Replacement Jeep XJ Seats that dont break the bank...

[VanIsle_Greg]

Hello All,
I am looking for a set of front seats for a 2000 Jeep Cherokee XJ. My drivers seat is ripped in the standard spot, at the side where you slide in and out and is developing a tear in the seat bottom. The passenger seat has a splitting seam and they are overall worn.

What I am looking for is recommendations on replacement seats that either bolt right in or require minimal work to get in. I have been searching for a set of (preferably leather) ZJ or XJ seats front and rear, but am not having any luck. I live on Vancouver Island and auto wreckers are basically non existent. I have called all of them, no Cherokee's to be found (ZJ or XJ). Tried the lower mainland, same results.

Any thoughts on aftermarket seats? This is my DD as well as weekend warrior and family hauler. 99% of its life is hauling my kids to school and me to work with the odd trip to the mountain bike trails. Any thoughts would be great...and $$ is an issue. If too much for replacements I will consider recovering and fixing my existing seats.

Thanks!
Greg

 

[wonderfulremark]

Hi Greg,

Did you try http://monkeycage.island4x4.com/ ??

There are a few jeep guys there.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Hey Man,
Yeah thanks for the link. I have been on that site a number of times, sold some stuff and bought some stuff from the classifieds. I have had zero luck with seats there or anywhere however? I have tried Used Vic, Craigslist (Vic and Van) and various other Jeep related forums.

I will hit Island 4x4 again, you never know right?

Anyone have any experience with the Rugged Ridge replacement seats? I was checking out Baseline 4x4 yesterday, $300 ish a seat for their top line and $250 ish each for their middle of the road seats. Direct replacement and free shipping to US address.

Might work and probably cheaper than a re-cover.

 

[Bdiddy11]

You could also look into swapping seats from another vehicle... Grand Cherokees are popular and have heard of some people using seats from various cars... If you can fab, find a seat you find comfortable and find a way to make it work =)

Nice thing about GC seats is you can get a 60/40 fold down seat in the rear.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Yes, I like the 60/40 spilt option, and I really like the GC leather too. If I find some, great...if not, might just do what you sugested. I was looking at a set of Neon seats in a while back. They were comfortable, the right size and the fabric was a good match for my interior.

Now to find a later model Neon with good charcoal gray/black seats? lol

 

[G jeep]

Try patriot seats. I believe charcoal/black is available. They are Jeep and the patriot and cherokee are virtually the same size. Some fab necessary.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Nice idea... and ironically I just got an e-mail 20 minutes ago about a set of leather Jeep Seats locally for sale. Going to go check them out tonight or tomorrow AM.

Stoked!!

 

[4xdog]

You've probably considered and rejected having them reupholstered, yes? I've had the leather on several vehicles replaced over the years, including the much-loved seats on my 1988 XJ Limited. I had a bulletproof vinyl replace the worn original on my Dad's old 1981 Toyota PU bench, and it lasted for another 15 years -- and is probably still hard at work somewhere.

There will be leather kits for your XJ -- I forget the name of one of the main companies that does this -- but they're pretty reasonable, all things considered. Probably easier than fabbing in new seats if you're happy with the basic design already there.

Don

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Thanks Don,
I have looked at a bunch of alternatives, and have not ruled out reupholstering them. I liked the ZJ option as they are a direct swap...4 bolts each side and a little hammering in the rear. I looked at cover replacement, and it was pretty expensive...like $600-800 for the fronts only? These were new leather skins not seat covers.

I am going to get a price on replacing the foam on the drivers and recovering them in cloth front and rear if I cant get a set of drop in replacements. If the seats were in better shape, I would simply get covers and be done with it!

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will be sure to post before and after pics of whatever I do?

 

[Bdiddy11]

There are write ups on doing your own foam replacement too ...the back seat from the GC isn't as much of a direct swap but there are write ups. Nice thing about the 60/40 is that you can still have a third passenger and fold the seat down for more storage

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Thanks for the reply... heading out to pick up the GC seats now. I have thought about re-doing my current seats, and literally was going to go that route next week. These just came along.

I read a bunch of build threads and step by step install threads on the WJ into XJ seat mod, doesn't sound that bad. A little trim, some gentle mods here and there... looking forward to the 60/40 split I must say. Oh and the headrests for the rear seats too.

The internet: Making it possible to mod nearly ANYTHING into ANYTHING!!

 

[ryan.e.mercier]

I have some grey cloth WJ seats in my 97 XJ, the WJ seats mount right to the factory XJ seat rails. I was able to maintain my driver power options and the passenger side is just manual

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Picked them up, as advertised in near perfect condition. Installed the fronts in about an hour... the rail swap is easy, 8 bolts.

Was going to start the rear seat install, but it is getting late and starting to rain a little. That is enough for today.

Nice and cushy compared to the stock worn out XJ seats.

 

[Logans91XJ]

Junkyard is going to be your best bet and cheapest alternative. I know a few people on the NAXJA site that have done Grand Cherokee Swaps.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Realized that I didn't get the middle bracket from the rear seats! E-mailed the guy I bought them off...he remembered that he didn't get it either when he got the leather set for his Jeep GC.

He went to his local Junk Yard and picked one up for me and is bringing it to me early next week (50-60 KM away). VERY nice guy...cant wait to get them installed int eh rear too.