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03-23-2007, 09:47 PM | #1 |
Resident Redneck
Drives: 07 Polar White Yaris Sedan 5M Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Cumming, GA
Posts: 265
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This is going to be interesting.....steering column modification.
Alrighty, I discussed (briefly) on here a couple weeks ago the thought of finding a way to add some length to the steering column of our Yarii. Some of us have long legs, and end up rather uncomfortably reaching for the steering wheel.
Wellllllllllllllllllllllll......I have a few friends that have been doing custom fab and tricky electronics work for quite a while. One is a machinist for Panoz Racing (think LeMans/Esperante), the second a CAD/D designer for Penske Racing (think NASCAR and INDY), and the third a Master Lexus Diagnostic Technician with 25+ years of Toyota experience. I've got these guys to join in on my project- we're going to attempt to design and manufacture a "spacer" for the steering column that will extend it approximately 2-3" and still allow for the factory steering wheel and airbag to be used- the spacer will probably end up looking like a MOMO hub adapter with an internal, extension plug-and-play harness for the airbag. This will not be an overnight thing- I'll probably be driving back and forth a few times between Braselton, GA and Charlotte, NC (my car will be the guinea pig), and there will be some considerable time needed to do the R&D, drawings, machining/wiring, and testing, and then doing it all over again because we're not happy with it- it happens. Anyhoo, is there even any interest here? I can't be the only long-legged freak!
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My other rides: 2003 Honda Civic LX Coupe 5M- S/C K24 w/ LSD coming soon! 1999 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5M w/ B18 powaa 1985 Toyota Celica GTS Coupe 5M- track whip http://www.importlounge.com Last edited by Moose; 03-23-2007 at 10:06 PM. |
03-23-2007, 09:56 PM | #2 |
Banned
Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: OH
Posts: 7,787
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Will it allow for adjustment or be a set spacer?
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03-23-2007, 10:05 PM | #3 |
Resident Redneck
Drives: 07 Polar White Yaris Sedan 5M Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Cumming, GA
Posts: 265
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At this point we're looking at just a set spacer- adjustability would, more than likely, mean tampering with the original steering column, which is something we are trying to avoid. We're trying to create a "non-interference" part that has no effect on other vehicle systems if we had to remove it, and, more importantly, on the factory safety equipment. Something else we had to consider is the material of the [collapsible] steering column, which is almost impossible to weld safely. The idea we have come up with appears to be the easiest and safest way to do this. We're open for ideas, though!
Note- I just had to edit the first post because I was reprimanded for calling it "CAD" instead of CAD/D. Computer geeks.
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My other rides: 2003 Honda Civic LX Coupe 5M- S/C K24 w/ LSD coming soon! 1999 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5M w/ B18 powaa 1985 Toyota Celica GTS Coupe 5M- track whip http://www.importlounge.com |
03-23-2007, 10:08 PM | #4 |
Banned
Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: OH
Posts: 7,787
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If not allowing for adjustment, I would suggest (mind you suggest, you don't tell me how to build my parts and I won't tell you how to build yours) making the spacer modest. 2-3" sounds like a pretty drastic change, although I guess I would have to sit in the car and see where that would bring things. Also, price is a HUGE factor with something like this because people are rarely willing to pay big bucks for something that offers little more than added convenience. Keep it cheap and I think you could be onto something.
Hey, while you're down there see if you can get the steering wheel to come down a bit more too. I feel like Snoop with one hand on the wheel because it is so HIGH. |
03-23-2007, 10:15 PM | #5 | |
Resident Redneck
Drives: 07 Polar White Yaris Sedan 5M Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Cumming, GA
Posts: 265
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It is- that's my selfishness, though- I prefer to be waaaay up on the wheel- I may tone it down a bit, though- even 1 or 1.5" would make a huge difference.
Quote:
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My other rides: 2003 Honda Civic LX Coupe 5M- S/C K24 w/ LSD coming soon! 1999 Honda Civic EX Coupe 5M w/ B18 powaa 1985 Toyota Celica GTS Coupe 5M- track whip http://www.importlounge.com |
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03-24-2007, 12:37 AM | #6 |
Banned
Drives: LB Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: OH
Posts: 7,787
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OK. I'm listening.
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03-24-2007, 12:44 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2005 Scion xB Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Black Hills of South Dakota
Posts: 1,059
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100% interested!!! 2 inches back would be nice, tilted a little lower, even better. I WILL buy one of these if you make it look factory clean.
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03-24-2007, 01:10 AM | #8 |
Lonesome Cowboy
Drives: 2007 WHITE HATCHBACK Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Inner City, Dallas
Posts: 2,995
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There is some interest here too.
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03-24-2007, 01:27 AM | #9 |
Who said Yaris was slow?
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03-25-2007, 10:54 PM | #10 |
Drives: 2005 Scion xB Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Black Hills of South Dakota
Posts: 1,059
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BUMP... We need more support for this mod.
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03-26-2007, 08:34 AM | #11 |
Drives: 07 Yaris LB Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NY/NJ
Posts: 138
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Definitely interested for the 3 inches closer design.
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07 Yaris Liftback (Commuter Car) PWR Cold Weather Convience PKG'S Keyless Entry Rear Spolier Rear Bumper Protector Exhaust Tip Mud Guards OBX Sport Pedals Factory Alloys JDM Leather Shift Knob JDM Door Edge Guards 06 Civic Ex w/Navi (Other Car) 04 BMW 330 XI (Traded in) 03 VW Jetta GLX VR6 (gave to Dad) 01 Civic EX (gave to Mom) |
03-26-2007, 12:52 PM | #12 |
Sounds good on this end since I suffer fromt he same problem. 2 inches would be a great improvement. I am wondering however, will this make the car undriveable by people with short legs? My GF is 5'1".
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03-26-2007, 02:33 PM | #13 |
Drives: '07 Yaris Sedan Barcelona Red Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Georgia,USA
Posts: 94
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Interest from one more "long legged freak"
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03-26-2007, 04:41 PM | #14 |
Drives: 07 Yaris LB, 70 Mach 1, 84 5.0 Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Atl, GA
Posts: 139
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I'd be interested in this, it would be nice to have the wheel closer.
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03-26-2007, 07:20 PM | #15 |
Lonesome Cowboy
Drives: 2007 WHITE HATCHBACK Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Inner City, Dallas
Posts: 2,995
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I want one of these now. I am really irritated with the position of the sterring wheel. Now I can't stop think about it when I'm driving. I drove my friends Matrix this weekend and it just felt more right in the cockpit. I still really like this car but something must be done about the steering wheel.
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03-27-2007, 04:28 AM | #16 |
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I just want it to telescope :)
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03-28-2007, 09:55 AM | #17 |
Drives: Small and Black Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 63
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I'm interested in this setup
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06-18-2007, 01:26 AM | #18 |
vroom vroom
Drives: lil red 5-door Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 7,744
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has any progress been made on this?
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