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 Post subject: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 3, 2014, 8:34 pm 
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Joined: July 4, 2006, 5:40 pm
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Location: Novato, CA
I've found that in a book frame there really isn't any place to put your left foot, except on the clutch pedal. After awhile I learned to lean the side of my foot against the diagonal tube to get a little rest. But I was still mostly on the clutch pedal, especially on long drives.

This weekend I made the world's smallest dead pedal. It's 1" tall, and sticks out 1-1/2" from the frame tubes. My foot naturally leans slightly outward to work the clutch, so it misses the dead pedal. But if I straighten my foot up, the edge of my shoe catches the dead pedal, and I can put my full weight on it. I'm probably only on the last half inch of the pedal, but it's enough.

It makes a huge difference. It's so comfortable to be able to lean on something with your left foot. It's just that much more fun to drive the car. Great for bracing yourself in the turns, too.

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 3, 2014, 10:37 pm 
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Joined: March 3, 2006, 10:48 pm
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Location: Shawnee, Ks
So is it even with the clutch pedal? I had a temporary one above the pedal and I liked it a lot but I did not like the location that much. Russ

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 3, 2014, 10:56 pm 
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Russ, it's about 2" aft the pedal (closer to the driver). I went through a couple of prototypes until I had the right distance and length. I also tried different angles, and perfectly vertical was the best. I was pleasantly surprised by how well such a small tab supported my whole foot.

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 4, 2014, 3:57 pm 
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Joined: March 3, 2006, 10:48 pm
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Location: Shawnee, Ks
Great. Thanks for the tip. Looks like a new rest is in the works!!!! Russ

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 4, 2014, 4:11 pm 
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Location: Fort Worth, Texas
I would round off those sharp corners. They wouldn't feel good jabbing into the side of your foot

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 4, 2014, 4:57 pm 
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Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
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Location: SoCal
I placed mine so that it's just above and to the side of the clutch pedal when it's fully released. It's working great.

That said, if you slide your foot off the pedal when it's depressed, it can become trapped under the dead pedal and clutch. I did so during the intial fit-up just for fun, and can say that it wouldn't be fun to have that happen on a twisty road...

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 4, 2014, 6:20 pm 
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Thanks, Kurt. I don't think it's possible to slide my foot that far left without dragging my heel over first, but I'll try it out to see if that can happen.


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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 4, 2014, 7:13 pm 
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Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
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Location: SoCal
I think you're okay; it appears that you have room between the clutch and brake to extract your shoe. In my case I have a wider footwell, so the dead pedal is even with, and to the left of the clutch. However, there's little room between the clutch pedal and brake, so in my case, it is technically possible to get a shoe wedged down there...

Anyhow, sorry for drifting off-topic. I'm just saying that while a dead pedal is a great think, keep an eye out for any mischief it might cause at the worst possible moment.

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 8, 2014, 12:26 am 
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Location: Lexington, KY
On boring interstates, I tend to just point my foot and tuck it up under the clutch pedal. I'd Bennett do that in city traffic.

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 8, 2014, 9:34 am 
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Joined: September 22, 2005, 8:12 am
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Location: 4AGE in S.E. Michigan
Or just fab a heel rest. I made an aluminum frame from 5/8 channeled that sets in the footwell with a heel rest for both the clutch and brake plus a small angled pad for the throttle. You need to get the location within a 1/4", or make the rest adjustable or mock up the location first before fabing. Dave W


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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 8, 2014, 9:07 pm 
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Joined: July 4, 2006, 5:40 pm
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Location: Novato, CA
I put 210 miles on the Locost today. I am so used to the dead pedal already. My foot finds it without me even thinking about it. What a fun car.


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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 9, 2014, 8:35 pm 
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Joined: October 24, 2008, 2:13 pm
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Location: Carlsbad, California, USA
nick47 wrote:
I put 210 miles on the Locost today. I am so used to the dead pedal already. My foot finds it without me even thinking about it. What a fun car.


210 miles? I'd say your seating arrangements, upholstery and suspension are working out pretty darn well. That's a good days drive in a small, open sports car.

No photos?

Cheers,

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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 9, 2014, 11:59 pm 
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Sorry, here's one:
Attachment:
bridge.jpg


It was a really fun day, down to Morgan Hill for an MG club breakfast meeting and a tech session at a local LBC resto shop.


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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 10, 2014, 10:55 am 
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Joined: September 22, 2005, 8:12 am
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Location: 4AGE in S.E. Michigan
That is a great shot looking over the hood :D We have way to much WHITE STUFF!
I getting cabin fever, maybe I need to set in the car and make motor sounds for an hour or two.
Dave W


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 Post subject: Re: Best Dead Pedal Ever
PostPosted: March 10, 2014, 11:18 am 
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Location: Reno, Nv
Great shot. :) :)
I've been over the GG many times but that shot brought back the memory of the trip to the big city in my '59' AH sprite. I guess thing do look different from down there.

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