Too tall - realistically what can I do?

[davepl]

So driving my truck yesterday for really the first time confirmed a worry I had. I'm tall, 6' 2", but short legs, so more like 6' 6" upper body.

My bucket seat is freshly refoamed.

My window has the optional tint across the top, and that's all I can see, I stare right through it. I have to dip my head down. I added tilt in large part because of this annoying driving position, but it doesn't solve the basic issue.

I could make seat brackets that didn't adjust and that sat 2-3" lower, but I'd have to do it for both sides to look even, and then the driver's seat would be locked in position that only I could drive the thing.

I could swap out the glass for non-tinted, which would give me a better view, but they have so much trouble doing glass in these that I'm afraid they'd break it and scratch paint, etc... just seems like a big risk to replace glass that's hard to replace on a fresh paint job.

Anyone have any obvious ideas I haven't thought of? I want it to become a driver, but it's got to be comfortable to be a driver.

[Coley]

Dave, I'd redo the seat brackets to lower yourself down if it was me.
Although I'm not that familiar with the seat bracketry I think that the manufacturing or modification should not be that difficult.
Is there room to 'cut out' a 2"-3" section out of the brackets vertical components? Or do you need to solve it a different way?
Any side pics of the brackets?
Coley

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by davepl

So driving my truck yesterday for really the first time confirmed a worry I had. I'm tall, 6' 2", but short legs, so more like 6' 6" upper body.

My bucket seat is freshly refoamed.

My window has the optional tint across the top, and that's all I can see, I stare right through it. I have to dip my head down. I added tilt in large part because of this annoying driving position, but it doesn't solve the basic issue.

I could make seat brackets that didn't adjust and that sat 2-3" lower, but I'd have to do it for both sides to look even, and then the driver's seat would be locked in position that only I could drive the thing.

I could swap out the glass for non-tinted, which would give me a better view, but they have so much trouble doing glass in these that I'm afraid they'd break it and scratch paint, etc... just seems like a big risk to replace glass that's hard to replace on a fresh paint job.

Anyone have any obvious ideas I haven't thought of? I want it to become a driver, but it's got to be comfortable to be a driver.

Seems like a lot of people go through this issue. Usually seems to be an issue with new 'firmer' foam on the bench seats, but I could see how the same thing could happen with a set of buckets. This is just my opion, but I'll tell you what I'd seriously consider doing if it were my truck. I would probably make a set of lower seat brackets for both seats. Switch them both over, then if over time your foam softens up a little, you could potentially always go back to the stock seat brackets.

I've never ownded one of these trucks with buckets, but it seems like most average height people seem to be able to drive the bench seat equiped trucks with the seat all of the way back. I've never adjusted the seat in one of my old trucks, even when someone else drove it and I always put them all of the way back. That is not to say that other's wouldn't need to.

My final thought is, how often are other people going to be driving your truck? will they have an issue driving it, if the seat is lowered. The anwer to that question might make the idea of making some shorter brackets a dead issue.

Good luck whatever you do, keep us updated.

[drewbert41]

Buckets is prob best bet.

Where did you get your cab lights?

[piecesparts]

You might try a Tea's Design seat. <any of theirs have a lower center in the foam seating area.

http://www.teasdesign.com/

[jeffahart]

I would try not to lower the seat. Get your seat out and sit in it with it lower. Your legs will have less bend, and will be less like a chair. My buddy had an old power wagon with a lower bench like that and it was uncomfortable. Anyhow, I found it uncomfortable. I would gamble the window and keep the comfort. But test it out.

Good luck.

[CC69Rat]

Later model bucket seat brackets are a couple inches lower than the earlier 69+ brackets. I am about 6'4" and learned the hard way about custom fabbed dropped brackets. .. it's not easy.

I'd watch the 73+ parts board to see if you can just swap them over. That's what I am using on mine.

[WarMonger]

I have heard a rumor, trying to confirm with pics. I heard of a guy, who knows a guy who cut the bottom of the cab and welded in drop channel, about 4" So it sits to the bottom of the frame. That let the seat pretty much hit the floor, but still able to be bolted in where the channel is low. trying to explain without pics is hard. Not sure the exact measurement, but that is what I heard. don't quote me.

[tommys72]

Sell it and get something bigger ! Haha I don't know if that was an obvious answer or not....clearly just a joke though

[Kennuck]

Change the windshield. Doesn't alter anything on the truck and no issue if you ever want to sell or want someone else to drive it.

[BugzC10]

Just a thought...go to an upholstery shop and see if they can reduce the seating surface height by a few inches and still keep the comfort without messing with the brackets or maybe a combination of both. They may have some other ideas.

[Mapearso]

Dave --

I am surprised you have a headroom and visibility problem. I am 6'6" with short legs and a long torso and I don't have any issues with this on either of my 1972s.

I'd second what a couple of people here suggested -- namely, some combination of
*non-tinted windshield
*lopping off some of the foam
*custom seat brackets to get you a little lower

I tend to remove the sunvisors also. I know it's not stock but it looks cleaner and I get a clearer sight line.

Hope this helps, I'm sure you'll sort it out

[Grumpy old man]

Didn't we have this discussion last month on how to cut down the seat foam ?

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Didn't we have this discussion last month on how to cut down the seat foam ?

There was mention of an electric turkey knife, but I don't know if cutting the foam is the way to go. It's a definite first step though.

I need to find an upholstery shop I can trust. I'm sick of doing my own and the shop I went to was garbage (changed hands, used to be good).

I think I'll do the foam as the first shot, and failing that, look into the 73 brackets, and failing that, custom brackets.

I doubt (from memory) that modifying the brackets to section them and take height out of them is easy - they're curved and so on. I think a non-adjustable replica of the passenger side would be easier.

Thanks for all of the input!

[FirstOwner69]

Personally, I'd dump the windshield with the shaded band across the top. These trucks never came with that type of glass. The optional tinted glass was just the overall light green tint. My 2015 Silverado LTZ is the same way as were my 2002 and 2006.

[frenchy51]

Only way out is to sell it to me. I'm only 6'
sorry-couldn't resist.....
as others have said-cut down on foam and forget the upper tint. I just had my son's stock seat redone and cut down on the foam-he's 6'4" (and long waisted) and he can wear a cowboy hat without hitting. Bench seat though-

[davepl]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Personally, I'd dump the windshield with the shaded band across the top. These trucks never came with that type of glass. The optional tinted glass was just the overall light green tint. My 2015 Silverado LTZ is the same way as were my 2002 and 2006.

I was wondering about that - I put the blue top tint in because that's what the original owner had in it when I got it. I should go look at the date code, I still have that glass!

[Sicklajoie]

Cut down the seat and slouch when you sit.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by davepl

I was wondering about that - I put the blue top tint in because that's what the original owner had in it when I got it. I should go look at the date code, I still have that glass!

I also put the shaded top glass in my truck, but I'm only 5' 6" with short legs. It was cheaper. It appears your band goes about 1" lower than mine which could be quite significant.

Here's a picture of my original foam and upholstery seats for comparison. Only thing done to them was to replace some of the bolster vinyl.

[leddzepp]

Make it a roadster

[davepl]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Make it a roadster

I had a Mustang convertible once that I had to trade in because when driving I was basically looking at the top of the windshield frame... very familiar!

But I guess they -do- detail the Blazer roof cuts in the assembly manual if I get hardcore...

[davepl]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

I also put the shaded top glass in my truck, but I'm only 5' 6" with short legs. It was cheaper. It appears your band goes about 1" lower than mine which could be quite significant.

Here's a picture of my original foam and upholstery seats for comparison. Only thing done to them was to replace some of the bolster vinyl.

The seats look a little flatter than mine, but maybe an inch or two at most. Of course each inch or two helps...

My tinted band is more like 5" tall, and even on the old (but not original) one it was only half that.

Time for a windshield thread, methinks...

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Didn't we have this discussion last month on how to cut down the seat foam ?

A quick way to accomplish this would be to fart on the seat and light a match! Or if your out of matches a simple small fart will do, then let the dog sit in the truck for a while!

I had a dog that chewed out my seat once. When I would come back to the truck he would be rolled in there like a little sleeping cubby!

Just kidding, your truck looks awesome! My Engine Guy likes to call me "Cracker!"

[gottattooz]

I'm 6"5' and I have the same issue. Bucket seats make my knees stick up like I'm sitting on the floor. The bench seat wasn't comfortable art all. I put 99 Silverado seats in my 68. They're comfortable, but tall. In the daytime, I don't notice as much, but at night, the tinted band on the windshield is a hindrance. I'm always ducking down to see under it. Seems like a clear windshield is the obvious choice for me. That extra couple inches at the top of the glass didn't make a difference in any other vehicle I've ever owned, but I'm guessing these trucks weren't built with taller people in mind.

-Josh

[Bigdav160]

and failing that, look into the 73 brackets, and failing that, custom brackets.

I think you'll find '73 and up bracket taller. I wouldn't modify original bucket brackets as they have quite a bit of value.

I think you could modify bench seat brackets (there are a couple threads on this) to gain a couple inches of head room.