Steering column mod?

I think it is very do-able. It is on my list of projects for the winter. I agree with what you are saying 100%. Toyota did not design these cars with much adjustability to various body shapes.
Basically from my investigation of the steering column, the mounting points will have to be modified, and a longer intermediate shaft made, or the existing one lengthened. Yes, I am sure that there might be some small implication as to how the airbag works. No biggie IMO. I am not going to live my life worrying about being in a car wreck. I feel that it is more dangerous to drive the car with my arms completely outstretched in order to give my legs the room they need.

 

Good point on the seat sensor.

Again I agree with you on European cars! This is my first Japanese car. I do love the technology, and Toyota quality is word-renowned, but they do lack on ergonomics for the rest of the world. I have owned Saab, Audi, and Peugeot, all of which seemed very comfortable and classy. More than likely I would have purchased a comparable European hybrid if they were available.

 

Doesn't matter how tall or short you are, or whether the car is Swedish or Japanese.

The Prius steering wheel is uncommonly far away for almost anyone adjusting their driver's seat to reach and switch between the acceleration and brake pedels comfortably and safely.

It's not a short person or Japanese thing. The Prius' long steering wheel distance is unlike other Japanese cars, including other Toyotas, as well.

 

Toyota should have used some models with long torsos to help position the seat/steering wheel. That is why the Volvo worked for you; the Swedes tend to be long in the torso too. I have Norwegian blood in my family and also have a long torso.

I modified the seat so I can see out the windshield, but I understand your issue with the steering wheel position as well. I am trying to retrain myself to hold the bottom half of the wheel where it is closer, but often find that I am leaning forward with my hands in the 10 and 2 position that I learned in driver's training a few decades ago.

 

I was also taught to hold the wheel at 10 & 2, but isn't the recommended position now 8 & 4 due to the air bag?

 

Yes, but I drove vehicles for 20 years before getting one with an air bag. Old habits die hard.

 

Prius was designed for a more upright seating position. A more vertical back gives greater visibility, and makes your legs effectively shorter, and arms effectively longer.

Of course this may be contrary to your personal preference.

 

It's not about personal preference when you are 6' 2" tall. I have less visibility sitting upright. Perhaps this goes back to the non-height adjustable seat issue? Hmmm...

 

I agree. I'm about 6 foot tall even... and I don't consider myself unusually tall, in fact I feel about average and yet I feel like I'm too tall in the Prius because I often find myself ducking my head down to see through the right portion of the windshield at intersections because I'm trying to look under the rearview mirror. It would be nice if the seats had height adjustment to correct this, then again the steering wheel is a bit far forward too, I feel that I sit reasonably upright and at a safe distance from the steering wheel and try to keep my hands around 10 and 2 on the wheel and my arms are uncomfortably stretched out when I thought they were supposed to be more like at 90 degree angles at the elbow.

 

Strange, I initially didn't take into account that how far your seat is slanted back effectively "shortens" your arms. I'm 6'3 (my height is more in my torso) and sit with the seat slid all the way back and the seat back pretty vertical. That's my normal driving position in any car. I find the positioning superb in the Prius. Not just acceptable, but absolutely perfect for my ideal driving position. I guess it's just luck since everyone is built differently... there really does need to be more adjustability though, but for me it's perfect.

 

Here is the section from the repair manual:

 

Same with me. I'm also 6'3" and have no problems whatsoever. It wouldn't be bad if the seats could be a bit cushier, but it's really no big deal, and I drive about 150 miles a day.

 

OMG that is blasphemy. The AIRBAG ranters will eat you alive now. Put on your flame suit. This thread will now turn into 19 pages of airbag ranting.

 

I don't think that anyone has proposed selling the modification to others.

 

I am also 6'2" and find an upright position gives me perfect ergonomics, but I feel he windshield should extend higher, If I pull too close to a light I can't see when it changes. Perhaps a red-light camera mod is in order!

 

It would be extremely difficult and costly to change the windshield design.
However, I feel that a steering column mod is definately do-able, and seat mods have been done. I agree that sitting more upright is ergonomically OK (not perfect for me), but in addition to not being able to see a red light, do you not have blocked vision from the mirror, or see the green glare from the dash at night?