Move brake pedal closer to floor

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

The brake system was engineered with a safety margin and there are specs that require a certain amount of pedal clearance from the floor. So you're probably getting ready to mess with those specs.

With that said you certainly need to consider that these trucks were just designed for short people, and people are significantly taller now. I'm 5'10" and too tall for the truck as designed. It seems obvious the design engineers back in the 60s were about 5'2" or shorter to fit comfortably in their own design. If you have to do tricks with your legs just to press the pedal that causes a safety problem that requires you to re-engineer.

Steeveedee's suggestion of cut and weld the lever seems like a good idea. I would probably weld into the lever a Z-shape section and make really sure it is a good solid weld and possibly bolt on a stout metal reinforcment plate. Maintain some clearance between the fully depressed brake pedal and the floor.

I wonder if anybody has cut out a section of firewall and extended it into the engine compartment to get more leg room.

Brakes in a 1/2T are the same size as Cadillacs. Cadillacs have the brake pedal closer to the floor like just about every other automobile. I can see a truck with a clutch having a longer throw, and matching the brake pedal height to that. Spec for brake application is something like 3/8" before they engage. I have front disc brakes (now) and self-adjusting rear brakes. I replaced everything when I did the disc brake install, and everything in the rear brakes too. The pedal barely moves (3/8" or so) and the brakes are applied. Hard on them, the pedal moves maybe 3/4".

I went and measured the distance from the brake lever to the floor. It's right at 4". 2" could be easily taken out of that, if needed. That wouldn't require modification of the existing brake configuration. YMMV

How far off the floor is the brake pedal in a car? 4" may be the case, which means extending the cab floor could be an option. I ain't doing that. Fact is, I ain't moving the pedal, as it is. I barely fit from steering wheel to pedal, as it is though. Tall people (I'm 5'-9") have it tough, though.