Loose leather steering column "curtain"-- really, Ford?

[Daveinva]

First off, loving the truck. Yeah, a lot of interior stuff is cheap, but it feels honest, none of it is bothering me yet.

... except for this, which I only noticed a week or so into ownership, and welp, I finally found an extraordinary Maverick cheap-out that stunned me. I've NEVER seen something like this in any car or truck I've ever driven in nearly four decades of motoring, including some of the cheapest penalty boxes sold in America. Like, who just gives up and puts a curtain on a steering column? Lada? Yugo?? What kind of money does this even save for you, Ford?

Now, it wouldn't bother me half as much if the curtain (or cover, or jacket, or drape... anyone know the technical term for this part? Couldn't find it listed in any Ford parts schematics online) wasn't detached from both ends, hanging loose (see this thread for a clearer example: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/top-steering-wheel-column-to-dash-cover.51786/). The best I can do is kind of tuck in both ends, but it still pops out. It doesn't shift out unless I adjust the steering column, but expecting my better half to need to do that whenever she borrows the truck, that means this thing's gonna shift out often.

Anyway... griping aside... as ridiculously minor a thing as this is, is this still something that can be fixed under warranty? While I change my own oil, I'm going to at least get my first service done at a dealer just so they have to face the rumored hassle of taking off the filter for the first time, so I'm wondering whether this is something I can ask them to address while I'm there... or am I only now discovering a Maverick flaw ("quirk," if we're being polite) that we all just live with?

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[gjallen3]

We must be brothers. I noticed that same thing just last week and I shook my head too. Then wondered what to do to improve it, then shrugged my shoulders and just forced myself to accept it and enjoy all the good things about the truck.

 

[Clarkdonbran]

Mine is not great either. I can live with it though. Should we start a thread about how we hate the dial shifter?!

 

[TomStJohn]

Yes, same here looks so cheap

 

[Chops]

First off, loving the truck. Yeah, a lot of interior stuff is cheap, but it feels honest, none of it is bothering me yet.

... except for this, which I only noticed a week or so into ownership, and welp, I finally found an extraordinary Maverick cheap-out that stunned me. I've NEVER seen something like this in any car or truck I've ever driven in nearly four decades of motoring, including some of the cheapest penalty boxes sold in America. Like, who just gives up and puts a curtain on a steering column? Lada? Yugo?? What kind of money does this even save for you, Ford?

Now, it wouldn't bother me half as much if the curtain (or cover, or jacket, or drape... anyone know the technical term for this part? Couldn't find it listed in any Ford parts schematics online) wasn't detached from both ends, hanging loose (see this thread for a clearer example: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/top-steering-wheel-column-to-dash-cover.51786/). The best I can do is kind of tuck in both ends, but it still pops out. It doesn't shift out unless I adjust the steering column, but expecting my better half to need to do that whenever she borrows the truck, that means this thing's gonna shift out often.

Anyway... griping aside... as ridiculously minor a thing as this is, is this still something that can be fixed under warranty? While I change my own oil, I'm going to at least get my first service done at a dealer just so they have to face the rumored hassle of taking off the filter for the first time, so I'm wondering whether this is something I can ask them to address while I'm there... or am I only now discovering a Maverick flaw ("quirk," if we're being polite) that we all just live with?

My ‘25 Lobo is the same as yours. Doubt the dealer can fix it since it seems we all have it.

However, Mexico is known for its high quality leather goods. “Fine Corinthian Leather” was actually made there. So I’m considering that fine Corinthian leather steering column sheath as an upgrade

The fact that it is unattached at one side is cheap looking though. I have the same hole punch & slot in the same place too. Wonder if that is a result of the leather manufacturing process or if the holes are meant to attach to the dash but were out of spec or a hassle to attach & left dangling by the assembly line crew…

 

[Tbone289]

Ford has been doing this for at least 25 years in vehicles that have tilt/telescoping steering columns. I'm not sure what you're expecting to see here. How would you suggest that this area be covered while allowing for the wide range of tilting and telescoping of the steering column?

 

[Tbone289]

The fact that it is unattached at one side is cheap looking though. I have the same hole punch & slot in the same place too. Wonder if that is a result of the leather manufacturing process or if the holes are meant to attach to the dash but were out of spec or a hassle to attach & left dangling by the assembly line crew…

It's unattached at both sides. The cuts are there so that it conforms to the corners better, and a hole punched at the end of a cut is there to stop the cut from tearing.

 

[Chops]

This is my first Ford. Your explanation of why the fine leather sheath has been precision cut for functionality for the last 25 years is helpful - thanks.

 

[Tbone289]

This is my first Ford. Your explanation of why the fine leather sheath has been precision cut for functionality for the last 25 years is helpful - thanks.

Clearly it's vinyl, and not a "fine leather sheath". It always amuses me how people buy the cheapest Ford made and expect the finest quality materials in the interior.

 

[Chops]

Clearly it's vinyl, and not a "fine leather sheath". It always amuses me how people buy the cheapest Ford made and expect the finest quality materials in the interior.

The recycled plastic faux leather seats in my base Lobo are comfortable - but I had to get aftermarket seat covers because the originals do not “breathe” and get hot while sitting in them. In the winter I’ll remove the seat covers.

 

[Chops]

Clearly it's vinyl, and not a "fine leather sheath". It always amuses me how people buy the cheapest Ford made and expect the finest quality materials in the interior.

If one is skilled & efficient at leather making they can produce leather that is less expensive than vinyl?

edit…of course vinyl would be better than cheap leather even in a steering column sheath

 

[Tbone289]

The recycled plastic faux leather seats in my base Lobo are comfortable - but I had to get aftermarket seat covers because the originals do not “breathe” and get hot while sitting in them. In the winter I’ll remove the seat covers.

That's a good plan. I've never personally been a fan of leather or vinyl seats, and luckily I've always bought cheap vehicles and never been forced into buying anything but lower-end options.

It just struck me how that has changed recently. Now the base option is cloth with vinyl as the premium option, and it was the opposite decades ago. Of course, fabrics and vinyl are both better materials than they were in those days.

 

[Tbone289]

If one is skilled & efficient at leather making they can produce leather that is less expensive than vinyl?

I suppose that may be true, but I wonder how the costs scale with the numbers being produced, and having to select leather of sufficient quality.

edit…of course vinyl would be better than cheap leather even in a steering column sheath

Good point, and there's better control over vinyl consistency.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Keep your eyes on the road!

 

[Tbone289]

No sheath on my XLT; no problem.

How so? Your XLT has tilt/telescoping steering, so it has the same vinyl cover shown in the OP.

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