Desperately need more leg room!! 1963 SWB

[Bob Dobalina]

Okay, this is my first post! Thanks for the great forum!! I have been reading on here a bunch and searched to find everything that I have needed so far....

I just want some opinions and advice on what I should do....I am pretty tall at 6'8" and around 225lbs - I just found out that I am getting a 63 FJ45 SWB with a non-removable top. The truck is still about 500 miles away for another few weeks so I can't get in there to start brainstorming. I thought I would check with you all since there is so much experience here!!!

What can I do to add as much leg room as I can? I am open to any options or advice here!! I know a FJ40 would be better suited, but this is the truck that I have for now...

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[whitey45]

Bob, I hate to say this but you will never fit in a shorty.I am 6'2' and was not comfortable.I have been driving a lwb 45 for 10 years and it is ok once you get used to it.I think 5'10'' is the limit for non removable shortys.I am sure others will chime in.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Bob, I hate to say this but you will never fit in a shorty.I am 6'2' and was not comfortable.I have been driving a lwb 45 for 10 years and it is ok once you get used to it.I think 5'10'' is the limit for non removable shortys.I am sure others will chime in.

Thanks alot for the quick reply. I would like to make this work somehow, if possible.....I pretty much ended up with the truck from a family member otherwise I would be looking for a FJ40. I do love this truck though, I wish I was shorter FOR THE ONLY REASON BEING AUTOMOTIVE RELATED

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Only quick answer I can think of to assist with the room issue. .
1.. have the drivers seat rebuilt with some sort of "bucket" that would drop you down and into the seat.. That might give you an inch or 2.. seat foam is pretty thick
2. you will probably have to do a tilt/telescopic steering wheel otherwise you'll be able to steer with your belly.
3. Look at mudrak's truck for ideas.. he has buckets in his. if you go oem you will not be all that happy.
I'm 5'11" and BARELY fit in the shorty fixed top.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Only quick answer I can think of to assist with the room issue. .
1.. have the drivers seat rebuilt with some sort of "bucket" that would drop you down and into the seat.. That might give you an inch or 2.. seat foam is pretty thick
2. you will probably have to do a tilt/telescopic steering wheel otherwise you'll be able to steer with your belly.
3. Look at mudrak's truck for ideas.. he has buckets in his. if you go oem you will not be all that happy.
I'm 5'11" and BARELY fit in the shorty fixed top.

I knew this would be an issue....I think the seats, steering wheel/tilt would be a good place to start. I will check out mudraks truck right now. Thanks again for the input!!

 

[1tontoy]

I'm 5'11" and even a 45LWB is too uncomfortable for a 15 minute drive...my hips and knees start to cramp up....so I sold all my 45LWB's.

45 pickups are cool as hell, but they are very, very uncomfortable to me....A fixed top 45 has a smaller cab than a 45LWB or removable top SWB, IIRC....

 

[Bob Dobalina]

This is not a tall mans toy! Sounds like the best possible way is a lot of extensive work to modify the cab or replace the cab with a chopped up FJ40 cab....I didn't want to deface this truck much....it's so rare!!

 

[rockcod]

You can always sell the 45 and buy yourself a 40. Depending on the condition of the 45 you will have cash to dump into a 40. Just a thought.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Just wanted to post some pictures...

 

[Bob Dobalina]

You can always sell the 45 and buy yourself a 40. Depending on the condition of the 45 you will have cash to dump into a 40. Just a thought.

If it comes down to being practical, then this may be in her future...

 

[DomSmith]

You can always sell the 45 and buy yourself a 40. Depending on the condition of the 45 you will have cash to dump into a 40. Just a thought.

I agree with Tony. These 45's are great. I love 'em, but I'm 5'10" and I tolerate my SWB because I love it. If you want a cruiser that's comfortable, then sell what you have and get a 40 (which still might be a tight fit). You won't ever be comfortable in the 45 in my opinion. If you want some proof to help your decision, take out the front seat and stack a bucket or other ghetto fabulous fake seat that has no back and climb in. I'll venture to guess you won't be comfortable even with your back against the rear wall.

Realize that what you have is rare and should have better value than a comparable 40... unless the buyer is another 6'8" guy...

Good luck.

EDIT: By the way, great looking 45.

 

[landcrusher909]

It can be done without to many mods You just have to be alittle nuts depending on how far you want to drive.

 

[a.greenspan]

Modifiying (cut) your steering wheel columne and a smaller steering wheel would bring some room, but than you would need a power steering and your driver seat must come down to the bottom.
A neigbour of us drives such a sweet little frogeye
Length 3,480 mm (137.0 in)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin-Healey_Sprite#cite_note-BritishCars-1 Width 1,346 mm (53.0 in)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin-Healey_Sprite#cite_note-BritishCars-1 Height 47.25 in (1,200 mm
http://iulianbaciu.com/poze/Frogeye-Sprite.jpg

since more than 15 years always in summer he is 6'3" tall but slim
Good luck with your swb, hope you can fix it to your purpose, would try it.
Cheers
Peter

 

[Bob Dobalina]

I agree with Tony. These 45's are great. I love 'em, but I'm 5'10" and I tolerate my SWB because I love it. If you want a cruiser that's comfortable, then sell what you have and get a 40 (which still might be a tight fit). You won't ever be comfortable in the 45 in my opinion. If you want some proof to help your decision, take out the front seat and stack a bucket or other ghetto fabulous fake seat that has no back and climb in. I'll venture to guess you won't be comfortable even with your back against the rear wall.

Realize that what you have is rare and should have better value than a comparable 40... unless the buyer is another 6'8" guy...

Good luck.

EDIT: By the way, great looking 45.

Hey thanks for the input and wisdom!! I think you are on the right track here.....I will probably have to end up selling or trading this FJ45 due to the comfort issue....I would never want a vehicle I couldn't drive and enjoy Thanks again!!

It can be done without to many mods You just have to be alittle nuts depending on how far you want to drive.

Hey that sounds like me, a little nuts What do I need to do?

Modifiying (cut) your steering wheel columne and a smaller steering wheel would bring some room, but than you would need a power steering and your driver seat must come down to the bottom.
A neigbour of us drives such a sweet little frogeye
Length 3,480 mm (137.0 in) Width 1,346 mm (53.0 in) Height 47.25 in (1,200 mm

since more than 15 years always in summer he is 6'3" tall but slim
Good luck with your swb, hope you can fix it to your purpose, would try it.
Cheers
Peter

I am hoping to make this work somehow. Thanks for stopping by and for the input.

 

[a.greenspan]

Lotus guy .... same problem a bit too tall
Tall Guy Seat Mod Plan :Tall Guy Seat Mod Plan - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community
Some modify their pedals too, so they have the legroom they need.
Nothing is impossible ... need time some ideas and a bit $$
Cheers
Peter

 

[45Kevin]

I have a 45lwb and am around 5"11. I used to be 6' but...aging.

I have driven my truck for 8 hours straight and find that if I sit up higher it is more comfotable. There is lots of headroom in these trucks. The problem with sitting higher is the steering wheel. But it works for me.

I can also get my seat back one notch further if I push it back with the back in the down position.

Looks like a nice truck, I hope you can work something out.

 

[kellyo]

You can have knee replacement surgery and have an extra 8 to 10 inches removed. It's a little desperate but a thought. tee hee

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Yea this is pretty frustrating. I love this truck and Landcruisers in general. The biggest concern I have is that this truck is a 63 - I have not found any 63's for sale....they are all 64+ - As I mentioned I don't want to hack this classic up and that seems like the only practical way to get plenty of cabin space...Thanks again everyone for their input.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

You can have knee replacement surgery and have an extra 8 to 10 inches removed. It's a little desperate but a thought. tee hee

So funny, I guess we are never happy...when you're around 5' you want to be 6' and when you're 6' you wanna be 5' - lol.....It's always too hot or too cold

 

[whitey45]

Bob, I wouldnt cut into that truck,appears to be really clean and unmolested,definately rare these days.When they built these there must not have been anyone at the factory over 5'7''.These trucks are rare ,but most people deem the short non removable top,not as desirable,due to the lack of cabin space.If you are short ,they are the coolest truck ever!I would look for an extended cab 45 or a troopy!