Tall door edges - low seats?

[Sabelle]

I searched the forum, must not be asking right:
Am I the only one having an issue getting into the Thing? The seat is lower than the door sill, and I scrape my leg going over. Can't raise the seat; the steering wheel doesn't allow much clearance. Going to get a new steering wheel anyway, but...

[Zylinderkopf]

funny! Of course you're not the only one having trouble getting in and out of the Thing. The "Kübelwagen", as German soldiers refer to it, got it's name for exactly that reason. It means "Bucket car", because one feels like sitting at the bottom of a metal bucket ("Kübel" in German). I'm 6'0 and about 200 lbs and have often thought about a smaller steering wheel and more comfortable seats, but so far decided to keep things stock.

[guppysoup]

I put non original (comfortable) seats in mine thinking it might make it easier to get in and out of WRONG. It is what it is.

Kinda funny now I have one vehicle you fall into and climb out of (safari)and the other you climb into and fall out of(2500 sub).
_________________
1973 Thing/Safari
1985 Bug/Vocho wanna be class 11
2014 Amarok TDI 4x4

[carsdlt]

Yeah, it's tough...I'm 6'4 & 225, so I know what you mean. Getting in is not so bad, but the exit.... ! I found the best way is to lift your left leg out as you turn in the seat toward the door, then reach down and grab your right ankle and pull it toward you until it clears the opening, shove both legs out & straighten up as you pull yourself out! Oh, but if your back is giving you trouble?.....drive something else
_________________
Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[citroen]

here is the differance in my 2 things stock seats stock steering wheel and custom seats smaller seats you can see the extra room and a little easyer to get in.

[Sabelle]

--laughing-- OK, then! I'll just have bruising on my thigh until I figure out how to get in & out! I did learn to duck, getting into my Ghia...

[Sabelle]

Citroen - is that the original steering column in the orange Thing? And where did you get the steering wheel from - what is it? --Thanks!--

[Wildthings]

I started getting in and out of Things since I was in my twenties so I long ago developed a method that works for me. I put my right leg into the foot well followed by sitting my butt on the seat. In order to get my long leg past the steering wheel I push in the clutch with my right leg as swivel my body to the right. I then lift in my left leg.

Getting back out is pretty much the reverse of the above.

[citroen]

[dan macmillan]

Honda Civic seats, stock wheel.

I am 6'2" 300 lbs and have no problems. I even have to stay clear of the running board.

_________________
Licensed Automotive Service Technician
Licensed Truck and Coach Technician
Licensed Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
CFC/HCFC/HFC A/C handling and installation license
Alignment specialist
66 Modified Manx,68 Kyote,74 Thing,74 Beetle, 76 Transporter,75 self made Double Cab,65 Meyers Manx,78Westy,68 Ghia, 79 Bradley GT2
Current projects:
Built for others:69 Manx Clone

[Hellnbak]

[dan macmillan]

Yes the gun laws here are different. Actually retarded. Some handguns are restricted most are prohibited , special licensing and can only be used at a gun range. Must be trigger guarded and in a locked box when not at the range. Full autos and any semi that looks mean are prohibited. Bullpup stocks are illegal.

Posession/Aquisition License
Firearms safety course, $100
send papers to Govt/RCMP, wait 4-6 weeks
Send what the RCMP sends back to you, back to them with application and $60. wait 4 weeks to 3 months.
Renew every 3 years.
Restricted weapons is another course and more money


As for the guns in the Thing, yes they are real. Real water guns. Painted with black gravel guard and touchup paint. Shifter knob is a lighter.

Showed up at a car accident. Cops looked inside but said nothing. Female hitch hikers often wonder if they made a mistake.
_________________
Licensed Automotive Service Technician
Licensed Truck and Coach Technician
Licensed Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
CFC/HCFC/HFC A/C handling and installation license
Alignment specialist
66 Modified Manx,68 Kyote,74 Thing,74 Beetle, 76 Transporter,75 self made Double Cab,65 Meyers Manx,78Westy,68 Ghia, 79 Bradley GT2
Current projects:
Built for others:69 Manx Clone

[Hellnbak]

Wow, sounds like if you want a gun you better start the process at a young age.

Didn't notice the "hand grenade" shifter knob. Now all you need is a bazooka on the hood and a themonuclear device in the back seat

[euromog]

After I installed a 3 inch body lift the low seat problem was even worse. If you take the stock seats out it is very easy to modify them to be higher. Get some one inch tubing. In the middle of the bottom of the seat frame hoops just cut them in half. Test fit with blocks where the most comfortable position is. Cut the tubing to the proper length to raise the seat. Weld it up. Add a couple of diagonal braces for strength and slide the seats back in. I ended up installing some low side bolster suspension seats on the original slider frames. Still had to raise them up. It is great to be able to see over the hood now better than I could before I installed the body lift. I did install a 14" Momo steering wheel but that raised up with the body also. I am 6'4" tall and the seating position for driving is so much better now than the stock one.