Gen IV vs. Gen III: leg and headroom?

[rw99]

For all of you Gen IV owners that had (or still own) a Gen III, can you give me an idea of the headroom and legroom on these cars? In another thread ("Save my dream car for me") I (surprisingly) didn't see a unanimous answer on this point... so I thought I'd just ask guys that have lengthy personal experience with both Gens. Not trying to beat the dead horse; just looking to see if I should weigh my search heavily toward 2006 vs. 2008. I'm 6'4" and 245 lbs, so a seat lowering kit is a given. Thanks in advance for your patience with my trolling and any info...

Rich

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Same amount of room (or lack of) in both Gens. I am 6-1 and still have room for helmet with NO seat lowering but you would need one. Its just claustrophobic compared to the awesome Gen. 2 due to the low roof line while looking forward.

 

[AbsolutHank]

The cabin is identical in both cars, but the 08s have a module under the drivers seat that makes it more difficult to lower the seat. I'm 6'2", and I still don't have the adjustable pedals all the way to the floor. My Vert really makes it no problem...obviously.

 

[Shandon]

My understanding is the room is identical between both cars. Interior dimensions didnt change. Im 6"1 and 245+/- I use the 2"seat lowering kit and I retro an extra way to get the seat back farther with the kit. Im very happy with the setup and no head smacking on top with helmet. 6'4" would be getting tight in my car with a helmet. I do have ample leg room with the retro I did. I found the 2"seat lowering kit puts you down plenty but it moves you forward a couple inches (not cool). So I worked a solution to get it back to its full rear position. Anyway hope that helps with options for you in deciding on a purchase.

 

[kcobean]

6'4", 265 here. The interior dimensions are identical, so don't let passenger room influence your search. If you can swing an '08 or '09, do it. I won't say it's not snug for me, but a SLK will fix that.

 

[GreenVenom]

Im 6'4'' 275 lbs and fit is just right as stock, seat all way back pretty straight up, no lowering kit pedals all way forward, Do have to stop a little further back to see the traffic light though without bending down my head. I felt if I lowered the seat then the backs of my legs would lose support. My Legs must be pretty long as I ride a 58" Victorian era HighWheel bicycle which few in that hobby can. Just go sit in some and get comfortable.

 

[gb66gth]

Head and leg room? Really?
Just buy the damn car already! You'll be glad you did, even if you're a little uncomfortable.

 

[kcobean]

Im 6'4'' 275 lbs and fit is just right as stock, seat all way back pretty straight up, no lowering kit pedals all way forward, Do have to stop a little further back to see the traffic light though without bending down my head. I felt if I lowered the seat then the backs of my legs would lose support. My Legs must be pretty long as I ride a 58" Victorian era HighWheel bicycle which few in that hobby can. Just go sit in some and get comfortable.

Longer legs and a short torso will make things better in the headroom dep't. Like you, I'm *ok* when driving but have to stop short at lights to prevent having to look underneath the roofline. It would be alot better with a SLK, but you are right about the loss of leg support in the seat bottom. I had a 2" SLK on my Gen-2 ACR. It's not a big deal though, and in my opinion the added knee room and head room gained by a SLK are worth it. JMO and YMMV.

 

[rw99]

Head and leg room? Really?
Just buy the damn car already! You'll be glad you did, even if you're a little uncomfortable.

It's not so much about comfort; it's about being able to properly operate the pedals! My one autocross session in a Gen III was brutal; splayed knees and headliner at forehead level.

I'm looking exclusively at coupes, so that makes it worse...

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

I'm 6'9" 375 lbs, and have to sit in the truck but its still well worth it to drive a Viper.

 

[kcobean]

I'm 6'9" 375 lbs, and have to sit in the truck but its still well worth it to drive a Viper.

Of course you have to sit in a truck...A Viper won't hold you!!!

 

[Hamrhead]

6'4", 265 here.

^Me too.

Had an '06 Coupe and now an '08 Coupe. 1" Seat Lowering Kit in both cars AND removed the sun visors (as they're basically useless for me anyway).

I'm reasonably comfortable, though I wouldn't want to drive across the country in it.

 

[Y2K10 SRT#39]

I've had a 2003 (gen 3) a 2005 (gen 3) and a 2010 (gen 4). The interiors are identical.
I'm 6'6" and 230 pounds, and I've had a 2" seat lowering kit in all my Vipers (including the '96 GTS)

PBR

 

[JonB]

For all of you Gen IV owners that had (or still own) a Gen III, can you give me an idea of the headroom and legroom on these cars? In another thread ("Save my dream car for me") I (surprisingly) didn't see a unanimous answer on this point... so I thought I'd just ask guys that have lengthy personal experience with both Gens. Not trying to beat the dead horse; just looking to see if I should weigh my search heavily toward 2006 vs. 2008. I'm 6'4" and 245 lbs, so a seat lowering kit is a given. Thanks in advance for your patience with my trolling and any info...Rich

Howz About 'lengthy personal experience' with ALL Gens ?!?

Not only is it correct, but uninamous: The Gen 3 and Gen 4 Cabins are the same. "Carryovers" as they say in Detroit. Also tru that its more difficlult to lower a G4 seat by 2" than a G3. Can be done, but airbag sensors and computer translators come in play G4.

SRT initially had HOPED to have better forward-visibility in the G3-4 Coupes vs SRT roadsters by eliminating the large and intrusive "headliner ****" that hangs down dead-center above the SRT rear-view mirror. But it stayed, too costly to make a different windshield header for a Roadster (that NEEDS THE ****) and a Coupe (which does NOT need it.)

Keep Trolling..... and good luck in your SRT-Quest

JonB~~~~:<~ {My first Viper track date was in July 1993}

 

[GTXgp]

My understanding is the room is identical between both cars. Interior dimensions didnt change. Im 6"1 and 245+/- I use the 2"seat lowering kit and I retro an extra way to get the seat back farther with the kit. Im very happy with the setup and no head smacking on top with helmet. 6'4" would be getting tight in my car with a helmet. I do have ample leg room with the retro I did. I found the 2"seat lowering kit puts you down plenty but it moves you forward a couple inches (not cool). So I worked a solution to get it back to its full rear position. Anyway hope that helps with options for you in deciding on a purchase.

Can you go into more detail on how you accomplished this?

I have narrowed my search to a Gen 4 Coupe and am going to pull the trigger in the next week, but at 6'7" I know that room is going to be an issue. However, I am "all legs" with a 36" inseam so I hope that will help overall.

2 questions:

1. I thought I had read that the Coupe has more headroom than the vert, but a few people have eluded to otherwise here?

2. I did not realize that the 2" kit was so difficult with the Gen 4 Is the 1" still easily do-able? ...and does the 1" move the seat forward like the 2"?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Since being involved with designing many cars over the years.... I can tell you that all of the manufacturers design the cabin for a SAE 95th percentile occupant to meet the FMVSS / Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. There are no other larger sizes that a manufacturer designs a car for in the driver's seat, they must design a vehicle based on a 95th percentile manikin to pass federal standards.

The dimensions of a 95th percentile occupant determines many vehicle dimensions, from distance to occupant collision to interior parts, bolsters, cant rails, dash, side door, roof inner, side glass, etc., then vision studies, forward through the windscreen, side mirrors, dash instruments, wiper zone, then seating position, the location of the hip point, ball of foot to the pedals, leg angles, hip angle, steering wheel, shifter, etc., then airbags, then weight of vehicle for testing, all of this is also based on the seat track adjustment variables and frontal, offset barrier, roof and side impact intrusion.

There can be additional head room clearance, etc., but basically all of the clearance dimensions are defined as a minimum clearance requirement regarding crash based on a 95th percentile manikin, yet, still having to meet all of the aforementioned requirements.

Here's an example from the net of the SAE 95th percentile occupant / manikin dimensions:

http://www.dentonatd.com/dentonatd/pdf/HIII95M.PDF

Cheers,
Mike

 

[rw99]

Since being involved with designing many cars over the years.... I can tell you that all of the manufacturers design the cabin for a SAE 95th percentile occupant to meet the FMVSS / Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. There are no other larger sizes that a manufacturer designs a car for in the driver's seat, they must design a vehicle based on a 95th percentile manikin to pass federal standards.

The dimensions of a 95th percentile occupant determines many vehicle dimensions, from distance to occupant collision to interior parts, bolsters, cant rails, dash, side door, roof inner, side glass, etc., then vision studies, forward through the windscreen, side mirrors, dash instruments, wiper zone, then seating position, the location of the hip point, ball of foot to the pedals, leg angles, hip angle, steering wheel, shifter, etc., then airbags, then weight of vehicle for testing, all of this is also based on the seat track adjustment variables and frontal, offset barrier, roof and side impact intrusion.

There can be additional head room clearance, etc., but basically all of the clearance dimensions are defined as a minimum clearance requirement regarding crash based on a 95th percentile manikin, yet, still having to meet all of the aforementioned requirements.

Here's an example from the net of the SAE 95th percentile occupant / manikin dimensions:

http://www.dentonatd.com/dentonatd/pdf/HIII95M.PDF

Cheers,
Mike

Sure wish they'd take the measurements from the 95th percentile of the Viper owners population and design the car around that, instead!

 

[rw99]

...thought I'd come back to a couple of my old "help!" threads and post up the final solution/outcome.

Valaya Racing (San Jose) installed a Snake Oyl 2" seat lowering kit in my '09 ACR coupe and it's fantastic! The seat is immobile now, but I'm the only one that drives this car anyway. Again, I'm 6'4, 36" inseam, 240 lb. I now have ample head/helmet room, and the seat drop takes my knees down away from the steering wheel and dash. Honestly, I don't even think about head and legroom while driving, and that's exactly what I was hoping for.

So for any other prospective tall buyers of a Gen IV: don't worry about it. Get the 2" seat drop kit and you'll be fine.

 

[GTXgp]

...thought I'd come back to a couple of my old "help!" threads and post up the final solution/outcome.

Valaya Racing (San Jose) installed a Snake Oyl 2" seat lowering kit in my '09 ACR coupe and it's fantastic! The seat is immobile now, but I'm the only one that drives this car anyway. Again, I'm 6'4, 36" inseam, 240 lb. I now have ample head/helmet room, and the seat drop takes my knees down away from the steering wheel and dash. Honestly, I don't even think about head and legroom while driving, and that's exactly what I was hoping for.

So for any other prospective tall buyers of a Gen IV: don't worry about it. Get the 2" seat drop kit and you'll be fine.

I’m glad this worked out for you, I wasn’t quite so lucky. At 6’7” and 36” inseam, the 2” seat lowering kit made the legroom unbearable and wouldn’t have worked for me. I also tried a custom 1-1.5” kit that Woodhouse did which allowed full movement of the seat, but I still hit my head So, unfortunately, I had to give up on my Viper search and moved on to another toy instead. Maybe they will allot more room in the Gen 5

 

[ucfCIVIL31]

I'm 6'8, 240lbs, 38" inseam. I have a 2" lowering kit on my '03 Vert. If there is a will there is a way!! My left knee is constantly in the dash but it's a small price to pay for the ride of my life. Next step will be to find a new seat or modify the seat to allow my self to sit a bit further down and back. I'd imagine if I removed some of the current lumbar support I could sit another inch or so back into the seat. I do NOT have any head room issues.

 

[DMan]

2. I did not realize that the 2" kit was so difficult with the Gen 4 Is the 1" still easily do-able? ...and does the 1" move the seat forward like the 2"?

I'm 6'4", 205. (feel like this is a dating site thread). I first did a 2" lowering kit, it didn't work for me, my legs were too jammed up after it moved the seat forward with no adjustment. I took it out & installed the 1" kit, it allows the seat to track all the way back, it's been the perfect compromise so to speak. I'm evenly distributed, but have long arms, but the 2 incher was a no go. The 1 inch with the seat all the way back & pedals all the way down is quite fine. Taking the dead pedal out also can work wonders, as I can brace myself against the firewall easily, and it allows for the leg to stretch out when not in use.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Had an 96 Coupe, 03 Vert and 09 Coupe.

All the interiors felt similar to me as far as space.

I am 6' 235 and fit just fine.

I put 1" lowering kits in each of my cars to avoid looking through the upper-most portion of the windshield. Feel more comfortable looking out a little lower down.

One of the easiest ways to make your interiors feel far roomier is to simply remove the thick, heavily padded sun visors. Really opens up the interior, and they are easily re-installed if you wish to ad the visors back in.

Takes only 5 minutes and cost is FREE!

 

[rw99]

I’m glad this worked out for you, I wasn’t quite so lucky. At 6’7” and 36” inseam, the 2” seat lowering kit made the legroom unbearable and wouldn’t have worked for me. I also tried a custom 1-1.5” kit that Woodhouse did which allowed full movement of the seat, but I still hit my head So, unfortunately, I had to give up on my Viper search and moved on to another toy instead. Maybe they will allot more room in the Gen 5

What about a racing seat? Sparco (for instance) makes a wide variety of "street" seats and they're not like all the "shoehorn your ass in" type. Might be wise to wait for the Gen V... but I doubt there's gonna be THAT much more room. And you'd probably have to wait for someone to fab up a lowering bracket to fit the new seat config.

But it sounds like you found something to grin about, anyway...

 

[fastandloud]

Man RW that is one pretty Red/Green Viper...Before those 'Red' boys get any bigger a head than they already have, change your Venom tag to the appropriate color!!

6' 190lbs.....

 

[rw99]

Man RW that is one pretty Red/Green Viper...Before those 'Red' boys get any bigger a head than they already have, change your Venom tag to the appropriate color!!

6' 190lbs.....

I noticed that my tag mysteriously changed color a few days ago??? Conspiracy.

Quick look at the User CP doesn't reveal how to switch it back to the faster color... any help?

<self-hijack completed>

 

[mattsmusic]

I'm 5-7" and 145 pounds. My Gen III fits me perfectly! LOL...

 

[fastandloud]

I noticed that my tag mysteriously changed color a few days ago??? Conspiracy.

Quick look at the User CP doesn't reveal how to switch it back to the faster color... any help?

<self-hijack completed>

Need to go to the top of the page, click on Members, then Your Account. You'll get prompted to enter your VCA Memeber number and password to login. Poke around in there and you will see where you can change the color back to the one you want that's slightly slower than Slate!

 

[kcobean]

I noticed that my tag mysteriously changed color a few days ago??? Conspiracy.

Quick look at the User CP doesn't reveal how to switch it back to the faster color... any help?

<self-hijack completed>

Just cuz I saw your post....you're fixed (ok, not fixed...because you're not a dog I don't think...but your tag is green again.)

 

[rw99]

...my man.

Thanks, bud!

 

[Blockbuster]

I am 6.6 and I have 2009 and thinking to lower 1 " kit . My wife whant to drive it to !

There is electronic under driver seat and do I have to relocate it ?


Thanks