I NEED to Figure a Way to Get More Front Seat Leg Room

[msmitka]

Still lovin' the Yaris, now with a whopping 600 miles on it, but I have to say:
I'm no young guy (53). I've been buying cars all my life. But, somehow, on the test drive I missed the fact that it would be nice to have that extra 2" of rear-ward seat travel. Now, that's not to say my legs/knees are hitting the steering wheel, but it's close, and quite frankly, it's my screw-up entirely for paying more attention to headroom than to leg room. In any case, I guess there are two solutions:

1) Finding a shop that will move the entire rail/seat system back a few inches.
2) Replacing the front seats with something that sits lower, and perhaps differently on the rails.

So, having read a few threads, I haven't really hit upon a "this worked perfectly" solution. Any recommendations? Does anyone know a shop here in Southeastern PA that would be capable of doing such a thing at a reasonable price? (moving the seat/rails).

Any other solutions are welcome as well.

Thanks folks!

Mark

[2+2]

I had the same problem when I first bought the car and found that leaning the seat back just one click made all the difference in the world. Maybe you're taller than me though and need a more radical fix. I'm 6'2" and if I were any taller I'd definitely have a problem.

[Yaris Hilton]

I'm 6'3" with a 34" inseam, and was able to find a position that works. Don't lean the seat back, that puts your legs forward and crowds them. Get the seat in its lowest position (which is still quite high) and sit up nearly as straight as you can without putting your head against the ceiling, with the steering wheel all the way up. Sort of the minivan driving position. Works for me. I wish the ceiling was as high as the Echo's!

[2+2]

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

I'm 6'3" with a 34" inseam, and was able to find a position that works. Don't lean the seat back, that puts your legs forward and crowds them. Get the seat in its lowest position (which is still quite high) and sit up nearly as straight as you can without putting your head against the ceiling, with the steering wheel all the way up. Sort of the minivan driving position. Works for me. I wish the ceiling was as high as the Echo's!

The seat height is adjustable in the sedan buy I don't think it is in the lb. I hear what you're saying about putting the seat back should give less room for the legs but I've found exactly 1 click back actually helps. Maybe my expanding gut has something to do with it. lol I feel less crowded that way and I've always preferred car seats in the fully upright position.

[msmitka]

Thanks very much. I'll check out the seat after work, but I don't believe I can adjust the height in the LB. If I can, I think it's "problem solved". And yes, my ever expanding gut, also isn't helping the situation. :)

[msmitka]

I'm between 6'2 and 6'3. I confirmed that unfortunately, there's no seat height adjustment in my LB, and the seat back angle doesn't really seem to make a difference. Geez, 2 more inches is all it would take to make it perfect. Nobody to blame but myself on this one though. :(

[Wattz]

My problem is that if I scoot the seat back to get the leg room, I find myself leaning forward to shift gears. My commute is 1 hour and 15 minutes so leaning the seat back slightly is crucial to keeping my back comfortable.

Either the seat needs to be lower or the shifter needs to be offset.

[2006fronty]

I'm 6'8" and fit alright. My knees do come pretty close to the dash though.

[msmitka]

My issue isn't so much legroom per se, although I'd like more, it's the near lack of clearance between the steering wheel and the area of my legs above the knees. So actually, my issue could be solved by another "up" position of the steering column too, but it's at it's max.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by 2006fronty

I'm 6'8" and fit alright. My knees do come pretty close to the dash though.

6'8"?? Wow.

I'm 6'1" and have way more room than I need. My seat is set about 3 clicks from the back (partly because I drive a stick and sitting closer is usually needed to fully engage the clutch comfortably).

[2006fronty]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

6'8"?? Wow.

I'm 6'1" and have way more room than I need. My seat is set about 3 clicks from the back (partly because I drive a stick and sitting closer is usually needed to fully engage the clutch comfortably).

Haha, that's why I drive my Tundra more than the Yaris. I have the seat all the way back and reclined with a gangster lean lol. My Yaris is an AT so I don't have to worry about shifting.

[auxmike]

Originally Posted by Wattz

My problem is that if I scoot the seat back to get the leg room, I find myself leaning forward to shift gears. My commute is 1 hour and 15 minutes so leaning the seat back slightly is crucial to keeping my back comfortable.

Either the seat needs to be lower or the shifter needs to be offset.

...or you should have sprung for the auto.....
I don't deal with that particular problem. BUT, my knees do rub the lower part of the steering wheel getting in or out of the car.

[2+2]

Putting the seat back a click or two is enough for me to be comfortable around town, but yesterday I went for my first drive longer than 50 miles. 240 miles and then a short break and 240 miles back.

Mpg was excellent (42.5), steering is nutty quick at higher speeds but we already know that. For comfort I gotta tell ya, if I remember right my 1986 Tercel had this car beat. I was comfortable enough starting out yesterday morning but without being able to change positions now and again my butt took a beating. Should I rephrase that? lol

I too, would love to slide the seat back just a little, at least once in awhile on a trip.

[Yaris Hilton]

The Echo was more comfortable. I do OK in my Yaris, though.

[auxmike]

The Echo was kinda a dud here in the US since they only offered the 2 or 4 door sedans in the US market. Had the hatch been availible I think it would have done a lot better. I hardly ever see Echos in my area....

[Yaris Hilton]

Yeah, but I'm a sedan guy. Don't want a hatch.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by auxmike

The Echo was kinda a dud here in the US since they only offered the 2 or 4 door sedans in the US market. Had the hatch been availible I think it would have done a lot better. I hardly ever see Echos in my area....

It was mainly because it was ugly as sin. Besides, sedans do much better in the US.

[yaris prime]

Originally Posted by msmitka

Still lovin' the Yaris, now with a whopping 600 miles on it, but I have to say:
I'm no young guy (53). I've been buying cars all my life. But, somehow, on the test drive I missed the fact that it would be nice to have that extra 2" of rear-ward seat travel. Now, that's not to say my legs/knees are hitting the steering wheel, but it's close, and quite frankly, it's my screw-up entirely for paying more attention to headroom than to leg room. In any case, I guess there are two solutions:

1) Finding a shop that will move the entire rail/seat system back a few inches.
2) Replacing the front seats with something that sits lower, and perhaps differently on the rails.

So, having read a few threads, I haven't really hit upon a "this worked perfectly" solution. Any recommendations? Does anyone know a shop here in Southeastern PA that would be capable of doing such a thing at a reasonable price? (moving the seat/rails).

Any other solutions are welcome as well.

Thanks folks!

Mark

Try this mod...worked wonders for me and I'm 6'4". Amazing what a little bit will do.
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...+bolts+washers