2014 Ford Explorer 4-way adjustable headrest in CX-9

[avidien]

My buddy owns a car audio shop and one of his customers dumped their brand new Ford leather headrests
and replaced with LCD headrests. I asked my buddy if I can have them, he said sure he didn't have any use for them.

I figured maybe they might fit since Mazda and Ford worked together on the CX-9.

I find the CX-9 "fixed" angle headrest somewhat uncomfortable.

Kinda like this woman in this post:
http://www.chicagonow.com/drive-she-said/2012/07/todays-rant-headrests-in-the-mazda-cx-5/

Anyway, I did some research and the Ford headrest is 4-way adjustable:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/11/headrest-hassle-put-to-rest-by-adjustable-ford-explorer-head-restraints/1#.U7c8paJD9RA
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/explorer/2012/long-term-road-test/2012-ford-explorer-xlt-heavenly-headrests.html


The headrest posts center to center matches the CX-9 perfectly the posts are a bit tight into the seat holes, so need to ream the plastic just a little bit for them to slide up and down freely, but these are a lot more comfortable with the variable adjustments:

 

[jrgmanict]

What year CX-9?
Looks nice

 

[avidien]

sorry for not specifying, it's a 2013 CX-9. But I think the headrest center to center is still the same for previous years. In the 2013-2014 model years it is 5.75" headrest post center to post center. Thx.

 

[jrgmanict]

So was looking on Fords Parts website, by chance do you have the part number. I know it will be different but will help narrow it down a bit.
Thinking about it if the option is not to much money.
Thanks
John

 

[avidien]

sorry, I don't know the Ford part number

So was looking on Fords Parts website, by chance do you have the part number. I know it will be different but will help narrow it down a bit.
Thinking about it if the option is not to much money.
Thanks
John

Hi John,

I'm very sorry, I do not know the Ford part numbers, as per my original post, I got these for free,
the original owner told my buddy he didn't need them anymore since he got new headrests with LCDs.

I did a quick search on eBay and see there are two black leather headrests, starting bid $50 for both,
I think they cost a lot more than that from the Ford dealer. Also, be careful, some Ford headrests have white thread stitching and the ones I got for free have black thread stitching, I got lucky and think the black stitching matches our CX-9s better.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Ford-Explorer-Factory-Black-Leather-Headrests-2-/271546922455?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f397535d7&vxp=mtr





Also, just a friendly caveat, if you are going to do this mod, you will need to ream the CX-9 plastic headrest tubes,the Ford metal posts diameters DO NOT readily fit into the CX-9 tubes, the post center to center dimension is dead on but you need to ream the plastic tubes and shave off about 20 mils so the Ford posts can slide up and down easily. So if you are not handy with a Dewalt-type hand drill and reamer bit, do not attempt this mod.

OR

maybe just consider getting those universal LCD headrests where the center to center post dimensions
are adjustable to fit any car seat

thanks.

 

[jrgmanict]

I have a tan interior so was looking at sand or something close to tan as possible.
Not sure if I would pull the trigger and do it or not.
Thanks for the info and will keep in mind about the reaming if necessary.
Thought about the LCD's a while back but the car is really only used by me and my youngest child is 17 years old and they usually bring their laptops with them if they travel in my car or even my wife's vehicle
John