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Considering a bench seat

Hoover

Bronzed Member
Lifetime Member
City
Livingston
State
AL
Hey guys, although I still have a ways to go on my scrambler project, I've been mulling over the seats and thinking about the possibility of using a bench seat given that it will be a dedicated half cab when complete. It came with high back seats and three-point belts, which work great and are comfortable in my 84 CJ7 DD, and enjoy having the locking console between. Just curious to hearing the pros and cons of how the low back bench might be with respect to seat belt arrangement and ride quality. Although I drove with a bench seat in my first car- a 69 Ford Fairlane - and it did have, ahem, certain perks :), I wasn't that tuned into ride quality or how it might translate to a CJ.

I checked out some of the other threads and found some images, but would appreciate hearing your thoughts-

Thanks!
 

CJ7Pilot

18436572
BENEFACTOR
Gold Member
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City
Yuba City
State
CA
I kicked that around for a long time. I was going to use a seat out of an '80s S-10 pickup.

I finally decided that with the CJ's large transmission hump, and two shift levers sticking up, the middle of the bench would only be practical for a child seat.

I think that space is more useful for a storage console. :thumbsup:
 

Hoover

Bronzed Member
Lifetime Member
City
Livingston
State
AL
Thanks for the reply, Pilot! I certainly see your point, and agree about the additional storage space! In all honesty, I was thinking about having a little extra space upfront for my lab. She loves the rear bench seat on the CJ7, but precarious when perched on the high back up front. Riding around in the back of the scrambler is definitely ok, but she's a little spoiled (thanks to my wife-unit) and prefers the inside when it's cold or raining!


1599248042718.png
 
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Hoover

Bronzed Member
Lifetime Member
City
Livingston
State
AL
I'm also wondering how much would be involved in altering the seat belt attachment points for a 60/40 bench. Might just be easier (and more realistic) to create a small padded jump seat on the console to give her more real estate, and would eliminate re-configuring the belts. But, man, given all the bucket seats in the world today, having a bench seat would definitely elevate the "cool" factor by a couple points.
 

Belizeit

CJ-8 Member
Gold Member
City
River Ridge
State
La
In a CJ its all about comfort 1st ! Functional 2nd. Then looks with me. But a bench would be pretty cool also
 

CJ7Pilot

18436572
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Yuba City
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CA
... Might just be easier (and more realistic) to create a small padded jump seat on the console to give her more real estate, and would eliminate re-configuring the belts....

^^ This is what I would do. Definitely cool to have the dog riding up front! :cheers:
 

83CJ-8

Trying to catch up
Gold Member
Silver Member
City
Lewes
State
DE
I too have pondered the idea of a bench seat in my 8 after reading an article where someone fitted a bench seat from a Jeep Comanche
into a CJ7. I"ve also seen some of the Air Force tugs with a bench seat and others had a 60/40 bench seat.
 

jeepnjon

Member
City
Cumming
State
GA
Not in my 8 but in my 5. I installed a rear seat from a JKU in the front of my CJ5 allowing me to now haul 5 people. The integrated center 3 point seatbelt was what I was after. The "60" portion of the seat still folds forward to allow backseat access. I had fixed high back seats before so I don't miss the reclining feature.
 

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Randyzzz

Blown Budget
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Redmond
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OR
The center “jump seat” from a stock FSJ might be a perfect candidate for filling the area between the buckets-
 

Hoover

Bronzed Member
Lifetime Member
City
Livingston
State
AL
Not in my 8 but in my 5. I installed a rear seat from a JKU in the front of my CJ5 allowing me to now haul 5 people. The integrated center 3 point seatbelt was what I was after. The "60" portion of the seat still folds forward to allow backseat access. I had fixed high back seats before so I don't miss the reclining feature.

That's pretty snazzy! (y) Thanks for the images. If installed in the scrambler, wouldn't be able to recline with the halfcab sitting there anyway!
 

Hoover

Bronzed Member
Lifetime Member
City
Livingston
State
AL
The center “jump seat” from a stock FSJ might be a perfect candidate for filling the area between the buckets-
You mean something like this, but not nearly as broke down?? This one is out of a Willy's, based on the sellers description. A full on jump seat is an interesting thought...

1599778835339.png
 

designerRob

CJ-8 Member
Silver Member
City
Allen Park
State
MI
Not in my 8 but in my 5. I installed a rear seat from a JKU in the front of my CJ5 allowing me to now haul 5 people. The integrated center 3 point seatbelt was what I was after. The "60" portion of the seat still folds forward to allow backseat access. I had fixed high back seats before so I don't miss the reclining feature.
Nice job! That looks like it was made for the CJ. (y)
 

Belizeit

CJ-8 Member
Gold Member
City
River Ridge
State
La
Not in my 8 but in my 5. I installed a rear seat from a JKU in the front of my CJ5 allowing me to now haul 5 people. The integrated center 3 point seatbelt was what I was after. The "60" portion of the seat still folds forward to allow backseat access. I had fixed high back seats before so I don't miss the reclining feature.
What brackets were used ?
 

mssldn

Legacy Registered User
City
Gooding
State
ID
I like this idea, but curious- how wide is the FSJ jump seat? Would love to see some pics of your project along the way-

It is a perfect fit between the front seats. AMC used CJ bucket seats in FSJ's too. Not my picture. but you can see the setup:
036.JPG




I will have to make brackets as it sits lower in the FSJ. Not my picture either but you can see the bracket:
s-l1600.jpg






The jump seat I got needs reupholstered. I got it because a friend had offered me an industrial sewing machine. It will be awhile before I have it installed.
 

Hoover

Bronzed Member
Lifetime Member
City
Livingston
State
AL
It is a perfect fit between the front seats. AMC used CJ bucket seats in FSJ's too. Not my picture. but you can see the setup:





I will have to make brackets as it sits lower in the FSJ. Not my picture either but you can see the bracket:
s-l1600.jpg






The jump seat I got needs reupholstered. I got it because a friend had offered me an industrial sewing machine. It will be awhile before I have it installed.

I really like this arrangement. Could you tell me what specific years this jump seat was produced and how to conduct an appropriate search for such a seat? My searches are coming up with all manner of gradoo- nothing helpful. Thanks!
 
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