Seat Advice

Today I went out looking for seats for my 57 and ended up with a full set from an earlier flat fender. Would it be better to modify these to fit my jeep or trade them for one's that will?

 

The CJ5s used a coil spring frame up through '65. The flat fender models had a sheetmetal pan that could have a coil insert or a horsehair stuffed pad. The CJ5 style seats were a big improvement, in my opinion.
-Donny

 

I was looking at the frames and somebody redid the seats at some point, and they look ok but the plywood seat pans are wearing out and will need replaced. I was thinking that the bottom crewmembers could be removed and replaced by springs with a foam overlay. The issue I have is doing all this would basically ruin the seat frames and I would hate to destroy a set of frames that someone else could use, just because I can't find the parts I need

 

Smittybilt 44801 SMI Low Back Bucket Seat in Black Vinyl for 55-75 Jeep CJ

 

I am a small person, 5' 7", 165 lbs., I fit in my Jeep just right, people were smaller back in the 50's I guess. I have seen Jeeps with car seats and they are too thick and it makes the Jeep hard to drive. I have the Tuxedo Park split bench seats in my Jeep, and three small people can ride in the front seat. Two people and Peggy, my Dog, ride in the front.

 

I have these and love them.

They need to be mounted as low as possible, since the butt cushion is fairly thick.

 

I've seen these but was a bit worried about ride height issues. I'm 6'0 which isn't all that tall but other guys in that range reported problems

 

I'm close to 6'-0" and IMHO the butt-height issue actually gives my legs more comfort, but the clearance under the steering wheel is tight.

I made custom mounts that mimic the OEM seat frames, but drop the seat a couple of inches. Maybe those other guys didn't do that.

 

Don't suppose you have some photos and maybe some measurements?

 

Since my drivers seat had been changed already to something undesirable, I mounted the Smittybilt seat right on top of the original seat bracket with minor modification. The threaded holes are metric fyi. Im 6' and the seat is very comfortable, as usual, leg room is limited. And at the time they were $109 shipped iirc.

 

BTDT. Check here Seat Frame Verifacation Help

Measurements were just to copy the OEM frames and mounting holes but with less lift. I made them low, then added spacer sleeves on the (metric) seat bolts to adjust the angle.

 

That looks like a good place to start. I'll let you guys know how it turns out. Meanwhile if anyone has some roaches out frames let me know. Ive been stockpiling fabrics and leather from my years of upholstery work.