Foot hitting heater vent. Cowboy Fix

[telenerd]

I’m a size 11 extra wide shoe. When going from the gas to the brakes my toe would constantly hit the low heater vent by air bag. Got tired of it. Took a light and noticed the vent closest to the pedal was longer than the rest of the vents. Ended up putting my raptor under the knife and took off the extra plastic with some scissors and razor blade. Problem solved!

On another note wish Ford would tuck the heater vents and air bag up higher from you feet. Never had a vehicle with this problem when going from the gas to brakes. Maybe this is a sign I need to work more on my left foot braking for off-road.

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[SubaruRaptor]

Are you and this person use my whole foot to break guy related??? I am so curious how this is a problem for people, i can only assume you are using your heel to use the pedals. I have size 15 wide foot, in no cars ever have I ever had an issue. Multiple 90s hondas, various subarus, nissans, corvettes, audis, bmw, you name it.

 

[telenerd]

Are you and this person use my whole foot to break guy related??? I am so curious how this is a problem for people, i can only assume you are using your heel to use the pedals. I have size 15 wide foot, in no cars ever have I ever had an issue. Multiple 90s hondas, various subarus, nissans, corvettes, audis, bmw, you name it.

Nope not related. I don’t have this issue with my Bronco which is built in the same factory and other Fords I have driven. I’m 6ft 3 and have my seat almost fully back and like to have my seat a bit higher when I off-road. I’ve tried multiple seating positions, positioning my foot a different way and it’s frankly feels unsafe hitting my toes every time. I highly doubt the dealer would have done anything for this issue so I took it upon my self to fix it and feels safer driving the Ranger without my toes catching anymore.

 

[sikedsyko]

lol I have pretty small feet and i've also noticed that this truck has a weirdly small pedal box.

 

[pablo94sc]

Is definitely not just OP. I've hit it or something else a few times as well and my foot is just a bit smaller than OP.

 

[telenerd]

I ended up trimming the foot heater vents a bit more to make them more even. No issues hitting my feet anymore and I tested the heater/vents and still provide heat to my feet. Problem solved!

 

[HyperM3]

I only have a size 10 shoe and I consistently hit whatever is above the brake pedal. Had over 30 vehicles in my lifetime and this is the first one Ive ever experienced this on.

 

[rickorat]

I have this problem as well, especially wearing my work boots. Question… did you take that heater outlet out to trim it? Or just take a knife and cut away at it? If you did take it out, how in the world did you get it out??

 

[telenerd]

I have this problem as well, especially wearing my work boots. Question… did you take that heater outlet out to trim it? Or just take a knife and cut away at it? If you did take it out, how in the world did you get it out??

All I did was use a razor blade and small scissors to trim back the foot heater vents. No difference in heating my feet. I’m sure there is an easier way to cut it out. Be prepared to contort your way under to cut the vents and watch where you cut. It’s a super easy fix.

 

[AlpineBike]

Also interested in a solution for this problem…
I’ve been struggling every day!

 

[embedded rock]

Y'all should try driving with both feet. One for the gas one for the brake. Been driving automatics like this since the late 80's.


No need to discuss legalities or reaction times. Try it, you'll like it.

 

[iamweasel]

I hit that thing above the brake pedal, too. Owned ~ 20 Ford's in my life and never had an issue except with this truck. I'm 5'10" and wear a size 12 shoe.

I have the driver seat nearly all the way back as I tend to drive with my legs fairly straight. I've noticed if I pull my seat forward a little bit, which makes me bend my knee a little more and moves it higher, it reduces the amount of time I scrape that thing above the brake pedal. (My theory is this makes the tip of my foot flatten out a bit / not pointing straight up as much.)

Problem is, I still find it uncomfortable to drive with my knee bent like that. It's still not natural to me yet. I'll have to give the Cowboy fix a try.

 

[emcmtony]

Drive with adaptive cruise control active. It brakes for you on slowdowns in traffic so you can keep your big feet off the brake as much as possible.

 

[rickorat]

I filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the brake pedal clearance. I ask that any of you that are also having this issue do the same. Maybe we can get Ford to fix it.

 

[Talonj]

Submitted complaint today.

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