Thread: Cramped foot peddles...

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There has to be something better than what is on the market for Model A sized cars as far a foot peddle clearances. Ive built dozens of cars over the years and this is one issue that just plain makes me nuts. Stuffing the steering column, brake peddle, and throttle in an area the size of a coffee can. For me it takes the fun out of driving these things as it restricts the natural foot movement of driving? Maybe it is just me but it seems that there has to be something better available that than those off set miss direction things that cost $600.00. I admit they are pretty sweet and they do work well but for the price it just seems silly. As a car builder I see the price of building a quality car going through the roof and I for one would like to come up with something that is affordable for the young start up guys just getting started in the building process. I was thinking about building a false floor closer to the seat which would open up that area, or maybe a little foot ledge on the tranny bell housing hump to rest the heel of my foot on. It might feel a little odd to reach the throttle peddle with that but?. Thought Id throw this out to see if you have any ideas or solutions... Just one of my pet peeves that given some though Im sure we can do better? Ideas? Thanks in advance... Maybe the problem is my size 13's?

Mine are only 11's and there is still not enough room.

On a semi-related note: I know this is crazy stupid, but what about a hand control for the throttle?...as dumb as this sounds it first crossed my mind while I was trying to learn heal-toe techniques for rev matching while downshifting my other car (6 sp. manual) especially on a roadcourse. Instead of the gymnastics of footwork I figured let one foot do the brake, the other the clutch, and I can blip the throttle with my hand. I eventually learned decent heal-toe technique and that cleared my head of such ideas.

That's pretty typical in the rock crawling world. They use a derailer lever off of a bike for a throttle when things get sketchy... its typically mounted to one of many shifters they have, usually the closest one to them for obvious reasons.
Something like a paddle shifter on the wheel that was a throttle instead, or in combination might be kind of cool? Hummm good thought. I grew up racing Motocross so Im thinking twist grip might feel more natural to me?

Twist grip on the steering wheel crazier things have been done

I have a buddy that builds vehicle modifications for the handicapped. Think I will quiz him the next time I see him as this could be right up his alley. And Im thinking that having my big Arse feet is a handicap?

I have driven cars built for the handicapped..Brother it ain't easy

A little short story to go with this when in H.S. we had to add blocks to a teachers pedals brake/ gas,& clutch. Brand new 57 Belair. She was a bit short and we had to raise the seat too.

Worked with a guy at Douglas that was about 3 1/2', maybe 4', and his car was set up that way. He wasn't a midget, he was a dwarf and the places he could get in to on an airplane.....

Harking back to the original question...quite a common pedal installation in cramped foot-wells down here is to use Morris Minor pedal boxes.
They mount under-floor on a single shaft and are very compact.
Cheap too!

But I don't know about their availability in the States...were Morris Minors common over there?
Try this:

Morris Minor Owners Club •
.

Originally Posted by johnboy

Harking back to the original question...quite a common pedal installation in cramped foot-wells down here is to use Morris Minor pedal boxes.
They mount under-floor on a single shaft and are very compact.
Cheap too!

But I don't know about their availability in the States...were Morris Minors common over there?
Try this:

Morris Minor Owners Club •
.

Yes they are out there, he`ll have to search for them...

On mine I have the "traditional" under floor brake & clutch, and a simple spoon for the accelerator. No problems with my 12's to date.....

Yeah the 33's are a bit wider. I finished up one of those steering relocators a few months ago in a 34. Worked out well and really freed things up but a lot of extra work without the bolts poking through the firewall.

For what it's worth, I used a set of pedals out of a Triumph Spitfire on an A Bone years ago. Had to do a bit of re-configuring, but if my (feeble) memory serves me correctly it worked out great.

Reverse 90° Under Dash : Kugel Komponents, Quality Komponents Since 1969

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Reverse 90° Under Dash : Kugel Komponents, Quality Komponents Since 1969

I like that idea except from a maintenance standpoint, almost have to have a velcro`ed dash in place...