Smittybilt low back seats in a 1957 - report

For anyone who is interested, I just installed Smittybilt low-back seats in my 1957 CJ5, to replace the worn out original stock seats. I can report being happy with the way they fit, and look, and feel. The quality seems good for the price. We'll see how they hold up under use…

I paid $125 each, delivered. Smitty #44801 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CF1V3C/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They seem to be designed for direct mounting on the later style Jeeps and do not "bolt in" these Early jeeps - since the seat frame and mount was integral on those.

But I made up a set of mounts that mimic the Intermediate style dimensions yet still look a lot like the early originals. Only difference was I did not make the 90º upward bend for a front riser on the fore-and-aft bars - this leaves me able to use spacers to adjust the height and angle. And I fitted directly to the original floor hinges on the passenger side, as per 1957 OEM.

Lot of good and helpful pictures here from Howard. http://www.tantel.ca/Images/The Sludge Pile/Section_T_Body/Seat Photos/

They fit very well in the tub space dimensions, although the Smittys are a little bit longer in the leg than OEM, at the front. As everyone says, they sit fairly high and firm under the butt. I am 5'-11" and the windshield frame seems just a tad low to peek up through at a traffic light. I'm slender enough that the steering wheel is not a problem, and the leg position is perfect for me. If I had tried hard I could have made the mounts one inch lower. But I suspect the OEM seats were the about same when new and not 'sacked out' by 50 years of bouncing butts. Probably the new foam will compress in time.

In any case I usually have the windshield down, or on the trail I am looking low anyway!

Now, if that five foot high pile of snow in front of the shed would just melt...

 

I have had the high back seats from Smittybilt in my 5 for 7 years now they have been thru allot and have held up really well.

 

Cool! Love to see some pics! How do you like the material?

 

I don't have a place to post pictures.

Material is a soft vinyl/naugahyde. Nothing special, but feels fine, not chintzy or slippery.

 

Pete, Photobucket works well for posting your pics.

I would love to see your seats and frame setup, I have to build some seat frames since my '55 didn't come with seats or frames.

Oh sorry, I just found these on Quadratec for $99, free shipping over $75.

 

I agree with PeteL, not chintzy feeling. I bought the high back model for the driver side because it came in gray & am really happy with it. Last summer I ordered a gray colored "Garage Pro" lowback because it was cheaper than the Smittybilt & had free shipping. It was OK, but I had to run spacers to get it in a comfortable/correct position...It also had a higher profile than the Smittybilt, so I moved it to the passenger side. I'll see if I can get my computer to load pics... (my card slot is boogered up)