Smaller headrest for 2009 sport trac

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Matthew Jost

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I just got a 2009 sport trac. It seems like a good vehicle, but I am having one problem. The head rests are so large so that when I'm backing up or want to check behind me to see if I an change lanes, I cannot see.



I currently have the head rests off, but I really want something. I can go with aftermarket or maybe if a different model vehicle will fit. It doesn't matter. It just needs to be smaller and fit. I saw a Ford Taurus headrest will fit, but I'm not sure that they're necessarily smaller.



Does anything exist? Please help me out. Thank you.

 
I have never had an issue with the headrests in my '07. I am not even sure it is possible to turn around to look behind me when changing lanes. That is what the mirrors are for. Even checking the blind spot only requires a quick glance out the side window.



The headrests are more of a safety item than a place to rest your head. If you are hit from behind, the truck will lunge forward, but your head will not take the sudden jolt at the same rate, extending your neck backwards. If something were to happen and insurance found out that you removed/disabled a safety component, I would bet they have wording in your policy stating that they will not cover you.



Most of the complaints I have heard about the headrests have to do with the fact that they are uncomfortable. The ones in my '07 do not tilt forward, and I have read that they are the most comfortable of all the years as far as Gen2 Tracs go. I also saw that he Taurus ones will fit, but not much smaller. You might need to look at the Escape or Focus/Fusion rests.
 
I can't remember the last time I turned around to back up. (habit and neck surgery issues)



I generally remove the back seat headrests on vehicles I own so I can see better through the rear view mirror, though.
 
I keep the rear seat passenger side headrest folded down. Same problem for me. The newer fords headrests are waaay too large for my taste. I had an F150 company truck that they were so big I just took the drivers seat one off as it made me crane my neck forward.



I agree, these new larger headrests suck.



As for changing lanes without looking back. I hope you don't drive anywhere near me. People who only use their mirrors cause more freeway accidents than drunk drivers... I see close calls every day!

 
I had to remove one of the rear head rests to get my son's car seat to fit securely against the seat but I haven't noticed any issue with either front or rear impeding my vision in my 2007. Just upgraded from an 2004 and everything is bigger on the Gen2's but I'd say better as well.
 
A1 said that "even glancing out the side window" to check blind spot and I (being a biker) ALWAYS do a head turn to change lanes.



That was never the issue in this thread.
 
My problem with the headrests on my 2010 (Ford put new ones that are not adjustable except up and down on all 2009 through 2011 vehicles) is the preset angle does not fit me comfortably. You can buy headrests from Ford for Explorers and STs from 2006 to 2008 that will fit and are adjustable both in tilt and height (around $200 each). I have taken the driver's side one on my truck and just turned it around and reinstalled it. It now has a strange angle but it does offer at least some protection. Also, I have been looking in salvage yards for some used ones without any luck so far. By the way, Ford claims the non adjustable ones were government mandated.
 
I have an '07 and back it into the garage so I have to turn around and look out the back window everytime I come into the garage. I keep the back head rests folded down so their not in the way but don't have a problem with the one on my drivers seat that I'm aware of.



Jim
 
As for changing lanes without looking back. I hope you don't drive anywhere near me. People who only use their mirrors cause more freeway accidents than drunk drivers...



If this was directed at me: I never said I don't use my mirrors. I said that changing lanes does not require one to turn around in the seat to look out the back window. A glance over the shoulder out the side window will reveal any obstacles in your blind spot in your peripheral vision. One does not need to make direct eye contact with an object to know if it is there or not.



A1 said that "even glancing out the side window" to check blind spot and I (being a biker) ALWAYS do a head turn to change lanes.



That was never the issue in this thread.



It was not the issue, but he did say:



The head rests are so large so that when I....... want to check behind me to see if I an change lanes, I cannot see.



When I am traveling down the freeway at 65mph+ I don't want to turn around in my seat to see behind me. Even to change lanes, in the amount of time it takes one to turn around and look behind rather than glance into a mirror and look over your shoulder to check a blind spot, you will have traveled about 200ft. That is 200 feet that you did not see the road ahead of you.



He may have been talking about the rear headrests in his original post, but I read it as being the headrests on the front seats of the truck. I could see where a shorter person may have difficulty seeing out the back window even through the rear view mirror with the rear headrests in place.
 
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I have no issue with them at all. In the Adrenalin I can fold down the rear ones just fine when noone is back there. I'd be wary of altering those in any way as if there is an accident and it was discovered those to be tampered with, you might be liable. Insurance company inspectors look at those things when there is a seriously damaged vehicle and there are injuries. Suggest caution here!
 
I have no issue with them at all. In the Adrenalin I can fold down the rear ones just fine when noone is back there. I'd be wary of altering those in any way as if there is an accident and it was discovered those to be tampered with, you might be liable. Insurance company inspectors look at those things when there is a seriously damaged vehicle and there are injuries. Suggest caution here!
 
I have no issue with them at all. In the Adrenalin I can fold down the rear ones just fine when noone is back there. I'd be wary of altering those in any way as if there is an accident and it was discovered those to be tampered with, you might be liable. Insurance company inspectors look at those things when there is a seriously damaged vehicle and there are injuries. Suggest caution here!
 
I have no issue with them at all. In the Adrenalin I can fold down the rear ones just fine when noone is back there. I'd be wary of altering those in any way as if there is an accident and it was discovered those to be tampered with, you might be liable. Insurance company inspectors look at those things when there is a seriously damaged vehicle and there are injuries. Suggest caution here!
 
I have no issue with them at all. In the Adrenalin I can fold down the rear ones just fine when noone is back there. I'd be wary of altering those in any way as if there is an accident and it was discovered those to be tampered with, you might be liable. Insurance company inspectors look at those things when there is a seriously damaged vehicle and there are injuries. Suggest caution here!
 
I have no issue with them at all. In the Adrenalin I can fold down the rear ones just fine when noone is back there. I'd be wary of altering those in any way as if there is an accident and it was discovered those to be tampered with, you might be liable. Insurance company inspectors look at those things when there is a seriously damaged vehicle and there are injuries. Suggest caution here!
 
I have no issue with them at all. In the Adrenalin I can fold down the rear ones just fine when noone is back there. I'd be wary of altering those in any way as if there is an accident and it was discovered those to be tampered with, you might be liable. Insurance company inspectors look at those things when there is a seriously damaged vehicle and there are injuries. Suggest caution here!
 


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