Increase Legroom Mod?

[DR-JEKL]

Well I have only just started looking at buying a liberty to replace my Lexus IS, I have always loved the simplistic clean lines of the 06-09 shape but today when I actually checked one out in the flesh there was bugger all legroom! Since it was a manual my left leg was clashing with the steering wheel upon realease of the clutch

Admittedly I'm rather tall (most people say a giant as I'm 6'7!) but my first car was a swift gti, have driven a getz, corolla's, GTR, jetta and they have all had reasonably tight cabins but nowhere as restrictive as the 'family' size liberty.

So this got me thinking can you mod the seat rails so the seat will retract back further (thus restricting rear legroom- which is fine as I never have anyone in the back of the car)

I found this link on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCre-CBQuJ0

Has anyone sucessfully performed this mod?

[kiks]

[DR-JEKL]

Funnily enough high tower is one of my nicknames, along with big bird and.....

So you reckon just rip out the front seat, and drive from the back seat like they did with the civic?

[chris12]

I'm 6ft 2 so not anywhere near as tall as you, and I find that I wouldn't want to be much taller in my Liberty.

Unfortunately the higher spec models have a sunroof standard which restricted my search even more.

I am getting used to the size (came from a Falcon) however boy oh boy how good it would be if the interior space was the same as the current Liberty. I find with mine that the width of the footwell isn't quite wide enough too. Sometimes the inner base part of my right shoe touches my left shoe when I press the brake (auto and size 12 shoes). But, I'm trying to change my habit and forcing my left foot a bit further forward.

Size was probably my biggest issue about the Liberty which is a smaller mid sized sedan IMO. Not mid sized.

Not sure about modding the rails or that plastic youtube mod. I don't have an issue with the height of my shoes. Knee into the steering wheel was a bit of an issue, but I just pulled the steering wheel further from the dash telescopic style.

[champ]

So you reckon just rip out the front seat, and drive from the back seat like they did with the civic?

+1... being over 2m tall and all.

[DR-JEKL]

Hmm such a shame as the liberty seems like a great car.

I did look at a liberty going back 12 years ago and had the same issue, but since then small cars have come ahead in maximising the confines of their interiors (think honda jazz, corolla, golf etc etc) but it seems subaru hasn't taken this same concept for the 07 generation liberty's

It seems the new gen are bigger, but christ they're ugly!!!

Might look into grabbing a 03-04 merc E320 wagon....

[bosc0]

I take it you are aware of the telescopic steering wheel adjustment?

[DR-JEKL]

Having the steering wheel closer to my chest isn't an ideal scenario, as its then cramped for my arms

I guess unfortunately the sube isn't the car for me!

[Rome_BRZ]

I'm only 6'1, 6'2 on a good day however I have longer legs compared to my torso and I struggle driving my cousins manual GT, another reason why I'm happy to have an auto! My left knee always hit or brushed his steering wheel when we drove up the coast as there is no room to move my leg any further left, however there is room on the right side to have my right leg clear of the steering wheel.

[Robbks]

how do you manage to fit in an IS?
remove the front seat i assume?

seat and column adjustment also plays a big part in front legroom
make sure the rear of the seat seat is on the floor and the front is not too high.
also make sure the steering wheel is all the way up and pushed in (some 07+ models got reach adjustment)

[Rome_BRZ]

how do you manage to fit in an IS?
remove the front seat i assume?

seat and column adjustment also plays a big part in front legroom
make sure the rear of the seat seat is on the floor and the front is not too high.
also make sure the steering wheel is all the way up and pushed in (some 07+ models got reach adjustment)

My seat is as low as it goes and the steering column is lifted up as high as I can put it without blocking the speedo and my knees would still hit if I had a manual and had to use my left leg a lot more, I can't imagine what it would be like for him being 5 inches taller than me. My compromise is pushing the seat back even further but then it feels too unnatural and I'm too far away from the steering wheel

[Robbks]

yeah i have the same long legged issue (and no reach adjustment)
and have always sat with my left knee bent and just gotten used to it. workboots (thick chunky soles) also throw something extra into the mix.

the issue i find with teh lib is that if i have the seat comfortable for my resting leg length, i can't get the clutch to the floor.

[GTbee]

I'm 6''2 and have the same left leg/knee problem and drive a PFL 3.0 RB. Does the facelift models telescopic wheel retract further forward towards the dash, this liberating more room?

[BUDDAH]

Heaps of room in my ""JEEP """

[bosc0]

Part of your purchase requirement would have been "Can fit male *human on knees in front footwell".... So he bought a Jeep.