davekro
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EDIT 5/8/15: added ‘How To’ on fixing the
Head Rest Too Much Forward Tilt issue…
In both the 2015 Mustang and our 2013 Prius, I find the head rests keep my head forward just enough to be annoying. It occurred to me that maybe I might try bending them back a bit. But when I looked closely at them, there is not enough room to grab just above the bend to open that angle slightly (Pic #2 shows no room for pipe bend tool to work. Also, the chrome bars are tubes, not solid. So it may not take much pressure/angle change to kink the 'tube', thus making it structurally weakened.) The reason they are placed forward (obnoxiously IMHO) is to not allow there to be space for whip lash. But for me at 6' tall, they actually hold my head forward.
If you find the head rests in your new Mustang uncomfortable, I hope the following is helpful to you.
Here is how I was able to remove the cover, then slice off ¾” of the upper part of the HR’s styrofoam:
1) I figured out how to get the interlocking plastic headrest cover connector undone. I stuck a long large screw driver underneath the clip all the way thru to the other side to hold the clip up and exposed. Then I took one smaller screw driver to start separating one end. I left that screw driver to hold the initial opening, then used a 3rd small screw driver to work my way across, prying it open as I went. Try not to damage the smaller side.
2) The cover is extremely tight at the base. At first you think it cannot come off (but you realize it went ‘on’ ;) ) and just pull harder. Do a little evenly on each side coming off.
3) Seeing the HR bars and tilt mechanism, I saw there was NO Way I would be able to bend the bars or mess with the ratchet device.
(I was not willing to rip the foam off the metal on the off chance I could alter the ratcheter!)
4) I felt and marked where my head contacted the head rest, then marked that place. For me, it was pretty close to the top. I decided to pick a point 3.5” from the top to end my cut, coming back out to the front surface there.
5) 1st cut I decided to try removing 3/8” of material from where my head contacted. I measured 3/8” at the top, cut parallel down keeping 3/8” thickness down just past my head contact area, then forced the knife blade towards the front to aim toward my 3.5” lower line to exit the cut. I recommend: a) get your knive(s) really sharp before starting, b) use a thick 8” or longer butcher knife so you are able to force it to turn when you want for a cleaner cut. (It’s all under the padded cover so smooth cuts are not mandatory)…This 3/8” cut left the HR still in contact with my head, but not pushing forward really.
6) I decided to do a 2nd cut of another 3/8” (3/4” total now) to be sure I had ample room because there is a huge amount of forward adjustment. (and I did NOT want to pull the cover a second time :doh
This turned out to be perfect because with the cover back on, the HR all the way back, my head did not touch the HR even when I looked fully left or right. When I adjusted it half way forward [5 of it’s 10 clicks], it felt exactly like the factory forward tilt. With five more forward clicks left, there is still enough to push your chin to your chest! ;)
7) Since the back of my head could sort of feel the top squared off edge, I angle cut the top about ½” at 45º .
8) When reassembled, the driver’s side now is thinner, but the only way I really noticed it was when I set up the side view camera shot to show this. NOW I was glad that the cover was so damned tight as it still maintains a snug fit on the reduced size HR! I’ll probably do the passenger side soon too.
Head Rest Too Much Forward Tilt issue…
In both the 2015 Mustang and our 2013 Prius, I find the head rests keep my head forward just enough to be annoying. It occurred to me that maybe I might try bending them back a bit. But when I looked closely at them, there is not enough room to grab just above the bend to open that angle slightly (Pic #2 shows no room for pipe bend tool to work. Also, the chrome bars are tubes, not solid. So it may not take much pressure/angle change to kink the 'tube', thus making it structurally weakened.) The reason they are placed forward (obnoxiously IMHO) is to not allow there to be space for whip lash. But for me at 6' tall, they actually hold my head forward.
If you find the head rests in your new Mustang uncomfortable, I hope the following is helpful to you.
Here is how I was able to remove the cover, then slice off ¾” of the upper part of the HR’s styrofoam:
1) I figured out how to get the interlocking plastic headrest cover connector undone. I stuck a long large screw driver underneath the clip all the way thru to the other side to hold the clip up and exposed. Then I took one smaller screw driver to start separating one end. I left that screw driver to hold the initial opening, then used a 3rd small screw driver to work my way across, prying it open as I went. Try not to damage the smaller side.
2) The cover is extremely tight at the base. At first you think it cannot come off (but you realize it went ‘on’ ;) ) and just pull harder. Do a little evenly on each side coming off.
3) Seeing the HR bars and tilt mechanism, I saw there was NO Way I would be able to bend the bars or mess with the ratchet device.
(I was not willing to rip the foam off the metal on the off chance I could alter the ratcheter!)
4) I felt and marked where my head contacted the head rest, then marked that place. For me, it was pretty close to the top. I decided to pick a point 3.5” from the top to end my cut, coming back out to the front surface there.
5) 1st cut I decided to try removing 3/8” of material from where my head contacted. I measured 3/8” at the top, cut parallel down keeping 3/8” thickness down just past my head contact area, then forced the knife blade towards the front to aim toward my 3.5” lower line to exit the cut. I recommend: a) get your knive(s) really sharp before starting, b) use a thick 8” or longer butcher knife so you are able to force it to turn when you want for a cleaner cut. (It’s all under the padded cover so smooth cuts are not mandatory)…This 3/8” cut left the HR still in contact with my head, but not pushing forward really.
6) I decided to do a 2nd cut of another 3/8” (3/4” total now) to be sure I had ample room because there is a huge amount of forward adjustment. (and I did NOT want to pull the cover a second time :doh
This turned out to be perfect because with the cover back on, the HR all the way back, my head did not touch the HR even when I looked fully left or right. When I adjusted it half way forward [5 of it’s 10 clicks], it felt exactly like the factory forward tilt. With five more forward clicks left, there is still enough to push your chin to your chest! ;)7) Since the back of my head could sort of feel the top squared off edge, I angle cut the top about ½” at 45º .
8) When reassembled, the driver’s side now is thinner, but the only way I really noticed it was when I set up the side view camera shot to show this. NOW I was glad that the cover was so damned tight as it still maintains a snug fit on the reduced size HR!
I’ll probably do the passenger side soon too.
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Last edited:
:rant:
