Aftermarket Seats

Anybody know what's involved in making aftermarket 1976-1986 low back seats fit my 1974 seat brackets? I need to replace my seats, both are rusted beyond repair and I haven't been able to find seats specifically listed for my year. The later model seats are everywhere, however.

Thanks!
Eric.

 

I've answered my own question by searching the archives. Should have done that first. Thanks anyway everybody!

Eric.

 

If you want something with great side bolsters, the mid 80's Dodge Conquest/Mistubishi Starion seats are my favorites

 

On mine the drivers side bolted right up with no mods.

The pass side was easy. I just cut a piece of 18 ga metal to fit the bottom of the seat. Layout two sets of holes...one to match the seat and one to match the frame. Bolted the plate to the frame then bolted the seat to the plate.

In these pics you should be able to see the thin plate sandwiched between the seat and the frame. Again the drivers side bolted directly to the frame with no mods.

 

John, now that it's been a while since you installed the 18 gauge steel sheet, do you still feel that's thick enough? Should I look for something stronger, or was that sufficient? And thanks for the pictures. That helps a lot!
Thanks!
Eric.

 

Naw I've actually ditched my old seat frames and built custom frames, but it wasn't because of the sheet metal. The 18 ga was plenty thick. The actual bolt layout was pretty close...only off by a couple inches so there's no stress really at all on the plate. Just a place to run a bolt through.

The only reason I switched frames for a custom job was because I couldn't stand it that my pass side seat sat about 1" - 1-1/2" higher and to the front than my drivers side. I wanted a frame that spanned the width of the jeep body and would allow my seats to sit level again.

I'll try to post a pic.

 

I really like those seat frames. I need to do something like that to mine. The PO actually welded the seat sliders onto the front mounting brackets and used some scrap metal with 90 degree bends for the rear mounts. I'm not sure what he was thinking but my drivers seat actually leans slightly to the right now because his brackets were made out of weak metal in the back :evil: . I know what you mean about the passenger seat. My passengers typically have to deal with their head hitting the bikini top because they sit higher than me. Kinda annoying

Anyways - your seat brackets look really good and I saved the pictures for future reference

 

John, don't suppose that you still have the piece of sheet metal lying around? Want to donate it to a good cause?

Eric.

 

Yeah, I've still got it, but it'd probably cost more to ship it to you than it would for you to just pick up some locally.

Just go to a sheetmetal shop or welding shop or something like that. I got mine from a mechanical contractor who has a duct fab shop.

Buy the seats first so you'll know what size piece of metal to get. I'm thinking it's going to be about 16" X 16".

 

John: Interesting. The PO of mine, when he installed the Steelmaster highbacks, did the same thing you did for the pass. seat. But he had the same prob. as you with the drivers seat, so he put metal spacers and longer bolts. You can sort of see them in the photo.

 

Jim I was told that those spacers were original. This was the "adjustable" part of the drivers seat. Basically to lower the seat you just removed the spacers. There was also two sets of holes in my drivers side seat frame so it could be moved forward or backward depending on your leg length.

 

Origonal hugh? Sounds typical. I have 3 holes on the frame, not the seat. It's already in the rearmost hole and I still bang my knee on the column.

 

I'm with ya, brother! 6'2" and not at all skinny and trying to jam me into a cj5 is something. Fuel cell and lowering the driver seat about 1.5 to 2" this winter. Should solve the problem!