Interior work surface was a big mistake
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 14
Likes: 5
Interior work surface was a big mistake
I love my 2021, but we got the interior work surface combined with the jump seat and the result if awful.
It creates an elbow rest of continual torture — hard plastic on the back of the center seat and even worse, uneven irritating latches and sliders right underneath the passenger’s left elbow (which is now elevated 2+ inches higher than their right elbow to ensure shoulder pain as well).
ok for a short drive but no longer the vehicle of choice for family trips.
Has anyone had luck uninstalling the interior work surface? (I saw a swap video but for the version on a console, so different design than the jump seat version)
The service dept at my dealer thinks it cant be done….and the customer service folks at the ford corporate line had no clue.
Advice, recs appreciated!
It creates an elbow rest of continual torture — hard plastic on the back of the center seat and even worse, uneven irritating latches and sliders right underneath the passenger’s left elbow (which is now elevated 2+ inches higher than their right elbow to ensure shoulder pain as well).
ok for a short drive but no longer the vehicle of choice for family trips.
Has anyone had luck uninstalling the interior work surface? (I saw a swap video but for the version on a console, so different design than the jump seat version)
The service dept at my dealer thinks it cant be done….and the customer service folks at the ford corporate line had no clue.
Advice, recs appreciated!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 246
Likes: 90
It SHOULD be as easy as ordering the non-work-surface version of the arm rest, pulling out a couple of bolts, and swapping the lid, but not sure on parts availability.
I’d be willing to bet someone on here would gladly swap their non-work-surface for a work-surface lid.
I’d be willing to bet someone on here would gladly swap their non-work-surface for a work-surface lid.
has left the building
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 9,647
Likes: 3,421
I love my 2021, but we got the interior work surface combined with the jump seat and the result if awful.
It creates an elbow rest of continual torture — hard plastic on the back of the center seat and even worse, uneven irritating latches and sliders right underneath the passenger’s left elbow (which is now elevated 2+ inches higher than their right elbow to ensure shoulder pain as well).
ok for a short drive but no longer the vehicle of choice for family trips.
Has anyone had luck uninstalling the interior work surface? (I saw a swap video but for the version on a console, so different design than the jump seat version)
Edit: Sorry, can't seem to find it. I know I commented on one of the users threads. I'm sure it was a Platinum but search won't give me good threads that I've responded to regarding "platinum".
The service dept at my dealer thinks it cant be done….and the customer service folks at the ford corporate line had no clue.
Advice, recs appreciated!
It creates an elbow rest of continual torture — hard plastic on the back of the center seat and even worse, uneven irritating latches and sliders right underneath the passenger’s left elbow (which is now elevated 2+ inches higher than their right elbow to ensure shoulder pain as well).
ok for a short drive but no longer the vehicle of choice for family trips.
Has anyone had luck uninstalling the interior work surface? (I saw a swap video but for the version on a console, so different design than the jump seat version)
Edit: Sorry, can't seem to find it. I know I commented on one of the users threads. I'm sure it was a Platinum but search won't give me good threads that I've responded to regarding "platinum".
The service dept at my dealer thinks it cant be done….and the customer service folks at the ford corporate line had no clue.
Advice, recs appreciated!
I can't think of the thread but will spend a few minutes looking for it. You could contact him directly.
Last edited by 16IngotFX4; Sep 4, 2021 at 01:46 PM.
5 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 437
From: Beautiful British Columbia, CANADA
This is the guy you are referring to. He has a youtube video on the swap.
Only thing is the OP's work surface is configured differently because he
has the 40/20/40 bench configuration so probably much of the above
video doesn't apply.
5 Year Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 312
Likes: 114
From: Northern Maine
For me the work stations is one of the best options my truck has-- I do not find it uncomfortable at all. On mine you can take the head rest out of the fold down middle seat which will lower the pad further-- maybe that will help with the height difference. Maybe comfort is related to driver size and position
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in the house
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Kansas
One of the most important things I look for when purchasing a vehicle is how the hard surfaces impinge my body...in particular my legs/knees and elbows. It has been a deal-killer several times on a vehicle I thought I would really love but just wasn't comfortable in. I am STILL trying to find some way to put a soft cover on the door handle area on my 2020, as it just kills my knee on long trips...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 14
Likes: 5
back plate
Good idea on the part — happy to give this interior work surface to someone who would like it.
I am going to call some more dealers and see if they can figure out a part number for the center seat back plate. It looks like it may have a different screw pattern than the typical center seat back plate— hope not to put in an entirely new center seat!
I am going to call some more dealers and see if they can figure out a part number for the center seat back plate. It looks like it may have a different screw pattern than the typical center seat back plate— hope not to put in an entirely new center seat!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 6
Good idea on the part — happy to give this interior work surface to someone who would like it.
I am going to call some more dealers and see if they can figure out a part number for the center seat back plate. It looks like it may have a different screw pattern than the typical center seat back plate— hope not to put in an entirely new center seat!
I am going to call some more dealers and see if they can figure out a part number for the center seat back plate. It looks like it may have a different screw pattern than the typical center seat back plate— hope not to put in an entirely new center seat!