Get out the dremel... seriously. I don't have any problem at all in the xB, maybe 'cause I'm so short, but I did modify the headrest in my former ride (New Beetle) by lopping off about 2 inches from the ends of the stems so it went down more, closer to the top of the seat. You are going to need to be quite careful not to cut through the stems, though.
Headrest Alternatives?
The only real complaint about Xpress Box is the headrest. It's marked forward angle is too much for my neck/head in my preferred seating position (pretty vertical). I even turned it backwards for a while, which put it at a MUCH better angle.
As it wasn't "locked" in position, I didn't feel comfortable with it that way, as it MIGHT come loose in a violent rollover-type crash (when it is most needed).
So, I turned it back around and reclined the seat more than I would actually prefer, so that the headrest does not physically push my head into an angle looking downward toward the steering wheel rather than toward the windshield.
My wife drove the xB to Auburn for classes and complained of the same thing for her . . .
What I want to know is . . .
Is there an alternative to the stock headrest that is more straight up and down, with a similar/identical fabric? (so it blends in with the stock seats)
OR
Should I whip out the dremel and notch the stock headrest shafts to allow it to lock into the mechanism and not easily "pop out?"
This is a serious thread as I am irritated by the stock design and want a real dicussion.
FYI: the more vertical seating position (unachievable with a stock headrest position) and a reversed headrest puts the stock headrest in its "normal" position on all other cars I tend to drive, a couple inches behind the back of my head. SO, a reversed and notched stock headrest shouldn't pose an out-of-normal whiplash danger, compared to most other cars.
As of typing, the headrests are unmolested and in their stock position with a more reclined seat. As is, the "headrest" lines up with my neck and the base of my skull, usually TOUCHING my head as I drive. I have to physically lean forward to turn my head to look to the left or right.
I CAN'T be the only one with this issue . . .
As it wasn't "locked" in position, I didn't feel comfortable with it that way, as it MIGHT come loose in a violent rollover-type crash (when it is most needed).
So, I turned it back around and reclined the seat more than I would actually prefer, so that the headrest does not physically push my head into an angle looking downward toward the steering wheel rather than toward the windshield.
My wife drove the xB to Auburn for classes and complained of the same thing for her . . .
What I want to know is . . .
Is there an alternative to the stock headrest that is more straight up and down, with a similar/identical fabric? (so it blends in with the stock seats)
OR
Should I whip out the dremel and notch the stock headrest shafts to allow it to lock into the mechanism and not easily "pop out?"
This is a serious thread as I am irritated by the stock design and want a real dicussion.
FYI: the more vertical seating position (unachievable with a stock headrest position) and a reversed headrest puts the stock headrest in its "normal" position on all other cars I tend to drive, a couple inches behind the back of my head. SO, a reversed and notched stock headrest shouldn't pose an out-of-normal whiplash danger, compared to most other cars.
As of typing, the headrests are unmolested and in their stock position with a more reclined seat. As is, the "headrest" lines up with my neck and the base of my skull, usually TOUCHING my head as I drive. I have to physically lean forward to turn my head to look to the left or right.
I CAN'T be the only one with this issue . . .
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
I would not dremel the headrests at all. If your worrie about safety I would leave them untouched. With notches already on one side you risk making it too thin. The biggest problem with fixing these things is that the head rests are pre-molded with the fabric on them. So you can't take them to a interior shop and have them modded like older cars. One possability is to go check out the xD and the tC. They should run a similar fabric and might have a different design. Other then that only other possability I can think of is to measure the width of the rods, and go around to different cars to find something that will match up.
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
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