Please be seated

[RSTurney]

Question for the forum, I have some ratty old broke down CJ7 seats and want to get good seats. Do I seek another Frankenstein set from the local salvage yard, or what is the best choice for two seats under $600? I'm wanting reclining seats, or some really comfortable racing seats with a 4 or 5-way harness setup. I drive alone most of the time, not in convoys, so it has to keep me alive. I'm a tough old man, but not wanting the D4 dozer experience (if you've ever operated one you'll understand)

 

[Belizean]

The best I ever did was a D2 a long time ago. I saw a write up a little while back that someone put together with what car seats and what years were bolt on to the risers and what cars and years were good with a little modification.

 

[WHATROAD]

I replaced with Corbeau seats and risers. Never looked back. Good, strong seats and you get a sliding passenger seat without the frankenstein bolt up ( yj riser on passenger side). They initially change your sitting height and picture but the sense of change goes way quickly. The change out was straight forward without surprises

 

[WHATROAD]

Yes I saw the $600. I agonized and salvaged hunted, had upholstery done for years. You might have to piece it together to keep the cost down but...... I don't agonize anymore

 

[Belizean]

Comfort isn't over rated !

 

[yellow85cj]

The thing you have to look out for in salvage seats is the "rake". Put a CJ on the ground and they sit flat. The CJ risers are where the rake is. Get a set of seats that sit flat on the floor of the donor and put them on CJ risers and your knees will be in your chest. Most seats have the rake in the seat, not the riser. So you either have to mod the riser (lower the front) or get a set of Corbeau risers. I used a set of Fiero seats, with the Corbeau risers. Even have speakers in the headrest.

 

[CJ]

Great advice!!

 

[j6824]

Another vote for the Corbeaus...went with the Baja SSs on the oem risers

Like Road and Yellow said, you have to take the angle into account. When I researched them I came across warnings about the degree of recline. If I recall correctly, Corbeau regards it as extreme or excessive for most tastes, thus the recommendation of their replacement risers to compensate. I had PO-installed aftermarkets that were like sitting on a ladder rung, so I wanted to try them first. Couldn't be happier. Definitely feel secure, and that's just with a factory belt...I haven't run harnesses yet.

The only issue that you might be worth mentioning (and maybe not for a 7 vs a 5) is driver side entry/exit and wheel/lap clearance, assuming you're running a factory steering wheel and column. I've got an aftermarket one that's around 13", so I had no problems.

 

[RSTurney]

I replaced with Corbeau seats and risers. Never looked back. Good, strong seats and you get a sliding passenger seat without the frankenstein bolt up ( yj riser on passenger side). They initially change your sitting height and picture but the sense of change goes way quickly. The change out was straight forward without surprises

Thank you for the recommendation but the Corbeau seats + risers will set me pack ~$1200.00 from what I've seen. My CJ7 cost me $300 in non-running condition, but mostly complete. My disadvantage from a shipping cost perspective, is the ridiculous true cost of getting new stuff shipped to me here in Alaska

 

[RSTurney]

Another vote for the Corbeaus...went with the Baja SSs on the oem risers

Like Road and Yellow said, you have to take the angle into account. When I researched them I came across warnings about the degree of recline. If I recall correctly, Corbeau regards it as extreme or excessive for most tastes, thus the recommendation of their replacement risers to compensate. I had PO-installed aftermarkets that were like sitting on a ladder rung, so I wanted to try them first. Couldn't be happier. Definitely feel secure, and that's just with a factory belt...I haven't run harnesses yet.

The only issue that you might be worth mentioning (and maybe not for a 7 vs a 5) is driver side entry/exit and wheel/lap clearance, assuming you're running a factory steering wheel and column. I've got an aftermarket one that's around 13", so I had no problems.

I am an easy sell when it comes to performance and comfort, but I am also very stubborn. My daily driver since 2001 was our 2000 GMC Safari AWD. When I busted the oil pan after several creek and river crossings in caribou country, I scoured the state until I found the grandson of the man who established a homestead in the area, and recruited him and his military 6x6 with an A-frame winch setup to recover it from behind Gunsight near Alexander Creek. Ashamed of destroying the family car, but kept it and replaced the engine with a crate motor - it died last week after six more years of incredible service. I guess I feel guilty when I spend money on my hunting rigs.

 

[RSTurney]

The thing you have to look out for in salvage seats is the "rake". Put a CJ on the ground and they sit flat. The CJ risers are where the rake is. Get a set of seats that sit flat on the floor of the donor and put them on CJ risers and your knees will be in your chest. Most seats have the rake in the seat, not the riser. So you either have to mod the riser (lower the front) or get a set of Corbeau risers. I used a set of Fiero seats, with the Corbeau risers. Even have speakers in the headrest.

Really great advice, and thank you! I once tried replacing the front bench seat in my 1997 F350 crewcab with some awesome electric heated seats from an Excursion, the fabricated steel plate I paid big $$$$ for gave me an unplanned static hairstyle that made people smile, and I had to bend my neck sideways on a bumpy road.....or drive lowrider style.