To BIG for a thing?

[man130]

This my sound silly but I think I may be to BIG for my thing.I'm 6'5" tall and weigh about 270lb. up untill a few years ago I was a body builder that worked in construction and got hurt on the job and got retired due to disability. So without being able to train any more I have grown alittle I'm not fat just a big guy.Any Ideas on what I can do to make a better fit , right know I really cant fit between seat and steering wheel ,figure I can get a smaller steering wheel and if that dont work a quick release one than, maybe move seat back alittle more then stock location ,maybe even lowering seat might be an Idea .The only place I seem to have room is in the head room .Just throwing this out there maybe someone else had this problem . Come on, someone throw the Fat guy a bone ,come up with some ideas to help .

[j5josher]

lower seats seem best... i guess you could take the drivers out and get the pleather off and trim the metal and weld it back on... looks like a easy job but idk i need to do it too.. im skinny and its hard to slide into the seat i have to do the leg around the steering wheel... a smaller steering wheel feels wrong on the thing i had one on my fasty and swap it just didn't feel right...

adjustable column would be great...
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[Ian Epperson]

I'm 6'2", and fit comfortably unless the seat is pushed forward. Can you actually move the seat on the seat tracks? I'm going to bet that your set tracks don't move and are stuck in the forward position.
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[emersonbiggins]

I believe the accessory steering wheels that came on Things are just a little smaller then the all black ones.


Oh,
6'2" 260 here

[Pierre G]

I'm not tall and big like you american guys, but I felt the need to change to a smaller steering wheel, because I have big thighs (lots of sports like bicycle...) and they were touching the stock steering wheel. A smaller steering wheel fits very well a Thing, even with bigger tires up front, it's still OK. I went for a Grant. I think I remember it was a 13".

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1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint).

[man130]

Thats my main problem after I finally get in my thigh hit steering wheel,guees I'll have to go to a smaller one and check it out . Also check and make sure seat goes all the way back ,pretty sure it does butr I'll check thanks

[63ziggy]

Aside from changing steering wheel or seat modifications, a body lift certainly changes things.The seats lower by 3" or steering raises by 3" if kept in stock location. Lot of work and changes whole look of the Thing. Also have to consider vision since technically one is sitting 3" shorter. Just tossing it out there.

[74 Thing]

Move the seat tracks back.

If you remove the seat you will see that the seat tracks are spot welded to the floor pan. You can just drill out the spot welds and position it back further. I think the Thing Shop and oeveedub.com have them.

Also, there is this other option. Go to the link and click on the "Beetle seat adapter plate for tall people" link. It is a good idea and then you will not need to do anything to the original floor pan/seat rail position. You basically take another seat track and modify it with a steel plate so your seat will slide further back.

http://www.thebugshop.org/gotech.htm

I have also heard of friends that are 6'6" who cut the stops off the the seat tracks and extended them further back so they can fit comfortably.

I am only 6'2" and 220, so much smaller then you and with the stock steering wheel my thighs do hit the steering wheel and my legs are at angles when operating the foot pedals. For sure a smaller steering wheel would help, but I like the look of the original one.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do and how it works out.

[uberautowerks]

2X that, Make sure the seat is ALL the way back. I'm 6'4"/ 300 and fit just fine even with the stock wheel. However, getting in and out of the tiny doors is another "Thing". Ha, made a funny. Also make sure the seat back is adjusted to it's way back position.
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--- The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.
- Douglas Adams -
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'74 Thing (White)
'71 Single cab (White too)
'70 Weekender (White three)
'05 Evolution VIII (White also!!!)
'68 F-250 (White over black)

[man130]

The adapter plate for tall people seems like a good idea.So does the lift kit, was thinking about it anyway.Will do seats first see how that works out ,hopefully that will be enough. Thank for the ideas

[kubelmann]

If I were you I would consider suspension seats such as Racecraft or other. They offer a bigger wider version. You can choose to move the mounts back a few inches to give more comfort. I have them in Herr K and love them. If you have nice stock seat you can sell them for more than the race seats cost. As a young man, I used to claim I was 5'8" Sadly some time after I turned 50 my Dr. informed me I was less than 5'7" I'm shrinking... Still the racecraft seats offer comfort safety and style. If you work on searching you can find folks that sell them for far below list. I bought my pair for $130 each and happened to be on the road and near the shop with a big truck so no shipping. It is all about multi tasking, research and making a workable plan...

[tallman206]

Too Tall For A Thing? Never!

Hey Man130, I am 6ft 9in tall, 300+# and have very little difficulty with my Things - I am on my second one now. It really depends on where your height is. Mine is mostly in my torso, so height of the seat to the convertible top is my issue. That is not to say that legroom is not an issue. I have perfected a technique of getting in headfirst, and sliding my knee under the steering wheel when I get in. Getting out is a bit more difficult, but heck, I have had issues to overcome all my life! I have even recently purchased a little 1962 Porsche 356 Cabriolet to restore and drive, and I find I can make small mods to it to make it more comfortable to drive!

I would recommend:
Smaller diameter steering wheel - I have a custom wheel for my Thing made from a 914 wheel cut down so that I can get my leg under the steering wheel better.
Move the shift lever a bit, either by bending the shift rod to the right, and or installing a short shifter kit to keep the shift pattern out of your legs' way.
Consider alternative seats. I have some very comfortable and highly adjustable ISRI seats from a Mercedes Sprinter Van that I am considering installing, but I will make the installation reversable, so that the original tracks and seats can be re-installed if I wish.

Jerry - Atlanta
(tallman206 means that I'm 206 centimeters tall!)

[man130]

Tallman--all I can say is "HOLY SHIT" 6' 9" , if you can fit I should'nt complain.I'll do a few mods, push seat tracks back alittle, and maybe a smaller steering wheel,was thinking custom wheel thats flat on bottom would be perfect.But at least I know I can make it work with out to much trouble ,thanks for the ideas

[surferdudedav]

i always am ammused that at vw shows 90% of the drivers are over 6'... lol whats up w/ that???? lol im 5'5" so its like driving a cadillac to me

[Van-go108]

6' 3" and 230. No prob. but, I damn sure not sitting in the back either.

I'm a front seater.
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"Okay, so there's 6 beers and 5 of us. You know what this means don't you? 4 of you are going to have to leave."


1973 Thing
1957 Continental Mark II Click to view image

[7thing3]

One nice thing about the Thing is the width. When I get in the Bug it feels like I'm right against he door panel.