In the last few weeks I have become very interested in the Scion xb. Our local Toyota dealer doesn't sell new Scions but had a used one on the lot. It was the perfect oportunity to sit in one and see if my 6'4" body would fit. It did, except for one thing. My left knee hits the turn signal. I'm used to adjusting around things like that but this would be a constent annoyance. When I realized the problem the salesman said, "these cars are really made for younger people", I'm forty-eight. I thought that was pretty funny, and stupid.

I'd like to know of anyone has shortened one of these stalks. If not have you taken one apart. I'm trying to figure out if it is doable without more modification than I want to tackle. It was easy in the (plain metal stalk) old days but with the wiring etc. it offers new challenges.

SGF

 

It would be doable but most likely would always look like you performed a kludge fix. I'd suggest looking at a stalk such as is on aftermarket cruise controls, and relocate the headlight switch to one of the two (three if you opt not to get factory fog lights) blank switch panels in the mid center dash, then cut and splice/butt the shorter stalk onto the stub left behind. Probably something that you'll want to put a metal support bar inside of so that you aren't constantly re-attaching it.

My thought is that you could locate some sort of rubber sleeve to cover up the seam that you'll have when cutting off the standard stalk. The switch you use in the center wouldn't have to be anything more than a dpdt switch with 1 amp capacity or so, but I'd suggest maybe looking at a lighted one. All the switch needs to be able to handle is the current needed to trip the relays, so its not like you'll have to find some odd-ball 50 amp or some other $200 item.

I'd suggest getting a stalk or two from a junkyard to practice on though, so you at least will have more of an idea what you'll be getting yourself into.

Mike

 

just dont tilt the wheel down

 

Yeah, I'm 6'5" and don't touch anything with my knees. It sounds like the steering wheel was tilted all the way down.

 

I'm 6'2", I don't tilt the steering wheel down for this very reason. It's ok as long as I don't do so. But, I also have a very skinny leg.

 

wow, I'm confused. I'm 6-3, drive a 5spd with tilt down and never hit anything. My frikkin knee hurts, but that's another thread.

 

I actually only find that the left side of my knee rubs sometimes against the door, but that's no big deal.

 

Yup, that's the test for me, if there's not enough room for my left knee the car isn't going in my garage. I can't stand those highly contoured cockpit type cars, like the alero I rented for a trip., Give me flat panels and wide open spaces! ;-)

 

I was on my way to catch a flight so I only sat in the Xb for less than a minute. I could have sworn the steering wheel tilted independent of the stalk. In other words the stalk is mounted to the column which remains ridged when the wheel assembly pivots on it. Am I missing something? Does the entire shaft move, stalk included? I can't recall. I do know there wasn't room between the end of the turn signal stalk and the door for my knee to fit between them without bumping the stalk. That car was an automatic. I didn't drive it but there is no way I could operate a clutch set up that way.

In my Explorer the stalk is above my leg. It is amazing how many of us are similar size but fit so different. I have a 36" inseam which may add to the problem.

I think I may go to a Scion dealer and spend a little more time adjusting things. I really am interested in these cars. It seems like everything is right except this turn signal issue.

Am I correct in assuming the Xa has a smaller driver area? I wonder if it is worth checking out.

SGF

 

The whole column moves on the xB. It's a weak tilt too, btw. I dunno if you were in an xB anymore from your description.

 

Let me begin by apologizing for any confusion I caused. In my second post I mentioned that I was in the Xb for less than a minute. After reading the reply’s I was wondering why this stalk was such a problem for me and no one else in my size range. Well, I have the answer!!! It isn’t the turn signal stalk.

I went to the Scion dealer (about 50 miles away) today to take a more careful look. The same problem cropped up but this time I had the opportunity to spend more time looking. As it turns out the stalk is not for the turn signal after all. It is an aftermarket cruise control stalk. Kudos to those who did such a pro. job installing it.

The new Scion I was looking at was modified with low profile tires and a bunch of dealer add-ons. The Toyota (not Scion, she was busy) sales rep explained that the stalk would not be on a car I ordered unless I asked for it. He then told me the new ones have the cruise on the steering wheel.

Bottom line, I’m happy I went there. I drove an Xb and my right knee touches the center console on occasion, but I can live with that. Again, sorry for the confusion and thanks a lot for the help I have become very serious about this car and my son is seriously thinking about one for his wife.

I have a couple of other questions if that’s okay.

When I looked at the Scion site and my dealer’s site the only thing I saw about cruise control was for the after market add on. Does the Scion Xb have a “factory” Cruise option on the steering wheel (no stalk) or not?

The sales rep. said I needed the Cat back exhaust if I got the cool air flow option. It sort of makes sense but I’m not sure how well the stock muffler flows. I also asked the Toyota rep. if it would void my warranty if I installed these items myself. He wasn’t sure but was willing to check.

I’d like the board’s opinion on these options. They claim they will give better performance and MPG and I’d go for it if you all feel it’s worth it.

Thanks

SGF
:oops:

 

1. THere is NO factory cruise option for the xA/xB. If the Echo system works, then it would be cost prohibitive. You saw a custom-designed kit from a company called Rostra. I have installed it on our demo xB, and it works wonderfully well. I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
BTW - there is an Audiovox option that mounts on the dashboard and is pushbutton, but dealers who stock it are few and far between.

2. I don't think that you need the exhaust if you get the intake. You can have one and not the other if you like. In addition, if you install the bits yourself, you will not void your warranty. You will get a different warranty on the parts if they install them at port, but that's all.

I hope you get an xB. They are great to drive, and easy to live with.

Hope I helped!

LATER

 

Thanks to everyone for the great input. This site has been a great source of information.

The Toyota guy at the dealership told me the Xb doesn't come in blue. That will surprise a lot of folks on this site that have a factory blue Xb.

I am going to check into the dash mounted cruise control. The stalk is obviously out and I'd really like cruise. I'm really surprised that you can buy a Scion with color matching LED lights but you can't get cruise! I bet the 2005's have it.

SGF

 

The toyota guy is wrong. Thus he's a toyota guy and not a scion guy.

The '05's may have cruise standard, but I would not bet on it.

Andrew

 

I just checked again and I really don't see how with the steering wheel down that you're bumping into the signal stalk. Unless you are sitting with the seat too far forward and slouching.

 

I bought a 2005 Xb on Saturday, sans cruise control. It won't be in for a couple of weeks so the dealer took my trade and gave me a 2004 to drive in the meantime. The loaner has the cruise control stalk on the column, under the turn signal stalk. Since it is an automatic I can deal with it, although I wouldn't want to long term.

My Xb will be a 5 spd which means there is no way "I" can get the style cruise that is in the loaner, positioned that way. I found the in dash Audivox system on-line but there are no dealers withing 100 miles. Another option would be to reposition the aftermarket (dealer add -on) type stalk in a different location? The ones I've seen have all been positioned as described but I can't see why it couldn't be placed high on the right side of the steering column, or above (instead of below) the turn signal stalk on the left. I realize that the column's internals are an issue but I've no idea what the inside looks like.

Has anyone seen the dealer installed stalk style unit positioned somewhere other than under the turn signal stalk?

SGF

 

Allright what's with the bellyachin?
I'm 6'8" and compared to my Jetta 1.8t my box feels like i'm sitting in my living room!
The dealer told me that it has the second most headroom of any car currently on the market.
first???
My only _____ is the deadpedal hump thing is sized for a small foot. There was a previous post by someone who was going to try to remove it. ???

 

I'm posting to this thread again because I want to share some information that might be helpful to otheres looking to eliminate the stalk style cruise control.

My dealership was willing to install the Audiovox cruise control but had reservations about it being a "one size fits all" type of product. They were also more comfortable installing the Rostra unit since they do it regularly, and it is specifically designed for the car.

I did some more research and called Rostra's technical department. They said "No sweat". Apparently the kit for the Scion xB will come with the stalk. That kit is item#2501755. I can buy the dash mounted switch kit item#2503593 for under $50.00. It just plugs into the spot where the (not to be used) stalk mounted switch would have gone.

It's on order so I'll post the results once it's installed.

 

The system is installed. Unfortunately they said they couldn't install it in one of the punch out plates above the ashtray without hindering the movement of the little storage box door. I could have modified things to compensate for this but failed to do so in advance. They ended up locating it on the left side of the dash in that little indented area that is too small to set anything in it. It isn't as convenient for me but it works.

Also the switch didn’t “just plug in”. My dealer had to call Rostra’s tech support to find out what wire went where. I am very impressed with Rostra’s customer service. I ordered the switch last Friday. I mentioned, in passing, that my other parts would be at the dealership on Monday. I got the switch Monday and the shipping papers had a note saying to rush the order because of that. Good tech support, good service, hard to beat that combination.