recommendations for a short person

[mnrca]

Just wondering if anyone has suggestions for a short person (5'2") using a personal vehicle.  I am considering the option of a new (to me) vehicle, or putting in dual controls for my Oldsmobile Alero (it has a center gear shift though).  Are dual controls a possibility for that type of vehicle?  Does the Honda CRV work OK for a shorter person?  Thanks!

[....]

grow up lol

[....]

the only way to be sure is to call one of the dual control businesses and find out, alot of the shorter people in our office like the split full front seats, then you can put the original driver seat back and the seat you sitting in forward , i had a dodge spirit it worked great , although i did have to put studded snow tires on it

[macattack33]

I loved my Dodge Spirit!  Transmission died...bummer!  Have you taken a look at getting pedal extenders??

[wave]

You should get that bone lengthening procedure done.

[gottaflynow]

I am 5'0" and I drove a Dodge Mini Van. Made blocks out of 2x4 wood to add to the break and gas peddles. Attached them with C-clamps. I too put the drivers seat all the way back for my mail and moved the passenger seat forward. I had a pillow behind my back. Built a wooden box to put between front bucket seats. Had a folded blanket on it for cushion. Used a seat belt extension bought from dealer. Set up tub behind drivers seat for outgoing mail. Loaded extra bundles on back seat along with parcels. Worked quite well for me.
Everyone has their own way of setting up their POV. Some of the other  "short in stature" carriers in my office bought the right hand drive conversion kits. Do what is right for you. It is your health and safety that should come first.

[rr1tiger]

I am a short person also and I use a Chevy blazer. I have no trouble reaching the pedals but I did take out the center console. It is just a couple of bolts! And then I folded up a thick blanket to put in the middle to sit on. I have been doing this job 22+ years and have used a blazer for about 20 years. Gas mileage not that good but feel pretty safe and the 4-wheel drive is a must on lots of days in the winter. I haven't had too much trouble as far as things going wrong (knock on wood)! I am probably going to bid on another route in late march, early april that has an LLV. I drove one on the last route I had. They are great except they are terrible in the snow. But with the way gas prices jumped this past couple of years I gotta go LLV.

[mnrca]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.  I'll research the options (although it would be nice to just have longer legs and arms.)

[....]

could send you some stretching excercises lol

[*SUPERsub*]

IM 5'3 and i drive a chevy blazer...i love it..i got no extensions or anything...you just gotta scoot your booty over a bit...but this works great for me...cuase then i got another spot for mail on either side of me...i can still reach all the boxes...only modification it took for me was a pillow pile in the middle where the console used to be...then if i want i can shove the console back in easily when im not delivering mail. I tried several cars and trucks too before i settled on the blazer...and just an FYI..the new chevy XRS have the same interior as the chevy blazers...everything is the same distance...so I bought one of those too!!! you dont even notice when i you have to switch back and forth like with other vehicles...VERY NICE!

[Underdog]

I'm 5' 2" too.  Right now I'm driving a Ford Taurus with a split front seat (the soft thingie comes down to make it a bench sort of) and the shift on the steering column. It works pretty well for me most of the time.

But nuthing beats RHD. If you can get one or something you can convert, do it! You back and hips will thank you!

Oh, and if you don't already have one...get a platform for your case so you don't have to stretch and sand on your tippy toes to reach the top row! It makes a world of difference!

 And BTW

SHORT PEOPLE ROCK!

[daboysdada]

How about elevator shoes or stilts?    just kidding

[Imdone]

I am shorter than you with a very long torso,which makes my legs very short.I drive a very wide minivan.I cut a two by four the size of the gas pedal and secured it on it ,than i cut 2 two by fours the size of the brake pedal secured them on top of each other and than secured on the brake pedal, a suicide ball on the steering wheel and a couple of pillows behind me.It is not bad at all and alot cheaper.You probably have to adjust the pillows here in there as you get in and out but it is not bad.

[Curious]

and what insurance coverage do you have?-who does the state inspections? some states are more thorough than others regarding state law vehicle inspections. I cannot imagine taking a vehicle in with wood blocks and clamps on the foot pedals- but,  here they "drive it into the garage" and would notice them. these "DIY" remedies sound very dangerous, and illegal. how many accidents (even not at fault-but preventable) have these modified vehicles been involved in?- USPS should be providing the vehicles.
I know there will be the veteran regs screaming about the EMA, and the purchase of the new vehicle- blah, blah
It is not worth it when a newby starts- and may never be a reg, to invest in a RHD. and the EMA, barely covered the gas
last summer.
heck USPS could even help with the "bailout" of Chrysler/jeep or the new mini vans the city carriers are driving.

[Imdone]

My state doesn't have vehicle safety inspections and I have regular state farm full coverage.IThe post office is supposed to cover liability to  the office out on the route and to home as long as you don't deviate the line of travel..I  hear from another person who has state farm that they have a special rate for rural carriers,she thought it was called a code three. she said her insurance actually went down.I have never asked state farm about that.I don't use bulky clamps.I use a buch of rubber bands and then wrap with duct tape so it is flat.I am not a newby but I won't buy expensive rhd's. A few people in my office have invested heavily in their vehicles and will probly regret it when their income drops tremendously and can't afford the huge payment.I pay cash for my vehicles .So I don't have a payment'I find that toyota siennas are very dependable and can handle a lot of miles if maintained properly.