2nd Gen Headrest - Solution needed

I have had the same problem with my '15 Tacoma. I'm going to try putting one of the rear rests on my seat and will report back. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll have to fork over some cash for other headrests.

I figured it's a government safety thing, but my boyfriend's '98 Tacoma's seats are far more comfortable. His are not adjustable, and the angle is safe and perfect. Adjusting the seat back has not been successful for me, but provides a tiny bit of improvement.

I strongly suggest not turning the head rest around. Don't risk the whiplash. Since the angle is so severe, it doesn't provide any positive change unless you're in the passenger side, sleeping.

I think one of the failures for those of us for whom it's a problem is that the newer Tacoma has a far more server "bucket" to the bucket seat. Sometimes a little pillow helps, but it's a bummer when you spend $30K+ on a rig only to have the most important feature fail on you. If I'd been able to test drive the truck for a solid 2-hour stint, I would have discovered this. But what dealer is really going to let you do that?

Heading to the chiropractor because it's begun to cause chronic neck pain.

 

My wife complains about the passenger front seat headrest on my 2015 DCSB . She reclines the seat and bought some type of silk hair cover at Wal Mart for the headrest saying the fabric on the headrest was like Velcro and messed up her hairdo. These things seem to help, but she should not have to do this.

 

My wife complained about the same thing. Bending the posts to slightly change the angle did the trick. To bend them I put a 9/16 box wrench in my bench vise then slid the post through so the wrench was all the way against the padding. A 3 foot pipe for leverage and a bit of trial and error to keep them even and the problem was solved.

Yes, I am aware that they are angled that way for a reason. I don't however remember seeing 50% of society walking around with neck braces before the Feds stepped in and saved us all.

 

Exactly. This is a common problem on several new vehicles, and the solution above is what most do about it.

To minimize whiplash the headrest should be as close to your head as possible, reducing the distance your head will travel back in an accident, so turning it around (angling it away from your head) is dangerous. Using no headrest is extremely dangerous. If tilting the seat back slightly does not work for you then reducing the tilt degree the minimum amount required to make it more comfortable as mentioned above is the best solution.

 

Thread revival!

I noticed that my neck was becoming constantly sore a while back. For me, it was not the headrest, but that I had to turn my head somewhat severely to get in and not knock my head against the top of the cab. I started using the slider as a step and going in back wards. Bending my head forward instead of sideways seemed to help and has all but eliminated the problem.

Never thought about bending them...such a simple solution. She hasn't complained in quite a while, so i'll probably just leave well enough alone. However, I might ask if she wants me to bend them...

 

I have owned my 2017 Pro for two months and the head rests do truly push head forward, and combined with the slumping seat design, caused me to go to therapists to fix my back. Disappointing as I love the truck...but it doesn't love me. I just purchased the seat lift kit. Hope it helps.
What I did was turn my head rests around as my passenger also complained of unnatural fwd head and neck etc.
I tried trading back headrest with front. Doesn't work on 2017 Pro. Different size bars. I'm going to fix this seat if it kills me as I love the truck! And any advice is welcome.

 

I also wonder how 6 foot tall people drive a Tacoma after my experience. I have adjusted the seat lumbar and steering wheel in every combo at 5'6" 130lb woman. Even turned pretty embroidered pro head rests backward. I don't want to sell my amazing truck! But I seriously drive it and need to feel comfortable. Give me what works for you please! As I said it surprises me taller people drive these as I feel like I am not under the steering wheel. My feet and knees are crunched. Wish this part was designed different

 

This is what my wife does.

 

You said you adjusted your lumbar, but do you mean the actual lumbar or leaning the seat back? Realistically this doesn't matter much given people prefer different seated positions, but I'm 5'9" thin frame and all I did was lean the seat back 1 setting and it improved comfort 100% in my 2013 Tacoma. Not much has changed with the seats between 2nd and 3rd gens so maybe you could also swap out your headrests with those from a Scion XD, like a member did with their 2nd gen.

Check this thread out:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/scion-xd-headrest-replacement.90362/

The plus is they are also black so should match your 2017 pretty good, not sure if 17 Pro has leather or not but than can always be added by an upholsterer or yourself later.

Edit: eBay would be a good start for cheaper used headrests.

 

Hi, I moved seat fwd and back, back of seat fwd and back, lumbar is fully cranked, and steering wheel up down and fully extended. What happens to me when I recline seat is my arms are fully extended to the wheel. Then I got one of those net lumbar supports and it helped. It seems like there are a few issues, not just the headrest.
I just ordered seat lift kit, and am going to bend the head rest to normal angle. Hoping this works for me.
Thank you

 

You just need longer arms - simple fix.

I am 5-11 and have been driving a 2013 for five months and thankfully I have never had trouble getting comfortable even on long drives.

 

Lol! It's the combo of long legs, and needing even longer arms...thanks for your help. I'll let you know how it goes

 

This thread will help you...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-and-adventures.362772/page-10#post-10525266

 

I can not wear my hat in my 15. I hated that so much when I took the test drive I almost didn't buy it. Now I've gotten used to the headrest, but when I'm working and in and out of my truck all day, I remove the headrest so I can wear my hat.

 

I took mine off and chucked em in the trash the day I got it home.

 

Thank you all for the ideas and info!

 

You are still talking about headrest right.

 

Yah, head and all...

 

I just picked up some 2006 rear seat headrests from Craigslist and put them in my 2015 front seats. What a world of difference. Even with the seat covers on you can tell