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1959 Seat Question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Maddevill, Oct 17, 2019.

  1. Oct 17, 2019
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
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    Ok as some of you know, I just got a 1959 CJ5. PO put in seats out of a 86 Cherokee.
    The problem is, I'm 6'3" and can't get the seat back far enough to comfortably drive it. The seats hit the rear wheel wells. Are there any seats I can get which will give me the room to drive while still being able to move up so my wife, ( a certified Hobbit at 5'2") can also drive it?
    TIA

    Mad
     
  2. Oct 17, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    you can notch the wheel well. that would be the best bet for a tall person.

    the Roxor seats are thinner, and supposed to be a moderately easy swap in, with a headrest included in case of a rear end collision. they also have sliders to accommodate taller and shorter Hobbits.
    i just bought new smittybuilt seats, but they were so thick it forced me to do the wheel well notch, which isn't hard, but its not a fun chore either.
     
  3. Oct 17, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Still got the stock steering wheel? If so how's the clearance between it & your legsl?
     
  4. Oct 17, 2019
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
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    No stock wheel. The entire steering gear is out of the Cherokee. I was hoping to avoid notching the wheel well, seeing as how I know nuffin 'bout welding and such.
    I mean, it's mainly the wife's car and I can always hang my sasquatch legs out the passenger side but I kind of would like to drive it places sometimes.

    Mad
     
  5. Oct 18, 2019
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    People were not 6' 3" back then, in the 40's Americans must have been a lot shorter. I was 5' 8" at 18 yo, now at 74, I am 5' 6", I wore my bones down 2" I guess. Anyway my Jeep is just right for me. I have Tuxedo Park seats in mine, and there not enough room to hold a 12 once water bottle between the steering wheel and me, I have to hold it beside me, makes it hard to drink and drive. But I manage.
     
    jeepstar likes this.
  6. Oct 18, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I'm afraid you'll have to go with different seats (like the Roxor's mentioned above) & a notch. Stock seats would probably be best & give the most comfortable ride (hard to find :( ) but at your height you'll still need the notch. With good seats you'll probably have better vision through the windshield as well.
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  7. Oct 18, 2019
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
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    Ok, thanks for the info. I'll guess I'll go back and study the info on my Welder thread and start budgeting for a welder.....and some scrap metal to practice on!

    Mad
     
  8. Oct 18, 2019
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
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    Related question. Who sells the OEM Roxor seats? I don't see them on the Roxor website and all the supposed parts sites sell mainly aftermarket stuff.

    Mad
     
  9. Oct 18, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    You'll have to find a roxor dealer near them and call and order directly. They don't sell parts online at a raxxor website
     
  10. Oct 18, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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  11. Oct 18, 2019
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
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    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 20, 2019
  12. Oct 18, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    The thing to remember with seats is that the ECJ5 stock ones came with springs for a reason, i.e. the jeeps had a stiff suspension. Modern vehicles, even jeeps, have a more compliant suspension to soak up the bumps so modern seats will not feel as good in an old jeep. I'm doubting that fork lift seats have much provision for this?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 20, 2019
  13. Oct 18, 2019
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
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    The forklift seats were a quick, economical, easy to install solution...they are also very slim and allow a whole lot more room behind the wheel...which was the biggest selling point for me...I would rather the extra room than a cushy ride. I'm just putting around the island so I'm fine with them...others might find them awful, but I like them.
     
    Hellion likes this.
  14. Oct 23, 2019
    65CJ5 SRD

    65CJ5 SRD Member

    NM
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    Maybe get one of those pads I've seen on TV that you can sit on without breaking an egg!
     
  15. Oct 23, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Surprisingly, the forklift seat actually looks a bit similar, in terms of its shape and the pattern of the molded vinyl and piping, to the original mid-60s CJ seats (at left below). I suspect however that the molded indentations are less deep / distinct on the forklift seats, and as noted above, they most likely don't have any springs - probably just foam.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2019
  16. Oct 23, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    Just for reference this is what a '59 (ish) seat should look like-

    [​IMG]


    Springs-

    [​IMG]

    They look thicker than aftermarket seats but with the springs they squish down, a lot of people find they give more wheel clearance & legroom & are more comfortable than the aftermarket units.
     
  17. Oct 23, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Bestop low back seats don’t have the original look (Smittybuilt are close) but they are lower and I find them comfortable. I have more than enough room from the “bus” steering wheel.
     
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  18. Oct 24, 2019
    Stano316

    Stano316 Member

    Long Island
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    That forklift seat looks pretty good. Too bad I already bought and mounted my smittybuilt one, or I would have bought the forklift seat. I wonder how much more room you gain with the forklift seat. A couple more inches?
     
  19. Oct 24, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    These original seats are what I consider to be the best, if you can find them. You sit "in" the seat rather than " on" the seat. I've tried both Bestop and Smittybuilt, and they're way too firm, so you sit "on" them which puts you up too high and too close to the steering wheel.
    Those folklift seats look like something I might consider, especially the suspension versions. One of our old Mack trucks had a Bostrom suspension seat, and it was great in a truck with essentially no suspension.
    -Donny
     
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