Disconnect active headrest

[phillyd2]

The video helped, thanks! Who knew?

 

[TOY2G]

Thanks for all of the replies. I would have to agree with most of you, it's really not worth it, and that's something that would always be kind of be hanging over my head, with the whole "what if" scenario.

You are correct that I've become somewhat desperate, and almost willing to try anything, but I suppose I have to draw the line here.

I still can't believe more people don't have a problem with this, I'm a pretty average build.

I know it's not "just me" as there are others that seem to have the same issue, although it's true, it seems like it's a small minority.

I can't will myself to trade it in, not yet. I kind of walked a hard line with convincing my wife to get a 4runner (we share a vehicle, I have a company car for work.), because it's still a BOF SUV- she could care less. While that might get me some credit on here, it's kind of embarrassing now.

Now, she likes driving it and I'm the one complaining- bad karma I guess.

The back seats are really nice, maybe I'll just have the wife chauffeur me around....yeah that wont happen!

Thanks again for the advice. So far this forum has been a great resource.

We installed TV Headrests. Something I feel is pretty common in 4Runners. My headrests do. It move forward, in fact that are always sagging backwards it seems.

 

[Omar RVA]

Uhm... How do you normally sit in the seat? I find a lot of people somehow manage to drive with the seat reclined (often so much they have to get those uncomfortable lumbar bags or whatever.)

I personally have to have my seats in a straight up, lowest to the ground almost "racing seat" style position; anything else feels uncomfortable when I am driving.

Post Note-

The Active Headrest system is essentially a passive system from what the New Car Features section seems to indicate (looks like its new for '15+ models); essentially that means it's purely mechanical system that is not computer driven or monitored. So disabling it will not set an SRS warning lamp, DTCs, or any errors in the system; though it is technically modifying a factory component so it may affect warranty coverage related to the components around that system and/or the seat.

As for what to do... well that's up to you. I mean the 5th gen has been around for about 4~5 years without having Active Headrests and so you'd essentially just be reverting the seat design to an earlier, proven design specification. But as others have pointed out, it was added as a safety feature to prevent bodily harm and/or possible fatality in the event of a collision. So this is a rather murky area that you need to determine for yourself, much in the same way we regularly make conscious decisions to alter the safety of our vehicles by say adding a full metal bumper and/or bypassing safety systems such as VSC/TRAC, ect.

Bottom line is that it's your vehicle and your responsibility for what you decide to do with it, all anyone can do is provide you with all the information so you can determine what is the best course of action for you.

I totally agree with the gist of your post - just wanted to comment on your post note here. I'm relatively certain the Active Head Restraint system has been available or provided in ALL 5th gens. I've attached a section from the 2010 owners manual - see pages 62 and 63. I've got a relatively early 5th gen and the lumbar plate doesn't really affect me as I adjust my seat in much the same way you mentioned; upright and low. My wife, however, does not and hates the feel because of it.

OA

 

[BlackWorksInc]

[MENTION=101966]Omar RVA[/MENTION]

You're right, I looked through the NCF of the 2010 and they mention it there as well and in the FSM. It's odd that it shows up in the 2015 as NCF usually is just for stuff they updated/changed and it doesn't seem like the Active Headrests were changed since 2010.

Interesting to know, I'll have to look at that system a bit more when I get some time.