So we just got a new 550 chassis for our business and I was pretty disappointed when I tried to use the work station and found out that it doesn't rotate all the way out like pictured on Ford's website. It's pretty useless. After searching and looking at some of the other threads, I guess they made a change for safety reasons.

Anyways, I decided to take it apart and it's surprisingly easy to mod and get it to rotate all the way out. All Ford added was some additional plastic to prevent rotation, which can be cut out with a dremmel (almost like they left it that way on purpose so you could fix it later and they wouldn't be liable). It took me about 5 minutes to figure out how to take it apart and 5 minutes to mod it and another 5 to put it back together. If more folks are interested in it I was thinking of uploading a video of me doing it when we get our other 550 in the next month, since I couldn't find any info or anyone doing anything similar. If people are impatient, I can go break down the one I did and take some pictures and provide some directions.

On a side note, I want to put one of these workstations in my 2021 450 but can't find the part numbers. I figure you have to get the whole flip down assembly, but not sure if it would be compatible with the bench seat. If anyone has any idea, let me know. Here's a pic of how the work station rotates and is actually functional now.

 

This is great. I would love to know how to disassemble, was thinking of trying the same thing. Now that I've seen it can be done I will go and see if I can figure out how to disassemble. Unless of course you have time to quickly describe the process. :-). I only really use the workspace as a 'lunch table' but was also very disappointed when I couldn't get it to rotate like I saw on the interwebs.

 

Same story here. I was contemplating buying the parts to just get rid of it. Definitely will take a closer look now that you've figured that out!

 

I got the workbench and don't actually want it, I want the additonal cup holders and storage recess in the back instead . I've been meaning to get under it and try to figure out how to detach it altogether and if you could share any instructions on that I'd appreciate it.

 

This is bumping a pretty old thread, but did you ever create that video/guide on how to do this? I don't even know where to begin to take apart the work surface.

 

Ok I figured it out. For anyone trying this in the future:
Seat down, slide the tray forward. On the back of the tray is a flap with "FORD" embossed in it. Bend it up out of the way and in the middle you will see a small metal bracket with two screws holding it down (all screws here are T20 torx). Remove the bracket.
You can now slide the whole tray off the center console by pushing in the lock and just pushing it forward. You will probably have to hold the seat up at an angle to clear the dashboard.
Flip the tray over and you will see a long, thin black plastic slide. There are six screws along this black plastic slide you will need to remove.
There is another screw more towards the center you will need to remove as well.
The actual work surface should come right off now.
There are two sort of hinges that move in an arc. One freely moves in the middle with 3 screws. Don't worry about that one.
The outer arc hinge only had 2 screws and is what we are concerned about. The track it moves in has a plastic bridge about 1/3 the way through to limit how far the hinge moves. Remove this plastic bridge (I used some tin snips, you could use a dremel or whatever).
Reassemble.

 

Looking for the location of the sensor that seems to trigger the Stow Work Surface Before Driving warning.
Sensor: ML3Z-16B572-A
Anyone have a video or picture or directions how to access this work station internal components? Or have any idea how to address the wiring that could be triggering the warning when hitting a bump.

 

Take the work surface off (there is a metal bracket with 2 screws on the back side under a cover, remove them and then it will slide fully off)

You'll be able to see a microswitch in the center console now. You can just use a small zip tie around it to keep it fully depressed constantly. I had to do this on my brand new 2024 because it would go off randomly with the center console folded up.

 

Do youhave a picture of the microswitch?
I'm a learn as I go kind of DIYer and I've never tackled anything like this before. Just not sure what is looks like- is it on the sensor itself?

 

Circled below. Getting a zip tie around it is a little tricky. I had to "pre bend" the one I used a little bit, thread it down, and then used a paper clip bent into an L shape to snag it and pull it back up.