Driver's Seat - Question

[airline tech]

In my quest to get my driver's seat comfortable - which so far is a bust after numerous additions of padding (over & under) the seat bottom cushion.

I cannot get MY cushion to a (SET IT AND FORGET IT) point of comfort.

Cushion replaced 2 times and seat base; cover & heater mat have been replaced as well; all end up the exact same feel - Sinking Cushion

With sitting in 3 separate -Lariats and 1 - XLT , I have found (1) Lariat that provided support and did not sink, with the (1) Lariat being my first exact trim seat to seat compare - so after my failed attempts on replacements - fixing the issue. I have decided to purchase -(Out of Pocket) a 3rd cushion assembly and take my off coming cushion to a upholstery shop to have them modify the cushion by adding foam to the top of the cushion.
Note: when sitting in the (2) other Lariats - I also sat in a 24 Lariat - well I was disappointed as this cushion has the same sinking feeling as the 5g, granted not as bad - as the sinking feeling was more evenly felt on the back half of the cushion.
I was disappointed due to the fact that I was hoping the 6g would provide a - OMG moment for me, and I would just simply trade up to the 24 6g.

So my question is this - and this pic HIGHLIGHTS exactly what I feel, now my cover is not stretched or disformed as in this pic.
But it does show exactly how the sinking feeling - wraps up rear end when sitting in the seat.

How many of you FEEL THIS?
I know most of you find the seats comfortable, but with that comfort do you feel this - sinking cushion as depicted.

I am trying to determine if (ALL) rangers are this way or is it a select few that are more supportive and are firmer in this area.

This has been a long battle for me and not willing to throw in the towel just yet - trade off to something else as I love this truck except for this seat.
My various additions of padding have provided (SOME) comfort change but you can still feel (under your rear end) some discomfort, that's why my last-ditch attempt is to let a upholstery shop attempt to cure my woes if this is a bust, I am left with no option but to trade it off and get something else, which I would HATE to do but a necessity for my rear end and back as I have (zero) other issues with this truck so far - 14,500 miles and 23 months ownership.

Note how the -sinking area is slightly offset, this highlights another issue when in a left-hand turn and your body shifts to the right (momentum) you feel the uneven cushion.

Ref: this related thread for my related postings on this is

Uncomfortable seats | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

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[Grumpaw]

I would have suggested you take it to a professional auto upholsterer at the very first. Would have saved you a lot of time and effort.
A pro will listen to your problem and should be able to cure it....shoulda gone that route first.

 

[rang19ca]

I agree with what Steve said above.

 

[airline tech]

Mainly - I was holding out on doing anything (modifying) as the replacements thus far were - Warranty
Now since this has proved - no help.
It is time to take a more aggressive approach (different)
With my plan - I will have a 3rd new cushion and a cushion to play with and not take the truck down to (not drivable)
More labor involved as I will need to pull seat and cushion apart a couple of times.
Which with everything should take about 1 to 1.5 hours not counting the installation of the heater mat and seat cover (Hog Rings) on the new cushion as it comes in separate pieces.
The off coming requires tearing the cushion down and then modifying the foam then reinstalling of the heater mat and cover.

I truly hope a seat guy can look at it and know exactly what needs to be added to firm it up - and not trial and error

 

[thorn726]

be glad you dont have an xl. probably similar internally but so weal on the outside, on long drives i get sore sometimes without an extra cushion. im not finding mine to be particularly wqeak in the seat area you describe But i find mine leans to the left a little, like if you moved your blue circle a couple inches forward and over to the left. you've given me some ideas for upgrade/replacement thanks

 

[Chris M]

In my quest to get my driver's seat comfortable - which so far is a bust after numerous additions of padding (over & under) the seat bottom cushion.

I cannot get MY cushion to a (SET IT AND FORGET IT) point of comfort.

Cushion replaced 2 times and seat base; cover & heater mat have been replaced as well; all end up the exact same feel - Sinking Cushion

With sitting in 3 separate -Lariats and 1 - XLT , I have found (1) Lariat that provided support and did not sink, with the (1) Lariat being my first exact trim seat to seat compare - so after my failed attempts on replacements - fixing the issue. I have decided to purchase -(Out of Pocket) a 3rd cushion assembly and take my off coming cushion to a upholstery shop to have them modify the cushion by adding foam to the top of the cushion.
Note: when sitting in the (2) other Lariats - I also sat in a 24 Lariat - well I was disappointed as this cushion has the same sinking feeling as the 5g, granted not as bad - as the sinking feeling was more evenly felt on the back half of the cushion.
I was disappointed due to the fact that I was hoping the 6g would provide a - OMG moment for me, and I would just simply trade up to the 24 6g.

So my question is this - and this pic HIGHLIGHTS exactly what I feel, now my cover is not stretched or disformed as in this pic.
But it does show exactly how the sinking feeling - wraps up rear end when sitting in the seat.

How many of you FEEL THIS?
I know most of you find the seats comfortable, but with that comfort do you feel this - sinking cushion as depicted.

I am trying to determine if (ALL) rangers are this way or is it a select few that are more supportive and are firmer in this area.

This has been a long battle for me and not willing to throw in the towel just yet - trade off to something else as I love this truck except for this seat.
My various additions of padding have provided (SOME) comfort change but you can still feel (under your rear end) some discomfort, that's why my last-ditch attempt is to let a upholstery shop attempt to cure my woes if this is a bust, I am left with no option but to trade it off and get something else, which I would HATE to do but a necessity for my rear end and back as I have (zero) other issues with this truck so far - 14,500 miles and 23 months ownership.

Note how the -sinking area is slightly offset, this highlights another issue when in a left-hand turn and your body shifts to the right (momentum) you feel the uneven cushion.

Ref: this related thread for my related postings on this is

Uncomfortable seats | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

I only have an XLT Sport with cloth seats, but I don't feel anything like a sinking or off balance feeling in my seats, which are heated.
What you describe must be deeply annoying.

 

[Msfitoy]

my 128K mile XLT cloth seat is probably the most comfortable car seat I've owned...maybe my relatively light 160lb skinny butt has something to do with this?

 

[Joeiconic]

As long as the seat is not too narrow or too short for you, that should be a fixable problem.

 

[Bob902]

I agree on the XLT seats. Most comfortable I have had.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I’m in the comfortable camp too - short trips, long trips, in between trips - even 18 or more hours straight from PEI to Toronto in total comfort.

Must be super annoying to be that uncomfortable. I hope they can beef up the springs or add different density foam to help you get some comfort.

Otherwise, it’s this…

and that sucks.

 

[airline tech]

Since the seat base has been replaced, this included the springs. So, if I reference a TSB for the Transit, the TSB adds some straps, and they intertwine through the spring mat assembly and tie off (wrap) around the front and rear support bars.
This would give some extra support for the spring mat (deflection) - so this is an (Option)
another option since the issue is a combination of 3 things in the design of the driver's seat.

1. Differs from the passenger side, the passenger side has a (Occupant Sensor Assy) which includes a plastic support for the sensor, this stops the foam bottom from pushing down through the spring mat assembly.

2. The spring mat assembly - aft section rotates downwards when you sit in the seat (normal ops)

3. The foam cushion (aft side) is a less dense foam as compared to the front half, which is supported by the seat pan.

So, with this pic as a reference, the only way to modify the spring mat is to add the straps described above or place a spacer on the front (U-Shaped) hooks at the pan and stretch the spring mat (adding tension) to it - this would make it more taught and lessen the deflection downwards when the rear rotates downwards on the (rear frame bar) it free floats on this bar.

So, these are only going to be desperate modification options as the seat base is $850.00 part and at this time unable to get the spring mat assembly (separate) like the F-150 offers, I have been told the F-150 mat will not fit on the ranger seat as I was looking into that as an option before the base was replaced under warranty.
My worry is modifying the spring mat assembly may cause the plastic support (ties) to crack and break. So, I am cautious of doing anything to this yet, unless I am out of options.

I strongly feel my issue is with the cushion itself (mainly) and its design of the foam density.
I am scared to move away from the ranger to something else, as reviews are not good, and they lack the features I love in the ranger.
IDK, I just need to laser focus on fixing what I have, unfortunately all the parts are about 3-4 weeks out as some are backordered.
I will succeed in this quest, somehow someway.

I created this post - To Vent and to see how the other owners feel about their seats, I know of one other owner who experienced my same dilemma and traded it off. I hate to have to do the same.

 

[Cmar]

I agree on the XLT seats. Most comfortable I have had.

Same here, can drive long distances without back pain or discomfort.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

It would be interesting to see the “straps“ used in the Transit TSB. I can’t help but invision jute webbing like that used in furniture upholstery.

The challenge is attaching it to the seat frame but this, or something similar, would help with spring deflection and keep the foam from pushing down through the spring mat assembly (especially if the weave is tight). Nylon webbing might also be an option if you have some on hand.

If this application is too difficult to attach to the spring mat assembly, some high-quality upholstery scrim might be an option - it’s thin foam (1/8” or 1/4”) laminated to fabric and the good stuff is higher density foam and has better, thicker, tougher fabric than the cheap stuff. It could be cut to size and sit between the springs and foam, keeping it from pushing through while adding support. The key here is to get the best quality scrim you can.

 

[Friday yet?]

Hate it for the OP, but I'm firmly in the camp of "one of the most comfortable seats I've had in a vehicle." I truly find the ranger seats to be excellent as far as comfort.

Good luck OP. Really sucks you have that issue.

 

[Grumpaw]

Hate it for the OP, but I'm firmly in the camp of "one of the most comfortable seats I've had in a vehicle." I truly find the ranger seats to be excellent as far as comfort.

Good luck OP. Really sucks you have that issue.

Same for me. Have done a lot of 5-6-7 hour runs towing and have never found fault with my seats.
That being said, all the Ranger's seats are generic in their make up, but each of us is an individual, and airline tech just has a body make-up that just can't get comfortable.
Over the years seats have gotten much better....think back to when all we had was a straight bench seat that, when turning, we had a death grip on the steering wheel to prevent sliding all over the place !!!
It's like trying to find a comfortable chair/recliner for home use....I had to go to a dozen manufacturer and sat in hundreds of recliners before I found one that I liked enough to buy.

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