3D Printed Rear Seat Latch Release

[Porpoise Hork]

After recovering from my utter shock and amazement that Ford actually thought how the driver's side seat back release and how to access it was was adequate on a 65K truck I designed and 3D printed a pull handle for it. I'm still fiddling with the design and may go with a T-Handle style pull instead, but so far this one makes unlatching the seat back SOOO much easier.

The prototype is made with PETG that was annealed to increase heat resistance and prevent possible warping. It's a press fit and rotates easily and after at least a dozen or so uses has not fallen off or shifted yet.

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[z-man]

Or this:
Rear Seat Release - BuiltRight Industries

 

[Ajzride]

If you are feeling generous please post on thingiverse for others to have access to.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Yeah could get one of those, but mine took me roughly 10 min to draw up in Tinker cad, 15 minutes to print and cost me about .09 in material.

If you are feeling generous please post on thingiverse for others to have access to.

I'll post it up once I'm happy with it and know it's going to hold up for more than a few days.

 

[Pedaldude]

How the hell are you supposed to operate that latch without the fabricated part?

I don’t need to worry about a back seat but watching the Ford designers talking about Maverick’s features; it really made me wonder why the F-150 was short changed so hard when it came to little details.

My behind the seat area is devoid of anything useful. In the regular cab, there’s a weird bottle/change holder thing right under the seatbelt reel and that’s it.

 

[Bandit Heeler]

How the hell are you supposed to operate that latch without the fabricated part?

I don’t need to worry about a back seat but watching the Ford designers talking about Maverick’s features; it really made me wonder why the F-150 was short changed so hard when it came to little details.

My behind the seat area is devoid of anything useful. In the regular cab, there’s a weird bottle/change holder thing right under the seatbelt reel and that’s it.

I don’t think they meant for it to be accessed that way. It’s just an easy way to install the seat back quickly on the line.

 

[powerboatr]

How the hell are you supposed to operate that latch without the fabricated part?

I don’t need to worry about a back seat but watching the Ford designers talking about Maverick’s features; it really made me wonder why the F-150 was short changed so hard when it came to little details.

My behind the seat area is devoid of anything useful. In the regular cab, there’s a weird bottle/change holder thing right under the seatbelt reel and that’s it.

m y parents have a hybrid maverick..it Aint all that
its loud to drive, uncomfortable for a person of my svelteness ( 6'3 and 250lbs) , i had seat all the way back and as low as it could go so i could see out the window.
i really thought i wanted one for a second car, until i drove it for 3 hrs. not sure how anyone over 2 feet tall could sit in the back seat
rides like a buckboard, but they may have tires over inflated. its nice to look at like a moped..but not very fun to drive in..
BUT YES WHY on earth did they not put a dammmm little handle for the drivers side.

 

[Buyer2021]

How the hell are you supposed to operate that latch without the fabricated part?

Mine came OE with a fitting and nylon webbing loop where the fabricated piece is installed by the OP. That OE loop was standing about the same height above the latch as the piece fabricated by the OP.

I was able to grab that and release the seat, I added an on-hand scrap of cord with a knot on its free-end as an extension to above the top of the seat (tucked it discreetly under the edge of the headrest for future use, not visible unless you feel for it and pull it out).

Time to fabricate and install: 30 seconds; cost: materials on-hand.

That's worked fine to release the seat back multiple times since. The cord wedged under the headrest keeps the OE piece from falling out of place.

 

[SteveJ2477]

After recovering from my utter shock and amazement that Ford actually thought how the driver's side seat back release and how to access it was was adequate on a 65K truck I designed and 3D printed a pull handle for it. I'm still fiddling with the design and may go with a T-Handle style pull instead, but so far this one makes unlatching the seat back SOOO much easier.

The prototype is made with PETG that was annealed to increase heat resistance and prevent possible warping. It's a press fit and rotates easily and after at least a dozen or so uses has not fallen off or shifted yet.

Nice! How’s it holding up now?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Nice! How’s it holding up now?

The annealed Overture PETG is holding up fairly well with no warping or loosening up off the pin. I have messed with it a few times when outside temps were about 95-97F and no issues.

You may also get by with FilaCube's HT-PLA+ since it listed to be heat stable up to 85C (after annealing), and definitely ABS if your printer is setup for it. I'll post the STL up on Thingaverse this evening and link it.

 

[sippy2]

I popped my open with a 10mm box end wrench. Drilled a small hole in the peg(lever)....threaded a key chain loop thru. Works fine.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

The STL has been published.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5513454

Feel free to print it if you have a 3D printer or have access to one. Standard PETG print settings are fine with a .28 layer height, 3-4 walls, 3 top/bottom layers and 20-30% infill. Prints on a Ender 3 S1 Plus in about 15-18 minutes depending on your speed settings.

If you feel like it you can anneal it but probably wont have to. If using PETG find the glass transition temp for your brand of filament, usually 80-90c or 176-195F. Use an actuate probe thermometer to ensure the right temp. Get a ceramic tile or clean pizza stone and place it in the oven for a flat surface to rest the part on. Heat oven to temp and let stabilize. Usually 15-20 minutes post preheat. Place the part on the tile and turn the oven off and let cool to room temp.

After that install using a small pair of pliers justr careful to not use topo much force.

 

[zacko11288]

Wait, the rear seat behind the driver in the CC can fold down??

 

[Zengineer]

Wait, the rear seat behind the driver in the CC can fold down??

Yes. There's nothing back there most need to ever access, no room to really put anything back there...but like others I had to do this mod to my 2020 with a stray lanyard and keyring. I won't bother on my 2022.

The passenger side is made to fold, has a release, and there is room for jumper cables, tow straps or whatever.

 

[tony72cutlass's']

The STL has been published.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5513454

Feel free to print it if you have a 3D printer or have access to one. Standard PETG print settings are fine with a .28 layer height, 3-4 walls, 3 top/bottom layers and 20-30% infill. Prints on a Ender 3 S1 Plus in about 15-18 minutes depending on your speed settings.

If you feel like it you can anneal it but probably wont have to. If using PETG find the glass transition temp for your brand of filament, usually 80-90c or 176-195F. Use an actuate probe thermometer to ensure the right temp. Get a ceramic tile or clean pizza stone and place it in the oven for a flat surface to rest the part on. Heat oven to temp and let stabilize. Usually 15-20 minutes post preheat. Place the part on the tile and turn the oven off and let cool to room temp.

After that install using a small pair of pliers justr careful to not use topo much force.

awesome man!!!!

i'm trying to print it in Nylon black from ultimaker today

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