Blocks for pedals?
 

Blocks for pedals?

Started by Sebulba, August 13, 2022, 04:20:11 AM

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Sebulba

Hello all,

I was going to have my wife move the bus a short distance and we discovered that she is unable to reach the pedals even with the seat forward and the steering wheel all the way forward.  She is 5' 1".

Had anyone fashioned blocks for the pedals for such a situation?

Thanks

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com

buswarrior

Assuming that all the seat adjustments for height and angle of the seat bottom are free to their full travel?

Many busnuts inherit the seat in some less than fully functional state and just think that's normal.

Counter-intuitive, raise the rear angle of some seats, gets legs closer to the pedals.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Frozen North, Greater Toronto Area
new project: 1995 MCI 102D3, Cat 3176b, Eaton Autoshift

richard5933

I made blocks for mine. I used dense 1" foam intended for use as a kneeling mat as the spacer, and then glued a replacement treadle cover from a Kenworth on it for the wear surface. The whole thing was almost identical in size to my existing pedal.

Between the foam and the rubber cover I inserted two Velcro straps before the layers were glued together. Everything was glued with copious amounts of hot glue.

After it was together, the block was attached with the Velcro straps and never budged after.

I only had to do the throttle pedal - it was just enough to the right to put it out of comfortable reach. The brake pedal was never an issue.
Richard
1974 GMC P8M4108a-125 Custom Coach "Land Cruiser" (Sold)
1964 GM PD4106-2412 (Former Bus)
1994 Airstream Excella 25-ft w/ 1999 Suburban 2500
Located in beautiful Wisconsin

luvrbus

I have been looking for a friend for the electric adjustable pedals from a wrecked RV or truck for his bus because his wife is 4'10""tall.I have the adjustable pedals on my CC and love the things   
Life is short drink the good wine first

Tedsoldbus

Rita had a suggestion. If your spouse is going to drive the bus just for short distances like you were saying, Rita says "Bigger shoes".
I looked at her like she had two heads, but she said if you like the pedals where they are, you are not going to like any permanent modification. They sell "fashion" shoes for women that are 3 or 4 inches tall under the ball of the foot. You might have to take a sawzall to the spike heel, but she could put those on just for the "move it 10 feet" thing. Rita just showed me 2 kinds on Amazon. They are called platforms on the pictures she showed me. Not too expensive. Just an idea. Hope you and yours are well In W Yellowstone Seb and I hope you get out of there before the snow hits.
Ted
1980 shorty (35') Prevost
6V92  HT 740
Lake Nottely Ga
Bus name "debt"
Education is important, but having a Bus is importanter...

Lin

I have blocks made of a 2x3 and my fuel peddle, but we did to improve the angle.  I found driving tiring because the peddle required that I extend my foot forward for long periods of time while driving.  I cut the 2x3 into a wedge and duct taped it to the peddle (I prefer the black duct tape for this application).  After that I was able to drive all day with my foot in a neutral position.  Of course, it's only been about 12 years or so, and the duct tape may fail at some point.  Can't figure what I will do then.
You don't have to believe everything you think.

chessie4905

dont modify the pedals. modify a pair of shoes. very simple. easiest would screw and glue crocks or equivalent to 2x4 stubs.
GMC h8h 649#028 (4905)
Pennsylvania-central

luvrbus

Most of the D's depending on the seat MFG has extra holes in the slides to move the seat forward or backwards for adjustments 
Life is short drink the good wine first

Sebulba

Quote from: buswarrior on August 13, 2022, 06:13:30 AM
Assuming that all the seat adjustments for height and angle of the seat bottom are free to their full travel?

Many busnuts inherit the seat in some less than fully functional state and just think that's normal.

Counter-intuitive, raise the rear angle of some seats, gets legs closer to the pedals.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

All good thoughts.

Here's some of the situation, since we tried several things to figure out a solution.  Even if she slid up on the seat and moved the steering wheel forward all the way.  The steering wheel wouldn't let her feet reach the pedals.

While it could be that the seat isn't functioning as it should, I think there is more to it than that.

Thanks for your thoughts

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com

Sebulba

Quote from: richard5933 on August 13, 2022, 06:20:12 AM
I made blocks for mine. I used dense 1" foam intended for use as a kneeling mat as the spacer, and then glued a replacement treadle cover from a Kenworth on it for the wear surface. The whole thing was almost identical in size to my existing pedal.

Between the foam and the rubber cover I inserted two Velcro straps before the layers were glued together. Everything was glued with copious amounts of hot glue.

After it was together, the block was attached with the Velcro straps and never budged after.

I only had to do the throttle pedal - it was just enough to the right to put it out of comfortable reach. The brake pedal was never an issue.

That's an idea.  Thanks

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com

Sebulba

Quote from: luvrbus on August 13, 2022, 07:00:26 AM
I have been looking for a friend for the electric adjustable pedals from a wrecked RV or truck for his bus because his wife is 4'10""tall.I have the adjustable pedals on my CC and love the things   

Never heard of adjustable pedals.  Will have to explore this idea.

Thanks

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com

Sebulba

Quote from: Tedsoldbus on August 13, 2022, 11:53:49 AM
Rita had a suggestion. If your spouse is going to drive the bus just for short distances like you were saying, Rita says "Bigger shoes".
I looked at her like she had two heads, but she said if you like the pedals where they are, you are not going to like any permanent modification. They sell "fashion" shoes for women that are 3 or 4 inches tall under the ball of the foot. You might have to take a sawzall to the spike heel, but she could put those on just for the "move it 10 feet" thing. Rita just showed me 2 kinds on Amazon. They are called platforms on the pictures she showed me. Not too expensive. Just an idea. Hope you and yours are well In W Yellowstone Seb and I hope you get out of there before the snow hits.
Ted

Now that is thinking outside the box.  🤔

Thanks

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com

Sebulba

Quote from: Lin on August 13, 2022, 01:14:18 PM
I have blocks made of a 2x3 and my fuel peddle, but we did to improve the angle.  I found driving tiring because the peddle required that I extend my foot forward for long periods of time while driving.  I cut the 2x3 into a wedge and duct taped it to the peddle (I prefer the black duct tape for this application).  After that I was able to drive all day with my foot in a neutral position.  Of course, it's only been about 12 years or so, and the duct tape may fail at some point.  Can't figure what I will do then.

I was thinking of something like this.  Even when I drive it, it seems like an unatural angle to my ankle and something like this could kill 2 birds.

Thanks

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com

Sebulba

Quote from: chessie4905 on August 13, 2022, 05:39:50 PM
dont modify the pedals. modify a pair of shoes. very simple. easiest would screw and glue crocks or equivalent to 2x4 stubs.

But then she would think she was taller and get the big head 🤪

Thanks for the idea.

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com

Sebulba

Quote from: luvrbus on August 14, 2022, 10:04:53 AM
Most of the D's depending on the seat MFG has extra holes in the slides to move the seat forward or backwards for adjustments

Even if I did that, it seems the steering wheel will not let her move forward enough to reach.

Seb
Back to the U.S. after 8 years in Europe.  
Bought a 1997 MCI 102D3 with Allison B500 on November 17, 2021 in Syracuse, NY.  Commenced living it that day and  drove it to Florida and New Mexico.  Converting as we go.  https://basicsuds.com