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One thing I have found annoying in my '96 E350 is the height of the brake pedal as compared to the position of the gas pedal. Every time I have to apply the brakes I have to raise my right leg in order to do it. In stop and go traffic this is a real PIA. By comparison in my '02 F150 both pedals are on the same plane (or close to it) and all I have to do is pivot my foot to the left to apply the brakes. I am sure I am not the only one who finds this annoying so has anyone done anything to fix this?
Thank You
This has never bothered me---never noticed it in fact. There is quite a reach getting on and off the gas, especially when switching a lot like rush hour commuting.
That differential is mostly a (lack of good) design in the E-Series which you know are significantly different from the F-Series. As its located on the firewall the master cylinder pretty much dictates the brake pedal height and travel---not sure we can do a lot to revise that.
Now watch---next time driving this will be the only thing on my mind.
As one of the wheelchair conversion owners here, I can say that any good shop that does that work should offer extensions for the gas and/or brake pedals. Around $250 installed in my area.
Aren't the all adjustable something like this?
As he states, too long and the brakes will drag.. too short and maybe you wouldn't have enough brake peddle ? Or does this adjustment adjust the free play in the peddle?
I totally thought what annaleigh was thinking. Not enough travel distance to the floor.
I don't remember any difference between my F-150 and E-150 but then I drive automatics with both feet (except for the driver's test). Here's the only photo I have of the pedals, ignore the construction area in the background. :-)
jim
I haven't looked at the specific application but...
Is there a rod between the pedal assy. and the master than can be lengthened?
Perhaps swapped with a different Ford rod that is longer but not too long?
My guess is the master cylinder's excursion pretty much dictates the brake pedal's height above the floor. Not sure there's really a cure for this other than possibly raising the gas pedal which might be the easier way to go.
I've put a few miles on my E250's and didn't notice that difference in height being a huge problem---could be I'm just accustomed to it after all these years?
Okay so all this made me curious what the brake pedal travel is measured at the foot pad---its about 3" with engine running. Sitting about 6" above the floor normally I guess its entirely possible to modify or change the pedal arm so during normal operation its a bit closer to the floor and gas pedal.
There should be plenty of race car pedal arms that could be installed without changing or affecting the necessary brake pedal travel.
Even at that I'd not want my brake pedal "on the floor" during hard stops but that's a personal preference maybe.
The 3" travel at the pedal does not relate to the travel required at the rod to guarantee proper function of the master cylinder. The ratio of the pedal movement is much more than the travel of the rod.. You would have to redesign the pedal geometry to position the pedal closer to the floor. And then you can have those people who ride the brake pedal constantly wearing out the brakes prematurely and annoying those behind them with the brake lights constantly flashing.
The 3" travel at the pedal does not relate to the travel required at the rod to guarantee proper function of the master cylinder. The ratio of the pedal movement is much more than the travel of the rod.. You would have to redesign the pedal geometry to position the pedal closer to the floor. And then you can have those people who ride the brake pedal constantly wearing out the brakes prematurely and annoying those behind them with the brake lights constantly flashing.
Sure that's a huge consideration too. My thought was keeping the pedal arm's ratio from its suspended pivot point to where the MC rod attaches the same, simply modifying the remaining pedal arm to better suit this OP's need.
OTOH though going through all this seems a bit too much work for very little real benefit.
When this was first brought up I've put a few miles on my vans and didn't really find it as distracting or hard to brake and accelerate as the OP finds it to be.
People riding the brake pedal? Remedial Driver Training?
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