'67 M20F Headrests Needed (Yes, another headrest discussion)

[AdamJD]

I'm looking to add headrests back into my '67 M20F.  The seats have posts in them which are covered right now.  I've poured through MS and read a lot about headrests, particularly that mid-90's Toyota 4Runner back seat headrests would fit.  I've now twice bought headrests off of eBay and both sets came with posts which are much larger than the holes in the seats.  I can tell even without cutting into the vinyl.  I have the Parts Catalog, but of course the headrests aren't in there.  The headrest tube in the seat is (part 140092) in there, but there's no reference to size.  

Has anyone had success buying headrests for a 60's E or F model?  Do the Toyota headrests only fit later F models?  The seats in my F are short and I need a little more height for my longer flights.  

Any advice is appreciated!

[gwav8or]

5 minutes ago, AdamJD said:

I'm looking to add headrests back into my '67 M20F.  The seats have posts in them which are covered right now.  I've poured through MS and read a lot about headrests, particularly that mid-90's Toyota 4Runner back seat headrests would fit.  I've now twice bought headrests off of eBay and both sets came with posts which are much larger than the holes in the seats.  I can tell even without cutting into the vinyl.  I have the Parts Catalog, but of course the headrests aren't in there.  The headrest tube in the seat is (part 140092) in there, but there's no reference to size.  

Has anyone had success buying headrests for a 60's E or F model?  Do the Toyota headrests only fit later F models?  The seats in my F are short and I need a little more height for my longer flights.  

Any advice is appreciated!

Following, because I also need headrests for my 67F.  I believe I've read that the RAV4 head rests are the ones to find but I don't know for sure.

[TheAv8r]

Call AeroComfort. They regularly add headrests to vintage Mooneys when doing interior jobs, and could probably at the very least help give you the headrest tube sizes so you know what to look for.

[DCarlton]

I took my '67F headrests out years ago too.  Have them sitting on a shelf.  They didn't seem at all supportive or functional.  Haven't some folks extended the seat backs to be more supportive (instead of headrests)?  If so, it would be great to have some pics if anyone has done it.  

[gmonnig]

I am also looking to do this. My Airtex interior should be done in a couple months, with headrests. So I want to use something like a VW Touareg or something with headrest that move forward and are adjustable! Good luck!

[AdamJD]

3 hours ago, DCarlton said:

I took my '67F headrests out years ago too.  Have them sitting on a shelf.  They didn't seem at all supportive or functional.  Haven't some folks extended the seat backs to be more supportive (instead of headrests)?  If so, it would be great to have some pics if anyone has done it.  

Can you measure the diameter of the post?  Also, what makes them not functional?  My wife wants to be able to recline with a pillow.  Would they support that?

[AdamJD]

5 hours ago, Alex M said:

Call AeroComfort. They regularly add headrests to vintage Mooneys when doing interior jobs, and could probably at the very least help give you the headrest tube sizes so you know what to look for.

Good suggestion.  I think I will do that.

[DCarlton]

3 hours ago, AdamJD said:

Can you measure the diameter of the post?  Also, what makes them not functional?  My wife wants to be able to recline with a pillow.  Would they support that?

5/16”  

I’m 6’1”.  I don’t think they raised high enough to support my head in a position suitable for flying.  The way mine were attached to the posts also seemed flimsy.  They might provide some benefit for a shorter woman.  Are your seat back cams worn out or are they not adjusted to be upright enough?  That can be uncomfortable for passengers.  I had to replace my worn seat cams years ago.  

Edited September 23, 2022 by DCarlton
Added photos.

[AdamJD]

Thank you!  Gives me an idea of the diameter to look for.  

My cams are ok.  The seat sits fairly upright.  But they are worn and the passenger seat sometimes slips.  They are on my list to replace.

[M20F]

While headrests are nice for comfort the primary purpose is to prevent snapping your head off your neck in a crash.  
 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_restraint

[Shadrach]

9 minutes ago, M20F said:

While headrests are nice for comfort the primary purpose is to prevent snapping your head off your neck in a crash.  
 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_restraint

Of all the potential crash scenarios, getting rear ended has to be the worst…

[M20F-1968]

I have done some homework on this issue.  I currently have Ovation seats but I believe the spacing and tube size are the same as in the F model.

The problem with the Mooney headrests is the they are too far back so your head is not against them.  I found that Toyota rear seat headrests for the 2007-2011 Camry work well as they are contoured so as to be closer to your head.  You can rest your head against them comfortably.  

The tube spacing is perfect, but the tube size is too small.  So, I got some stainless steel tubing from e-bay  1/2" OD,   0.402" ID,  0.049 wall thickness which slides snugly onto the headrest shaft and fits perfectly into the seat.  The tube is secured with a roll pin.

I am in the process of covering them.  I bought a couple of extra ones I likely will not use and can sell them if anyone is up for a project.  You would not need to take the headrest apart, just sew a cover over it from marching leather or fabric.  

John Breda

[Utah20Gflyer]

In my 1968 M20G my headrest tubes are 1/2 inch diameter.  When I bought my plane the two in the back were missing so I made new ones from 1/2 inch aluminum tubing and a tubing bender.   The padded headrests slip over top of the tubing.  

[AdamJD]

Strange.  So @DCarlton's posts are 5/16" diameter, which sounds like those are the OEM for the '67 and would fit my seats.  The Toyota headrests I bought were 13/32" (6.5/16" or 0.406") and were too big to fit the seat.  I'll remeasure what I can through the vinyl, but I'm pretty sure the holes in my seats are not 0.402" inner diameter like @M20F-1968's seats are.  But even so, those Toyota headrests wouldn't fit that anyway.

I've got an email into Aerocomfort to see what they recommend.

[M20F-1968]

On 9/25/2022 at 10:37 AM, AdamJD said:

Strange.  So @DCarlton's posts are 5/16" diameter, which sounds like those are the OEM for the '67 and would fit my seats.  The Toyota headrests I bought were 13/32" (6.5/16" or 0.406") and were too big to fit the seat.  I'll remeasure what I can through the vinyl, but I'm pretty sure the holes in my seats are not 0.402" inner diameter like @M20F-1968's seats are.  But even so, those Toyota headrests wouldn't fit that anyway.

I've got an email into Aerocomfort to see what they recommend.

No the Toyota headrests I mentioned are the correct spacing, but are too small in diameter and are too short.  The ID and OD I mentioned were the dimensions of the hollow tube used to slide over the solid tube of the headrest.

When doing this, they fit perfectly.

John Breda

[Belso]

Hey guys, Toyota RAV4 are the suitable headrest, installed a pair myself

[Shadrach]

1 hour ago, Belso said:

Hey guys, Toyota RAV4 are the suitable headrest, installed a pair myself

What year?