Any headrests from other cars fit our OEM seats?

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by HKz

your video with the helmet + turned around head restraint made it appear you would still have whiplash protection, I'm not sure how that is comparable to having absolutely no head restraint

It's as if the headrest isn't there. I'm fine doing it at the autox because we both agree it's very low risk.

The reason for the OP is to use a headrest on track, where risks are far greater of snapping your neck.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

It's still JDM too!

No. It is still USIM.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by iLuveKetchup

Well you can never be too careful with meteors. The point is that I don't even feel a headrest when it's turned around. Kind of like not having a head rest at all.

Would you drive, even on the street / highway, without a headrest?

I did for most of my driving life!


For example

[Grady]

Ok so I had a little clearance issue when I was at the track. not quite enough room for my head with the helmet on. not an issue just marginal room. I went and turned my headrest around and now I can have the seat back 1 notch closer to the steering wheel. also tested and that setting there is no way I could see my neck getting overextended. I will go back some but then gets wedged in between the headrest and roof.

[mrhayes1]

Honestly I don't know why more ppl have not complained about this. The seats in this car are great but are made for Asian dudes who are 5 feet tall, 130 pounds with shoulders of a 10 year old American child. I am 6 feet 170 pounds and have had to mash the seat wings a bit b/c my shoulders hang off. If you do that the headrest seems to push your head even further.... If you extend the headrest all the way out it is a bit better. You can even pull it out so far past the last lock and let it sit there; it will migrate back after a while of driving. Every bit helps tho. As others have mentioned, if you flip the headrest...you basically don't have a headrest anymore so that really isn't a good solution.

[Luns]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

Headsets from a 2016 Camry XSE fit well and they are the correct color with red stitching. Much more comfortable!

I'll confirm this is a fit and is an improvement. I just put the headrest from a 12-17 Camry (I don't know the exact year or trim level) in my 2017 86.


The red stitching is a mismatch for the gray stitching of my upholstery, but I don't care. What I do care is that I can put my seatback another two notches forwards with this headrest and my back is grateful for it.

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by Luns

I'll confirm this is a fit and is an improvement. I just put the headrest from a 12-17 Camry (I don't know the exact year or trim level) in my 2017 86.


The red stitching is a mismatch for the gray stitching of my upholstery, but I don't care. What I do care is that I can put my seatback another two notches forwards with this headrest and my back is grateful for it.

That red is mismatch even on twins with red stitching. But I have 2 of these same headrests and can confirm they fit great.

So much easier on my neck.

[Luns]

One more data point. I've tried out the front headrest from a 2015 Lexus ES350.

This headrest is adjustable fore-aft, with 4 positions, and the posts fit our twins just fine. The silver stitching is also a good match for my seats. However, sadly the unit I got was broken, with the adjustment stuck in the most forward position. The displacement in this position is pretty much the same as our original headrest, so the unit is useless to me.

If the adjustment were working, I estimate the farthest back position would be comparable to the Camry headrest. This would make this a pretty ideal replacement, offering the IMO better position, without taking away the option of the original headrest's position for anybody who might prefer it.

It looks like the IS350 headrest from similar years would work too, but beware 250 headrests that are listed as interchangeable - those will fit but aren't adjustable.

[Luns]

Originally Posted by Luns

If the adjustment were working, I estimate the farthest back position would be comparable to the Camry headrest. This would make this a pretty ideal replacement, offering the IMO better position, without taking away the option of the original headrest's position for anybody who might prefer it.

I take that back. I did some measurements of the ES350 headrest just before sending it back. Based on the gap that the posts slide in, there's about 3cm of adjustment. However, that 3cm doesn't span between what our original headrests are and the Camry headrest, it goes the other way! Yes, the ES350 headrest set to its farthest back position roughly matches where our stock headrests are, and can adjust forwards from there, not back.

So, I guess if you have a very laid back seating position with extra space behind your head, the ES350 headrest could help close that gap. But for those of us preferring more upright seating, it goes the wrong way.


Lastly, I did notice through all this a perceptible weight difference between headrests. The Camry headrest is over a pound heavier than stock for the twins. The ES350 somehow feels lighter, but turns out to weigh even more - maybe another 3oz more, or about double what we have stock. Still, I'll gladly take the 1lb hit for the sake of my neck.

[steved]

Unfortunately the Camry headrests don't hold true for 2022+ seats, the headrest posts are spaced differently than 1st gen.

[tiger1964]

Originally Posted by steved

Unfortunately the Camry headrests don't hold true for 2022+ seats, the headrest posts are spaced differently than 1st gen.

Shoot - I read 38 posts to get to this? The headrests don't bother me but it does bother my wife. You'd think there would be interchange (post spacing and diameter) with... other Subarus?

[TurboLag23]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

That red is mismatch even on twins with red stitching. But I have 2 of these same headrests and can confirm they fit great.

So much easier on my neck.

Do you have a picture of what these look like installed, and was the width between the posts correct or did it require any force-fitting? Just about to order a set myself!

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by TurboLag23

Do you have a picture of what these look like installed, and was the width between the posts correct or did it require any force-fitting? Just about to order a set myself!

Sorry for the bad photos (iPhone 11 with dust in lens). No force fitting, but the Camry headrest posts are maybe 1mm thicker. Nothing too crazy though they go right in. Distance between posts seems to be exact.

They can also sit flush. Shockingly they are probably 3x as heavy but oh well. Keep in mind I only use these for track days when I’m wearing my helmet.

[tarzan_nojane]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

I only use these for track days when I’m wearing my helmet.

The stock headrest can be installed backwards for track days...