Replacement Seats

I put Rugged Ridge seats in my CJ5. These still seem high despite my efforts to make them as low as possible. Are the bestop brand low back seat bottoms lower? Would swapping these out provide me more head room? More room between seat and steering wheel? Does anyone have the specs on the bottom cushion of the various seats for sale. I can’t seem to find those specs.

thanks

 

There are many threads on this topic, and it may benefit you to search for them, but I ran into the same thing with my replacement seats.

The ones I used were branded as "Smittybuilt" but I think these are probably the same as those branded as "Rugged Ridge". They are a good bit thicker than the original seats. My original seats had spacers at least 1" tall between the seat bottom and the frames. Even without the spacers the steering wheel now is very close to my belly. I have been losing weight which is helping to accommodate, but I plan on fabricating some seat frames to set the seats a little lower just in case I gain that weight back.

 

As I have often stated here, I love my Smitty lowbacks in my '56. Look close to OEM.

The cushion is a little high, but I made mounts to set it as low as possible, and it is very acceptable to me. I'm 5-11, but slim.

 

I've got Smittybilt high backs in my76. Sometimes I wish I went lowbacks but they seems to be at the proper height in the CJ5. But I don't have sliders in that either.

 

The foam in replacement seats is too firm, causing you to sit up too high. You sit “on” them rather than “in” them.
-Donny

 

I agree, but they work for me and they are comfortable.

 

Yes the Smittybuilt seats in my Jeep are very comfortable, and the are well made. They also look good.

 

In this thread, http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/150677/#post-1705741
Beach66Bum gave a measurement for bestop seats. It would be good if you could post measurements in the same fashion. I just bought some cj7(seller claimed) and will do similar with an update on that thread.

 

Yes the Bestop low backs are lower. (I believe by about 2”) My pic with the tape measure is taken from hooking onto the original seat frame bottom tube.
I’m 6’ tall and have good head clearance from the soft top. Also have the large “Bus” steering wheel, which I have a good amount of room too.