Uncomfortable seats

[RedDakooter05]

Re: Driver's Seat Comfort - Lariat Seats

I know an old thread but after 16 months of ownership of the Ranger and trying every seat adjustment available in an attempt to get an OMG this seat is comfortable feeling I finally gave in and took it to the dealer just to see if they would do anything.

My issue, Leg Cramps while driving and cannot get it to a comfortable position, for long term driving.

My best comfort position is having the seat fully up, this gets me into a comfort zone of seeing over the hood (distance judging - spacing etc)

Once fully up, I then adjust the seat bottom tilt fully up, this gives me foot placement comfort, the transition from the gas to the brake without having to raise my leg too much.
The close placement of the gas pedal and brake enhances this requirement and need.
The issue with this (for me) is that my legs are at such an angle that the circulation is cut off in my right leg.

So, i decided to purchase and try the Seat Jackers, I went full 3/4-inch lift on the fronts for a week and no help in comfort.
I was able to dial down the seat bottom tilt adjustment though as the Seat Jackers were compensating for this instead.

This did however HIGHLIGHT the root issue of the seat cushion and that is the (BUTT) part of the seat cushion flexes downwards (SINKS) and the front half (Leg Support) stays firm.

So, my second adjustment - Was to take the full 3/4 inch lift out of the Seat Jackers and only use the 3/8 Spacer Blocks and tried this for 2-weeks.
The sinking feeling was still present and noted just not as bad.
So, I removed the Seat Jackers entirely and went back to stock setting.

Other things I have tried:
Various seat cushions - Stadium Cushion, Dining Room Chair Cushion, Car Seat Cushion (seat cover section of auto parts stores) and folded hand towels.
All of which were no help.

For comfort relief I can take my left foot and place flat on the floorboard and push up, this raises my but out of the sinking cushion, but my left leg is supporting my body weight.
To picture this feeling, think if you were sitting on the open end of a 5 Gallon bucket and the only support you have is the sides of the bucket.

So, at this point I decided to take to the dealer and see if anything can be done (warranty)
I was not expecting anything from them, but it was worth a try.
As there is not anything wrong with the Seat, just the design of it.

Service Writer was understanding of my issue but stated that Ford would not do anything about it as there is not anything actually worn or broken.
He suggested taking back to the dealer I purchased the truck from and seeing if they would good faith a new seat, but that would not fix my issue anyway.
or take to an upholstery shop and have a pad or cushion made to make it more comfortable.

I was expecting that was going to be the outcome of my visit and was waiting for the outcome to proceeded further in a resolution.

As posted above the Driver's seat and Passenger seat differ, with that Occupant Sensor and the padding that goes with it. (Driver's seat does not have it)
I have only driven my truck, so I have never sat in the Passenger Seat for any length of time, only cleaning the dash / windows etc. and testing for comfort differences.

Not a measurable testing method but if you open the door and take your left hand and push downwards on the (But) part of the seat and then take your right hand and feel under the bottom of the cushion you can feel the flexing downwards motion of the cushion (The Sinking)
you will also notice you are feeling the foam on the bottom of the cushion.

Repeat that procedure on the Passenger Seat, you will note, LESS flexing and also feel the padding from the Occupant Sensor.

I found a used Occupant Sensor on Ebay for the Passenger Seat, purchased and await delivery.
Pricey for just a pad as I cannot use the electric portion and have zero need for it.
I also purchased a camping bed (1/2-inch HD Foam) as a backup solution and will cut to fit if needed.

From just swapping from the Driver's to the Passenger Seat and sitting in it for 10 minutes or so and simulating leg movements as if I was driving, I note a HUGE difference in comfort.
So that was my decision maker and that was to get the Driver's seat as an exact match to the Passenger Seat. (Purchase the Occupant Sensor)
Try that First and then open it back up and add or alter the padding with the HD Foam
I am trying to make this a (One and Done) procedure in getting the cushion raised and back on without issues.

Will update after install and trial use.
As I am sure I am not the only owner who is experiencing this seat comfort issue.

I'm very interested in this, since I've had similar experience sitting in my passenger seat.

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[airline tech]

Pulled the Driver's Seat out today and installed the Occupant Sensor Mat on the Driver's seat.
I was correct it is 1/2 Inch thick as a complete assembly.
A noted difference with just a driveway check, will drive a monitor and if needed add more 1/2 inch
HD Foam

Before I installed, I cut a piece of the HD foam to fit.

I ended up removing the Occupant Sensor mat, it is just a oil based liquid inside a vacuum sealed mat and then as you sit on the seat the fluid moves to the tube/pressure sensor
(sensing seat occupancy)

It is fairly easy to get the cushion raised to access the bottom of the cushion.
Except for the OB back clip, the Recline Lever has to come off to get the OB Trime Piece off.

OB Side = Side closest to the door (control switch / lever side)

I attempted to get the Recline Lever off, but it was a hassle without possible breakage of the locking tab, so I worked around it.
It will come off, but I decided that since I could work around it, it was best to leave it alone.

Recline Lever - Locking Clip

Here is the Location of the J-Cover Clips - To get the cushion raised.
Note: Item (1) is duplicated on the I/B Side (Not Pictured)
You can access the Front and Both I/B Side Clips and the front O/B Side Clip without pulling any covers.

Just press downward on the cushion and get your fingers on top of the clip and pull out and downward on it - It will release.

Since I had my seat out of the truck, reinstall was fairly easy.

Torque Sequence and Spec for the 4 mounting bolts of the seat:

Rear - I/B - OB - 35 Ft Lbs
Front I/B - O/B - 35 Ft Lbs

Once you get the cushion raised - you will see this

I added this - Occupant Sensor - To be an exact match to the passenger seat.
However, any HD Foam Padding will work.
Recommend 1/2 Inch Thick - but play with the thickness as you desire.

This is the 1/2 Inch - HD Foam I bought as a backup plan and have a piece cut to fit if needed.
To add or adjust what I just installed.
Wal-Mart - $15.00

I thought about trying to see if the seat springs could be adjusted or tightened, but without pulling it further apart on the back side (as this would be the only way to adjust) - if possible
Rotate the C-Clip Style mounting points to the frame. (Rotate Upwards - To put more tension on the support springs)
Will venture into that (If the addition of padding is a bust)

But with my driveway only test sitting, I can already note a HUGE difference.

 

[airline tech]

I drove it for a week with just the Occupant Sensor padding installed.
Felt better but not perfect, still felt like I was sinking.
I did note that due to the (Thin) bottom cushion I eliminated one issue - I do not feel the springs in my but anymore.

I added my cut piece of the Camping Pad today, will try for another week and see how it feels.
My driveway test - feels firmer (possibly) too firm, I may have to find something softer to add.

Since, I had the cushion raised before I was able to raise the seat fully up and gained access to the J-Clips without removing the seat.
Once you figure out how to remove and reinstall the J-Clips it's pretty easy.

 

[airline tech]

The Camping Pad idea was a bust for me, made the seat too FIRM, so I visited a Carpet Store and picked up some scrap carpet padding (8 lb)

At this point I am leaving the J-Hooks unlatched until I find the Perfect solution and setup.

I am trying different angles, full coverage of the seat pan vs only the (But) portion.
The carpet pad works better for me but not yet perfect.
I have found that only adding a pad at the (BUT) part of the pan provides the best comfort since this is actually the (THINNEST) part of the OEM cushion.

I am testing various types of padding options and waiting on some upholstery foam to arrive from Amazon.

So, to sum it up, I have found a solution to fix the sinking feel of the seat now it's just a matter of finding a solution that covers the sinking feeling as well as being soft and not feel like sitting on a wooden seat.


Doing this project shows why some owners have warrantied their seat cushion for creases in the cushion.

In this example pic, you can clearly see by the (BUT) indention. that this is what I and others feel as the sinking feeling. This part of the cushion is thinner than the rest of the cushion and over time it transfers itself to the cover (shaping and stretching it) for visual wear as the cover is being stretched as you sit in the seat.

So even if you have this issue (Creased Cover) if the dealer replaces the cushion, this issue will return unless they have revised the cushion itself.
Replacing the seat itself - same issue
The seat and or cushion needs redesigned to eliminate the issue.

so, until then we have to find alternatives for a fix.
1. Add Padding
2. Upholstery Shop make new or modify the current cushion.

 

[VAMike]

I knew a girl with a similar problem, she found out some jerk had left a pea under her mattresses.

 

[airline tech]

My Drivers seat update.

Driver's Seat Cushion & Cover replaced; no other defects noted with the seat other than cushion broken down and worn - Warranty Replaced

6-Days later - new cushion also broken down and split foam, no physical defects noted with the spring mat assembly - not broken - possibly stretched out when under a load.

Resolution this time around is to replace the seat base assembly, cushion & heater mat and reuse the new cover. While at the dealer I sat in a 21 Lariat, for a seat to seat compare - Night & Day difference between the 2. Up until this point I have only compared my daughters' boyfriends' truck (XLT) and even it was a huge, noted difference.

So bottom line, something has been wrong with my seat from day 1 of ownership -IDK what specifically. Awaiting parts and install of new base & cushion- Warranty Replacement

I have tried various seat covers and foam padding to get the seat comfortable to drive and every one of them failed to provide a comfortable seat.

So hopefully very soon, I can finally say - I LOVE my truck and let's go for a drive as of now it's almost impossible to drive, the only way to drive it is to place my left foot on the floor and push my but up and off of the seat as it feels like I am sitting on the floor, no matter how high or how much seat tilt you have.
When it's all done it will be 4 trips to the dealer to get this finally corrected and agreed there is something wrong with it, the final straw was a new cushion should not be broken down within 6 days, actually I felt it give on day 2 after replacement when turning a corner. It literally dropped about an inch.

Will post results after replacement

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