Seat frames that fit a 73 fiberglass tub

I have an older fiberglass tub on my 73 CJ5.
The tub will eventually need to be replaced, but thats probably a few years away.

I point out that the tub is older because its the tub with no behind the seat clearance. The driver side seat literally rests against the well well behind it.

The seats and frames I have now are pretty shot, I wouldn't consider them safe by any stretch.

Does anyone have any suggestions for which seat frames would work?
I'm not too concerned about matching up existing holes, just that they will fit in the tight space.

I have attached a picture of the seats, not the best view of the frames.

I'm pretty sure the PO "custom" made these frames.
Years in a barn rusted them to oblivion.

Thanks

 

Cool, Thanks.

Were the ones you got original, or aftermarket?
Did they fit your fiberglass tub?
Thanks

 

GENIUS!!!!!

The second link looks perfect.
I'm assuming I could just mount a new seat right to those, right?
No need for anything else?

Thanks

 

Passenger side looks stockish too, from what I can see. Like it has some extra metal welded on.

Somebody will want those stock parts - driver's side appears to have sliders still. Post 'em up on the 'for sale' forum ... you won't make much money, but better than tossing them.

 

The only bad thing I have heard about the ones from 4wd.com are they are short. You might need to make some spacers for them. Your tub sounds exactly like mine and probably just like every other fiberglass tub on the market. There just isn't much room for the seats. People do wheelwell notches to relieve this and I would like to do the same. However, I don't know how to fiberglass.

good luck, and if you order the ones from 4wd.com, let us know how they work for you.

High5

 

Yeah, I think the wheel well notch is in my future.
I'm 6'5", its a tight squeeze.

I have done fiberglass work in the past, mostly large scale model boats.
Its not hard at all, just mix up the resin, soak the fiberglass (like cloth) in it then lay it down into the mold. Off of the top of my head, I'm thinking some $3 piece of aluminum cookware (a lid, or throw away pan or tray) as a backing, bend and beat into the shape I want under the wheel well as a temp backing, maybe some wax paper to keep it from sticking. Then just lay the fiberglass over it on top. Layer until happy. A little sanding. Paint. Viola.

The seat brackets are literally rusting apart, pieces have rusted apart. Thats why I was thinking of just replacing them. I want to keep the seats, they just need some TLC or even just covers in the short term.

Next weekend is project time, hence all the posts and questions. I have new black rims at home, tires are in the mail even as we post. Got some other stuff from ebay coming too.
After next weekend I hope to have her in hunting condition, not street legal by a long shot, but reasonably reliable out in the country.
I'll have to post some picks, not sure I'll get to the seats next weekend. The driver side frame works, the passenger is iffy. And being that I love my wife, thats a problem.

Thats for all the help, I've been digging around and found some more good info as well. Thanks for updates on the stock, when I first got the jeep last year I thought it was weird that the driver side frame bolted to the body lip, but apparently thats normal.

 

Panzer, did you use these brackets on a steel tub from 4wd because it looks like these brackets might work on a steel tub?




Might want to try there. I think most people opt for the newer style brackets.
And throw out the older ones like these. I'm not sure how sure they would work
on fiberglass bodies. Did you check:

http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?pid=9100[/QUOTE]

 

Thanks for the pics.
Looks good.

After spending enough time on this forum I'm thinking its time to learn to weld (hobby level)

I have several relatives that live close to help me with this project (I have no illusions of picking up and stick and welding pipe together )
But it a handy skill to have around my old jeep and the farm.
Thanks

 

:iagree: Im glad someone said this, I have wondered this for some time.

 

Whoa, dug this one up Its cool.

Actually, I'm just about to get around to making some similar to, but better than, those strap ones. I'm planning on using heavy flat bar, bending it into a similar shape, but shorter, to give me more head room - 6'5". I'm going to run a triangle brace inside the bracket if it needs it, we'll see. And then weld a strap in between to make it all one unit.
So many projects - so little time.

Edit: Looked at my previous posts. Learned to weld at a decent level now, sure is handy.

 

The lower you put your seats, the closer to the dash you will be. I finally notched my wheelwells and it's much better than before. I still need to clean up the underside, but I glassed it all in last summer. You being tall I can't imagine how you fit in a CJ5. If I were you I think I would have found a CJ6. I sure would like the extra wheelbase and ability to move the seats back even further.

Good luck though,

High5