I don't see any limitations set on a text box. (4.5.2)
Template: /common_files/modules/Product_Options/customer_options.tpl
Line 39:
PHP Code:
{if $v.is_modifier eq 'T'}
<input id="po{$v.classid}" type="text" name="{$poname}" value="{$v.default|escape}" />
So you can assign the size="40" or whatever you want it to be right there. Here is a link to all the properties that can be defined on a html input like that:
http://www.echoecho.com/htmlforms05.htm
So to accomplish what you want use:
PHP Code:
<input id="po{$v.classid}" type="text" name="{$poname}" value="{$v.default|escape}" size="40" />