Sumo MK1 height adjustments for 6'+ people
Discussion
Hi,
After many years wanting a cobra I finally made the plunge 2 Months ago. The Cobra I bought is a 2.3 V6 and was a non runner when I purchased her.
After 8 weeks, a new engine, some rubber bushes and replacement pipes an MOT has been granted. She's back on the road after 12 years on blocks under a dust cover in a garage, credit to the builder well maintained even though not used.
Here's the issue I need some guidance on. I'm 6'2" tall the car is now running really well but I just can't get into a comfy driving position I'm thinking the following alterations and would love some helpful advice:
1. Fit a seat tray,I gain 90mm by doing this.
2. Find some different seats which are not quite so narrow and have less padding (Yes I'm a big bloke)anyone have any suggestions? no lose some weight fat boy comments!
3. Move the pedal configuration fwd I think I've got scope here.
4. Sell her to an umpalumpa and buy a MK3 or a GD.
hope you can help many thanks,
Mateus.
After many years wanting a cobra I finally made the plunge 2 Months ago. The Cobra I bought is a 2.3 V6 and was a non runner when I purchased her.
After 8 weeks, a new engine, some rubber bushes and replacement pipes an MOT has been granted. She's back on the road after 12 years on blocks under a dust cover in a garage, credit to the builder well maintained even though not used.
Here's the issue I need some guidance on. I'm 6'2" tall the car is now running really well but I just can't get into a comfy driving position I'm thinking the following alterations and would love some helpful advice:
1. Fit a seat tray,I gain 90mm by doing this.
2. Find some different seats which are not quite so narrow and have less padding (Yes I'm a big bloke)anyone have any suggestions? no lose some weight fat boy comments!
3. Move the pedal configuration fwd I think I've got scope here.
4. Sell her to an umpalumpa and buy a MK3 or a GD.
hope you can help many thanks,
Mateus.
mateus said:
2. Find some different seats which are not quite so narrow and have less padding (Yes I'm a big bloke)anyone have any suggestions? no lose some weight fat boy comments!
Try a pair of MGB seats. I have them in my Lomax and they are a lot more comfortable than a lot of modern cars, certainly more comfortable than my dads 04 vectra and my mums 08 C4 vtr. They aren't the bucket type so they should be okay for a slightly larger driver, i would have thought that they would fit in it, the Lomax is pretty damn narrow, but there is no transmission tunnel to worry about. Edited by slomax on Monday 9th August 19:10
You really need to get on the cobraclub forum for this, as I don't know too much about the Mk1 Sumo.
However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
singlecoil said:
You really need to get on the cobraclub forum for this, as I don't know too much about the Mk1 Sumo.
However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
Posted on there as well thanks. have the seat out at the moment still needs alteration to the floor but I won't need to touch the chassis rails. However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
Edited by mateus on Monday 9th August 19:17
mateus said:
singlecoil said:
You really need to get on the cobraclub forum for this, as I don't know too much about the Mk1 Sumo.
However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
Posted on there as well thanks. have the seat out at the moment still needs alteration to the floor but I won't need to touch the chassis rails. However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
Edited by mateus on Monday 9th August 19:17
Edited by singlecoil on Monday 9th August 20:17
singlecoil said:
mateus said:
singlecoil said:
You really need to get on the cobraclub forum for this, as I don't know too much about the Mk1 Sumo.
However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
Posted on there as well thanks. have the seat out at the moment still needs alteration to the floor but I won't need to touch the chassis rails. However, sorting the seats will be the first thing to do. I suggest you take the seat out and sit in it, then use various bits of wood etc to find out where you want to be, it that is acheivable without chassis alterations. Then consider actually making a seat with a plywood base, good quality foam over, then get it upholstered. Do the same for the backrest.
The pedals you may well be able to shorten as well as reposition by cutting and welding, which should help.
Edited by mateus on Monday 9th August 19:17
Edited by singlecoil on Monday 9th August 20:17
It transpires from replies I've had from the Cobra club Sumo themselves carry out a factory adjustment on request.
All suggestions are:
1. Have seats made with less padding and more vertical back (Interior Seating)
2. Rewelded the pedals as described above
3. The original cabin floor is inclined backwards under the seats. I cut the floor out from where it comes even with the bottom of the side chassis beam to the bend/edge just in front of the seat. Then I re-welded it 3 cm lower at the front (and added a transversal 1 inch square beam for sideways crash resistance) , while still having it at bottom beam height the other end. This gives much more vertical position to the seat, so the seat can move more backwards before hitting the back bulkhead. I gain an additional 3cm between my legs and the steering wheel too.
4. I may put the steering wheel higher too, but
wait for final assembly to do that.
Hi, I am 6'3" I have a Mk3 but had the floor pan lowered by Pilgrim when I ordered it.
Basically they welded the sloping seat area at the back about 1.5 inches lower than normal but left the front edge at normal position so as the seat slides forward it goes up quite a bit. The sides have a triangular filit weld in. This seems to have worked well for me using the standard Pilgrim seats which are a bit lower than some after market ones.
Best wishes
Ian
Thanks to the guys at the cobra club but thought I'd post here to if it helps someone else. pics to my alteration to follow. when I've done it......
All suggestions are:
1. Have seats made with less padding and more vertical back (Interior Seating)
2. Rewelded the pedals as described above
3. The original cabin floor is inclined backwards under the seats. I cut the floor out from where it comes even with the bottom of the side chassis beam to the bend/edge just in front of the seat. Then I re-welded it 3 cm lower at the front (and added a transversal 1 inch square beam for sideways crash resistance) , while still having it at bottom beam height the other end. This gives much more vertical position to the seat, so the seat can move more backwards before hitting the back bulkhead. I gain an additional 3cm between my legs and the steering wheel too.
4. I may put the steering wheel higher too, but
wait for final assembly to do that.
Hi, I am 6'3" I have a Mk3 but had the floor pan lowered by Pilgrim when I ordered it.
Basically they welded the sloping seat area at the back about 1.5 inches lower than normal but left the front edge at normal position so as the seat slides forward it goes up quite a bit. The sides have a triangular filit weld in. This seems to have worked well for me using the standard Pilgrim seats which are a bit lower than some after market ones.
Best wishes
Ian
Thanks to the guys at the cobra club but thought I'd post here to if it helps someone else. pics to my alteration to follow. when I've done it......
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