2013 Tahoe LT Headroom Problems, Please Help

[Nick Nizinski]

Thank you in advance for your help. I Bought a 2013 Tahoe LT in Feb 2021 because my friend has a 2009 Tahoe and I fit in it very well. To my surprise, my head hits the ceiling of the 2013 Tahoe even with the seat as low as possible (herniated disks in my neck makes this a serious problem). Do any of you with experience know why there is such a difference in headroom between the 2009 and 2013? (Note that the 2015 fits me perfectly as well, something is up with the 2013...)

I tried having the seat reupholstered to remove excess padding and give me more space but it hardly made a dent in the problem. Is it just that the body style is different for the 2013? Or is the seat different?

If the problem is the seat itself, is it possible to replace the 2013 seat with a seat of a different year?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

Toss a 2015 seat in there?

 

[wsteele]

I believe the headroom is identical between the 2009 and 2013.

There are some differences like hip room, etc. depending on options selected, but the headroom is the same.

 

[George B]

A sunroof reduces headroom.

 

[gooffeyguy]

The body is the same between the 2009 and 2013. Does the 2009 have cloth seats and the 2013 have leather? Does one have a sunroof and the other doesn't? Some models have adjustable pedals and maybe the seat was back further.

How tall are you?

 

[Nick Nizinski]

A sunroof reduces headroom.

damn. I will likely have to sell it. ty 4 your input

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

Doh!

 

[gooffeyguy]

I'm 6' and have plenty of room. I'm surprised 3" makes that much of a difference. Maybe I have my seatback angled back further.

I don't know what seats are in the LT model. Is your seat the 6 (maybe it's 8) way adjustable? Have you tried tilting the entire seat back?

 

[George B]

FWIW I am 6'4" and my 13 Burb has a sunroof. What's left of my hair just rubs the headliner with my seat all the way down. Does your seat bottom move up and down? the lil gears are known to fail leaving it in position sometimes.

 

[Nick Nizinski]

FWIW I am 6'4" and my 13 Burb has a sunroof. What's left of my hair just rubs the headliner with my seat all the way down. Does your seat bottom move up and down? the lil gears are known to fail leaving it in position sometimes.

yes, the gears work and it is in the lowest position. I hear that the suburbans are slightly larger but I could be wrong about that. I am likely going to remove the seat upholstery completely and zip tie a piece of sheet metal to the springs, then superglue on somme thin foam... should do the trick (utility versus style)

 

[Nick Nizinski]

I'm 6' and have plenty of room. I'm surprised 3" makes that much of a difference. Maybe I have my seatback angled back further.

I don't know what seats are in the LT model. Is your seat the 6 (maybe it's 8) way adjustable? Have you tried tilting the entire seat back?

tilting the seat back has me unable to reach the wheel without my rib dislocating (my back is a mess). 3'' def makes that much of a diff, especially since I sit up extra straight bc of my back issues... thanks for your response

 

[swathdiver]

yes, the gears work and it is in the lowest position. I hear that the suburbans are slightly larger but I could be wrong about that. I am likely going to remove the seat upholstery completely and zip tie a piece of sheet metal to the springs, then superglue on somme thin foam... should do the trick (utility versus style)

When you lower the seat, make sure it is as level as possible. If it is low in the front or rear, it won't be able to go down all the way.

While the moonroof reduces headroom, there's more headroom IMO under the glass. I'm not as tall as you fellas but can wear my Sam Houston hat with its 5" brim without hitting anything.

 

[wsteele]

tilting the seat back has me unable to reach the wheel without my rib dislocating (my back is a mess). 3'' def makes that much of a diff, especially since I sit up extra straight bc of my back issues... thanks for your response

As a guy who has sold more than one car because I couldn't make it work with my back, I am very sympathetic.

My back is also a bit of a mess. I had to modify my Yukon seats when I bought it (and is one of the many reasons I likely will keep it for the rest of my life, driving life anyway). Recently when we bought my wife a new Toyota Highlander, I had to remove the lumbar adjustor in the seat back and cut some custom foam to adjust for my back's support. To get her seats in a tolerable position, my head is maybe 1/4" from the headliner. To be honest, when we brought it home, I was pretty sure I would never be able to make it work for me. But persistence paid off and I now can drive it without it killing me.

 

[Nick Nizinski]

As a guy who has sold more than one car because I couldn't make it work with my back, I am very sympathetic.

My back is also a bit of a mess. I had to modify my Yukon seats when I bought it (and is one of the many reasons I likely will keep it for the rest of my life, driving life anyway). Recently when we bought my wife a new Toyota Highlander, I had to remove the lumbar adjustor in the seat back and cut some custom foam to adjust for my back's support. To get her seats in a tolerable position, my head is maybe 1/4" from the headliner. To be honest, when we brought it home, I was pretty sure I would never be able to make it work for me. But persistence paid off and I now can drive it without it killing me.

Although it sucks to have back issues, its nice to have someone who sympathizes... I am motivated to make it work. thanks for your reply

 

[Nick Nizinski]

When you lower the seat, make sure it is as level as possible. If it is low in the front or rear, it won't be able to go down all the way.

While the moonroof reduces headroom, there's more headroom IMO under the glass. I'm not as tall as you fellas but can wear my Sam Houston hat with its 5" brim without hitting anything.

I will give it a shot and report back...

 

[avalonandl]

I was in the auto seating business for 25 years- I worked for Lear Corp. largest builder of auto seats. We designed ALL the 800/900 series seats.

You need to lower your H-point Google it

Have a local auto upholstery shop pull the seat cushion (the part you sit on) and remove the plush pad that is sewn to the bottom of the seat cover. Alternatively they can take a foam shaper (an air tool that looks like a mini sander) and remove about 3/4 inch of foam on the seat cushion center and bolster.

The Suburbans have EXACTLY the same H point - so NO HELP there. They are longer wheelbase for third row seats

 

[swathdiver]

I was in the auto seating business for 25 years- I worked for Lear Corp. largest builder of auto seats. We designed ALL the 800/900 series seats.

You need to lower your H-point Google it

Have a local auto upholstery shop pull the seat cushion (the part you sit on) and remove the plush pad that is sewn to the bottom of the seat cover. Alternatively they can take a foam shaper (an air tool that looks like a mini sander) and remove about 3/4 inch of foam on the seat cushion center and bolster.

The Suburbans have EXACTLY the same H point - so NO HELP there. They are longer wheelbase for third row seats

I had Lear-Siegler seat in my '85 T-Type, they were not as comfortable as the plain AR9 buckets but they sure did hold you in place when whipping around corners and such! Probably didn't spend enough time with the adjustments to get the fit just right.

 

[Nick Nizinski]

I was in the auto seating business for 25 years- I worked for Lear Corp. largest builder of auto seats. We designed ALL the 800/900 series seats.

You need to lower your H-point Google it

Have a local auto upholstery shop pull the seat cushion (the part you sit on) and remove the plush pad that is sewn to the bottom of the seat cover. Alternatively they can take a foam shaper (an air tool that looks like a mini sander) and remove about 3/4 inch of foam on the seat cushion center and bolster.

The Suburbans have EXACTLY the same H point - so NO HELP there. They are longer wheelbase for third row seats

Already took it to a restyler- they removed most of the foam but it didn't help and I believe it is because the leather has tension in it and, just like a rope, tenses up as I sink into the seat, thus preventing me from gaining any additional headroom. (someone mentioned that this wouldn't be an issue with fabric seats which now makes sense.

My solution: pull off the upholstery, fabricate a piece of steel, zip-tie it to the springs of the seat and superglue on a half inch piece of camping mat... I know it will look like **** and will not be very comfy but I just need utility over style and safety over comfort.

watched a vid on how to remove the upholstery and noticed how much space is between the springs and the top of the leather leading me to believe that my plan will be effective. wish I could turn back the clock and get a 2015 that actually fits me. Thank you for your feedback

 

[avalonandl]

Change to fabric seat.

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

Change to fabric seat.

No ****! Where you at I’ll trade you seats…