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Finally bent the headrests - night and day difference!

alrashid2

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Hey guys. Sorry I didn't take pictures but if anyone is curious or if my explanation is not sufficient, let me know and I can snap some to demonstrate.

I have been driving my Ranger for the last week and despite some QC issues I've dealt with and discussed in other threads, I've adored it. But one thing that bothered me from the get go was the damn head rest angle! They are just way too extreme, especially for someone like me that is 6 ft tall and likes to sit with my back tight against the seat.

I took my headrests out and measured the approximate angle of the legs was 65 degrees. I placed wooden bench vise jaw covers in my vise, placed the headrest in as far as I could so that the pivot point was closest to where the metal legs connect to the headrest, and tried bending with no dice.

I then realized that I'd have to bend one at a time, rather than both at once. When I tried one leg at a time, I was finally able to bend them with a good amount of force! Making each leg match the other was tricky, but I found if you got it close enough, then you cannot tell once installed in the seat.

I increased the angle from 65 degrees to 75 degrees, which is only a 10 degree difference, but it really feels so much better. I think 75 degrees just may be the sweet spot because my head finally felt relaxed. I also didnt want to go too far and regret it, and have to bend it back (was picturing how a paperclip just snaps after being bent too many times!).

Just wanted to share this. It doesnt take much and I'd recommend starting at about 75 degrees and using an angle finder to ensure you are bending about that much. Hope this helps!
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Texasota

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Thanks for the tip. I tried doing both stems at the same time (like you) and I could not get them to budge. I'll try your suggestion of one at a time, but I'm a bit worried about breaking them. :frown:
 
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alrashid2

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Thanks for the tip. I tried doing both stems at the same time (like you) and I could not get them to budge. I'll try your suggestion of one at a time, but I'm a bit worried about breaking them. :frown:
I was worried too but it honestly took a lot of effort to bend them. I'm not the strongest dude in the world but I'm not a weakling either haha! One post at a time, and each time you tweak it, use an angle finder to see how much you adjusted it beyond 65 degrees. Then to match the other side, just look at the bottoms of the post from the bottom of the headrest and eyeball them to match as close as possible. Good luck!
 

Texasota

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I was worried too but it honestly took a lot of effort to bend them. I'm not the strongest dude in the world but I'm not a weakling either haha! One post at a time, and each time you tweak it, use an angle finder to see how much you adjusted it beyond 65 degrees. Then to match the other side, just look at the bottoms of the post from the bottom of the headrest and eyeball them to match as close as possible. Good luck!
Just finished. I was successful in bending it a few degrees. I'll drive where it is for a while and decide if it needs more. Thanks again!
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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Just finished. I was successful in bending it a few degrees. I'll drive where it is for a while and decide if it needs more. Thanks again!
Nice man! Glad I could spur up some confidence!

I thought I'd get used to the headrests but they were literally causing me neck pain after just a week. Figured it was worth the risk to try!
 

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I put mine in the tow hitch and leaned my knee on them, one post at time, till both headrests didn't push my head forward.

I also sit all the way against the seat so my neck was hurting too
 

Hallman

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Hey guys. Sorry I didn't take pictures but if anyone is curious or if my explanation is not sufficient, let me know and I can snap some to demonstrate.

I have been driving my Ranger for the last week and despite some QC issues I've dealt with and discussed in other threads, I've adored it. But one thing that bothered me from the get go was the damn head rest angle! They are just way too extreme, especially for someone like me that is 6 ft tall and likes to sit with my back tight against the seat.

I took my headrests out and measured the approximate angle of the legs was 65 degrees. I placed wooden bench vise jaw covers in my vise, placed the headrest in as far as I could so that the pivot point was closest to where the metal legs connect to the headrest, and tried bending with no dice.

I then realized that I'd have to bend one at a time, rather than both at once. When I tried one leg at a time, I was finally able to bend them with a good amount of force! Making each leg match the other was tricky, but I found if you got it close enough, then you cannot tell once installed in the seat.

I increased the angle from 65 degrees to 75 degrees, which is only a 10 degree difference, but it really feels so much better. I think 75 degrees just may be the sweet spot because my head finally felt relaxed. I also didnt want to go too far and regret it, and have to bend it back (was picturing how a paperclip just snaps after being bent too many times!).

Just wanted to share this. It doesnt take much and I'd recommend starting at about 75 degrees and using an angle finder to ensure you are bending about that much. Hope this helps!
Using the vehicle jack, a couple of 1/2” x 6” pipe nipples and some scrap wood works also.
Ford Ranger Finally bent the headrests - night and day difference! IMG_1774
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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You do know that the medal is hardened to a certain Rockwell rating so there is now some fractures in the area you bent
Don't care, the alternative was me outright removing them 😅
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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Might not look super different but the 10 degree difference feels so much better.

Ford Ranger Finally bent the headrests - night and day difference! PXL_20260812_140957117


Ford Ranger Finally bent the headrests - night and day difference! PXL_20260812_141210549
 

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alrashid2

alrashid2

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Forgot to take befores, sorry... but if you compare my after photo to your truck you will see the difference! The angle visually looked crazy before even
 

yelnoc2

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There are a couple of threads on the Raptor section about head rests (one has extensive process IMO to preserve the trim color) and while I'm not up to bending now every time I get in I think they are so much in the way. You can buy foldable OEMs which Ford site says won't fit on 2024 and newer but user say they do. Here is a thread that shows a good approach on a Raptor that has lots of info but too much work for me. No one ever sits in my back seat so I'm just going to take them completely out. Here is a good write up for Raptor that will work too for those Raptor owners that need to preserve the trim color https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/thre...er-raptor-diy-how-to.31285/page-2#post-468911
 
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alrashid2

alrashid2

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Made a simple jig for the vice (1/2" hole in the 2x4). My headrests are prefect angle now.

1786641059752-ej.webp
Dude, freaking genius! Thanks for sharing!
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