Seat Frame Modifications

Looking to modify my passenger seat frame so that it is more solidly connected at the pivot mounts. The seat mount is the standard like this:



Wondering what the best way to do it? First, I assume I should weld the opening in the lover pivot mount closed. Then I can use a nut and bolt through it to mount it...but that would also require cutting the round tab extension off the upper frame and then drilling a hole through it as well. That way I could bolt the two mounts together - and using something like a nylock nut and washer would allow me to get it tight enough to remove slop but still allow the forward pivot. But I am sure someone else here has a better solution...thanks!

 

My wife doesn't like how much it moves around when bumping along 4wd. I thought she was just being wimpy, but then I road in it this summer with her driving and its very annoying. The open 'holes' on the bottom mount have been wallowed out a lot, and the insert portion on the upper frame has been worn down...everything slides in and out too easily and the seat will bounce out of the lower mount even with a person in the seat and the seat belt on. The also slide side to side quite a bit. They are intermediate frames and seats in an early - I had to make a home-made rear hoop for the rear latch to hook into, and I probably could have done a better job. You can see it in the above picture - maybe it needs to be moved or bent forward a 1/2" and then it would keep the seat 'pushed' or held forward into the front mounts better. I don't care if its a bit harder to remove the seats - two bolts is still easy and they come out too easy now anyway - but I do want to maintain the tilt forward mechanism in some way.

 

IIWM I'd fix it to factory stock.

 

Doug - did you cut the little 'tabs' off on the upper part of the frame? Thanks for the pic - that is pretty much what I am thinking.

One issue with just moving the latch - I am expecting to replace my seats with the Smittybilt lowback and they don't have the latch like these intermediate seats do as part of the fold and tumble. I may have to try and retro-fit the original style latch that bolts on the rear frame and looks like an old windshield latch. The early frames had a flat place on the rear frame tube to mount the latch - mine don't so its another that may be needed.

Here is a pic of how mine is set-up now in the rear - you can see the appropriate place for the latch in the center. This thread shows some good pics...
Pics of passenger seat hold-down bracket installed?

 

Well - I went ahead and did some mods to the seat frame - my jeep is not a restoration...
I filled in the slots and holes on the front foot mount, re-drilled for a 5/16 bolt. Then cut-off the extended tabs on the upper seat mount and drilled those out for 5/16 bolt so I can bolt the two pieces together using washers and a nylock nut that will hopefully allow me to get it tight enough to remove slop but not bind the pivot aspect. I have decided to stay with the OEM intermediate seats that have the fold and tumble aspect and pay for the upholstery work. Frame has been repainted and is drying...It will be a month before the seats even go to the shop...so put these back in with the old seats and drive it for a bit.

 

Wife was the deciding point on redoing the seats...she really felt like the OEM seats were way more comfortable to sit in than the Smittybilt replacements. The lumbar support and side bolstering (even old and worn) was significantly better and more ergonomic than the flat replacement. I actually liked the replacements for the most part, but when combing my wife's feedback, the ability to keep the fold and tumble aspect, and no need to fabricate/adapt the passenger seat to the bracket, I went and visited some upholstery shops. I called 5 places - 2 were significantly more money than the other three - and although it appeared from their website they did quality work - I think they work in the custom hot rod world more than just factory replacement (I didn't want any special luxury leather, color combinations, or stitched wording or embrodiery etc). The other 3 shops were all about the same quote...from visiting the shops and talking with the owner, one stood out...so I am set-up with Klints...he was about 10% more than the cheapest shops and has the longest wait time, but indicated a lot of attention to shaping and contouring the side bolster etc, as well as taking care of a few issues with the old frames included. He can also add in some seat heaters for minimal extra - that is TBD. With the second in cab heater, the jeep stays quite warm with the top on, but thinking the seat heaters would be nice for when the top is off.

 

Mounted back in jeep...added some new rubber endcaps with fender washer on the inside to protect the rubber from being cut through by the open end of the frame tube. Seat is rock solid now and pivot works easily...the wife also fully approves as she rides in it mostly. Now to clean and repaint the driver bracket and get the seats to the upholstery shop in a few weeks.