Drivers seat height - any solutions?

[MaveryRider]

Been a month now , I think, since I raised the seat up little, moved it forward a hair and tilted the steering wheel up a touch and I’m finally pain free. I still agree with you though it would really be ideal to replace the seat frame with one that lifts the front and rear with the ratchet pump. It could use the ability to lower the front of the seat cushion and even though it’s an affordable truck the driver’s seat is an area where costs shouldn’t be cut.

So glad to hear you’re pain-free now with your handful of tweaks, so good they have made all the difference for you.

This is the most I’ve ever paid for a new car in my life and, it’s just so disappointing. to be dealing with this issue. Admittedly, when I bought my Ford F150, super crew Lariat, it was used, but still, I paid less for it than I paid for this brand new Lariat/loaded Maverick! I just made an appointment with an upholsterer that says he can help me fix this issue. I’ll let you all know what he ends up doing!

Sponsored

 

[Mavidiesel]

So glad to hear you’re pain-free now with your handful of tweaks, so good they have made all the difference for you.

This is the most I’ve ever paid for a new car in my life and, it’s just so disappointing. to be dealing with this issue. Admittedly, when I bought my Ford F150, super crew Lariat, it was used, but still, I paid less for it than I paid for this brand new Lariat/loaded Maverick! I just made an appointment with an upholsterer that says he can help me fix this issue. I’ll let you all know what he ends up doing!

Yes! Please do. It’s pretty good but sometimes I’m tempted to go to a junk yard and get an old Jeep Patriot drivers seat and frame and have my buddy weld pads to match it to the mavi’s bolt pattern. Those seats on the base models were all mechanical and had great even-lifting mechanical ratchet pump to raise and lower the seat.

 

[Kath]

I'm 6'2" and also have never sat in one before ordering, But I did watch numerous videos about the interior. All of them stating that the taller guys will fit into it. However, seating is one of the most important factors for me in vehicles and that's one of the main reason I ordered a Lariat. It has 8 way adjustable seats standard. I figure the extra 2 ways to move the seat will help in finding the perfect position. Here's to hoping.

I’m still trying to figure out what they mean by 8 way. I bought the Lariat Luxury and I’m still trying to adjust the seat, it just doesn’t adjust like my F150.

 

[jsus]

I’m still trying to figure out what they mean by 8 way. I bought the Lariat Luxury and I’m still trying to adjust the seat, it just doesn’t adjust like my F150.

seat base up/down
seat base forward/back
seat back tilt forward/back
lumbar in/out

 

[Kath]

seat base up/down
seat base forward/back
seat back tilt forward/back
lumbar in/out

Thanks, that makes sense. Like others, I wish the seat base would “tilt”

 

[dadd75]

I'm 6'2" and also have never sat in one before ordering, But I did watch numerous videos about the interior. All of them stating that the taller guys will fit into it. However, seating is one of the most important factors for me in vehicles and that's one of the main reason I ordered a Lariat. It has 8 way adjustable seats standard. I figure the extra 2 ways to move the seat will help in finding the perfect position. Here's to hoping.

I'm 6'4" and fit fine in my Lariat Lux Hybird! I have the steering wheel pulled out as much as possible and am very comfortable in driving it.

 

[jsus]

Thanks, that makes sense. Like others, I wish the seat base would “tilt”

That's the 10-way seat found on Escape - adds the tilt on the seat base. When the current model launched in 2020, that was the only powered seat option. Then, during the supply chain issues the last couple years, for 2021 it was reduced to the 8-way for SE Convenience Package and standard with SEL as seen on Maverick. They apparently figured it wasn't that important to most people... 10-way driver seat now requires upgrading to Escape SEL with the Technology Package or Titanium - before they rewrote the model lineup for 2023, that is.

 

[JimParker256]

Thanks, that makes sense. Like others, I wish the seat base would “tilt”

From everything I've read about the Lariat seats (still waiting for mine), the entire seat doesn't actually go "up/down" but instead the rear of the seat goes up/down, while the front of the seat remains relatively stationary. Thus as you "raise" the seat, you "flatten" the angle your legs take over the front of the cushion.

My Toyota Prius C works exactly the same way, so it was relatively easy to find an angle to maximize the thigh support when I was the right distance from the pedals. Of course, the seat back then has to be adjusted as well (which is a PITA in the Prius for some reason).

When I test drove a Maverick Lariat (dealer was offering it for "only" $10K over MSRP - no thanks), I was able to quickly find a seating position that was quite comfortable for me. And for once, I did not have to place the seat in the rear-most position to be comfortable. (No, I'm not particularly tall at 5'11" nor do I have particularly long legs. But all my early vehicles were British sports cars, where you basically sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you, and that "muscle memory" is still there, nearly 50 years later...

 

[Kath]

From everything I've read about the Lariat seats (still waiting for mine), the entire seat doesn't actually go "up/down" but instead the rear of the seat goes up/down, while the front of the seat remains relatively stationary. Thus as you "raise" the seat, you "flatten" the angle your legs take over the front of the cushion.

My Toyota Prius C works exactly the same way, so it was relatively easy to find an angle to maximize the thigh support when I was the right distance from the pedals. Of course, the seat back then has to be adjusted as well (which is a PITA in the Prius for some reason).

When I test drove a Maverick Lariat (dealer was offering it for "only" $10K over MSRP - no thanks), I was able to quickly find a seating position that was quite comfortable for me. And for once, I did not have to place the seat in the rear-most position to be comfortable. (No, I'm not particularly tall at 5'11" nor do I have particularly long legs. But all my early vehicles were British sports cars, where you basically sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you, and that "muscle memory" is still there, nearly 50 years later...

thanks for your input, my F150 had adjustable pedals which made a big difference in the seating position also.

 

[PlantMan]

Someone needs to try to transplant the 24-way Lincoln Corsair seats into a Maverick.

 

[MaveryRider]

This! Great solution. My upholster charged me $250 to fix my Maverick seat. It’s really disappointing that the seat doesn’t pivot. The base of the seat is far too deep relative to the front edge. It’s not something you’re going to notice in your test drive. But when you drive for long periods of time, I would be surprised if you don’t notice it. The gentleman that did the upholstery work, said it was absolutely awful, and that the design/engineering was terrible in the seat. Who knows if he was just saying that to make me feel better about paying $250 to fix it so that I would actually be comfortable using it for longer rides, LOL. What I do know is that I can now drive without it causing pain in my right leg (which was a first for me, ever). I think I’m going to file a complaint with Ford about this, only so that they are aware. I surely can’t be the only one that tells them this was a problem. Also, I’ve never complained about a car in my life to a manufacturer. This will be a first.

But yes, the Corsair seat would be super awesome in its place. That would be a fantastic replacement. I wonder if it would fit on the current seat’s foundation hardware?

 

[MaveryRider]

Yes! Please do.

The Jeep seat sounds amazing! Someone below suggested the Corsair seat, too!

I had the upholsterer fix my seat. He shaved down the foam in the front so that the edge wasn’t so high. He then added some foam to the base toward the back of the seat, and then pulled the vinyl covering a little bit tighter over the front with some adjustments (sewing). He did a great job and it’s not perceptible to the eye. It’s helped me tremendously, already. I had to pay $250 to get the seat fixed. But, at least I can drive it now and not have the pain (that I’ve never had before!). I had mentioned in another response below, that the upholsterer felt the seat was a terrible design. He said it was obvious to him immediately when he looked at it what the problem was., before I even told him. He pointed out the base of the seat was too deep relative to the front edge. He also commented on the faulty design in the engineering mechanics. Ugh

 

[MaveryRider]

I'd suggest a trip to your local upholsterer in your case. They can shave foam off of the seat, or design a foam cushion that would be to your liking

That’s exactly what I did! It’s much better now. Thank you!

 

[Saul T Knutz]

That’s exactly what I did! It’s much better now. Thank you!

So glad I could help!! Soooo...what'd the upholsterer do?

 

[Titleistman18]

Raising the floor height will make it worse. If I had a Maverick, I could try to present a solution. Try bringing up the rear of the seat then reclining to match the old position. it may get your thigh in better alignment.

Jealous of your 73 Cutlass.... that was my high school ride.

Sponsored