CJ5 seats .... I know it's already been talked about

[Hedgehog]

I'm new to this forum and said my Hello's in the introduction forum. So this is my first real post here.

I have a tired old 1975 CJ5 that I purchased knowing that it would be a project. Lots of work has been done and it's getting almost road worthy so I'm forced to deal with a troubling issue. The Jeep came without the original seats and no mounting brackets, but it did have a set of decent Ford Expedition seats rolling around in the back. So, I cut the wheel well notch for big (read fat) guys and mounted them. Nice comfortable seats .... nice comfortable really really tall seats. This weekend I came to the conclusion that they simply have to go. So I looked around some, there is much but at the same time surprisingly little written about replacing seats. First off I would have reupholstered the originals ... if I had them. That’s not an option, also used CJ seats are unavailable around here. I want several things, I want low back seats. Yes, I know about safety and the greatness of a seat that cuddles around your body, no thanks. I want stock looking working man seats, seats that are easy to get in and out of. Low seats are my goal, I don’t want to look through the windshield frame and I hate touching the top with my head. The front portion of the roll cage was removed for just that reason. Yes, I know it’s safer to have a roll cage, don’t care. This old fat man simply can’t be bothered crawling around the cage in a CJ5 . I’m not crazy though. I like the looks of a Jeep without a roll bar, but it would be stupid to remove the roll bar so after clean-up it stays. …… To the issue of seats.

I certainly hope I didn’t make a big mistake, but I ordered a set of Rugged Ridge low back tan seats from one of the many Amazon dealers. The seats were cheap enough at $125.50 each, $225.00 for the set delivered to my door. Yes, I know they are bad mouthed on the forums, but usually the bad mouthing relates to being low backed or being hard or being made in China or any number of things. What I want to know is how they hold up, are they reasonably durable in the sun, I live in Arizona, the meat and potatoes of these seats. If you have a set, let me know what you think. If you have a friend that has a set what are his thoughts. All thoughts and experiences are welcome.

Michael

 

[Hedgehog]

Hmmmm I'm beginning to believe this was a bit of a mistake. Some things are clearly said without a single spoken word. Okay Rugged Ridge seats are garbage.

 

[jdarg]

I wouldn't sweat the seats. Nothing wrong with low backs. Yeah, they aren't exactly up to 1980's safety standards, but its a sacrifice we make to drive these older classic vehicles.

Frankly I don't think there's a lot of good options for decent low back seats other than getting stock ones reupholstered. I've heard even the Bestop seats are uncomfortable on longer trips.

I agree - leave the roll bar in.

 

[IOPort51]

I can not speak for the 75 but the 77 CJ5 had what were in reality Chevrolet work van seats. These are low back and did not have the extra height you will find in all the after market seats. And they are reasonably comfortable. These can still be found in the grave yards in recoverable condition.

 

[mstar]

I feel your pain on trying to find OEM seats. I am getting ready to redo the seats on my '67 CJ5 .Sunday I scored a '76 rear seat w/ Levi (Edition) option and only missing 1 button.I have extra buttons so no big deal.Keep checking the ad sites ,there has to be some original seats laying around with all those vintage jeeps running hi-back seats(no thankyou).I'm with you,it ruins the look of a classic jeep.Just my preference,to each his own.Please let us know about the new seats ,good or bad. The fold and tumble passenger seat are hard to find.I used a regular pass seat from a '76 on my '69 CJ5 and it works ok but the folder is nice. Mike

 

[Hedgehog]

Thank you for the reply's. I am excited to get these seats. I found a passenger seat rail. It needed some clean up with a bunch of extra tabs welded on. Some folks seem to accept the loss of toolbox access, but the tool box is one of the reasons I like these Jeeps so access is a must. It looks like I'm going to need to fabricate driver seat rails. I did make a set for the seats that came with the Jeep, but it seems like finding someone with a pipe bender shouldn't be impossible. Some steel pipe, a few bends and some welding. Should be easy enough. ...... right?

Should the passenger seat be adjustable with sliders? I'm thinking not, besides it would save ~$90. The drivers seat probably should be adjustable. Since the CJ5 does not show any respect for my belly meat the wheel well was been cut back, a smaller steering wheel was added and the steering wheel shaft shortened. Turned out better than expected, it isn't the smallest wheel Grant makes, but I don't like it. The thing reminds me of an inner city punk with a tiny wheel kicked back with rap music polluting the atmosphere. Needless to say I'm still wheel shopping.

Michael

 

[steve1973]

I really like the look of the OEM low backs. Especially with an Intermediate or ealier without the rubber fender flairs. During my rebuild the pass seat was fine, but the driver seat shot so I bought a smittybilt as a replacement and regretted it for two years. It sat to high, was to long under the thigh and just didnt look right. So i've been scanning craigs list for 2 years and finally found a set of intermediate seats, mounting brackets, heater box and AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l valve cover and cap for $25. Cleaned up the driver, put it in and now Jeep feels complete.

 

[WSS]

I can not speak for the 75 but the 77 CJ5 had what were in reality Chevrolet work van seats. These are low back and did not have the extra height you will find in all the after market seats. And they are reasonably comfortable. These can still be found in the grave yards in recoverable condition.

Those look like OE Scout II seats too. Mine were not that comfortable on 50+ mile trips though, probably due to the original foam and springs.

Went with "steelhorse" high backs and they were comfortable for trips up to 100 miles in a day, after that theymade your legs a little sore on the outside.

 

[WSS]

I'm new to this forum and said my Hello's in the introduction forum. So this is my first real post here.

I have a tired old 1975 CJ5 that I purchased knowing that it would be a project. Lots of work has been done and it's getting almost road worthy so I'm forced to deal with a troubling issue. The Jeep came without the original seats and no mounting brackets, but it did have a set of decent Ford Expedition seats rolling around in the back. So, I cut the wheel well notch for big (read fat) guys and mounted them. Nice comfortable seats .... nice comfortable really really tall seats. This weekend I came to the conclusion that they simply have to go. So I looked around some, there is much but at the same time surprisingly little written about replacing seats. First off I would have reupholstered the originals ... if I had them. That’s not an option, also used CJ seats are unavailable around here. I want several things, I want low back seats. Yes, I know about safety and the greatness of a seat that cuddles around your body, no thanks. I want stock looking working man seats, seats that are easy to get in and out of. Low seats are my goal, I don’t want to look through the windshield frame and I hate touching the top with my head. The front portion of the roll cage was removed for just that reason. Yes, I know it’s safer to have a roll cage, don’t care. This old fat man simply can’t be bothered crawling around the cage in a CJ5 . I’m not crazy though. I like the looks of a Jeep without a roll bar, but it would be stupid to remove the roll bar so after clean-up it stays. …… To the issue of seats.

I certainly hope I didn’t make a big mistake, but I ordered a set of Rugged Ridge low back tan seats from one of the many Amazon dealers. The seats were cheap enough at $125.50 each, $225.00 for the set delivered to my door. Yes, I know they are bad mouthed on the forums, but usually the bad mouthing relates to being low backed or being hard or being made in China or any number of things. What I want to know is how they hold up, are they reasonably durable in the sun, I live in Arizona, the meat and potatoes of these seats. If you have a set, let me know what you think. If you have a friend that has a set what are his thoughts. All thoughts and experiences are welcome.

Michael

How far did you notch the wheel house? We did the same and gained 2.75"! Big boys can fit pretty good now even with the hi backs.

 

[tarry99]

I'm new to this forum and said my Hello's in the introduction forum. So this is my first real post here.

I have a tired old 1975 CJ5 that I purchased knowing that it would be a project. Lots of work has been done and it's getting almost road worthy so I'm forced to deal with a troubling issue. The Jeep came without the original seats and no mounting brackets, but it did have a set of decent Ford Expedition seats rolling around in the back. So, I cut the wheel well notch for big (read fat) guys and mounted them. Nice comfortable seats .... nice comfortable really really tall seats. This weekend I came to the conclusion that they simply have to go. So I looked around some, there is much but at the same time surprisingly little written about replacing seats. First off I would have reupholstered the originals ... if I had them. That’s not an option, also used CJ seats are unavailable around here. I want several things, I want low back seats. Yes, I know about safety and the greatness of a seat that cuddles around your body, no thanks. I want stock looking working man seats, seats that are easy to get in and out of. Low seats are my goal, I don’t want to look through the windshield frame and I hate touching the top with my head. The front portion of the roll cage was removed for just that reason. Yes, I know it’s safer to have a roll cage, don’t care. This old fat man simply can’t be bothered crawling around the cage in a CJ5 . I’m not crazy though. I like the looks of a Jeep without a roll bar, but it would be stupid to remove the roll bar so after clean-up it stays. …… To the issue of seats.

I certainly hope I didn’t make a big mistake, but I ordered a set of Rugged Ridge low back tan seats from one of the many Amazon dealers. The seats were cheap enough at $125.50 each, $225.00 for the set delivered to my door. Yes, I know they are bad mouthed on the forums, but usually the bad mouthing relates to being low backed or being hard or being made in China or any number of things. What I want to know is how they hold up, are they reasonably durable in the sun, I live in Arizona, the meat and potatoes of these seats. If you have a set, let me know what you think. If you have a friend that has a set what are his thoughts. All thoughts and experiences are welcome.

Michael

Seats are such a tough subject that everyone has a different opinion on, High Back versus low and stock versus aftermarket.........suspension versus foam. I have a stock looking set of low backs, but these came out of a compact car years ago and do have suspension. I like my under seat tool box so a real high back is out of the question.........my current seats need to be recovered. ......about $200 per seat. I'm looking at the Corbeau BAJA RS low back but is a little higher than stock. Sat in several today at a 4 wheel shop. I like them .
For a few bucks more than recovering I may as well get into a new seat. Work in progress!

 

[Hedgehog]

WSS - Mind turned out similar to yours, possibly s little deeper. I find that it's not just the bottom depth gained, but the bottom/back of the seat can sit deeper with the notch being gone. I've got to get some pictures up on photo bucket to post them on the board. What kind of bead liner did you use? I'm going down the same road. How do you drain water out?

tarry99 - My seats came on the big brown truck yesterday. The seat material isn't exactly what I expected. Kind of a coated cloth. Water seems to run off quickly. One thing I'm dealing with, the seat brackets I make for the other set I have will not work. Back to the drawing board for seat brackets. The other seats have a deep bottom with the cant built in. I will need to bring up the front ~3.5". No big deal. One thought hit me, if the seat bottom isn't what I want they could go to the upholsterer and they could remove some foam, possibly even change some of the foam. I bet it wouldn't be very expensive, especially with them working with a new seat. I might do it yet.

Folks keep talking about the seats becoming uncomfortable on long drives. While I agree with what is being said I am reminded that a Jeep isn't meant to be a touring car.

Michael

 

[WSS]

Folks keep talking about the seats becoming uncomfortable on long drives. While I agree with what is being said I am reminded that a Jeep isn't meant to be a touring car.

Michael

I used a guy off of ebay and sprayed myself, if I did it again, I would order the fine crumb or leave it out altogether, it is a little coarse, good in the sense you won't slip but a little finer would be good.

I use the holes left in the front right at the body mount that was used for the front pillar of the cage to drain water, works good, I used two chrome snap caps that fit roght in, you can pop the off with a knife or screwdriver to flush out the dirt and ice cream!

The 100 mile trips we do see very little pavement, usually just to gas up or get ice, then back to the dirt, shes a "trailer queen". Last month we took a week in Nothern AZ and did a 85 mile and a 105 mile trip, both were awesome. Long days but lots of fun! OK, so I had a sore butt, I can heal back at work.



WSS


ps, I can find the link to the liner seller if you need it.

 

[Hedgehog]

There seems to be a bunch of bed liner products out there, far more than I ever realized. Some are reviewed as being GREAT, some aren't. I talked with my local Jeep guy at Willy's Works. One of the products that get good reviews has given him nothing but trouble. Rob is meticulous and doesn't cut corners so when he says he had trouble it means a lot to me. I listen to folks that have actual experience with a product. Standing on the sideline your tub looks great. But I can see where it might be difficult to keep clean.

So you let the water drain to the front and flush out a hole in the front. The PO put in floor boards in the front, but didn't bother leaving a place for it to drain. The tub does drain through some small holes along the side, but bed line will likely plug those up. Looks like a drill is definitely in the future.

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

While fixing a few cancer spots on my tub, I left some bigger holes in on purpose in the corners under the seats. I don't "plan" on driving in the water so I didn't see an issue leaving them open. Only places it really had rust was where the original holes had plugged off with spent shotgun shells...that's where I cut out and left open.

I'm going with the Monstaliner. They have a shade in their tintable product that is an exact match to the original color of my 1980 CJ5 . Friends have had good luck with the product.

There is information overload on the web about bed liners. I'm not one to put up a good review, I just look for numbers of bad reviews...

 

[Hedgehog]

thiswontbetoexpensive - I live in Arizona so water isn't much of a serious consideration. When it rains here it tends to dump a lot of water in a hurry then moves on. Its easy to forget there might be a puddle in the jeep. The floor boards were a rusty mess due to water getting under the carpet while it sat in the PO's front yard. I won't be running with carpet, but the look of that rust is still in my mind. I also replaced the tool box so I don't want water sitting in there ruining everything. The proper placement of drain holes will be a must.


Monstaliner - I think I saw a VERY positive review on this forum on this product. The pictures he showed before the product didn't impress me much. During the primer operation I wasn't impressed. After the final application the jeep looked great. This seems to be fairly common though. We chip away at various fixes, scrub most of the paint off exposing yet another color paint and yet another patch ultimately showing an unattractive mosaic of old and new work that is made attractive again with a properly applied coat of paint or in this case bed liner. The fact that it is used on rusted areas to actually STOP rust in its tracks is an extremely positive aspect of the product as well. It's not cheap, but what good product is these days.

 

[WSS]

I have used this guys stuff twice, both times the end result was good. It sets up STRONG! Goes on kinda hard though. You have to be able to follow directions and be willing to work at it and not cut corners. You also have to have some decent air available. I have a 20cfm compressor and it worked fine. I bet a 10cfm would be fine. Use your head and lay out the project (whichever you use) so you do not have to "redo" any areas or step on any wet liner. I also learned that it was best to put it on thick in one coat as opposed to layering , it "glossed" a bit one one section when i went over it again, you can't see it becuase it is under the pass seat in the toolbox area, but I know it's there.

There are a bunch of choices, fine, coarse, smooth, etc.

Coarse may be too much in a Jeep.

items in trkspecialist store on eBay!

Comes with the gun needed to do it. It is messy. my ladder still has traces of it and my clothes were shot. painters disposable coveralls would work.

 

[Hedgehog]

Well, I got the seats and already have had a small but frustrating problem with the fabric. Naturally I need to modify the seat rails I've got in the Jeep. So when they were fresh out of the box I was leaning in to get some measurements, actually leaning on a plastic flashlight sitting on the new seat. When I picked up the flashlight to put it away it had stuck to a small spot on the seat and took some of the surface plastic with it. The seat evidently has a plastic film finish over a cloth under side. I haven't even sat in the seat yet and it already has a blemish. My fault really. Now I'm wondering if I can paint the seat with some vinyl paint? Will it hold up?

 

[stich]

Well, I got the seats and already have had a small but frustrating problem with the fabric. Naturally I need to modify the seat rails I've got in the Jeep. So when they were fresh out of the box I was leaning in to get some measurements, actually leaning on a plastic flashlight sitting on the new seat. When I picked up the flashlight to put it away it had stuck to a small spot on the seat and took some of the surface plastic with it. The seat evidently has a plastic film finish over a cloth under side. I haven't even sat in the seat yet and it already has a blemish. My fault really. Now I'm wondering if I can paint the seat with some vinyl paint? Will it hold up?

Coming from an upholstery shop owner, I'm sorry to tell you that any vinyl that would peel off a part of the surface is a very cheap vinyl indeed. You are in for trouble down the road, my friend. No surface dye is going to help your situation. At very least, I would have the inserts re-upholstered. Sorry

Jack

 

[Hedgehog]

I believe you are right. That flash light is made from some sort of spongy slightly sticky feeling plastic or rubber of some sort. I've had trouble with it sticking to various types of plastic before. This time it stuck and pealed the top layer of vinyl or plastic or what ever it is off small spot on the seat. Yep it worries me some. I'm keeping a look out for stock seats that can be re-upholstered or if these seat frames hold up I'll just have them done.