Greetings,

My son and I are considering a 1956 F100 project and wanted to gain some insight before we were too far down the road.

Both my son and I are over 6'3", and neither one of us has ever sat in a '56. We were wondering if there were other tall owners, and if there were modifications that you can recommend to enable comfort and drive-ability for guys our size.

Any help in this area is truly appreciated.

Lee

 

Welcome! While I don't have a 56, the driver space is roughly equivalent to a 49. At 6'2", this is the first vehicle with enough room for me to wear a hat. Granted, these trucks were built when the average North American male was, well let's say sized differently. The bench seat does use the available steering wheel to back of cab distance well. Some have installed other seats, I'm not convinced that there is any real gain other than perhaps personal preference.

The only other improvement most of us could benefit from involves moving more and eating less, but this is a truck forum, so we'll just leave that alone.

 

Hey Lee - I'm 6'1" and weigh 192. My 54 F100 (similar in cab size to your 56) came with the stock bench seat and I had enough head room for my ball cap with room to spare. I recently installed a pair of bucket seats and still have plenty of head and butt room. You should have no concern relative to size.

Ken

 

I have a 1950 and my seat is all the way back. I'm 5'8" I hope this doesn't discourage you.

 

I'm 6' and have plenty of head room in my 52. The later trucks where larger. I took out the in cab gas tank and really didn't gain much room. I don't mean to sound like a wise ***, but why don't you go look at one and sit in it ? Good luck and welcome to FTE

 

Welcome to FTE!

I can't answer your headroom question on the "newer" trucks, but my 6'3" son has plenty of room in the 51 cab with the stock seat.

 

If you showed your location you might find someone willing to let you set in one.

 

A 56 has considerably more interior space than a 48-52 truck. There's plenty of headroom in any of these old trucks, since they were designed back when guys wore hats all the time. Leg room or belly room might be tight, but with the right seat, you should have no trouble making a comfortable driving truck for you and your son.

Welcome to the forum, Lee!

 

I have a '56 F100. I am 6'2" and 235 pounds and have absolutely no problem with legroom or headroom. The stock steering wheel bothered me at first...not much space between it and my belly. I intended to replace it, but I quickly got used to it, and its large size helps when you don't have power steering. You need to find one near you and try it, remembering any different new vehicle might feel a little odd at first.

 

I'll take Okiedokie's recommendation and tell you that I'm in South Florida. So, if there's anyone nearby that wouldn't mind me sitting in their '56, please let me know.
Thanks,
Lee

 

One other thing to keep in mind. Although I don't think you'll have any trouble once seated in the truck, entering the vehicle is where you might hit your head on the door frame, especially on a vehicle that has been radically lowered. Shouldn't be too much problem on a truck at stock height.
Good luck!

 

I have the smaller 51 and I am 6' 5". I have to tuck my right leg under the steering column but fit fine. (If a little tight at 270#)

 

I'm 6'2" and had no problems in a 55 F-100. I like the large steering wheels, they give you a more relaxed driving position where your arms are not stretched out all the time.

 

I'm 6'7" and fit in my 49 ok.

 

I also wondered about enough room for me at 6'3"-280#. I know there is plenty of head room, I am concerned about leg and belly room. I have driven some smaller vehicles where I had trouble operating the pedals, as in my knee hitting the wheel when trying to get over the clutch to step on it. I have a 56 and have set in it but it can't be driven yet. You really need to drive a vehicle to see if it's comfortable for you. I'll be watching this thread- any other big guys have comments? Thanks, Greg