I am getting ready to buy a new 2004 F-150 XLT. I really like the 60/40 bench seats, and the extra third passenger room is handy.

The brochure I have states the captains chairs have an adjustable seatback angle. That would be nice to have, but it's an extra $300, and you loose the third seat. All the pictures look like the seats are the same for both, just with a different console. That would mean the 60/40 seats also have the adjustable seatback angle. Can anybody confirm this?

If the 60/40 are also adjustable, that's what I will get. If only the captains chairs are, then I'll probably spring for those.

Any other pros or cons that I don't know about?

 

JohnBoy2,

If it was the previous body style (i.e. 1997 thru 2003), I'd opt for the captains chairs. After spending 5,000 hours in a plane for Uncle Sam sitting on your survival kit with a parachute for a backrest, seat comfort is important for me.

When I bought my 1997 F-150, I went with the captains chairs for the comfort. Back then they were better than the split bench seat. Besides...I like the arm rests as well.

As far as the new truck goes, I haven't noticed any difference in seat comfort between the bench or captains chairs. I've driven both and both feel about the same. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that if you're getting an FX4 or Lariet, the captains chairs get you the center console shifter. On the XLT, the shifter is on the column with captains chairs.

SRAces
USAF (ret)

 

I have the captains chairs on my XLT SuperCrew and like them. However...they appear to be the same seats with the middle (20%) seat added in. So instead of the middle seat I now have a very large center console which I enjoy having. The family (4 of us) fits just fine and we have room for one more. If we need more room we'll just bring the other car.

 

From what I can tell they are the same seat. The extra $300 is probably the cost of the center console. They aren't 60/40 seats anymore, its 40/20/40 because the center seat is seperate. Adjustable seatback angle is just a fancy word for "Recline" they all have it.

 

Befor you buy, test drive one with the captain's chairs. When I was buying my '01 I really wanted the center console. But the armrests seemed wimpy, I wanted something that I can really lean on during a long trip and be durable. Went for the split bench and splurged on the power driver seat. And yes both seat backs recline. jus my $.02.

 

john boy,

read the other items about seat issues. i would pay careful attention to your opinion on the comfort of any of these seat configs.i have a lariat with the 40-20-40 bench (didn't really want or was impressed with the flow thru console) and am a little concerned like others about the small size and the firmness of these seats. it's like you sit on the seat instead of in it! i'm disappointed early on with these seats.

bill

 

I have the split bench on my 04 SCab XLT along with power driver's seat. The drivers seat and the other side (passenger and middle) both have manual seatback angle adjustment. The power adjustment moves the front or back of the drivers seat cushion up or down. There is also a manual lumbar adjustment, which, once set right for you, won't probably be changed. If you do want to move it on a long trip probably a half a turn will make the difference.
On armrests, I find the center fold down seat to make a "just right" arm rest. Since I don't have a floor shifter I have "knee room" instead of a center console (which would provide a "knee rest.")
I'm really comfortable with the split bench/power driver combination and don't have the shifter taking up any room.
I have not seen the captain's chairs. Not qualified to say anything about them.
I hope that you have the chance to drive them both. Think about how you sit on a long trip with the criuse control on. Then think about another front seat passenger.
You're going to have fun!
BTW: Power drivers seat is $285 so it's not much diference if you choose between the two.