Help - poor visibility for tall drivers

[JCRover]

Hello all,
I'm looking for any help in improvements for tall drivers, I'm 6'4" and the seats just don't have enough adjustability to allow good visibility.
I've already removed the sunvisor (completely worthless to me), and looked at lowering the seat frame - not an easy task and will require cutting and welding on the body to accomplish this (will likely tackle it later in the year once I'm 100% certain I'll be keeping it for a very long time). This should allow me to see to the side and sideview better, but like I stated not something I'm ready to commit to now.

In the meantime, I need an option to adjust or alter the side view mirror as currently I'm basically looking at the left rear wheel rather than traffic in the next lane (LHD vehicle).

Also thinking of adding a rear view camera system as the factory rear view is kinda silly. Has anyone tackled this yet?

Thanks,
JC

 

[ScottnAZ]

While I’m an inch shorter, I can somewhat relate, and certainly wish the seat would go just a little bit lower. Many of us have installed the Wolfbox mirror: Here’s a forum thread discussing it. Not difficult to install, and made a big difference (especially coming for a new defender that had this type of rear view camera setup).

Other than that, I can’t help much because the Grenadier is actually my wife’s ride, so I just kinda suck it up and make the best of it when I’m driving…… what’s the saying…. Happy wife = Happy life
(in debt )

 

[terdrocket]

I am the same height. I found that raising the seat higher made for the best position for me. The steering wheel tilt also better matches a higher seating position.

 

[Reducs]

Resurrecting this thread.

I test drove one, again, and still feel odd in it. I'm 6'3"ish and with the seat all the way down and back where I think it should be I still feel like I'm up in the vehicle higher than I should be and the B pillar is directly to my left in my peripheral view. I hate to use the word "claustrophobic", but considering the size of this thing it does feel restrictive.

I've been driving an FJ Cruiser for 10 years so I'm VERY aware of weird ergonomics and pillars that block out vast areas of your surroundings, but at least the FJ feels roomy from the driver's seat.

Does this feeling subside? at the very least I really wish I could lower the seat more.

Thanks!

 

[Tom109]

I am 6’4” tall and have no issues. Yes, the side mirror adjustability is limited and the b-pillar is wide, but you adjust. I like the seat slightly raised and nowhere near the full rearward position. I have plenty of room and am very comfortable. The cabin size is my personal sweet spot - not grossly oversized and not cramped like my RRC.

 

[trobex]

I am 5'10 and I feel like I sit to high in the cabin... because its the only way to avoid the massive RHD footrest intrusion we get in our lovely model. Alas...

 

[Krabby]

I am 5'10 and I feel like I sit to high in the cabin... because its the only way to avoid the massive RHD footrest intrusion we get in our lovely model. Alas...

It's not the only way

 

[bemax]

I heard of someone who probable did something not lawful by uninstalling the brackets behind the drivers seat. So the seat comes back a little more.
It is not comparable to a new frame with longer rails but still worth to be tried out. At least that is what I heard...

 

[DENOGG-Fieldmaster]

I am 6’4” tall and have no issues. Yes, the side mirror adjustability is limited and the b-pillar is wide, but you adjust. I like the seat slightly raised and nowhere near the full rearward position. I have plenty of room and am very comfortable. The cabin size is my personal sweet spot - not grossly oversized and not cramped like my RRC.

I am 6’6” and I use similar seat settings.

 

[landmannnn]

I am 6’4” tall and have no issues. Yes, the side mirror adjustability is limited and the b-pillar is wide, but you adjust. I like the seat slightly raised and nowhere near the full rearward position. I have plenty of room and am very comfortable. The cabin size is my personal sweet spot - not grossly oversized and not cramped like my RRC.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Jeroendecker]

Im 6'9", but I'm not really experiencing any issues other then the side mirror not being able to turn more. I think I'm going to have to get one of those mirror extenders you can attach on the standard mirror. Other than that, I have my sent to the lowest position, adjusted the steering wheel and good to go.

 

[Reducs]

Thanks for the feedback.

There's plenty of legroom, and I know it's different like test driving anything new is, but man that seat feels high. Or the tops of the side windows feel low. One or the other.

I'm sure I'll adapt.

 

[Zimm]

The seating would be better for tall people if there was a tilt. So, just make your own tilt and spacer the front of the seat.

 

[JSDKMS!]

They should just put electric adjustable seats - 12 position, like most other companies.

 

[JSDKMS!]

They should just put electric adjustable seats - 12 position, like most other companies.

The manual seats were almost a dealbreaker for me! Come on Ineos. Decide what you want to be when you grow up please.

 

[Zimm]

The manual seats were almost a dealbreaker for me! Come on Ineos. Decide what you want to be when you grow up please.

I think the reason the ineos got non adjustable seats, was sir jim holding to the old defender image. Yea, it sounds odd, but there was no technical reason to exclude basic adjustments, and the cost is minimal. It was an emotional decision, and original defender seating was sorta set in stone. Funny part is, it was something universally reviled. When the product was announced, I don't recall anyone pining over their old 110's seating position.

 

[Tom109]

For me, multi-point electric seats only have value when there are multiple drivers and you want to retain your settings. Otherwise set it and forget it.

 

[Zimm]

For me, multi-point electric seats only have value when there are multiple drivers and you want to retain your settings. Otherwise set it and forget it.

I guess the point of a manufacturer having them, is people come in all shapes and sizes. I mean, not everyone is Tom109. my only gripe with the electric, is when the entire seat is electric, it takes too long to adjust. I looked at a new d90, and with the top end seats, you can hard boil an egg in the amount of time the rear seat passenger will wait for it to get out of the way. the memory buttons are handy though.

 

[Bruce]

I love manual seats. It feels like eternity resetting my seating position after my wife who is a foot shorter than I am.

 

[AngusMacG]

I thought that since the Grenadier is designed to be hosed down on the inside that having power seats may cause issues. Also it becomes another point of failure in a vehicle that is meant to be fixable in the field.