First of all I think toyota should have put a telescoping steering wheel in the xB. The wheel is way to close to the dash if you have long legs. I would like to make a steering wheel extension. It would not be adjustable, I would have to make it the right depth or make it adjustable with shimable sections.

I haven't looked into the wiring yet for the horn or how the air bag would be affected. I was thinking of getting a used steering wheel off eBay and using it to make the extension. This way the base of if would have the right size splined hole to bolt to. Then I could have a cylinder attached to that. The factory steering wheel could bolt to the face of the steering wheel. I also thought about buying an after market steering wheel hub adapter and using that as the spacer. Bolt it to the shaft coming out of the column and then attach the factory wheel to the face of it drilling new holes to mount it with.

If this was make sturdy enough would there be any safety concerns?

 

I wouldnt modify the steering wheel at all due to safety risks, but I have super long legs and I don't find the steering wheel too close to the dash. Then again, I have super long arms too. I would just adjust the seat until you feel comfortable. I usually have the seat significantly closer to the dash than the passenger seat, but my knees still are comfortable.

 

Excuse me if I'm wrong, but can't you just stick an after market steering wheel on there with a longer hub?

 

The simple solution is to sit upright when you drive. I am upsettingly leggy for a man, so I have my seatback pretty much vertical. The xB seating position is too odd to recline comfortably, anyway.

 

You are right about sitting up and keeping the seat back upright. That is one of the things that helps. I like the more reclined sport car seating position my self. The xB is too much like sitting in a wood chair. I don't usually drive this vehicle, but the other two people that do have the same complaint that I do. I have long legs and my arms are regular length, and my knees cramp if they are too bent for to long. So I have to have the seat as far back as possible and as upright as possible.

You are also correct in the statement of putting an aftermarket steering wheel on with a longer hub. This is why I was talking about using an aftermarket hub with the stock wheel to retain the airbag. But then I will loose the airbag. I don't know how big of a deal that is. It is one of those safety things that helps most of the time. But sometimes can be dangerous. I would hate to have the main driver (my mother-in-law) get into a car accident and have something happen that with out the air bag that could have been avoided with the air bag.

 

Yeah, forgot to mention that too. I have my seat reclined to the most upright position for max comfort. If it is reclined at all, I find it quite annoying.

 

::note to self:: xB's are not T-Rex friendly

 

In general, if you have Tyrannosaurus arms, driving positions are the least of your problems.