Driver Clearance Issues

Hello All,

New to the Tacoma world. Just found me an '06 with less than 45k on it. It lived in Cali its whole life until recently coming to WI. I'm having it undercoated before winter.

Anyway, I'm 6'3" and have noticed the space in the cab for the drive is not as generous as other vehicles. I had an '06 GMC Canyon (which unfortunately rusted out) that was a pleasure for me to drive. I've done some looking and I realize this is a known "issue" for the Tacoma. The main physical problem is actually how close the steering wheel is to my legs. Here are are the things I'm looking into doing:

1) Swap in a driver seat from a 4runner of the same/similar year that has manual height adjustment
2) Replace the stock steering wheel with a 14" dia. one to further increase distance from my legs. This is a recent idea and I was hoping to find another Toyota steering wheel. Maybe from a Prius or something? I know the 4runner has the same size wheel as the Tacoma (15"-15.5")

I'd love some feedback/ideas or to hear if anyone else has successfully come up with solutions to this problem. Much appreciated!

 

Not your topic, but do NOT undercoat the truck with traditional product.

Woolwax, cosmoline or Fluid Film are the choices that work. And do all you can inside the frame rails.

I know guys your size that successfully modified the foam in the seat of Miatas to make a comfy fit. Its something to investigate. A custom auto upholstery shop could assist.

 

I appreciate the input! I've found a local place that will do the undercoating for me. Although I don't know their exact product, they mentioned that it's "military grade". I plan to ask a few more questions before I have the work done though and will keep your recommendations in mind.

I was actually thinking of having the seats redone to a vinyl cover anyway because I will have dogs in the truck sometimes. That'll be easier to clean than the fabric so that seems like a good time to also adjust the seat foam. Thanks!

 

It sounds counter intuitive but raising the rear of the seat .5-1" actually helps with comfort for the taller individuals by tilting the back and lumbar forward and allowing you to slide the seat further back and get your legs flatter infront of you. Also as stated above you can pull the seat cover and cut out some of the foam I'm only 5'9" and been thinking about doing it.

The GMC Canyon sits more upright like a dining room table chair, truck or van like, the Tacoma for it's ground clearance sits closer to a recliner or a low sports car if you want your legs more at a 90° angle it's just not really going to happen unfortunately.

 

I'm optimistically 5'10. A Tacoma isn't the best vehicle for tall guys. I have a BIL who is 6'3" and he had a Tacoma for several years. It wasn't ideal, but after a while he got used to it.

 

Hi Key,

The angle of my legs I don't think really matters much to me. The sitting position itself in the Tacoma hasn't been a problem either, but raising the rear seat is an easy experiment so I'll definitely try that. Thanks!

 

They make the seat risers. Just google them

 

Have you tryed moving the steering wheel?

 

Hmmm. I’m 6’4” and I’m nice and comfy. Lol. I have a double cab. do you have a regular cab?

 

The Double cabs front seats slide back much more than the access cab seats, Although I am 6' and I fit ok. Also, the term military grade is one of the stupidest terms out there. Do not get a rubberized undercoating. Only get Krown, Fluid Film or Cosmoline. The fluid film and Krown are my go to. they are a lanolin based product that is basically like oil.

 

I'm 6'4" and have no issues fitting in my Tacoma. Unless you're a hulking behemoth,idk what the issue would be.

 

https://youtu.be/nXvl9nt57Kg

Like others have said do not use rubberized undercoating. Just use Fluid Film once a year. It’s easy to do yourself. If you don’t have a spray gun and a air compressor you can just buy the cans. They sell an extension wand you can connect to the cans that’ll reach all into the frame.

 

I have an 08 Sport 4x4 DC, and also noticed the seats felt a little high. I noticed it mostly with how the door arm rests felt too low for me and didn't support my arms comfortably. I have long arms so I know it's not a "short arm" problem. Over time the seat springs have relaxed and now it's perfect.

 

I'm 6' 6" and have both a Gen 1 and Gen 2. My Gen 2 (a 2015 DC TRD OR) has more legroom and is the more comfortable truck for long stints behind the wheel. The Gen 1 probably has more headroom than the Gen 2 -- a trend Toyota continued, 'cause I can't get comfortable at all in a Gen 3 they're so cramped.

I use the thinnest floor mats I can find (and in fact cut my own from sheet rubber) because that quarter-inch or so of room really does make a difference. I've raised the rear-view mirror using the riser kit offered in the recent past from one of our correspondents on here, @ImMrYo. Between those minor accommodations I haven't had the need to do more. Probably a combination of getting used to the truck and knowing how much worse I have it in other vehicles.

My recommendation is to go slow in cutting foam out of your seats, or recovering them in vinyl. Both of those are one-way streets you might not be happy to go down in the long run. Give yourself a chance to get comfortable, and dig into some of the seat cover threads on here for ideas in protecting the interior from your dogs.

And forget that military grade undercoating crap. Seriously. That's just a line they're giving you. Do it yourself with Fluid Film or an equivalent. You'll save money and get a MUCH better result.

My first Gen 1 had Toyota's corrosion resistant coating applied to the frame as part of the extended warranty campaign for that series. After a few years the rubbery black outer coatiing was starting to crack and peel in a few spots and was trapping moisture against the frame. Sheesh! The fix making the problem worse, in my mind.

My current Gen 1 and my Gen 2 are liberally sprayed with Fluid Film every autumn. They're perfect underneath.


A few pix:

Floor mats


Mirror riser

 

6’5” here. Took me a week or so, years ago, to find ideal. It’s a mix of lumbar adjustment seat-back tilt and steering wheel. I’m intrigued by spacers, but not for $150CAD for a pair.