Better brake pedal for long legged kid!

[olskool68]

We've installed discs up front and I purchased a dual master cylinder BUT before I cut open the plastic, is there a better solution to getting my long legged kid to not hit his knees having to move his foot so high to reach the brake pedal? The steering wheel and seat are original.

I've seen pedals for power brakes that mount to the firewall and frame mounts for manual brakes. What's better guys and gals?

[nvrdone]

I'm long legged too. I'm thinking you are talking about the stock pedal & under floor mounted m/c.
If so, I cut the pad mount off, shortened the shaft bt 2" and re welded it. Works great
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[olskool68]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

I'm long legged too. I'm thinking you are talking about the stock pedal & under floor mounted m/c.
If so, I cut the pad mount off, shortened the shaft bt 2" and re welded it. Works great
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I thought about doing this, of course would be the cheapest way. My only concern would be if I can't get enough travel. It is the stock setup, except it'll be a dual master cylinder. How far are you from the floor board when you apply full pressure?

[_Ogre]

i'm 6'4'' aka the shortest male in my family
i also have gimpy legs. i cut off 3.5'' with an underfloor hydroboost.
a smaller wheel with a tilt column also helps with long legs.
works great

[mr48chev]

What seat have you got in that truck? that may be a high percentage of the problem.

The seat cushion may be wrong for him to fit or the leanback may be too thick for him to sit right in the truck. With some car seats and some of the high end late model truck seats you loose quite a bit of leg room due to the seat taking up so much space. I had a 56 GMC at the house for a long time that had belonged to a family of skinny short guys and one of them had put a Lincoln town car seat in it that looked ok but anyone over 5/6" and 160 lbs couldn't drive the truck comfortably.

The factory floor mounted pedals will only come up as high as the pedal arm lets them originally. Swapping master cylinders won't raise the height of the pedal over what the stock height was. Think about it a bit, it can't physically happen As the bumper on the pedal arm hit the floorboard with the stock mc and it will hit now with the replacement.

[olskool68]

My concern isn't the pedal coming up higher, its how to make it lower while keeping the stock interior. Looks like shaving the arm down may be the answer. Thanks for all the input folks.
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[Wrenchbender Ret]

Ive cut some off of every one that ive had. It makes it more comfortable to drive & looks better as it matches the clutch. If you need that last 1/4 in of master cyl travel you are already in deep stuff.

[_Ogre]

to add to my post, i also raised the seat 1.5 inches above the stock seat.
i still have a couple inches of pedal with the brake pedal pressed

[Coach529]

I have always thought have the pedal lower would ease the transisition between throttle and braking.....

[mr48chev]

I thought your seat looked a bit higher than a stock seat.

The later model seat in my 71 sits a bit higher than the stock seat did and as I am long bodied and short legged it makes my 5'10" standing height look like 6'6" sitting in the truck

[olskool68]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

to add to my post, i also raised the seat 1.5 inches above the stock seat.
i still have a couple inches of pedal with the brake pedal pressed

I believe this is the winner! My kiddo looked like he had plenty of headroom anyway so we had kicked that idea around. Chop the pedal, raise the seat...fine tune from there! Thanks Ogre

[_Ogre]

my son, at 6'7'' (and still not the tallest ogre family member) has an 68 elcamino
he gets in it by putting his leg over the steering column

lot's of headroom in these trucks, raise the seat
i've always had a task force truck since i was 14
stock worked when i was young too