Steering wheel extension for tall bastards.

I would think so. I don't want to assume anything. I supposed as long as the sensor moves with the bottom of the seat it "should" fine. I just don't want to wire this all up, hook up my battery, then hear my steering wheel blow as I cry into my engine bay wishing I was not me. Then throw my wrench at the engine in vain, tears streaming down my face, then fists clenched to the sky I scream, "WHY GOD! OH JESUS LAWD! GAHUKAAA! WHAA ME!".

 

I ran out of money to fund the constant breaking of shit from drifting and parking tickets from living in NYC. The car got stripped for parts and body hauled off to the yard

Shoulda woulda coulda.

 

I can ALMOST guarantee the splines are the same. I can ask someone tomorrow to be sure if you'd like.

Maybe I'm missing something, but yes the tube telescopes but the shaft inside is what allows the distance for telescope and it is 2 mated pieces. If you just extend the outer tube the shaft will come apart inside and you will lose all steering.

 

That would be very helpful!

 

Maybe you're the first person that isn't missing anything... myself included.

I don't if any of us know what the inside looks like. Hopefully after extending the outer sleeve ("red part") then you could just extend from the lower joint (the part that "almost looks too easy").

 

It shouldn't cause the airbag to deploy, it just won't have stock dynamics at play if it was to go off in a collision. But given the fact you have people of all shapes/sizes driving the vehicle anyway I wouldn't think the seat position playing into deployment velocity is that accurate anyway. Maybe it's just a minuscule part of the SRS equation anyway, who knows.

But alas my own driver seat is swapped out to an FRS seat with my recreation of the stock sensor setup and I'm not sweating it.

 

I do know what the inside looks like...I make these steering columns for a living.

I think the best option if you're willing is to cut in this section and weld an extension here.

Modifying your steering column in any way is VERY risky. You and anyone else on the road with you will pay a price if your weld breaks because you WILL lose steering. Me, I'd just live with being kind of uncomfortable.

@SandTaco138 My guy says that the splines are the same.

 

Pics!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frs-seats-in-2013-tacoma.488639/

 

Anyway to adjust the wheel to tilt down more?

 

If you slide it all the way, would it be hard to put back together? Can you show us what it looks like when pulled apart?

Good to point out the safety aspect. I would be concerned of it collapsing in an odd way in a frontal crash... there's not nearly as much stress on it from steering... but if you're heavy and yank it everyday to get in???

If I am seeing it correctly (it hard to see)...
If you want it to come down a little bit more, it looks like you might be able to add a washer or two at the upper mounting bracket without affecting safety too much. (You might be able to do that to the lower mounting bracket to move it up a little.)

 

Then there's this guy...https://youtu.be/PVSI8Fq0WI4

Take this as inspiration my tall OP friend. I am 6'4" in a 2010 DCSB and I feel your pain!

 

It’s comical watching that guy drive with the steering wheel at eye level.

I don’t have such an issue with my wife’s Lexus, I didn’t have the issue with my old TL. I think Toyota nanny’d The fuck out of this steering wheel to make sure you can’t sit too close to the airbag.

 

Yes I agree it must be an airbag thing...I am going to experiment with installing a spacer on the front seat mount to get some more support for my legs.

 

Has the after market stepped up here with a product yet?

 

This has been my only issue with my Taco coming from a smaller S10 Blazer, which actually seemed to have more room for a guy my size. Even the cockpit of our 4Runner is so much nicer for bigger people (6'4" 240lbs). For me it's not the wheel in the Taco needs to come out further, it's the angle. I'm used to putting my right hand on the top of the wheel (or at 2 O'clock) and other arm out the window when I drive. With the Taco, I find myself reaching forward for the top of the wheel while in a natural feeling position in the seat (knees not trapped under the dash or smashed into the center console). This causes me to pull by shoulders, neck and head away from the seat just enough that causes strain, which wears on you in time. Moving the seat more upright brings my head to close to the ceiling and puts too much pressure straight down on my spin, as well as tipping the head to far forward, causing neck fatigue. Resting my hands in my lap and on the bottom of the wheel works fine, but on more aggressive or windy roads, it's not an optimal steering position.

If the wheel could be dropped down about 2-3" it would be all good I think.

Good thread.. and funny.

 

My god I hope this works out somehow.

 

I agree. I'm 6'4". I've been driving my 2002 Tacoma for 17 years. Love it! Test drove a 2019 & 2020 Tacoma. WTF?! The girly steering wheel barely telescopes out. Perhaps the difference as to why it is not annoying to some is hand position. Some drive in a manly fashion- one hand at 12 o'clock. With the seat all the way back for legroom, my arm has to be fully extended (no bend) to drive. That's cute for a short wittle ride, but that's it. I am a hardcore Tacoma guy who's cringing at the thought of having to look elsewhere for a midsized truck because of some bastards at Toyota.

 

Zen and the art of being adaptable... When you are tall your whole life it is second nature and natural to be great at folding, ducking, shrinking, and wearing clothes that don’t fit.

I either don’t consider it a big deal or just been a freak all my life and consider it normal. I am 6’9” tall, 215lbs, 38” inseam, 37” sleeve length. When I was a kid A friend said his mom was selling a car that ran for $300. Gave him the money sight unseen and he brought it over. ‘69 VW Beetle MT - could not even get in it. Ended up unbolting both front seats tossed them out and drove it from the back seat all through high school.

My “weekend” car is a ‘99 Jeep Wrangler TJ 5 speed stick. Knees are close but can drive it with no problem and still enjoy the ride. I just fold to fit.

My new 2019 TRDOR I actually find quite luxurious. Enough headroom, adequate leg space for it’s size, and the steering wheel is maybe slightly far away at 10-2 but still a slight break at the elbows. No big deal.

Monday I drove it on a four hour drive and when I got stiff I pulled over and stretched. Would do that anyway at my age.

I guess my point is that you “are what you are and you ain’t what you ain’t” but I do like being able to reach the jelly on the top shelf at the grocery store without help.

 

Subbed.



I just wish it tilted up more. It'd make it much easier to get in and out without smacking my thigh into the steering wheel. Ive gotten used to it and committed it to muscle memory. My wife cusses me everytime she drives my truck. Shes' too used to the easy entry mode in her Jaguar.