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'74 Cj5 Front Seats

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Brian Beck, Apr 23, 2019.

  1. Apr 23, 2019
    Brian Beck

    Brian Beck New Member

    Colorado Springs
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2019
    Messages:
    10
    Afternoon everyone. Bought a '74 CJ5 without the seats. Been reading through the forums and I've found what the front seat brackets look like and believe I've found a set on eBay. What I'm wanting to know is there's an alternate to the factory seat brackets? I found an aftermarket seat bracket Jeep CJ5 73-75 Seat Bracket - Corbeau Racing Seats that states it fits 73 to 75 CJ5's and I'm assuming with that one, I'd need to take out the tool box under the passenger seat to get it to work.

    If anyone's had an luck with anything, I'd appreciate you're comments.
     
  2. Apr 23, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
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    Sep 24, 2018
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    398
    I think most anything you get you will have to do some modifications. I’m running into the same type of problem.
     
  3. Apr 23, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    First post! Welcome from Boston!

    I presume you are missing the tubing brackets that support the seats. Brackets of that type were used from the mid 60s (?) through 1975, but not all years will fit all models. The passenger seat is a unique "fold and tumble" design that allows access to the tool box and eases passenger entry to the rear seat, if present. The drivers seating position changed for the 1972 model, so only driver's side brackets from 1972-75 will work with those years. Ideally you want brackets from 1972-75 for both sides, but I believe the earlier passenger side brackets will work, though they are ot exactly the same.

    I think the best solution, if you can, is to look around and find a set of original seats and brackets in any condition. They are not plentiful. You can take the seats to an upholstery shop and have them rebuilt, depending on their condition. The original bucket seats are quite comfortable and supportive, with low backs. There was also an optional 2/3-1/3 split bench seat which I feel is a lot less comfortable than the buckets, but which can be quite functional, and will fold and tumble like the passenger bucket.

    Just about anything else requires some compromise. You can remove the tool box and use seats from a '76 up. These mount on the floor and would be more functional than the above Corbeau bracket, since the passenger seat has a pantograph bracket so the seat can move forward and into the foot well,for rear seat access.

    Fabrication is an option, but again there are no aftermarket seats that I know of that will fold and tumble to access the toolbox.
     
    Lockman likes this.
  4. Apr 23, 2019
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    I have non-folding original passenger seat. The low back allows it to tilt forward sufficient to access the rusty tools amd wet rags stored in the toolbox.
     
  5. Apr 24, 2019
    Lane Meyer

    Lane Meyer Member

    Maryland
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    Apr 23, 2019
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    65
    Thanks - you just helped me make sense of something that I hadn't yet dug into. I too just bought a '74. It came with seats (Bestop high back), but they were not mounted in the Jeep. When I set the driver side seat/bracket in place, it appears to be around 3" too far to the center. I'm guessing that I have older brackets. I think that the driver side will be easy to modify to make it work. I haven't set the passenger side seat in place yet. I'll do some searching and will be watching to see what you come up with.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2019
  6. Apr 24, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Yep. The Saginaw steering used for these Jeeps allows the driver's seating position to move further outboard.
     
    Lane Meyer likes this.
  7. Apr 24, 2019
    Brian Beck

    Brian Beck New Member

    Colorado Springs
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2019
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    10
    Thanks for the help guys. I'll see if I can snag these seat brackets off eBay and start looking for some buckets. Need to find the back seat brackets too if anyone's got a source for them, I'm open to suggestions.
     
  8. May 1, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2003
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    1,201
    I replaced my OEM seats on my 75. I ended up modifying my seat mounts and doing a wheel house notch..
     
  9. May 3, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    In case you are still looking...not mine
    1976-1986 Jeep CJ7 Seats and Console

    These would have use a different mounting bracket than your 74...but could probably be made to work fairly easily.
     
  10. May 3, 2019
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    Nov 20, 2002
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    That bracket is clearly NOT for pre 75 Jeeps. There is no provision in its design for the toolbox, and if you notice the very small bracket in the center and how short is, it's easy to see that that bracket bolts to the hump in the floorboard of the 76-83 CJ5's or 76-86 CJ7's.
    Clearly a misprint on their part...

    FWIW,
    Mike
     
  11. May 4, 2019
    Tree cutter 08

    Tree cutter 08 Member

    Cleveland ga
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    Feb 14, 2019
    Messages:
    111
    I had to build the mounts for mine. I looked and looked and never could find that he factoty brackets but if not in a hurry I'm sure you could find some. I'll try to take a few pics of mine. It was easy and used scrap metal i had At the shop.
     
  12. May 4, 2019
    62CheepJeep

    62CheepJeep Member

    Spartanburg SC
    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2018
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    313

    Wow I wish I could find something like that in this area. Those would look great in my 62 CJ5
     
  13. May 4, 2019
    Tree cutter 08

    Tree cutter 08 Member

    Cleveland ga
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    Feb 14, 2019
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    111
    Heres what I came up with
     

    Attached Files:

    melvinm, Lockman and FinoCJ like this.
  14. May 4, 2019
    62CheepJeep

    62CheepJeep Member

    Spartanburg SC
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    Sep 10, 2018
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    Looks great. Do they latch in the back somewhere?
     
  15. May 4, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Dec 4, 2018
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    Rosie's Tool Box Seat.JPG Rosie's OEM GN Seat.JPG Brian Beck & Lane Meyer : Welcome ! If I could throw in here with what we did to mine 'Cuz of the GN high back buckets . Rosie is a '75 CJ5 with a 700R4 automatic. We realized later , when we decided to use them, that if we wanted to tilt them forward , they would hit the dash with no clearance ! :oops: ( Custom goes this way. Oh yeah..... & these don't latch down, only by the seat belt)
    Richie---------Lockman
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2019
  16. May 4, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
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    Lockman great idee.. I too have a 75. I'd like to do that but I have a consol between my seats..
     
  17. May 5, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Yeah..... That's another bummer! :(
     
  18. May 9, 2019
    Brian Beck

    Brian Beck New Member

    Colorado Springs
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2019
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    10
    Bracket problem solved, found some on Ebay. What seats are those? Still haven't found decent seats yet. Differentials are getting re-built right now, so no rush.
     
  19. May 9, 2019
    Tree cutter 08

    Tree cutter 08 Member

    Cleveland ga
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    Feb 14, 2019
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    111
    Mine are Smitty built lowback seats. No complaints at 99$ each and 200 for the back. Seems to be decent qyality and they look and feel good. Some reviews are bad because the don't bolt it. I knew that going into it so I just made my brackets with no problem. Would buy again
     
  20. May 9, 2019
    Brian Beck

    Brian Beck New Member

    Colorado Springs
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    Apr 23, 2019
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    Was thinking about the Smitty Built ones. I saw they don't bolt right up. I own a drill, holes aren't a problem.
     
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