Installing Headrests in Stock Seat

[Subzero]

Like all the original truck seats for our late 60s early 70s trucks my 1968 F100 seats don't have headrests in them. I was thinking about putting some in my truck for safety reasons. Would this even be possible or should I look for a whole new seat with the headrests? If I had to get another seat I liked the later 70s Ranchero bench seats but I have no idea the specs on with of the two if it could work. Has anyone else done this? Thanks

[toddspeed]

Having worked in for a huge automotive seating company, here's my 2 cents:

Adding a headrest is as "easy" as welding a couple of headrest tubes (i.e. small tubing) to the seat frame.

If I was to do it, I'd find a couple of headrests I liked at a junkyard (along with the plastic post/tube inserts that snap in), pull the junkyard seat apart to see the type/size/spacing of the headrest tubes on the seat frame, and weld similar tubes to the stock truck seat frames. The key is to weld the tubes at whatever angle you need to clear the rear window.

The seat upholstery is usually just cut in a cross pattern where the headrest posts go through the top of the seat, and the plastic inserts are pushed through and act as a bezel to hide the cut, snapping into the tubes on the frame. Then just install the headrest.

I'd look for a pretty thin headrest...maybe something from a back seat of a modern car, or something from the 80's if it's front seat.

Also, we're skipping all the parts where you'd do a bunch of crash testing and other types of FMVSS testing, but generally speaking you're improving your situation more than not having a headrest.

[flyboy2610]

Ford truck bench seats up through '96 are pretty much a bolt in affair. If you want headrests, I would suggest replacing the seat with one that already has hem. This will help explain it all:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/seats.htm

[toddspeed]

A very good alternative indeed. Except if you're tall and need the seat all the way back. I have read that the headrests interfere with the rear glass? Any feedback?

[3 Speed]

I have thought about hanging sturdy cushions or seat backs from a broom handle suspended on the gun rack. If I could find the right kind of cushion, I could cover it in matching original upholstery.