Front seat non-adjustable headrest alternative option?

[FoxRidgeOutdoors]

There have been other discussions about the non-adjustable front headrests and how annoying it is. I have tried the turning them backwards (& removing as well), I don't like it... So I have been doing some research and may of came up with an option for replacement. Can someone confirm size information for the 2022-23 headrests? They offered an adjustable version for what seems to be those two years (weird). Ford part # MB3Z-21611A08-BB. At $42 ea, I am all about it.

Current (2025) front headrest dimensions: 1/2" diameter posts, 6 3/8" outside width, 5 3/8" inside width.

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[scrappyisbe]

6thg ranger seat posts are further apart than 5g. So no they won't work, or at least not on a RR

 

[FoxRidgeOutdoors]

Of course they were changed. Darn, back to the drawing board.

 

[superj]

you are probably just going to have to take the headrests out and bend them, like i have done on three new rangers, so far.

i just put them in between some boards, or pipes, and lean my knee on them till they look ok. i install them and sit in and see how they feel. if they need more adjustment, i bend them a little more. so far, all three trucks are perfect after bending the bars a little

 

[FoxRidgeOutdoors]

That was what I originally going to do, but when I saw they were hollow posts I feared they will collapse when trying to gently bend.

 

[superj]

these three sets didn't.

just for a bit of info, the st1 seat headrests from a focus st are the correct space apart but a hair to big to go into the holes in the seat. i am not sure, because i didn;t try, if the plastic seat holes could be slightly opened up to fit the focus st seat headrests, though they look like they could. i happen to have a set of st1 seats in the garage from my son's old 2014 focus st that i was going to put into my 04 ranger single cab so i was able to test them out. they are adjustable and if i remember right, the cloth matched

 

[MasterCylinder]

There have been other discussions about the non-adjustable front headrests and how annoying it is. I have tried the turning them backwards (& removing as well), I don't like it... So I have been doing some research and may of came up with an option for replacement. Can someone confirm size information for the 2022-23 headrests? They offered an adjustable version for what seems to be those two years (weird). Ford part # MB3Z-21611A08-BB. At $42 ea, I am all about it.

Current (2025) front headrest dimensions: 1/2" diameter posts, 6 3/8" outside width, 5 3/8" inside width.

I just bent them about 15 degrees while clamped in a large vise. Well protected and supported though. I've done this in the past but the angle on these are atrocious! Very uncomfortable! I made a 700 mile round trip and it became a real pain the lower neck! These are hollow so you have to be very, very careful to get an almost exact fitting pipe to fit over the rods or you will break them at the cut outs for the height adjustment stops. The pipe needs to go all the way down and into the cushioning as best as possible so the exposed rod stays straight. and doesn't bend at the weak spot cut outs. I bent mine about a 1-1/4 inch one at a time, that made about a 15 degree difference. I take no blame if you break the rods or damage your cushion/upholstery trying. Just what I did.

 

[ATestBishop]

So I used boards that were fixed into bench vise jaws and it took great force to make the adjustments. Got driver fist try and passenger like 3 tries but I had to do it, stock was just awful on my head/neck. I definitely choked up on the uprights to bend only at the head/cushion portion..

 

[gtistiffler]

I agree. The top pushes my head too far forward. I’m thinking about taking mine to an upholstery shop and see if they have any ideas. Maybe even they could take the adjustable ones you mentioned and modify them and re-cover. When I get back in town I’m going to investigate and will let you know.

 

[FoxRidgeOutdoors]

Good idea on th upholstery shop! Keep me posted on your findings. Next week, I’m going to try bending them but also hit up a salvage yard to see if I can find a salvage yard that has an alternative.

 

[Shadow Black Ranger Rapto]

Only negative about Assault School was how uncomfortable the headrests made wearing the helmets.

 

[purdyd]

Only negative about Assault School was how uncomfortable the headrests made wearing the helmets.

yeah I could definitely see a helmet as an issue.

the stock headrests are about right for me

I've also learned through the years of renting and driving various vehicles that leaning the seat back helps with these modern head rests

I've also seen some back pads for seats that push your upper back forward a little and so effectively move your head rest back

 

[Meatbag]

The headrest was bothering me too in my Ranger. I ended up just flipping it around so it's now nowhere near the back of my head and I'm a lot more comfortable now. Although if I get into a bad wreck, I could get major whiplash and screw myself up.

 

[ATestBishop]

I did that at first and just was not comfortable with that solution. Please consider making the adjustment by hand with a vice and blocks to suit your comfort, it will be really bad news if your head snaps too far back. I know older vehicles did without and people drive without any headrests but that seems pretty risky

 

[ColeTrainsRR]

The headrest was bothering me too in my Ranger. I ended up just flipping it around so it's now nowhere near the back of my head and I'm a lot more comfortable now. Although if I get into a bad wreck, I could get major whiplash and screw myself up.

then just tell the insurance company that Ford must have installed them backwards and you had no idea lol

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