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Another Ecj5 Seat Replacement Question...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by FinoCJ, Aug 30, 2018.

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  1. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    My low back seats are getting to the point of needing to be re-upholstered or replaced. They are not the original seats - I believe they are out of an intermediate cj5 for various reasons - which means I am not really attached to them. But initial research into getting them reupholstered is suggesting that while that would be nice (bolt right back and function just the same), it might not be economical at all. It looks like I can easily buy 2 of the smittybilt low backs (https://www.4wheelparts.com/Interior-Parts-Accessories/Smittybilt-Low-Back-Bucket-Seat-Black-44801.aspx?t_c=9&t_s=418&t_pt=3921&t_pn=S/B44801) that are well regarded here for less than getting one seat redone. Of course, they will probably require a bit of modification to fit my seat brackets. So I have 2 questions:
    1) I don't believe these smittybilt low backs have fold capability between the back rest and bottom - so when mounted on the passenger side, can you still tip the entire seat forward (using the frame pivot) and still get the tool box open when the seat back hits the dashboard? this is assuming I get them to fit on the frame. I keep most of my recovery gear in the under seat tool box, and easy access is needed.

    2) If I am going to swap to aftermarket seats - thinking of going all the way to a very simple high back. Thinking of these: https://www.4wheelparts.com/Interior-Parts-Accessories/Smittybilt-Standard-Bucket-Seat-Black-44915.aspx?t_c=9&t_s=418&t_pt=3921&t_pn=S/B44915
    Anyone running these? I wonder how much harder they will be to mount and if there is any chance I can get the passenger one to fold forward enough to have access to the tool box. Think high back might be a bit safer and bit more comfortable, and eventually would allow for shoulder seat belts. I don't run a back seat so no one needs to climb in the back. I already run a full cage so the aesthetics is not an issue, just fit and function.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2018
    FinoCJ, Aug 30, 2018
    #1
  2. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    I had my stock seats redone rather than get aftermarket replacement specifically to keep the folding passenger seat to allow access to the toolbox.
     
    colojeepguy, Aug 30, 2018
    #2
  3. Johns1967CJ5

    Johns1967CJ5 Sponsor

    Answer to #1 is yes. I got these for my CJ and the work and fit well

    [​IMG]
     
    Johns1967CJ5, Aug 30, 2018
    #3
    Rick Whitson, Beach66Bum, ojgrsoi and 1 other person like this.
  4. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Hey Doug - your seats looked great. Would you recommend the shop that did the work - be happy to call them for some comparison shopping. There are a lot of places here in Denver, so I have a lot of places left to call, but so far I am getting prices from very expensive to extremely expensive. If I can access the tool box with the smittybilts, it just seems hard for me to justify the upholstery job cost - especially considering the seats aren't really original anyway.
     
    FinoCJ, Aug 30, 2018
    #4
  5. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Thanks John - could I trouble you for a pic with the passenger seat folded forward? Many thanks!
     
    FinoCJ, Aug 30, 2018
    #5
  6. tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    No free rides when buying quality seats , you get what you pay for...........it's all about the suspension , foam , materials and comfort ......looked at aftermarket seats like your doing for years and finally decided to just have mine reupholstered .........not so much to pick a particular fabric , but to have someone re-built the springs , shape the foam and bolsters up so the seat would fit the body correctly and last for many years...........some of the old Jeep seats actually had suspension systems in them with springs and fabric........and that makes a great foundation for a comfortable seat.


    These seats have springs and foam............and we also added seat heaters.......I have about $550 in this pair.

    [​IMG]
     
    tarry99, Aug 30, 2018
    #6
  7. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    I'd probably pay $550 for the pair (including seat heaters!). I am getting quotes for twice that much - not including seat heaters (add a couple hundred more per seat!).
     
    FinoCJ, Aug 30, 2018
    #7
  8. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I have the Smitty lowbacks and love them. Under $300 for a pair on Amazon. I made a simple support that replicates the early one-piece frame, it hinges forward exactly the same and gives full access to the toolbox.


    You can buy the heaters for about $20 bucks...
     
    PeteL, Aug 30, 2018
    #8
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  9. TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    If you have intermediate low back seats, these might be a reasonable option. They are very well made, you have several pattern options and they come with hog rings/pliers. I ordered them and a local upholstery shop is putting them on for $50 per seat. I don't have them back yet, but I think other members here have installed these with very nice results.

    In hindsight, I would have just installed them myself. My used covers were actually pretty nice, so i installed them on another set of CJ seats where the covers were shot. Pretty easy really...watch a few youtube videos on installing seat covers.

    JEEP 1976-86 CJ LOW BACK BUCKET SEATS UPHOLSTERY KIT | eBay
     
    TIm E, Aug 30, 2018
    #9
    FinoCJ likes this.
  10. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Thanks - Spent quite a bit of time looking for those today on ebay - I think Mike (1957CJ5A) did those as well. They would probably work on my low back.
     
    FinoCJ, Aug 30, 2018
    #10
  11. tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    The ones we used have 2 pads per seat..........one for the seat back / lower lumbar and the other under the butt......2 switches with Hi/Low....& wiring , these had carbon fibre pads that are water proof.....I think we paid $65 on Amazon for the pair but as Pete mentioned above those heaters have came down in price.......
     
    tarry99, Aug 31, 2018
    #11
  12. Johns1967CJ5

    Johns1967CJ5 Sponsor

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Johns1967CJ5, Aug 31, 2018
    #12
    J walk, Rick Whitson, Beach66Bum and 1 other person like this.
  13. OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    I recently bought the black lowback Smitty's from 4WD.com, they were on sale for $99 each with free shipping...so 2 of them at my door 5 days later for under $200.
    My only complaint is that the frames were tapped for metric fasteners so a quick trip to the hardware store resolved that issue... but I was not happy with the metric on the old iron.
     
    OzFin, Aug 31, 2018
    #13
  14. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    John- Thanks so much - really appreciate your time and effort!
     
    FinoCJ, Aug 31, 2018
    #14
  15. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    I would point out that there are no aftermarket seats that I know of that fold and tumble like the original passenger seat. The original seat back folds down so that, when lifted, the back of the seat rests against the dash and provides access to the back and to the toolbox. If the back does not fold, the seat has to be held up by a prop or someone. This may be acceptable - I drove a Jeep with highbacks that did not fold for years - but some may want the unimpeded access that the "fold-and-tumble" passenger seat provides.

    Also, I would point out that the original molded bucket seats are comfortable and supportive.
     
    timgr, Aug 31, 2018
    #15
  16. Johns1967CJ5

    Johns1967CJ5 Sponsor

    My original didn't fold like you explain it was just like the aftermarket seats. Just tilted and rested on dash
     
    Johns1967CJ5, Aug 31, 2018
    #16
  17. Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    I have Bestop low backs, and the passenger seat tilts up against the dash and stays up without a support rod. This works for level ground, but I can see it being an issue if off road. The Bestop and Smittybuilt have almost identical inner construction, just the exterior design is different. The only other difference is the Smittybuilt seat sits a tad higher.
     
    Beach66Bum, Aug 31, 2018
    #17
  18. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    I've looked all over, and I can't find the guy's business card. And he's moved since I had my seats done. I'll keep looking though.
    You could probably find some place down on Federal Boulevard that would do them pretty cheap!
     
    colojeepguy, Aug 31, 2018
    #18
  19. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Depends what you define as "original."

    Bear in mind the early CJ5 had a rigid one piece seat, that tips forward with no problem, without 'folding.'
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2018
    PeteL, Aug 31, 2018
    #19
  20. montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Ive been looking at seats for fun and I wonder if anyone’s considered the Corbeau suspension seat? Seems like a comfortable safe option, although not original looking at all. I haven’t looked at fitment but the dimensions seem similar at 22” wide

    [​IMG]
     
    montanacj, Aug 31, 2018
    #20
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