Too tall for a firebird?
#1
Too tall for a firebird?
This is my first message here, sorry if it's in the wrong spot or formatted wrong or whatever, but I was wondering if I might simply be too tall to fit in an '80s firebird. I'm 6'10" with a 40" inseam and I was wondering if anyone else of a similar stature could vouch for the viability or lack thereof for me to purchase a firebird.
The following 2 users liked this post by Airwolfe:
Roorancher (02-14-2024), TTOP350 (02-13-2024)
#4
Supreme Member
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
There's seat relocators that will give you an extra 2" back, I used those to get comfortable and I don't quite put it all the way back but I'm only 6'3" 42" inseam.
They are decently roomy inside as sporting automobiles go, enough that I think you should at least go sit in a third or fourth gen (basically same proportion) and see how it goes. It'll probably be a little uncomfortable but consider while you're in there if another 2" would do it. Technically the seat could be relocated even further back but you're looking at some custom work.
Entry might be hell on your knees, but that's all low vehicles. Not gonna lie, I go in butt first and swing my legs in.
They are decently roomy inside as sporting automobiles go, enough that I think you should at least go sit in a third or fourth gen (basically same proportion) and see how it goes. It'll probably be a little uncomfortable but consider while you're in there if another 2" would do it. Technically the seat could be relocated even further back but you're looking at some custom work.
Entry might be hell on your knees, but that's all low vehicles. Not gonna lie, I go in butt first and swing my legs in.
The following users liked this post:
Fords88Bird (02-14-2024)
#5
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Tomball, TX
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 0
Received 20 Likes
on
16 Posts
Car: 89 TTA
Engine: Turbo 3.8
Transmission: 200R4
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
You are definitely too tall for a car with t-tops. I'm just over 6'2" with a 34" inseam, and I am riding on Fiero seat brackets (which lower the seats 1.5" and I still don't have enough headroom on my t-top car. Back when I had my hardtop, I don't remember having the same issues with headroom on standard seat brackets, but at 6'10", the best bet is to fine one local to sit in.
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,723
Received 773 Likes
on
520 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
If you really have your heart set on purchasing one, you could use the lower seat brackets, brackets to move the seat rear ward and also go extreme and have the floor pan dropped a few extra inches. It would cost some bux but if you reeeeeally want one.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: central Texas
Posts: 281
Received 106 Likes
on
75 Posts
Car: 91 TA Vert WS6-94 TA Vert
Engine: 5.0/5.7 LT1
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73-3.42
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
Just FYI....
Im 5'11" and i had to put seat extenders in my 91 TA vert with the optima leather multifunction seats.....
However, I also have a 94 TA vert, and the car is considerably roomier. No seat extenders, and the seat isn't quite all the way back.
Consider a 4th Gen, maybe???
Im 5'11" and i had to put seat extenders in my 91 TA vert with the optima leather multifunction seats.....
However, I also have a 94 TA vert, and the car is considerably roomier. No seat extenders, and the seat isn't quite all the way back.
Consider a 4th Gen, maybe???
#9
Supreme Member
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
Last year I helped out someone in a similar situation for a 60s mustang we ended up making seat brackets and putting them under the car and moving the seat back 5 or 6 inches then a thin headliner and custom door pannels that did not stick out. It worked out
#10
Senior Member
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
Buy a t-top with power seat, run seat all the way up and just look over the windshield.
Or buy a convertible...
Or buy a convertible...
The following users liked this post:
T.L. (02-14-2024)
#11
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
There's seat relocators that will give you an extra 2" back, I used those to get comfortable and I don't quite put it all the way back but I'm only 6'3" 42" inseam.
They are decently roomy inside as sporting automobiles go, enough that I think you should at least go sit in a third or fourth gen (basically same proportion) and see how it goes. It'll probably be a little uncomfortable but consider while you're in there if another 2" would do it. Technically the seat could be relocated even further back but you're looking at some custom work.
Entry might be hell on your knees, but that's all low vehicles. Not gonna lie, I go in butt first and swing my legs in.
They are decently roomy inside as sporting automobiles go, enough that I think you should at least go sit in a third or fourth gen (basically same proportion) and see how it goes. It'll probably be a little uncomfortable but consider while you're in there if another 2" would do it. Technically the seat could be relocated even further back but you're looking at some custom work.
Entry might be hell on your knees, but that's all low vehicles. Not gonna lie, I go in butt first and swing my legs in.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Posts: 727
Received 221 Likes
on
158 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 liter V-8
Transmission: 4 speed auto
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
I think it's hard to picture you ever being comfortable in a Firebird, no matter how you modify it.
Are ordinary cars comfortable?
Are ordinary cars comfortable?
The following users liked this post:
T.L. (02-15-2024)
#13
#14
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
There's seat relocators that will give you an extra 2" back, I used those to get comfortable and I don't quite put it all the way back but I'm only 6'3" 42" inseam.
They are decently roomy inside as sporting automobiles go, enough that I think you should at least go sit in a third or fourth gen (basically same proportion) and see how it goes. It'll probably be a little uncomfortable but consider while you're in there if another 2" would do it. Technically the seat could be relocated even further back but you're looking at some custom work.
Entry might be hell on your knees, but that's all low vehicles. Not gonna lie, I go in butt first and swing my legs in.
They are decently roomy inside as sporting automobiles go, enough that I think you should at least go sit in a third or fourth gen (basically same proportion) and see how it goes. It'll probably be a little uncomfortable but consider while you're in there if another 2" would do it. Technically the seat could be relocated even further back but you're looking at some custom work.
Entry might be hell on your knees, but that's all low vehicles. Not gonna lie, I go in butt first and swing my legs in.
#15
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
The seat relocation brackets are the key, they are like $40 a set. Im 6-7 and actually use two sets of the brackets bolted together on the driver seat which gives an additional 5 or so of legroom, my driver seat back touches the rear seat but I can literally stretch my legs out entirely, plenty of leg room. Headroom on the T-top cars is fine, I cannot do a hard top, most really tall guys remove the sun visors as well - they tend to just get in your line of sight.
#17
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
6'3" and 34 inseam and an 89 Formula T-Tops. Agree your legs are too long and you will not be comforable even if you do fit in such a way as to steer and operate the pedals without doing a Planes Trains and Automobiles John Candy routine.
Keep in mind if you will ever wear a helmet then no-way with a hard top and def one t-top will be off. You could recline the seat but that ruins your sitting position on track.
I changed to Corbeau seats and had to cut/reweld the bracket feet and no slider for the DS in order to not have to take the t-top off and look more dorky than I already do in a helmet. The DS seat is about 2" lower than the PS but no one notices unless I point it out. I guess because reclined seats already look that way sometimes.
Keep in mind if you will ever wear a helmet then no-way with a hard top and def one t-top will be off. You could recline the seat but that ruins your sitting position on track.
I changed to Corbeau seats and had to cut/reweld the bracket feet and no slider for the DS in order to not have to take the t-top off and look more dorky than I already do in a helmet. The DS seat is about 2" lower than the PS but no one notices unless I point it out. I guess because reclined seats already look that way sometimes.
#18
Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
I am 6'6" with 38" inseam. I have zero problems in my 92 TA with standard seats. My 88 GTA has the Ultima seats which are a little higher because of the pump for the lumbar bars. These were uncomfortable for longer trips. I installed the seat relocation brackets and that did the trick for me. Even on long trips both cars are comfortable to drive. The height is no problem for me. No matter if I drive my 92 with t-tops or my 88 with a hardtop.
The following users liked this post:
bloodhound1 (02-16-2024)
#19
Re: Too tall for a firebird?
I am 6'6" with 38" inseam. I have zero problems in my 92 TA with standard seats. My 88 GTA has the Ultima seats which are a little higher because of the pump for the lumbar bars. These were uncomfortable for longer trips. I installed the seat relocation brackets and that did the trick for me. Even on long trips both cars are comfortable to drive. The height is no problem for me. No matter if I drive my 92 with t-tops or my 88 with a hardtop.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post