I have found the same truths. I am 6'4" tall but it must be mostly brain. My buddy Rich Green is the same height but his legs are longer. His coupe has the standard panel but mine is extended 2 1/2" to be able to add radio and transponder and a row of breakers under the normal panel edge. Well, my knees fit and his don't.
The only other factor to the equation is the seat cushion. Before doing anything drastic, I would pull the seat cushion out and replace it with various thicknesses of foam or rags or something and measure knee clearance against the existing panel. If the cushion is the solution I am sure it is an easy and quite legal fix. If you are planning on installing the radios on the lower panel, be sure to check for clearance from the steering post in the full climb position and the fuel valve before cutting any metal. (This advice provided by Ben Dare and Don Datt.) Alan Fairclough.
