I have a work truck that had a broken lumbar support in the seatback (99XLT regular cab w/5.4). Pulled the seat and disassembled and I understand why it broke - it is a flimsy plastic POS. Called the local Ford dealer and thay have a new one in stock - I anticipated that it would need to be ordered.

Picked it up and it had been redeigned and made out of steel. Parts counter guy told me that these were starting to be requested more and more as they were starting to fail so they keep at least one in stock. He also told me the 97-01 were made out of plastic and sometime in 01 they were changed to steel.

It cost $52 and took about 45 minutes to install and reinstall the seat in the truck. It made the seat very ridgid. After we test drove the truck I climbed into my 99 Lariat and I could feel a lot of flex in the seatback - I guess I will be doing this again soon on the Lariat.