The Cessna 182 got a wider cabin in 1962. By then, gone were the straight tail, tall gear stance, and the really light weight of the very early models. Ahhh, but the extra cabin width for those of us who need it. So which which of the wider cabin models makes for a good “all round plane” including occasional, but not hard core, back country missions? Yeah, we all know the 182 is a tail dragger and not a 180, but the 180 never offered a wider cabin as I best understand.







Everyone loves the Cessna 180/182, especially the earlier lighter weight models, and discussion threads abound. People love the1959 and earlier 182 light weight straight tails. In 1962 the Cessna increased the 182E's cabin width. For those of us who are “over nourished”, many really really need that extra width of the 1962 and later 182 models. So which model years offer the so called “sweet spot” regarding features, wing loading, engine, etc. We all know missions and flying skills vary. Which wide cabin model year would be best for a person of size?

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http://www.seaplaneswest.com/documents/182CABINSIZE.doc

As detailed in the 182 model History, which is available off the CPA web site, the cabin width was increased 4 inches and the floor lowered 3/4 inch starting with the 1962 182E model.
The actual measurements for a 1961 model is 36 inches wide measured on the floor just aft of the front seats and 40 inches wide at the lower window line. The height is 47 inches at the middle of the door and 44 inches at the aft door post.
The 1965 owner's manual does not call out the internal cabin dimensions, but the 1963 book does and the corresponding same location numbers are as follows: 38 inches, 44 inches, 49 1/2 and 45 inches. As you have figured out a very noticeable difference.

The 1965 Cessna 182H model increased the horizontal stabilizer by 10 inches and also introduced a thicker one piece windshield. The 1966 182J models replaced the generator with an alternator. Changes continued, some good, others bad. Earlier 182 models seem less “claustrophobic” with a lower curved glare shield and more modest instrument stack allowing more visibility.

Incidentally, I am not personally in the market for a 180/182. Aside from some personal medical some medical issues I am still wrestling with, it is far more plane than I need. I am curious. I have searched this forum and others, and not found any threads targeting which of the “wide body” 182 models are more preferable.

I know there is a ton of knowledge and experience lurking on this website. If you own or have flown a 1962 or later 182, any comments would be welcomed.

1965 Cessna 182H

1965 Cessna 182H

I had a 1975 182P. Wide and comfortable. Great airplane but came with one nuisance issue, the nose bowl has a design flaw that results in a lot of fatigue cracking and weld repairs. For that reason I would look at other years.

Rich

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Pittsdriver wrote:
I had a 1975 182P. Wide and comfortable. Great airplane but came with one nuisance issue, the nose bowl has a design flaw that results in a lot of fatigue cracking and weld repairs. For that reason I would look at other years.

This link might be of interest to you:
Nose bowl problem on my C170b 180hp Avcon conversion
https://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/nose-bowl-problem-on-my-c170b-180hp-avcon-conversion-13039