing. I was debating lowering the seat height to clear the rear body panel and the top bar of the seat. But, then I'd be maybe gaining 1/2 in till I hit the tank.

[Firedawg85]

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

look into a 88-98 Chev/GMC 60/40 bench seat. they are thinner in the foam and place you lower and farther back I the cab. Others may have more info on this.

That's a good idea. I'll look into, thanks!

[joeydurango]

Does your windshield have the tint at the top? Compared to you, I'm only 6'2", but unless I'm slouching a little I end up looking through the tint at the road, which is kind of annoying... would be nice to sit a bit lower.

[67 cst swb]

Check out this thread, especially posts #4 and #8
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...highlight=seat

[GASoline71]

I grew up with these trucks as a kid. When I learned to drive, it was in my Dad's truck ('70 C10) and I was 6' 3" tall. His truck has no tilt steering wheel, no power steering and is a 4 speed. It's a tight fit and using the clutch was "fun". My Dad is 6' 4" and has always just squeezed himself into his truck. So after many years of driving that truck I just got used to it.

I'm 6' 5" now and have had a '67 and now a '72. I just never really gave much thought to how cramped the leg room is because I started from scratch in these rigs. I'm in the process of moving the tank out of the cab, but not for more room. It's just so there is more weight "out back" as compared to amidships. One thing I did do in my '67 is install a smaller steering wheel. It helped a lot. There are threads here on how to make your stock steering wheel smaller if you want to go that route.

[Steve Cole]

The main ways to gain more room that I know about are: 88-98 Chev/GMC 60/40 bench seat, collapse the steering column, smaller steering wheel, relocate the pedals, tilt steering, flat steering wheel, and turn it into a crew cab. I believe there are threads explaining how to do all of these here. (except maybe the crew cab mod) I'm only 5'10" and the cab is cramped for me, I couldn't imagine driving one of these trucks at 6'8"

You (or someone)should cut a bench seat down and relocate it so it tucks into the space where the gas tank was and do a thread showing everyone how to do it.

Good luck!

[Firedawg85]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

Does your windshield have the tint at the top? Compared to you, I'm only 6'2", but unless I'm slouching a little I end up looking through the tint at the road, which is kind of annoying... would be nice to sit a bit lower.

It doesnt thankfully, but my wifes old 05 dodge magnum did, as well as a sunroof. I had damn near a "gangsta lean" just to see straight, not to mention street lights...

[Firedawg85]

Thanks for all the great ideas and insight all, ill be looking into all these ideas.

[hugger6933]

I have since lost a hundred or so but I used to be right at 4 bills and 6 foot 2 inches. I added a tilt column to one of mine with a little smaller wheel and also collapsed it as far as it should go. The down side to that is it takes away some of the tilts effectiveness by shortening the lever effect. Also I had this in a 68 with buddy buckets so they may be a little different than what you normally deal with. Jim

[68shortwide]

Originally Posted by Firedawg85

It doesnt thankfully, but my wifes old 05 dodge magnum did, as well as a sunroof. I had damn near a "gangsta lean" just to see straight, not to mention street lights...

[Lees68GMC]

I'm 6'-2", 300 Lbs and I solved the problems you speak of by using 2002 S10 Blazer ZR2 bucket seats and then my buddy Tim installed them with cut down brackets so my line of sight is straight through the middle of the windshield. Also all the way back there is comfortable leg room. U-pickit seats $60.00 for the pair, full size Blazer center console E-bay $50.00 and vinyl paint.

[Firedawg85]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

The main ways to gain more room that I know about are: 88-98 Chev/GMC 60/40 bench seat, collapse the steering column, smaller steering wheel, relocate the pedals, tilt steering, flat steering wheel, and turn it into a crew cab. I believe there are threads explaining how to do all of these here. (except maybe the crew cab mod) I'm only 5'10" and the cab is cramped for me, I couldn't imagine driving one of these trucks at 6'8"



You (or someone)should cut a bench seat down and relocate it so it tucks into the space where the gas tank was and do a thread showing everyone how to do it.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice. Once I get the truck running a bit more cosistant, i will be looking into taller creature comforts, and of course, uploading pics.

The brake pedal is the worst part about it. I might have to get creative to tuck it back some.

[Jim53066]

firedawg,

The search is down right now, but when it gets back do a search on lower brake pedal.
Someone on the board lowered their pedal and I copied them and it worked great in my 65, your 72 should be the same unless it has power brakes.

Basically all I had to do was loosen the lock nuts on the brake pedal rod, screw the threaded rod into the adjuster coupling about 1/2 inch, and it lowered the brake pedal height by about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. All you have to do then is place a bolt (I used a carrage bolt) in the hole where the rubber pedal stopper was and take a rubber boot like you see on the feet of bar stools cut it down and glue it to the head of the stop bolt.

Make sure you adjust it so there is a little play before the pedal starts activating the brakes. (I left about 1/4 inch of play)Then adjust your brake light switch.

Jim

Search is back up, here is the link with pics.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516070

[Mapearso]

I am 6'5"

I have removed the gas tank and I am removing / cutting back the metal that sits above it so the seats will go further back. I am also shaving a couple inches out of the seat back foam

I've already modified the gas pedal and the brake pedal, moving them closer to the firewall to give more legroom

Tilt column on the way

I'm hoping all these things combined will give me more room.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by Mapearso

I am 6'5"

I have removed the gas tank and I am removing / cutting back the metal that sits above it so the seats will go further back. I am also shaving a couple inches out of the seat back foam

I've already modified the gas pedal and the brake pedal, moving them closer to the firewall to give more legroom

Tilt column on the way

I'm hoping all these things combined will give me more room.

Can you post some pics of your progress? I would like to see how you moved the pedals. Thanks.

[Mapearso]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

Can you post some pics of your progress? I would like to see how you moved the pedals. Thanks.

Pictures are here ...

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by Mapearso

Pictures are here ...

Here is the link to my thread about the back plate for more leg room which Mapearso is speaking of.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=660134

[Firedawg85]

Originally Posted by Jim53066

firedawg,

The search is down right now, but when it gets back do a search on lower brake pedal.
Someone on the board lowered their pedal and I copied them and it worked great in my 65, your 72 should be the same unless it has power brakes.

Basically all I had to do was loosen the lock nuts on the brake pedal rod, screw the threaded rod into the adjuster coupling about 1/2 inch, and it lowered the brake pedal height by about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. All you have to do then is place a bolt (I used a carrage bolt) in the hole where the rubber pedal stopper was and take a rubber boot like you see on the feet of bar stools cut it down and glue it to the head of the stop bolt.

Make sure you adjust it so there is a little play before the pedal starts activating the brakes. (I left about 1/4 inch of play)Then adjust your brake light switch.

Jim

Search is back up, here is the link with pics.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516070

Good find, this is a great, and cheap, way to help out. I'm going to give this a try before I start cutting into the seat...

I'm starting to wonder, maybe a suburban would have been a better choice...

[Firedawg85]

Oh my goodness, so much improvement in leg room! I dropped the pedal to damn near being level with the gas pedal, threw in a carriage bolt and it's like a whole new truck. For those of you looking to do the same, it's worth the time and effort. I also found out my truck was once a manual trans truck...well, at least the cab.

Thanks to all for your help. Next step is getting me further back in the cab.

[conman585]

Originally Posted by Firedawg85

Oh my goodness, so much improvement in leg room! I dropped the pedal to damn near being level with the gas pedal, threw in a carriage bolt and it's like a whole new truck. For those of you looking to do the same, it's worth the time and effort. I also found out my truck was once a manual trans truck...well, at least the cab.

Any Pics? How did you do it? Thanks

[Firedawg85]

Originally Posted by Jim53066

firedawg,

The search is down right now, but when it gets back do a search on lower brake pedal.
Someone on the board lowered their pedal and I copied them and it worked great in my 65, your 72 should be the same unless it has power brakes.

Basically all I had to do was loosen the lock nuts on the brake pedal rod, screw the threaded rod into the adjuster coupling about 1/2 inch, and it lowered the brake pedal height by about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. All you have to do then is place a bolt (I used a carrage bolt) in the hole where the rubber pedal stopper was and take a rubber boot like you see on the feet of bar stools cut it down and glue it to the head of the stop bolt.

Make sure you adjust it so there is a little play before the pedal starts activating the brakes. (I left about 1/4 inch of play)Then adjust your brake light switch.

Jim

Search is back up, here is the link with pics.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516070

Use this link at the bottom. Much better pics than mine....since I didn't really take any.

[jcblue]

Like stated above.. Find an 88-93 chevy or gmc bench.. Those sit deeper than the 94-98 models. Then remove the brackets and cut 2-3 inches out of the center of each bracket to drop it down closer to the floor.. I used the width of 2 inch masking tape as a guide.. Also mount the seat brackets in the valley between where the seat normally mounts.. I also removed the tank and can move the seat back giving more room.. The lower brackets let the seat back rest just below the hump under the rear glass..