Explorer Seat Cushion Swap

[Mr Nick]

One of the few things I don't like about my 2026 Bronco OBX (leather) is the firm seats, and the firm leg bolsters digging into the back of my thigh causing a pressure point.

Before I continue I'd like to point out that I am 6'6" tall, have stiff neck/upper back issues, my right arm sometimes falls asleep if I'm seated for too long, I see a chiropractor as needed and had to go to PT for a handful of visits earlier this year. So my situation probably isn't like most of you.., But I wanted to share since it's relatively easy to do if you feel the seats are too firm as well.

I picked a leather seat cushion from eBay for a 20-24 Explorer. I purposely got one that does NOT have the ventilation feature, so I didn't have to mess with the bladder thing that's on the bottom of those cushions. The Explorer seat foam is significantly softer than the Bronco's, enough that I actually sat lower because it compresses more. To the point I had to adjust the rear view mirrors. I removed the cushion and added some thin padding (the type you'd put under an area rug) to firm it up just a touch, still softer than the Bronco cushion. I also shaved the side bolsters down a bit using a 90* grinder and working slowly.

The plugs for the seat heater are not the same, but they both have 4 wires. I bet somebody smarter than me could figure it out.

The straps for the Explorer seat all have a home on the Bronco seat base, but they aren't as snug. They got even less snug after I shaved the bolsters down a bit. But, they have not come off after about 2 weeks of normal use.

I consider removing the seat mandatory for this swap. It only takes a few minutes and makes removing and reinstalling the base cushion rather easy.

The leather is not an exact match, but very close. So close that it just looks like a difference in shadows. I picked up another cushion for the passenger side as well, that will be the next free evening project.

I have no interest in messing with the seat back cushion due to the airbag.

It's a big improvement from stock. I will probably remove it once more to shave the leg bolsters a bit more and see how it feels. Comfort isn't really a measurable data point, but I'd say it's 80% more comfortable than stock.

Any questions, let me know.


Bronco left, Explorer installed on the right.

Shaving the side bolsters a bit, left the cover on for this at first but was worried I may accidently damage it.

So I removed the cover by releasing the plastic clips (no metal hog rings). Finished shaving the bolsters, and added some thin padding.

I'm confident that Ranger seat cushions could work as well, even F150 seats cushions look tempting.


This is the ventilation bladder thing that I avoided. If you want to really experiement, you could get one of these, along with the fan, and wire it on a seperate circuit.

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[Mr Nick]

Bronco left - Explorer Right

 

[SynnerSyndrome]

I’m shocked. I’m 5’8” and heavier (around 300) and I find the Bronco seats OBX better than my Explorer ST Line. I like the flatter back. Feel the middle of the seat is more supportive on the Bronco. It bottoms out on the exploder

 

[TX-Dennis]

I'm quite a bit shorter - just under 6 ft. I find the Bronco seats quite comfortable for long drives. Now, my wife's Lincoln seats kill my back on long trips. They are quite a bit "fancier" looking and (of course) ventilated, but much less comfy for me. I always try to convince her to drive if we go in the Lincoln. She finds them comfortable, but she is VERY short at somewhere south of 5 feet.

Everyone is built differently, so . . .

 

[Big Pony]

One of the few things I don't like about my 2026 Bronco OBX (leather) is the firm seats, and the firm leg bolsters digging into the back of my thigh causing a pressure point.

Before I continue I'd like to point out that I am 6'6" tall, have stiff neck/upper back issues, my right arm sometimes falls asleep if I'm seated for too long, I see a chiropractor as needed and had to go to PT for a handful of visits earlier this year. So my situation probably isn't like most of you.., But I wanted to share since it's relatively easy to do if you feel the seats are too firm as well.

I picked a leather seat cushion from eBay for a 20-24 Explorer. I purposely got one that does NOT have the ventilation feature, so I didn't have to mess with the bladder thing that's on the bottom of those cushions. The Explorer seat foam is significantly softer than the Bronco's, enough that I actually sat lower because it compresses more. To the point I had to adjust the rear view mirrors. I removed the cushion and added some thin padding (the type you'd put under an area rug) to firm it up just a touch, still softer than the Bronco cushion. I also shaved the side bolsters down a bit using a 90* grinder and working slowly.

The plugs for the seat heater are not the same, but they both have 4 wires. I bet somebody smarter than me could figure it out.

The straps for the Explorer seat all have a home on the Bronco seat base, but they aren't as snug. They got even less snug after I shaved the bolsters down a bit. But, they have not come off after about 2 weeks of normal use.

I consider removing the seat mandatory for this swap. It only takes a few minutes and makes removing and reinstalling the base cushion rather easy.

The leather is not an exact match, but very close. So close that it just looks like a difference in shadows. I picked up another cushion for the passenger side as well, that will be the next free evening project.

I have no interest in messing with the seat back cushion due to the airbag.

It's a big improvement from stock. I will probably remove it once more to shave the leg bolsters a bit more and see how it feels. Comfort isn't really a measurable data point, but I'd say it's 80% more comfortable than stock.

Any questions, let me know.


Bronco left, Explorer installed on the right.

Shaving the side bolsters a bit, left the cover on for this at first but was worried I may accidently damage it.

So I removed the cover by releasing the plastic clips (no metal hog rings). Finished shaving the bolsters, and added some thin padding.

I'm confident that Ranger seat cushions could work as well, even F150 seats cushions look tempting.


This is the ventilation bladder thing that I avoided. If you want to really experiement, you could get one of these, along with the fan, and wire it on a seperate circuit.

Interesting. And pretty neat too. I had the same problem though I’m only 6’2”, just longer legs than torso. I solved my situation with the Seat Jackers from @DesertDoesIt and it was pretty simple and straightforward. Didn’t even go the full height it offers. Maybe something to consider if your conversion ends up being a bust later on. I’d be interested in seeing how you rate the ride after a while and when off-roading on rougher terrain. Cheers!

 

[Mr Nick]

I tried the seat jackers, I wasn't expecting much since my issue is primarily the firm bolster digging into my thigh I didn't think raising it would help. To my surprise, it did offer some relief but nothing compared to the softer Explorer base. I may try adding it back in and see how the combo works out.

Off-rodeo is scheduled for Tennesse end of August. Then I plan on spending a day at Badlands in Attica IN shortly after. I too, thought about how the softer cushion may not be ideal for off-roading. We'll see how it feels after a trip to Badlands.

 

[Big Pony]

I tried the seat jackers, I wasn't expecting much since my issue is primarily the firm bolster digging into my thigh I didn't think raising it would help. To my surprise, it did offer some relief but nothing compared to the softer Explorer base. I may try adding it back in and see how the combo works out.

Off-rodeo is scheduled for Tennesse end of August. Then I plan on spending a day at Badlands in Attica IN shortly after. I too, thought about how the softer cushion may not be ideal for off-roading. We'll see how it feels after a trip to Badlands.

Ahh I got you. Definitely curious about the combo with the jackers. Report back! Happy wheeling!

 

[ARC77]

On a side note. The arm that falls asleep incorporate cayene pepper. On foods. Salads or as a supplement. It will open up the blood flow and use B vitamins for nerves system. Just looking out !

 

[Techun]

Now I'm interested in the vented seat, and hooking it to an aux switch. Fart blaster 3000

 

[SynnerSyndrome]

I tried the seat jackers, I wasn't expecting much since my issue is primarily the firm bolster digging into my thigh I didn't think raising it would help. To my surprise, it did offer some relief but nothing compared to the softer Explorer base. I may try adding it back in and see how the combo works out.

Off-rodeo is scheduled for Tennesse end of August. Then I plan on spending a day at Badlands in Attica IN shortly after. I too, thought about how the softer cushion may not be ideal for off-roading. We'll see how it feels after a trip to Badlands.

Softer Explorer base??? What trim? I have the 2026 Explorer ST Line and I can easily say their bolsters are not softer. They are aggressive and firm

 

[MWILD]

Nice write up. I'm one of the few that thinks the Bronco's seats are terrible.

 

[SynnerSyndrome]

Nice write up. I'm one of the few that thinks the Bronco's seats are terrible.

I’m very interested. What time do you have and what do you feel is wrong about them?

 

[calbare]

I use the purple ultimate seat cushion. I would like a way to incorporate it into the seat directly, but I'm not that ambitious. It does add some height to the seat, but it is so comfortable compared to the default seat cushioning.

 

[Mr Nick]

Softer Explorer base??? What trim? I have the 2026 Explorer ST Line and I can easily say their bolsters are not softer. They are aggressive and firm

I don't know what the trim level was, I assume it's the lowest level you can get with leather, since it's not ventilated. I did read that the ST and ST Line may have stiffer foam that a regular Explorer, which is why I avoided those.

 

[SynnerSyndrome]

I don't know what the trim level was, I assume it's the lowest level you can get with leather, since it's not ventilated. I did read that the ST and ST Line may have stiffer foam that a regular Explorer, which is why I avoided those.

So what you used if I’m correct was the XLT/active line seat. From what I was told they have the same exact foam as the ST line and the ST the only difference is the ST uses suede as the middle insert and the ST line uses some piece of crap cloth that is very rough and not forgiving and it is sewn into the active leather and into the bolsters which makes the bolsters very firm. Essentially the active frame on the bottom is slightly wider. Same cushion that they use but slightly wider which makes the seat cushion kind of branch out a little bit more.

Do you have the Outer Banks? What trim would you have? Every time I’ve sat inside the Outer Banks it feels like it’s a very comfortable seat especially since the middle is a little more firmer compared to the ST line where you sink into the bottom of the seat and then get drilled on the side.

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