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Replacement Low Back Seats

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Moosanah, Apr 10, 2021.

  1. Apr 10, 2021
    Moosanah

    Moosanah New Member

    Calgary, Alberta
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    May 25, 2018
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    Hello all,

    Looking to replace the seats on my '58 CJ-5. Previous high back seats (out of an Isuzu iirc) and the pipe 'roll cage' have all been ripped out.
    [​IMG]IMG_1889 by M J, on Flickr

    I'm looking to return it to a more classic look and initially had my focus on the original seats that came on an early '5. Problem with that is sourcing the frames is all but impossible, unless they are reproductions, and then cost of the reproductions when all is said and done appears to be quite high (through Walcks or the like).

    So now I've turned my attention to modern, new low back reproductions - Bestop Trailmax II, Rugged Ridge and Smittybuilt are all options through the local 4wheelparts. With all of these options, I'd either need to modify the existing seat mounts I have or a better alternative is just fabricate new mounts.

    I'd rather not revisit the high backs that were in it, so with that info. what say the crowd here? Is there another option I'm missing? Is this a case of buy once cry once getting back the original look? Of the current list of modern low backs - how are they? Worth the cost or not?

    Thanks in advance for any input!
     
    RobertoRico and Steve Wilkerson like this.
  2. Apr 10, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    I've got the Rugged Ridge ones in my '69. When I bought it, the PO has install already installed one for the driver's seat. The passenger seat was still the original and the original driver's seat was in the back. My intent is to recover the originals some day but in the short term it was much cheaper to buy an additional Rugged Ridge passenger seat (it was even on sale at the time).

    I like the Rugged Ridge seats quite a bit. I was still comfortable after a grueling 9hr day of off-roading on last years earlycj5 Colorado trip.

    The driver's seat is bolted to the stock body mounts I made custom seat-side mounts for the passenger seat to get it as low as possible while using the original body mounts. The best I could do was get the height of the back the same but the passenger seat sits higher in the front because of the hinges. You don't really notice it unless you're looking for it. If you make complete mounts from scratch, this won't really be an issue. I plan on installing the original seats some day so I didn't modify the body brackets.

    The seats:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The difference in tilt:
    [​IMG]

    The brackets I made for the passenger seat:
    [​IMG]

    My only complaint with them is the springs aren't hooked to the frame that great. I had one pop out while driving. Several others looked like this:
    [​IMG]

    I re-hooked them and did a redneck fix with zip-ties that seems to be holding up great:
    [​IMG]
     
    Ol Fogie, Twin2, tomasinator and 2 others like this.
  3. Apr 10, 2021
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Super post! :beer:
     
    Fireball likes this.
  4. Apr 10, 2021
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    I went with the Bestop brand, and like @Fireball’s awesome post, had to make brackets for the passenger side to work with the stock seat frame. The drivers is a direct bolt on if you still have the original frames. The 3 top selling low back seat brands are,
    Rugged Ridge
    Smittybuilt
    Bestop
    All are great replacements for the original seating. Personal preference for look, and for ride height are the main factor for choice between the three.
    Bestop sits you the lowest.
    Smittybuilt and Rugged Ridge sit you higher, but look very close to the original seats for the pleating.
    They are all in the same price range too.
     
    Ol Fogie, truckee4x4 and Fireball like this.
  5. Apr 10, 2021
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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  6. Apr 10, 2021
    Steve Wilkerson

    Steve Wilkerson New Member

    Southern Illinois
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    Perhaps someone can clarify something for me. It is my understanding that none of the replacement low back seats fold and tumble. Is that correct?
     
  7. Apr 10, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I believe this is due to some of the later laws.
    The rear aftermarket seats typically fold and tumble but the fronts don't. Original seats typically didn't fold on the front
    Makes them cheaper too.

    The original seats (passenger on bench) that did fold weren't as nice and cushy in my opinion.

    The roxer high backs don't look bad
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2021
  8. Apr 10, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    correct....for the passenger side, from members of this forum, you can tilt the seat forward until the top of the seat hits the dash and you can still open and access the tool box...pic in the link...
    Another Ecj5 Seat Replacement Question...

    maybe not as convenient as the fold and tumble, but functional...but I think its quite a bit harder for someone to climb in to access the backseat if needed.
     
  9. Apr 10, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    I have decent original seats in my 67 and was thinking of recovering them, but the picture of the Besttop seats has me wavering. I would like to see some better pictures of those. I am 6'2" and a lower seat would be nice.
     
  10. Apr 10, 2021
    Moosanah

    Moosanah New Member

    Calgary, Alberta
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    Sounds like plenty o' love for all three options then.
    I was leaning toward the Bestop's based on Beachbum's post here: WTB - Front Seats For 58 Cj5
    (I like the fact they are a bit lower in the seat).

    But, the Trailmax II lows are $290 a pop, whereas the Rugged Ridge are ~$216ea and the Smittybuilt are ~$190 a side on sale.
     
  11. Apr 10, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    For my '56 I went with the Smitty Lowbacks, and very glad I did. I feel they are closest to OEM in appearance, and very comfortable.

    Made custom mounts to lower them. Think I paid $99 per seat, but you can find them everywhere on-line for $150 including shipping.

    . CJ5 1957 driver seat mount for Smittybilt.  Custom copy.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2021
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  12. Apr 10, 2021
    Moosanah

    Moosanah New Member

    Calgary, Alberta
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    That looks very low Pete. Driver's side I take it? You still running the stock fuel tank?
     
  13. Apr 10, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Yup. Did something similar on the passenger seat, keeping the OEM look and functions.

    Use simple spacers on top to fine-tune the angle you like.
     
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  14. Apr 10, 2021
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    I have high backs out of a later CJ. I REALLY miss the fold and tumble. But I really like the support and safety of the high backs. Such a conundrum for me.
     
  15. Apr 10, 2021
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    I think the "Rugged Ridge" seats are Smitybuilt, but could be wrong about that.

    The Smittybuilt seats do look more like original, but I have heard they sit higher which is why I was considering the Besttop seats. I may still just recover my originals, they aren't too bad just the covers are stiff from age and are coming apart.
     
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  16. Apr 10, 2021
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Correct. The passenger seat will only tilt forward as mentioned if you have the original seat frame. The Bestop rear low back bench I have also tilts forward, so you can still put things in the back. Or it can be removed easily with only 2 bolts to undo.
     
  17. Apr 10, 2021
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Exactly what I used to match the angles for the drivers/passengers seats
     
  18. Apr 10, 2021
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Fireball likes this.
  19. Apr 10, 2021
    RedWing

    RedWing Member

    Sutton Bay
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    I wonder how hard it would be to make the new seat fold and tumble?
     
  20. Apr 10, 2021
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    Another option for jeep seats by a company called "PRP" makes a big variety of seating for jeeps, dune buggies and so on. They are more expensive than most and not sure if they make a folding seat. This is one of my personal favorites. Has a low profile bottom and a removeable head rest.
    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pxc-a53-50
     
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