Were there any tall people who drove a WWII jeep?

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial WWII field mods NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
Andy Cole
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Were there any tall people who drove a WWII jeep?

Post by Andy Cole » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:52 am

Hello all,


Without having to endure any sarcastic "get shorter" or "lose weight" comments. I would like to know how in the world someone 6 feet 2 inches tall and 250+ pounds is supposed to drive my 1943 MB?

Was there a period correct way of moving or adjusting the seat? Obviously the pedals and steering wheel are not going anywhere.

If there are no mechanical solutions I guess I WILL have to modify myself.

I have not had this jeep long, and when I got it was already disassembled. I am currently restoring it a piece at the time and putting it back together. I have recently come to the unpleasant realization that you have to either be a pretty little fellow or a contortionist to get in and drive the thing.

Are there any constructive and open minded suggestions?


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Post by Chuck Lutz » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:02 am

Being a little over 6' 4" tall myself (1,94 cm I think) and about 210 lbs, I feel your pain....first off, if you can set the clutch and brake pedals LOWER, that will help a LOT! On the Ford pedals there are TWO notches you can set the pedal height on the arm with.

That extra inch will be helpful....also, forget about combat boots....any shoe or boot with a WIDE sole is hard to get on the clutch without hanging up on the FE or the brake...

Beyond that, you can get a driver's seat that is modified with a back that is further to the rear if you torch out a hunk of the wheel well....neither of which I would do.....but LONG rides do bring about some stiffness and some sore legs!
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Post by illustr8r » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:33 am

Never seemed as though creature comfort or ergonomics were "A" items.

Regardless of stature, hitting the dimmer's a trick without knocking your extinguisher loose.

Have seen smaller dia. steering wheels buy some belly room, which might be worth considering in tandem with an airborne quick release / full-sized alt. wheel on standby.

Not that I have a problem with the stock wheel dimensions personally. :)

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Post by Gazzaw » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:39 am

Any suppliers of these smaller dia wheels as I am in same boat (thats what is wrong it should be a jeep lol) and don't want to cut body away etc

Even better if there was one in UK

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Post by Andy Cole » Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:01 pm

There's an idea! Does anyone make a smaller steering wheel? That may be useful info. My wheel is in wonderful shape though. Original with no cracks.

I have also seen the fender well cut out, but I do not want to do that.

I think my pedals have two notches as well. I'll have to check.

Seems like I have a mission now. If anyone knows of a smaller wheel let me know. If I find one, I'll post it here.

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Post by Glen » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:00 pm

The multiple notches in the pedals is a good thing. You could modify a set with a rat tail file easily enough.

I saw a jeep with a small steering wheel. It was a modified original steel spoke wheel with electrical tape to cover the sectioning splices. You could do the same thing with an old or repo wheel and use JB Weld, paint and even a steering wheel wrap to cover up your handy work.

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Post by dick dobs » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:41 pm

Chuck, what about cutting the steering wheel column back a few inches. Is this at all possible? I'm 6'-1" 260 pounds. Although, I'm about a few years from getting my MB in the road this subject is very much on my mind also.



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Post by Chuck Lutz » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:27 pm

Dick...while I can see where shortening the steering column would benefit those who are heavier than a 19-year old 135lb GI.....my own belief that modifications are a sin keeps me from doing that to my jeep!

You can remove the steering box/column (and rebuild the box and the draglink) and at the same time have the wormgear shaft shortened and then shorten the tube the same length and that will work.

I would suggest that before trying to replace the steering wheel....that can be seen as a non-matching item 20 feet away, but a shortened column will not be quite so obvious.

The guys with bent back seats and cut up wheelwells chose another option.
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Post by Mark Tombleson » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:49 pm

dick dobs wrote:Chuck, what about cutting the steering wheel column back a few inches. Is this at all possible? I'm 6'-1" 260 pounds. Although, I'm about a few years from getting my MB in the road this subject is very much on my mind also.

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dick dobs
Don't tell anyone about how someone got his jeep on the cover of Army Motors, came in 2nd in restored class at Portland and still manages to get his fat body into the driver's seat and drive around. 1-3/4" is about right.

Ah... I don't know nothing about any stinking modifications as my jeep is perfect in every way. :roll:

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Post by Bob at Warsaw » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:03 pm

Andy
Get in touch with Tom at Flatfenders Restorations I
belive that he can solve your problem
Take care
Bob




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Post by tsornes » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:16 pm

The norwegian army has measured height of recruits since 1705. In 1925 the average height was 172cm. In 1940 - 174cm and 1985 and up 179-180cm. Over 100 years the average heigh has increase 10cm or 4 inches. So since 1940 til now average height has incresed by 2 inches. These numbers are from norwegians.

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Post by ozm29c » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:40 pm

Andy,
Here is a way that I overcame the problem for a fellow years ago. Effectively I increased the size of the Steering colum dash recess. Attached is a photo. Disregard the RHD conversion. The same principle applies for LHD. The owner was a tall fellow as well. He was more than happy with the modification. Good luck with whatever method you choose.
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Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:34 am

I believe General Mark Clark was 6'5" and is seen in many photos riding in his Jeep with one foot resting on the fender.
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Post by Glen » Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:59 am

Nice job on that dash notching, looks good! The steering column will easily tilt up to meet that and no modifications to the rest of the steering system are needed.

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Post by Minnhawk » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:43 am

Andy: I go 6'2" and 235. A year ago I was 260. One of the reasons for the diet was so I wouldn't die young (56), the other was so I fit in a jeep better. No snide remarks, but it can be done without too much work.

I am still 6'2" and I like it.....my feet reach the ground just fine and I am used to the view at this elevation. Here is the best fix I've seen without chopping the body or going with a dune buggy wheel:

http://www.1945gpw.com/Driverchair.asp

If you do not have the welding expertise for the seat modification, I doubt if the local welding shop would charge too much for doing it.

Otherwise, do what many HMV big boys do, and buy a DODGE. I love the comfort of my Command car........
Last edited by Minnhawk on Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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