power driver seat... too short to reach the pedals

[ZDavis]

I have a 98 explorer and the power drivers seat doesn't go far enough forward for my girlfriend to reach the pedals. She is 4'11" and is about 2 inches short of the pedals, I was wondering if anyone knows how far forward the seat is supposed to go? Or if there is any fix I can do to the car to be able to have her drive it?
Thank you,
Zach

 

[JimMadsen]

My wife is 5'2 and she barely reaches on the 00 merc, it may be in the most forward position. Try putting the pass side all the way forward and compare the two.

I think remounting the rails would be a huge no-no, maybe a phonebook? lol I jest cause I know your pain, every time I get in the car I have to move the seat all the way back first!

 

[TheGTkid]

jerk move but dont let her drive it!
jk
get out a 2x4 and cut some chunks for her and mount them to the pedals
tell her to rock some elevator shoes... yup 70's is coming back
make her some special "blocked" shoes out of an old pair she has
next car get the adjustable pedals and power driver seat
just ideas, some serious
others not
just drive yourself! or take her car

welcome to the forums!

 

[ZDavis]

Well that's the thing I do have power seats and they don't seem to go close enough to the pedals for her so I was wondering if any one knew how close the seat actually gets to the dash because I think its stopping too short about a foot between the front edge of the seat and the dash board

 

[drdoom]

Z, have you lowered the seat as well?

 

[YoungMounty]

My power seat in my '97 mountaineer can get very close to the dash. Probably 6"-8" away. Yours may not be going all the way.

 

[drdoom]

Agreed, my seat goes very close also.

 

[colintrax]

You need to pull the pedals closer to her, don't get her closer to the air bag.
Like someone else said, put blocks of wood on the pedals. As long as she's close enough that her arms can reach the steering wheel then the seat doesn't need to come closer. Also, the power seat can tilt forward and back. If it's comfortable, tilt it forward.
And honestly, she should probably stick to driving small cars as much as possible. I know she wants to drive the x (well girls wanna drive mine) but just tell her it's not really safe. Ford didn't design the explorer for a 4'11" girl to be behind that air bag. I donno about you, but it'd be a real crappy day if the truck gets totaled. Much less if I wasn't driving, and the girl driving dies.
However you need to let her drive it occasionally (you'll be in trouble if you don't) or if you two are sharing the explorer and switch frequently. You'll wanna have some kinda quick release blocks made. I wouldn't stress to much about the gas pedal, but don't screw around with the brake pedal. Use a couple of these and drill a hole through the block to run a string through and wrap it loosely around the brake pedal. As a just in case. http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DF4
As for the gas pedal, you could do magnets but the pedal is plastic.... maybe cut a slit into the side and use a clip to hold it down.

Easier solution. Get a taller GF

 

[ZDavis]

Ok so I got that problem fixed there was a dent on the on the plastic shield that the roller was getting stuck on thank you for all the suggestions.