Have 14 inch rough in, can I install Toto Drake and just leave a gap in the back?

[Kathy from CA]

Hello all,

I am a novice and would like to thank all of you who contribute to the
forums. Lots of great information and advice here.

Remodeling an old bathroom, toilet has a 14 inch rough in, and because the room is small, only a round bowl will fit. I have no experience in changing
toilets and am trying to educate myself. Is there any reason why we can't
install a Toto Drake, round bowl, 12 inch rough and just leave a 2 inch
gap between the wall and the tank? We were planning to put a small
shelf above the tank and the gap wouldn't be obvious. Thanks in advance
for your advice.

Kathy from CA

[hj]

As long as the toilet will fit over the opening in the floor and you are happy with the way it looks, you can install a toilet with as much space behind it as you want. I have had customers want 6" behind the toilet so they could put a shelf unit above it.

[jadnashua]

Or you could get something like the Toto Vespin or Carlyle with the 14" unifit adapter...even the elongated bowl would use less room than a standard one with 2" behind it.

http://www.terrylove.com/wc/toto/cst474_side.jpg
Toto Vespin II CST474CEFG with SS114 Softclose seat.
This bowl was installed on a 13-1/2" rough-in using the 14" Unifit adapter.
The water shutoff can be as close as 5-1/2" to the left of center, unless it's higher off the floor, and then it can be even closer to center.
This shutoff had been replaced with a new 1/4 turn valve with brass nipple through the wall.
Installation was by James Love of Love Plumbing & Remodel 206-949-5683
In some of the older Seattle homes, the old toilets had been wall mounted tank toilets.
Those typically are 14" rough-in and need a flange repair to use standard closet bolt connections at the flange.
Everything is on the truck for that.
The Vespin comes with a standard 12" adapter or you can order a 10" or 14" adapter depending on your rough-in distance.