To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Greetings,

I'm 6'5". I finally have my '31 A truck in a reliable enough state to use it regularly. On long trips the hunched over nature in which I'm driving starts to become uncomfortable and it would appear almost every mirror combination meant for the A, will not work for someone of my altitude.

So my questions:

1. I'm using a '68 mustang rear seat which is 11" from floor board to highest part of the seat. How high are OE seats on a 31?

2. Mirrors, stock mirrors, spare tire mirrors - do not work without becoming a contortionist. What are you using in lieu of stock to see what's behind you?

As always, thank you for any reply.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Trade that car in on a comfortable roomy Sedan!

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Ya, a truck, not a tall persons best choice.

Being 6' 6" and thin I can tell you that the pickup is not the best choice. Do you do yoga? :0

Just busting you some as I can feel your pain. Got stuck in a 28 roadster pickup once. My leg got in the wrong position on between the wheel and pedals and it took some work to move the leg out.
There is a reason why I chose a slant window cabriolet.

On a serious note. The slant bodies were set up with better positions for taller people. Somewhere there is a line drawing showing the seats in the bodies and you can see they are a bit more room. A late coupe with the ratchet style seat adjuster may be ok too. I can drive my brothers coupe and the 30 fordor I had was fine.

I will end on a final note.
There is an ad for a AA, of course same cab as the pickup, showing 3 burly guys in the front seat.
I can remember as kid riding between adults in my brothers coupe and having to move my legs in a dance with the shifter. I can not imagine how friendly you got with the big guy in the middle!!

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

1. I take it you have a closed cab. If so, here's the schematic:

http://www.motormayhem.net/wp-upload...model-a-pu.jpg

Shows highest point of seat at 11-11/16" (same for open cab)

2. V8 hinge mirrors have a longer arm that angles upward - dunno if they fit A. If so, maybe could mount on top hinge - be kinda funny-looking but might work.

I love trucks but I agree with others that cabs aren't roomy - you may have to put up with it or trade for another body style...or shrink! :D

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

These are from a 37 ford. You must add a spacer at the bottom, I used chrome plumbing tubing.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

I am not the tallest person in the world at 5'9", and I have a '29 Tudor with a non-adjustable seat. I have trouble seeing traffic lights when I am right at the stop line. I have to crouch down to see them. I always wondered what someone with a taller torso would go through.

The little dinky driver's side-view mirror is also something that is hard to get used to.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

I have a tall friend with a 29 pickup. He made new foam cushions for the original seat riser.
2" back cushion gives quite a bit of leg room. I am 6'2" and have the same thing in my roadster. Once I fold up and get in it is comfortable.

John

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

[QUOTE=Kevin in NJ;1521375]Ya, a truck, not a tall persons best choice.

"Being 6' 6" and thin I can tell you that the pickup is not the best choice. Do you do yoga? :0

Just busting you some as I can feel your pain. Got stuck in a 28 roadster pickup once. My leg got in the wrong position on between the wheel and pedals and it took some work to move the leg out."




Same here. 6"6" and a Model A is a tight fit. AND I too drove a '28 Roadster pickup in a friend's funeral procession to the cemetery when he passed away. I got quite a lesson in that Model A, decided I would never have one as a driver:) Neat vehicle. I like them but no way to get in and out of the thing and then once you are in there, trying to drive it,,,,,:eek::eek::eek:. It was bad enough in our '28 Roadster but that PU was ten times worse.

A WWII vet that was a friend of the '28 Roadster pickup's owner (who was also a WWII vet) climbed in with me to go to the cemetery. He is short, about 5'5" at the very best, and he hopped in and out of that Roadster Pickup without batting an eye. Like a 16 year old kid.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

I just happened across this truck on CL. the simplicity has some beauty to it. and the smaller you make the back the more you get in leg room. I think this would look good with some dense foam pads in zip up cover with Velcro on the back to keep it in place. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=38693

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Once had a ' 29 Sport Coupe, PLOPPED Tudor seats, flat down in the seat riser, fastened them somehow??? AND it gave MORE headroom.
Bill W.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

On my 31 CCPU, my 6'3" height put me high enough that I couldn't see out under the windshield visor to see where I was driving. I had recently installed new LeBarron Bonney seat springs and upholstery. I replace the bench seat coil springs with coils that were 2" shorter. In the back rest, I tied the back rest springs down flat. After putting all of the upholstery back on, I can not only see under the visor now, but I can slip in and out of the cab much easier. The extra room to slid back to the right onto the seat, gives me more room for me to swing my left foot past the door post. As for comfort for driving down the road, it is now comfortable and safe to drive it. If you ever have to order seat upholstery/springs for a 30/31 Ford pick up, make sure to buy the correct seat springs as there a couple of different choices depending on whether it is a pick up cab build by Ford or a pick up cab build by Bud (late 1931, indented firewall). They used different seat risers. Thus different height seat springs.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

I ordered the seat springs and backrest that's made for tall guys. I'm 6'2 and it worked out well for me. Not as comfortable as the cars but way better than stock springs.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Notice how OFTEN '28 & '29 CCPUs are RE-SOLD? They're BUGGERS to squeeze into!
Bill Backache

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

I'm 6:3. I can't see anything behind me, but then again I have right away...

Try a tire mirror on the spare. It is worthless, BUT sticking a small convex mirror on the face of the tire mirror works!! Peep mirrors work if you have a closed cab.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

I have one of those and they really do work.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. My A isn't going anywhere - my Dad's first vehicle and far to much sentimental value. I will have to learn a bit more about how my seat riser has been modified, to see if I can incorporate a couple of these suggestions.

I've been working on the mechanical side of this for long enough, comfort and upholstery never crossed my mind.

Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats
 

I'm 6' 2" and my '29AA closed cab is tight, so long trips are never preferred. Best mirror is the stock one attached to the "A" post. You can also use one of those extension mirrors for trying to find the dropped tool, just modified to attach inside the cab.