Where are we at on adding additional seat cushioning / firmness

[unlimited]

I've purchased a base model vehicle in the past and learned my lesson. I can guess you didn't purchase the Lariat edition.

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[generalmgr]

I have an XLT EB. I liked the seat comfort when I test drove one way back when. After mine came this year, I decided to get seat covers for protection, not comfort. Then before I bought some I was lucky enough to win a set in Carlisle at the Ford show… and I can’t say enough good things about them. The Mabett covers not only look great, they also add support. My first time sitting on them really surprised me, couldn’t believe how good they felt under the butt and back test. Maybe that’s all you need. I’m 5’8”, 160…. with a very bad back. Degenerative disk disease.

 

[TrailMaster]

I also have chronic lower back issues. Before ordering I'd read that the XLT models without electric seat adjustment have manual lumbar support. I've had electric seats that fried out on me in the past, so I didn't go for the power seats to save some money and potential frustration.

Is there really "manual lumbar support" on the non-Lux XLTs, or is Ford just pulling my leg?

 

[inline_five]

What model do you have? I understand that all the seats are different among them. I did see a thread on here where someone else did have the seat modified to their liking.

XLT

 

[inline_five]

I also have chronic lower back issues. Before ordering I'd read that the XLT models without electric seat adjustment have manual lumbar support. I've had electric seats that fried out on me in the past, so I didn't go for the power seats to save some money and potential frustration.

Is there really "manual lumbar support" on the non-Lux XLTs, or is Ford just pulling my leg?

We are of similar dimensions
I have an XLT and there are zero adjustments outside of the forward and back and height.

 

[raybollywood]

Just because I said athletically built doesn't mean I'm saying suffer forever or that you should think my body will adapt quicker or better. I have herniated discs and other issues that have made the science of seating very prominent in my life. I've also had fancy office chair ergonomics evaluation and setup with $1000 office chairs in the past. Even those cause my body to complain at first.

Just trying to point out some commonly overlooked points in the quest for seat comfort. This is especially true for things like arm position and other things the article points out which many wouldn't realize effects their bum or back.

Guess I don't know what was the point of you saying you are athletically built had any relevance to the seat.

At any rate, my closing comments remain the same. Listen to your body. Don't 'walk it off.'

 

[inline_five]

I've purchased a base model vehicle in the past and learned my lesson. I can guess you didn't purchase the Lariat edition.

It's not even that. The back seats are nice and firm and offer good support.

 

[raybollywood]

It's not even that. The back seats are nice and firm and offer good support.

Back seats are the cheaper row. And, yes, more supportive/comfortable unintentionally.

If it's lumbar, you can do it yourself with the mod in this forum. Or try 'quick n ez' lumbar with some zip ties.

if it's the actual cushion your buttocks rest on, bring it to a car/upholstery shop. They can easily replace the foam there with high density foam for more support/rigidness for a few hundred or so.

 

[Jman79]

Guess I don't know what was the point of you saying you are athletically built had any relevance to the seat.

At any rate, my closing comments remain the same. Listen to your body. Don't 'walk it off.'

I said that because I was thinking it narrows my 230lbs onto a still large but more focussed area . The OP mentioned being smaller and having issue with the soft seat toward the back so I guess I was trying to relate, but in hindsight I could have left that detail out.

I agree with dont walk it off... just give enough time after each adjustment to see how your body settles into it. Take other variables out of play.

Can anyone speak to if the seats could be augmented from underneath? Is the bottom open enough to access the wires or supports and augment? If yes, then usually you can slide a plastic insert between the wires and foam to make it firmer. Also as previously stated, you can use zip ties to reinforce the wire/spring base.

 

[TrailMaster]

We are of similar dimensions
I have an XLT and there are zero adjustments outside of the forward and back and height.

Well that is disappointing! False advertising? I went with manual seats on my XLT order because Ford advertised "manual lumbar". If I'd known manual lumbar means no lumbar I'd have changed my mind. Grrr.

BTW, how do you know my dimensions? Is this some new kind of AI?

Seriously, I'm two inches taller but a bit skinnier!

 

[commadorebob]

I'm pretty overweight and find the Lariat seats maybe a little too firm. On longer trips, I wished they had a little bot more give, but I suspect that will happen over time.

 

[Cocobean]

Picked up my Maverick today. Love everything except the seats which absolutely suck in the front (rear seats are nice and firm).

You sink down into them, and they provide zero support.

Wondering what people have done, I've seen some old threads but nothing really conclusive. I'm hoping I can go to an upholstery shop and they can add foam or something.

I agree - the driver seat wasn’t too comfy for me… you might try this or something like it; worked for me until I got my Coverado seat covers which gives me a bit of cushioning and some lumbar support.

 

[cyberdog]

I'm critical of seats, and my 6'2" ~220 lbs frame finds the seats in my Lariat extremely comfortable, even driving for a couple of hours. Each of my two test drives were easily an hour or more, as I wanted to be darn sure I'd be happy with the driving position and comfort. - Had a Windstar (yeah, I know), which gave me horrible leg cramps on drives more than 40 minutes, to the point I'd hardly be able to stand and walk until the circulation returned.

Even the tailbone is happy, which isn't the case in my wife's Crosstrek after anything but shorter trips since loosing weight, where the back edge/seam of the lower cushion is less than ideally placed. (My Outback was fine, totally different seat, but man the Crosstrek seat isn't to my liking for more than 20 minutes tops).

 

[RoyalTeaDee]

XLT

I'm guessing you didn't get the luxury package?

 

[jorl]

I just went out and bought a memory foam seat cushion and lumbar support-problem solved.My '22 XLT has no lumbar adjustment-shoulda stepped up a grade but when you buy sight unseen...

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