computeruser
Explorer
My 2002 TJ's driver seat is getting a bit mushy after 75k miles, and while it is still plenty comfy, I wanted a bit more forward visibility. Plus, when I am wearing my logging boots with the heel, the seat felt way too low. I thought about pricing out a new front seat from the dealer, but didn't even want to know what that would cost. But I still felt like I was sinking too low, and it was starting to really irritate me. Thankfully the aftermarket has a solution for these problems: seat risers!
I received and installed my Buchanan Machine seat lift today, and could not be more pleased with the kit. The install was common-sense: 4 bolts hold each seat frame to the floor, only 1 old bolt was torx and none of the new ones are. The included bolts and washers are grade 8. I lifted the driver's seat only, as the passenger has hardly ever been used by anyone other than my dog, and on the odd occasion that I do have a passenger, well, they've never complained about the seat being too low.
Since I'm 6' but my seat foam is getting a bit tired, I spoke to Mr. Buchanan about which size would be most appropriate. He said it was a toss-up, and the 1" or 1.5" lifts could work equally well for me, depending on what I was trying to accomplish - lower for daily comfort, higher for off-road visibility. I opted for the 1.5" version, and would probably have been just fine with the 1".
So far, driving around town a bit, the improved visibility is much appreciated. From a seated position I can comfortably see the corner of the left front fender, where I definitely could not before, and the angle of view across the hood is much better. Rear and side vision is unchanged. Best of all, my legs are in a much more comfortable position while wearing shoes, and I suspect that the improvement with boots on will be even more pronounced. Ingress and egress is unchanged, save for the seat being 1.5" higher.
I'm heading to TN next week and taking the TJ (and the trailer...that trip is gonna cost me some gas money!), so I'll have a good chance to test the long-haul comfort of the seat lift at that time. The TJ lacks cruise control, and the last time I made this trip my ankle hurt like a SOB and I never was able to get my feet and legs comfortable; I suspect the new leg angles will be a pleasant improvement. Probably not much chance for off-road driving to test the seat lift's benefits in that context until mid-May, sadly. Remarks will follow for both long on-road and off-road usage.
Note that 2003-2006 TJ/LJs have seats that are 1.5" lower than the 2002 and earlier models, owing to federal government airbag target requirements. I'd consider this lift mandatory for the newer TJ/LJs, and helpful on the older ones.
A good write-up of the install, with pics, can be found here: Another Site's Excellent Write-Up With Pictures
I received and installed my Buchanan Machine seat lift today, and could not be more pleased with the kit. The install was common-sense: 4 bolts hold each seat frame to the floor, only 1 old bolt was torx and none of the new ones are. The included bolts and washers are grade 8. I lifted the driver's seat only, as the passenger has hardly ever been used by anyone other than my dog, and on the odd occasion that I do have a passenger, well, they've never complained about the seat being too low.
Since I'm 6' but my seat foam is getting a bit tired, I spoke to Mr. Buchanan about which size would be most appropriate. He said it was a toss-up, and the 1" or 1.5" lifts could work equally well for me, depending on what I was trying to accomplish - lower for daily comfort, higher for off-road visibility. I opted for the 1.5" version, and would probably have been just fine with the 1".
So far, driving around town a bit, the improved visibility is much appreciated. From a seated position I can comfortably see the corner of the left front fender, where I definitely could not before, and the angle of view across the hood is much better. Rear and side vision is unchanged. Best of all, my legs are in a much more comfortable position while wearing shoes, and I suspect that the improvement with boots on will be even more pronounced. Ingress and egress is unchanged, save for the seat being 1.5" higher.
I'm heading to TN next week and taking the TJ (and the trailer...that trip is gonna cost me some gas money!), so I'll have a good chance to test the long-haul comfort of the seat lift at that time. The TJ lacks cruise control, and the last time I made this trip my ankle hurt like a SOB and I never was able to get my feet and legs comfortable; I suspect the new leg angles will be a pleasant improvement. Probably not much chance for off-road driving to test the seat lift's benefits in that context until mid-May, sadly. Remarks will follow for both long on-road and off-road usage.
Note that 2003-2006 TJ/LJs have seats that are 1.5" lower than the 2002 and earlier models, owing to federal government airbag target requirements. I'd consider this lift mandatory for the newer TJ/LJs, and helpful on the older ones.
A good write-up of the install, with pics, can be found here: Another Site's Excellent Write-Up With Pictures