Fitting tall guys in Cab 11/12's

[svdwal]

Moderator's note: this thread was split off from CMPs for sale in Holland as this subject deserves a thread of it's own:

Well, i didn't bought the truck. Not because there is anything wrong with the truck, it is really nice. The reason is that my legs are to long to reach the clutch pedal.....i felt very dissapointing and awkward towards the seller. This is something i've never expected, alltough i knew the early cabs are a bit small this i did not expect.

So, my search continues for a Commonwealth truck which fits in my garage and is nicely restored.

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

Rgds.

Sjoerd

[Markwin Serlui]

hi Sjoerd,

something to keep in mind!
what is your length I'm 1.77mtrs...
reg

[svdwal]

Indeed, something to keep in mind.
Alltough i never expected this. A bit of a tight space can be solved, but this was to small. I crawl into other vehicles without problems.

I am 1.96m.
A later cab model should be no problem, but this does not fit my garage i am afraid....at least not with a hard top.

We'll keep on searching,

Rgds.

Sjoerd

[Alex van de Wetering]

Sjoerd,

I guess what they say is true "Size does matter"......Pity you had to pass on the F8. You could contact Jaap de Wit here on the forum; he is quite tall and drives a C15 cab11!

A later cab model should be no problem, but this does not fit my garage i am afraid....at least not with a hard top.

You could look at an C15 or F15.....the non driven front axle makes them lower to ground. C15A or F15A could indeed be a problem with your garage door.

regards,

Alex

[svdwal]

Thanks Alex,

My search continues and eventually I’ll find a nice proper vehicle.
I’m not in a hurry but want a nice driveable ww2 Commonwealth truck.
This F8 was a nice change, but unfortunately not the right size cabin.

Maybe a F15 is an idea, but I think it might be to high for my garage.
I’ll find out.

Rgds.

Sjoerd van de Wal

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Guys

You just about have to be able to touch your nose with your knee to be able to get into either a Pat 12 or 13. That's why I go to exerciser class 3 times a week.

Getting your left leg and but into either of them is not bad, its pulling that right leg in because of the wheel cut out. I was a little 5'7" over when I got my first CMP 35 years ago, time has worn me down to 5'5" which is probably a good thing in terms of getting in and out of the CMPs.

One thing that does help is make sure your seat slide actually works, I've added a second spring to the seat rail so I have springs on both rails this helps the seat slide straight in the track. If I remember to hit the seat release and slide the seat all the way back before getting out it does make getting in easier.

If you are really tall and have a Pat 12 you may want to remove one or both of the wooden seat spacers to lower the seat.

Guess the best thing is to try on a CMP before acquiring.

Cheers Phil

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by svdwal

my legs are to long to reach the clutch pedal

Or to put it more precisely Sjoerd - your lower leg is too long to fit between the steering wheel and the clutch pedal. I know because I have the same problem, I'm 192 cm and there's no way I can operate the clutch on a Cab 12, especially with my Size 13 boots!

I used to assume this meant I could never drive a Cab 12, which was no great problem because I had no plans to own one. Recently however I saved one from the scrappy, and pretty soon I started having ideas about restoring it one day. Of course there's not much point if I can never drive it, so I started investigating the possibility. Sure enough it turns out there's an easy fix - raise the steering wheel. Seems obvious when you think about, but no one ever does! We just accept these problems as a fact of life with Cab 12s. However it should be noted there was a field modification kit issued for this exact purpose.

There's more to the story of course but I won't bore you with details here. Suffice it to say I've raised the steering wheel now and I can operate the clutch quite comfortably. It's only temporary but it could easily be made permanent, by the same basic method employed in the field modification kit. It could even be improved upon without detracting from originality.

I guess what I'm saying here is that we don't always have to accept Cab 12 deficiencies as inevitable. In light of these possibilities Sjoerd you may want to reconsider the F8. It's a lot easier to reposition the steering wheel than rebuild your garage!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

However it should be noted there was a field modification kit issued for this exact purpose.

There's more to the story of course but I won't bore you with details here. Suffice it to say I've raised the steering wheel now and I can operate the clutch quite comfortably. It's only temporary but it could easily be made permanent, by the same basic method employed in the field modification kit. It could even be improved upon without detracting from originality.

Tony,

Interesting to read about this field modification kit! Please do bore us with details here, as it's all part of the fascinating history of the CMP.

Thanks!
Hanno

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Tony

How did you do it exactly?? did you shorthen the bracket that attaches to the cowling....

Was there a particular service bulletin that addressed that modification.

I have lowered my seat and moved it as far back as I could on my cab 11... it does give me more room for clutching......

As to the boot size... unless I am wearing track shoes, my steel toe capped boots are just plain to big.

Pictures of you dash installation would be nice.

Thanks

Bob C

[svdwal]

Sounds very interesting, please share some more details.
Also i would like to see a picture of how you've solved this issue.

Indeed my lower leg is a bit long, which gave me problems in reaching the clutch.
The steering wheel is to low and the handbrake is blocking my leg.
How much extra room did the modification gives you?

Looking forward to you reply, as i am still have a strong feeling for the F8.

Regards,

Sjoerd

[Alex van de Wetering]

I agree, please tell us more Tony! I am likely to encounter the same trouble with my C8 cab 11.

I did see a C15 before that had the engine cover corner closest to the pedals slightly bent towards the engine by use of a wooden spacer.....this gave the owner just that more room for his foot.

Alex

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

I have lowered my seat and moved it as far back as I could on my cab 11... it does give me more room for clutching.....As to the boot size... unless I am wearing track shoes, my steel toe capped boots are just plain to big.

Bob, how tall are you, and have you removed all the wooden seat risers on your vehicle? Ford parts list indicates there was only ONE wooden seat riser originally, however there was a field mod kit issued to RAISE the seat by using TWO wooden seat risers. This kit included longer 2 1/4" bolts to replace the original 1 5/8" bolts, which indicates the original seat risers were only 5/8" thick. However, in post war commercial use they may have acquired any thickness of wood, and I notice some restorers use very thick wood to replace the old rotted out stuff.

In hindsight I realize this is why I was unable to operate the clutch on the Cab 12 three years ago - I've checked some photos and the seat risers are far too thick on that vehicle. Even my own Cab 12 has much thicker seat risers than original, however I'm able to operate the clutch on mine, even with the steering bracket in the standard position, because the seat risers are not as thick as the other Cab 12. It's far from comfortable, but I could certainly drive the vehicle if it were running.

This is undoubtedly Sjoerd's problem too, the restored F8 most likely has much thicker seat risers than original.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi All

My Pattern 12 had one inch and two inch blocks on the drivers side and one inch blocks on the passenger side. Take a look at the metal channel the seat rails sit on there is another 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 that could be removed. But I'm not sure if it would actually make much difference to the leg length issue. Lower the seat also might make the problem of how much you have to be able to fold your legs up more of an issue.

Driving the truck with out the cab top definitely makes easier for tall or heavier people to get in and out of the passenger seat as you can just step up into the truck and then sit down. No top is not much help on the drivers side though as you have to work your legs in under the steering wheel.

I'm a bit surprised that in this discussion the point that people are in general taller and heavier than they were back in 1940.

Cheers Phil