Steering wheel extension?
 

Hi everyone, new to the forums. I test drove an '07 Fit a few days ago, and found it to be a really fun car to drive! However, there's two driver-comfort things that I realized:

1) Lack of a dead pedal. Right, I know Zeta Products makes one, so if I were to get a Fit I know the first mod I would be doing.

2) Lack of a telescoping steering wheel. I think my driving position would've been more comfortable if I wasn't sitting so upright. I'm 5' 6", and prefer some recline so that I don't feel like monkey-ing the steering nor feel like I'm sitting at a 90-degree angle.

So in providing remedies for these issues, I know that #1 can be easily handled. But what about the non-telescopic wheel - has anyone considered a wheel extension? And because the steering wheel is home for a number of electronically controlled doodads (i.e. airbag, cruise control, paddle shifters for the AT's), would extensions not work?

i wish they had telescopic steering column too. . .

I too would definitely buy a telescoping steering wheel mod. I would like to keep the paddle shifters and airbag working if possible. I wonder if such a thing exists?

Well, there are now four of us on the "steering wheel extension" WTB list.

There is a wishlist! Add me too!

where do i sign up? lol

im 6'6" and i dislike the way the steering wheel is SO far forward lol

Just plan on trading in on an 09 since they will have the telescoping steering wheel. LOL Other than that I don't think that it is possible.

I have seen some steering wheel extenders/spacers for sale, but I am pretty sure they are all for aftermarket steering wheels.

Has anyone taken their stock Sport steering wheel? Is there any play in any of the wires? Is there a possibility to put a 2" spacer in there?

Put me on the list too. Even a spacer under 1" would help tons.

extender/telescope
 

Ive never done any mod's to any cars...though Im getting way into it looking at all the great ideas here. I've already bought about 8 add-ons (sport grille, applique, chrome meter rings etc........)

The steering is the ONLY draw back for me in my FIT. Im 5'7 and long legged, cant have both comfortable arms and comfortable legs when I drive my FIT. I still LOVE my car, and would not trade it...but I'd love to sit comfortably enough for a long ride too. Im constantly adjusting and readjusting trying to find the perfect ride position.

So if the 2009 is going to have telescoping steering, will we be able to just buy a 2009 steering column and add it?

I like the look and feel of the wheel it has now---and I want the airbag and cruise control...but I also heard that they are taking the spare tire out of the 2009 to try and get more MPG. No way am I trading for a car without a spare tire!

Sounds like you have the same problem as me. I'm 6'1" and need a touch more legroom, but that would put me too far from the wheel. I would have gladly paid another $500 for my Fit to get a telescoping wheel. Biggest shortcoming of the car, if you ask me.

BTW, how is it that Honda thinks they can get better mpg by eliminating the spare tire? I know it will save some weight, but not enough to boost mpg.

where is that wtb thread? can you guys link here?

if you could extend the factory steering wheel i would be interested.

Me too... need to find a way to lengthen my arms or move the steering wheel closer (prefer the latter).

if you mess with the steering column and you get into an accident
people would not want to take liability for your injuries so i doubt
someone will make one. or if they did, they better have some good
insurance. :popc:

i went ahead and ordered my aftermarket steering wheel hub + 2
different spacers from japan and will see how it works with my MOMO
steering wheel that i got yesterday. if it works well, ill post up the pn's
and the spacers i'll use along with a DIY, but this is strictly for
entertainment only. ETA is early July.

myself and fitfreak will not take any responsibility for injuries due to
the lack of the airbag on the steering wheel. i personally rather NOT
have an airbag because my arms are pretty short (legs are pretty long
for my height) and i will probably end up with facial burns than anything
else if it deploys. 99.99% of the time i only drive my FitS on surface
streets so my average speed is slow.

I've been looking for a solution for long time.....
Let us know how it went kenchan

I too wold love the steering wheel closer :(

Meh, I didn't like the steering wheel so I just replaced it with an aftermarket one. Makes me happy.

here you go... scroll all the way down to start the picts and DIY.
again, this DIY is for entertainment only. (DIY on page 10)

post comments/questions over there. :wavey:

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...on-fits-9.html

Cool option, but I think some of us were wanting to find a spacer for the stock steering wheel. I especially want to keep my paddle shifters and my cruise control.

I have the same problem that all of you!!! I don´t have the perfect arm posicion, i like the steering wheel a little closer to have more feeling of the car and confortable posicion in highway...I want a hub, but i want to maintain the stock steering wheel as well with the airbag...:o

yah, it's been SO NICE the last few weeks since putting
my steering wheel on and the adapter hub.

my hand use to feel kinda numb after driving 30min+.
it was not good.

now, it just feels right. like a sports coupe. :cool:
i look forward to my commute every morning and night.

I'm 5'6" and I wish the steering wheel was closer to me...

Add me to the list I guess...

Sorry to raise this thread from its slumber, but I just got an Fit 08 sport MT, and I'd like to bring the steering wheel closer while retaining (if possible) the cruise, airbag, and original steering wheel. Has anybody found a spacer or other solution, (other than to get a car with telescopic steering?)

I did find a way to keep the stock wheel (w/ Cruise) and move it about 1" closer...that also coincedentally is about the extent of how far the wiring will safely extend too.

The spacer has to basically look like the back of the steering wheel with the same sloted protrusion to engage the column. Best way to get that was to hit the J/K in search for a doner steering wheel and cut out the hub, then bolt the two together and buy a new proper length bolt that is longer by the length of spacer. I cut the hub section out of the doner wheel and trimmed it down with a sawzal and a grinding wheel to get the rim and spokes off and to smooth all the edges. There were a pair of unused holes in the stock wheel and the doner wheel, so I used grade 8 bolts through both to hold the two together after some slight filing to get them in perfect alingment (they looked like they were aligned until final fitting), and then used the new longer bolt through the center of both together to attach the whole assembly to the center of the column. Put the air bag back on it's done. Airbag Light didn't even trip (make sure the key is never in the lock for the whole job). Before you put the whel on you should know the spacer is visible, so make a flexible cover from 4" diameter vent hose or similar.

Doner steering wheels that have the same mounting end and fittings are (as of 2009 when I did this) Acura: 2000 on teg, RSX 2001 on, TSX 2002 on, RL 99-03 (but I think 96-04 are the same), TL 98-03
Honda: Accord 97-02, Civic 96-00 and 2002-on, Prelude 96 on, S2000 from 2000 on, CRV 97-04, Odessey 97 on.

Any of those wheels should have the right attachement casting that can be cut out. After several failed attempts at more expensive wheels I got a RL wheel with a blown airbag and damaged rim for $5 on ebay...perfect.

Feels just as solid, everything works as before.

I'll try it! It's a good sounding solution, and in essence, is exactly as it seems it should be — a fairly straightforward metal shop project. I'll let you know how it goes! Many thanks for the models and years.

MY SOLUTION:

I raised the seat by swapping for long bolts with spacers & nuts on the underside to support the raise. The only catch is that the left front side has an angle which I got around by making a metal bracket to connect the offset holes. If anyone's interested I can post pics. Its been like 6mos & I love it, I can lower the steering wheel all the way to the lowest position without any contact from the raised seat.