Not enough headroom
#21
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Greg,
Did not uncover the XJ-S today, hospital instead, ticker has developed a "mis-fire" every 30 odd beats, so I suggested a new set of points, and clean the spark plugs, the Quack was NOT impressed. He kept me there all day and the nurses were NOT good looking, damn waste of a day.
I will do the measurements in teh next day or 2.
Being LHD, you will have the fuel return pipe, and an emission pipe or 2 in that area. The fuel supply and brake pipe go down the RH side.
The exhaust has stainless heat shields all down that area, and they do not come off without lowering the exhaust pipe.
Talk at you soon as get those measurements.
Did not uncover the XJ-S today, hospital instead, ticker has developed a "mis-fire" every 30 odd beats, so I suggested a new set of points, and clean the spark plugs, the Quack was NOT impressed. He kept me there all day and the nurses were NOT good looking, damn waste of a day.
I will do the measurements in teh next day or 2.
Being LHD, you will have the fuel return pipe, and an emission pipe or 2 in that area. The fuel supply and brake pipe go down the RH side.
The exhaust has stainless heat shields all down that area, and they do not come off without lowering the exhaust pipe.
Talk at you soon as get those measurements.
#23
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
greg,
Got ot it, sort of.
Width of the seat track is 17 1/2" centre to centre.
Could not get the fore and aft measurement as I could not bend over that far long enough, and getting on the ground to get some Kodaks is just not happening at the moment.
Must be nice to the tooth fairy so I MAY get a hoist HAHAHAHAHA.
Got ot it, sort of.
Width of the seat track is 17 1/2" centre to centre.
Could not get the fore and aft measurement as I could not bend over that far long enough, and getting on the ground to get some Kodaks is just not happening at the moment.
Must be nice to the tooth fairy so I MAY get a hoist HAHAHAHAHA.
The following users liked this post:
Mkii250 (04-30-2011)
#24
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
17 1/2" is consistent with what I'd read elsewhere, and it's 16 1/2 in the later cars.
I have now seen floorpan pics of the XJ-S and they're the same as in my XJS. I don't believe replacing my driver's seat with any other seat will be an improvement. Gaining headroom requires changing the configuration of the seat's rear mounts.
First I will consult body people to make sure that cutting and welding the exhaust/transmission tunnel won't compromise the car's strength.
I have now seen floorpan pics of the XJ-S and they're the same as in my XJS. I don't believe replacing my driver's seat with any other seat will be an improvement. Gaining headroom requires changing the configuration of the seat's rear mounts.
First I will consult body people to make sure that cutting and welding the exhaust/transmission tunnel won't compromise the car's strength.
#25
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
OK, back in the land of the living, sort of.
Waaaaaaaay back, when I got the XJ-S, I do remember (scary this memory thing) I had head room issues. nearly sold it the next day, BUT, I decided to look at the mounts as you are doing, and found 2 spacers under the rear seat runners, where they bolt to the pods, and they were about 10mm thick, and those 2 torx bolts were as per the front 2 only longer, so I took that to indicate that these spacers were in fact factory ??????, no idea, never did find out, AND washers (about 2mm thick) at each bolt where the runners bolted to the seat frame, betweeen the runner and the seat frame.
Removed all that, and head room to burn, simple as. Now mine is an '85, and yours is way later, and different seats as well, so you need to look at your car to see what is actaully in there, IF anything. Maybe the cutting and welding is the only way.
Waaaaaaaay back, when I got the XJ-S, I do remember (scary this memory thing) I had head room issues. nearly sold it the next day, BUT, I decided to look at the mounts as you are doing, and found 2 spacers under the rear seat runners, where they bolt to the pods, and they were about 10mm thick, and those 2 torx bolts were as per the front 2 only longer, so I took that to indicate that these spacers were in fact factory ??????, no idea, never did find out, AND washers (about 2mm thick) at each bolt where the runners bolted to the seat frame, betweeen the runner and the seat frame.
Removed all that, and head room to burn, simple as. Now mine is an '85, and yours is way later, and different seats as well, so you need to look at your car to see what is actaully in there, IF anything. Maybe the cutting and welding is the only way.
Last edited by Grant Francis; 05-01-2011 at 03:24 AM.
#26
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just got the Jag I've wanted since '92: a 1992 XJS Coupe with the AJ6 and 5-spd manual (36K miles). I love her but she's killin' me. I don't fit and I'm only 6' 200lbs. Two hours of driving equals a wrecked lower back and neck for me.
How do you guys manage? I will have to lower the seat...unless you can help. Got any ideas, seen this before? Do I have to use an unpadded racing seat? I don't need fore-aft adjustment 'cuz I going to remove the back seat (trying to emulate the convertible's storage area).
Thanks.
How do you guys manage? I will have to lower the seat...unless you can help. Got any ideas, seen this before? Do I have to use an unpadded racing seat? I don't need fore-aft adjustment 'cuz I going to remove the back seat (trying to emulate the convertible's storage area).
Thanks.
XJSPaul
#28
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Contact Images Auto Body, ask for Dave. 1-408-371-1493 ImagesAutoBody.com - San Jose CA Auto Body Repair, Campbell CA Vehicle Damage, Collision & Restoration He made up some adapters for my '94 XJS's that let me sit in comfort even with my 6"5" (1.97m) and 295# (134k) height and weight. He may be able to make up another set and ship them to you. Tell Dave that you want the seat adapters that he made up for Paul's Red '94 XJS.
XJSPaul
XJSPaul
#29
#32
#33
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Had the Jag on a hoist recently at the good Hanford Tire, London Ont., where Mike kindly explained to me what a daft idea it was. There's a structural member right where I need space (the roughly 3"x3" channel where the floor meets the trans tunnel). I'd have to chop out a good chunk then try to reinforce the frame somehow...yikes and would I be able to sell such a monster?? I'm not doing it.
Anyway, I have now adopted the "XJS slouch" and am more comfortable in the car. I have driven it 2500 miles in four months and learned to fit it.
Tell you what--if you really want an inch or so, have a good upholsterer make the centre section of the seat thinner. I have not done that yet.
I'd never driven an XJS prior to the test drive when I bought mine in April, but I have to tell you...this is a fine car. A GT in its day, it really is a superb-handling sports car now. I'm dreaming of AJ6 Engineering's Plus Flow and Plus Torque enhancements.
Anyway, I have now adopted the "XJS slouch" and am more comfortable in the car. I have driven it 2500 miles in four months and learned to fit it.
Tell you what--if you really want an inch or so, have a good upholsterer make the centre section of the seat thinner. I have not done that yet.
I'd never driven an XJS prior to the test drive when I bought mine in April, but I have to tell you...this is a fine car. A GT in its day, it really is a superb-handling sports car now. I'm dreaming of AJ6 Engineering's Plus Flow and Plus Torque enhancements.
#35
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Greg,
It's been four months since your last post and I just came across this thread. I believe that the "XJS slouch" is the best answer. My '94 is a convertible, but with the top up my hair would rub the headliner and I'm only 5'10", but with a long torso (and, obviously, short legs...). True that I drive mostly with the top down, but it's still annoying when you must keep the top up for some reason. I increased the angle of the seat back and that worked perfect and with it I found that I like this angle on any car, whether it is necessary or not. In fact, I have my XJR seat at a similar angle, as well, even though it doesn't present the XJS' problem. I just got so used to driving around "slouch" that when somebody returns my seat to "normal" (the shop, car wash, etc.), it feels weird anymore. In fact, when I drive the wife's Z3, I must readjust the seat back every time.
Is this what you wound up doing?
The question that I have is, didn't the design engineers realize that something was wrong when there was no room left as to need (and to provide) an up-and-down adjustment like all the other cars?
Reinaldo
'94 XJS Conv., '02 XJR
It's been four months since your last post and I just came across this thread. I believe that the "XJS slouch" is the best answer. My '94 is a convertible, but with the top up my hair would rub the headliner and I'm only 5'10", but with a long torso (and, obviously, short legs...). True that I drive mostly with the top down, but it's still annoying when you must keep the top up for some reason. I increased the angle of the seat back and that worked perfect and with it I found that I like this angle on any car, whether it is necessary or not. In fact, I have my XJR seat at a similar angle, as well, even though it doesn't present the XJS' problem. I just got so used to driving around "slouch" that when somebody returns my seat to "normal" (the shop, car wash, etc.), it feels weird anymore. In fact, when I drive the wife's Z3, I must readjust the seat back every time.
Is this what you wound up doing?
The question that I have is, didn't the design engineers realize that something was wrong when there was no room left as to need (and to provide) an up-and-down adjustment like all the other cars?
Reinaldo
'94 XJS Conv., '02 XJR
#37
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
MKii250, are you sure that your car actually has the correct seats in it? It is possible that they have been changed in the past (maybe someone couldn't see over the steering wheel).
I'm 6' 1", somewhat more than 200 lbs and have never had a height problem in any of the 4 that I have owned.
I'm 6' 1", somewhat more than 200 lbs and have never had a height problem in any of the 4 that I have owned.
#40
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Lots of good replies here, thanks everyone. Sorry I've been away for a bit. Loving those photos, sidescrollin.
So early in the summer I removed the headlining shell to replace the fuzzy fabric that was sagging. It's ready to go back in but I kept putting it off because I fit so well in the car. Maybe I'm long in the body or sit up straighter than average, dunno but I just found it cramped before. Looks like hell in there without the headliner so I'll stick it back in in the spring.
Unfortunately for the car, I love driving it and am now up to nearly 73,000km (45,600 miles).
So early in the summer I removed the headlining shell to replace the fuzzy fabric that was sagging. It's ready to go back in but I kept putting it off because I fit so well in the car. Maybe I'm long in the body or sit up straighter than average, dunno but I just found it cramped before. Looks like hell in there without the headliner so I'll stick it back in in the spring.
Unfortunately for the car, I love driving it and am now up to nearly 73,000km (45,600 miles).