howdy guys,

the fact that mitsu haven't put a simple reach feature into the steering wheel drives me absolutely nuts.. imo this is something all cars should come with standard.

wasn't a problem with the old verada as it had over assisted power steering (great for lazies like me :D ) but with the vrx i hav to move the seat pretty far forward to be able to handle the steering properly - makes driving the car for more than arnd 15 mins pretty damn uncomfortable.

is there any way to bring the steering wheel towards you in these cars? i'd prefer to get it done professionally but don't even know where to start, as typical mechanics wouldn't do this type of work. but if theres a fairly simple mod some genius :P can think of, i wouldn't mind giving it a go...

a boss kit and a different steering wheel

a hot rod supply shop may have examples

you could ask an engineer about
getting the steering shaft lengthened at a welding fabricator

edit for : doddski : add another collapsable section for example :D

or look at seat options

being over 6 foot tall - and most of that height is in my legs (i have short arms in comparison apparently!), i have to have the seat a fair way back, and then drop the wheel as low as it tilts - but where i can still read the guages and dont kill my knees in the process.

i agree tho, tilt AND reach should become standard for mitsu now - i know the VZ calais had tilt and reach.
trouble with that tho.. is if more than one person drives your car, and moves everything, its more to move back to your liking/comfort and its never right.

i wouldnt have thought that cutting and the lengthening the steering shaft would get passed by an engineer - because arnt the steering colums colapsable so they dont impale you in the event of a frontal colision.
might depend how much you get it lengthened to the willingness of an engineer to sign off on it?
(dont quote me if im wrong on that one though)

thanks for the ideas guys,

i'd prefer to keep the stock steering wheel as i don't want to lose the airbag.

will have to try and track down a place that can lengthen the steering column then - suggestions anyone? i live in sydney...

sit more upright.

Agreed. I have my seat base moved back for leg room but the backrest more upright to compensate for the lack of reach adjustability in the steering wheel.

sit more upright.

already do - i don't drive in a sleeping position like some of the rice racers out there :P

I can't understand all these small guys having problems reaching the steering wheel :nuts:

my VW has tilt and reach, I have to put it all the way forward for a comfortable driving position.

maybe you should move the seat forward so you're closer to it?

cheers,
.wook

i have the same prob as you tall guys (being tallish myself) if i sit close enough to allow proper control of the wheel, i and up with knees around my ears. and i also try lowering the wheel too, but end up not being able to see the dials. now i am only 184cm, so i am no giant. surely there is a solution to this. I too prefer to sit up straight too, so i am stuck as to what to do.

i have the same prob as you tall guys (being tallish myself) if i sit close enough to allow proper control of the wheel, i and up with knees around my ears. and i also try lowering the wheel too, but end up not being able to see the dials. now i am only 184cm, so i am no giant. surely there is a solution to this. I too prefer to sit up straight too, so i am stuck as to what to do.

shorty!
im pretty much dead on 200cm tall!

i think with magnas its more set it to as best as possible - but it will never be right on where it realistically needs to be..

i drop the height of the seat back, tilt the base back, bring foreward the upright/seatback and have the seat where my legs and arms can reach.
not the best - but i have to make do.

shorty!
im pretty much dead on 200cm tall!

who are you to call some one short? 205 FTW!!

I've never really had a problem fitting into the magna. the VW on the other hand...

cheers,
.wook

Well, I once tried raising the seat base so that I could have it closer to the steering wheel but also have enough room for my legs as they wouldn't have to stretch out (more van like driving position). Then I tilted the steering wheel upwards so that i could see the dials without obstruction. Whilst I found it kind of odd, I could easily reach the steering wheel, rest my arm on the window sill and see the entire bonnet which would be good for parking I guess. The only problem I could forsee for some would be their head touching the roof. I am 183cm and I didn't touch the roof though. Another thing you could do is perhaps tilt the front of the seat base up and that can raise your legs giving them more room. Then you could move the seat base forward a bit.

being 'short' is varied..

someone might have short legs, or short arms, torso..

2 ppl the same height might have different lenght body parts

depending on which one of these is the reason for the shortness, they would need a different seating and steering wheel position.

so ill assume 'raven' might have shorter arms/torso and the leg length isnt the problem. so havin the seat further back is needed and is not having issues with reaching the wheel?

my solution, bone lengthening. Breaking off small sections of the bone, separating them by a small amount and allowing them to heal/join back up. About 7-9months of agonising pain, and you will be a couple of inches closer to the steering wheel!

why would Mitsubishi install a useless "reach adjustment" when we can simply do the above

my solution, bone lengthening. Breaking off small sections of the bone, separating them by a small amount and allowing them to heal/join back up. About 7-9months of agonising pain, and you will be a couple of inches closer to the steering wheel!

why would Mitsubishi install a useless "reach adjustment" when we can simply do the above

sounds like the film Gattaca lol

who are you to call some one short? 205 FTW!!

I've never really had a problem fitting into the magna. the VW on the other hand...

cheers,
.wook

:bowrofl: :bowrofl:
YAY - im not the tallest, can we meet - i wanna be able to look UP to someone for a change!
lol

Ultimate answer might be to rebolster the seat. Its really the only thing you can modify easily. it took me ages to adjust the seat to where it is nearly alright. and even then if it were lower to the floor it would be better. The mirror is right in my line of sight too if I sit really upright. a good trimmer could easily rework the foam to suit.
Remember when the TL came out and they said they increased rear seat legroom - they scalloped out the back of the front seats, brilliant!

yeah the front seats in the TL could definitely be a LOT better... i'm not certain what the fabric seats are like, but the leather ones could do with a lot of improvement :rant:

the ones that come on the GTVs look good though... might keep an eye out if those become available at a wrecker somewhere. or if any of you GTV boys wanna put recaro buckets in your car and need to sell your seats... i'll buy em :)