Low back or High back?

My conundrum is based off of trying to keep this old sixer as close to original as possible, but at the same time, I realize there's a reason they don't make them anymore. lol.

Anyway, I took my bench seats out this weekend and after ripping a hole in a $35 pair of camo pants earlier this year, and having back problems from not being able to adjust the seats any further back, I'm happy to say farewell to the old seats.




I put the high backs in, and then put the low backs in and vice-versa. If I go with the low backs, I need have them reupholstered. If I put the high backs in, I think I just get a similar cover for the back bench seat. The low backs look more original, but the high backs feel pretty dam good and I think they look pretty sweet as well.

I wish I would of had rolled it out of the garage before I started snapping pics, but my coffee hadn't set in yet that morning.

What do you guys think? High back or low back? Granted, they are just sitting in the bucket without seat frames right now, so the angles are weird.

Low backs.


High back best-tops.

 

Highback. Safety and comfort win in my opinion.

Unless of course you are going to show the Jeep, then you'll have to go low back.

 

I'm sure favoring the high backs.


I'm debating as well as to wether or not to build new frames for the seats that would allow me to use the same holes that the old frames used.


Do you think these bench style seats would be worth anything to anybody wanting to restore to original. I don't seem them very often at all, but I don't want to cut the backs off just yet without knowing if someone could use them.

 

That's what I was thinking. Will do then. Once I get a template from them.

 

I vote for high backs if you plan on doing any wheeling. I ran the Rubicon with my low backs years ago. My back was raw right where the top of the seat hit it after that trip.

 

IMO the original low-back bucket seats are quite comfortable and supportive. If they are in good shape, what bolsters they have will keep you from sliding around.

I also tend to not use the seat backs much on the trail, instead moving with the motion, like riding a horse. Fancy high-backs with big bolsters are meant to keep you from sliding off the seat in high cornering Gs. On the track, it saves your strength when you don't have to work to stay in the seat. At low speed on a trail, or on the street, I feel that you don't need much if any assistance. Most of the time you are sitting on the seat like you'd sit on your sofa.

Plus, in a Jeep, you have that nice big wheel to hold on to.

Personally I think that good seat pad cushioning is much more important in a Jeep seat than bolster (lateral) support.

High backs are mostly for whiplash prevention in the event of being rear-ended. Certainly safer in that circumstance, but they also obstruct your view and get in the way.

 

I'm new here at EarlyCJ5.com and really like the older "stock" look of the shortbacks.

The high-backs look like they would be more comfortable but they look
REALLY out of place. I vote for the short-backs!

But in the end it is YOUR ride and you need to be the one satisfied. If you decide to not use the short-backs I would wrap 'em up good and stow them
away. Years from now you most likely wish you had not parted with them.

LB

 

Another vote for lowback... I just recovered (been more than a year now...) my originals, they are much better looking now and feel great. If I hadn't dropped them off at the shop, I would have swore someone switched them out with a new set, the comfort is that much better. Also I covered a wrangler fold and tumble to match. They all look great for about 100 a seat mostly for materials which I picked. I also had them throw in a set of heat pads so they are heated seats. Puts them over the top, no more cold back for me. My wife loves them too, anything I can do to get her seat time helps my cause.

 

i like being able to look over my shoulder and see everything behind me.
the shorts look better.

 

High back all the way...... Much more comfortable if you buy a good seat!

http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv336/sroth66/Seans1975JeepCj5168.jpg

 

My vote is for low back.
Picture of my redone in a CJ6.


Andrew

 

get high backs and dont look back.*

*because you CANT...


teehee

 

JMO - if I had the 60-40 split bench seats, I'd have them rebuilt and keep them. I've sat in them, and I don't recall them being uncomfortable. You can sit 3 across in the front with the bench seats, in a pinch.

I have original buckets, so I would not go out of my way to swap for the bench. However, I think the bench seat is really cool, and not enough different from the buckets to make me want to change them.

 

i looked high and low for 60-40 's with no luck.
but was fortunate enough to find some original buckets.

 

Years from now you most likely wish you had not parted with them.

LB[/QUOTE]

X2

 

LOVE my 60 40 I dig the old stuff anyhow put in whatever floats your boat but I wouldnt get rid of the old one......

 

The low backs are great because you can still access the toolbox under the passenger seat. I'm never uncomfortable in mine either. I bought new seat covers, I believe from 4wd hardware. They were 100 bucks for both covers and the seats look brand new. I reccomend them over reupolstering. If you go high backs, please sell me your old seats.