Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Modified FSJ Tech Area
Post Reply

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by Santeh »

Hello all,

The front seats in my 1978 Jeep Cherokee are in need of either being replaced or covered/reupholstered. I am, though, focusing on the front as I will most likely remove the back seat so as to maximize the storage room. If it matters, I plan to Rhinoline and then add black carpet in the front.

If I elect to replace the front seats I was curious what more modern (around years 1990-2000) truck or Jeep seats work for a ‘78 FSJ Cherokee? Additionally what alternative seat belts might work? One reason I might go this route is that I am short (5’5”) thus the stock bucket seats force me to lean back a bit too much.

Alternatively, if I do reupholster the front seats I would like to find something that matches the Native American motif I have on the paneling (please see http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 74#p157374). Does anyone know of a company that has something that might match?

Thank you, everyone!
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by Santeh »

My apologies as I came across this thread after I posted:

http://www.fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtop ... 11&t=13266

I am liking the look of the Corbeau Baja RS for my 1978 Jeep Cherokee yet any suggestions, especially on the reupholstering, is greatly appreciated!
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.
User avatar

j10jim
Posts: 291
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:05 am
Location: Simi Valley, CA

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by j10jim »

late 90's dodge dakota cab and a half seats bolt in. They also tilt forward. The durango seats fit but don't tilt forward, so for a waggie they would be fine but for a cherokee or a Jtruck you want tilt. I have a set in my truck. Took about 10 mins per side to unbolt the old seats, remove the sliders, bolt them to the dakota seats and drop them in.
1980 J10/20
Rusty's 4" lift, 2" body lift, old Cliffhanger front bumper, 35" tires, 65 dash w Speedhut gauges.
Xtrusion Overland rack system, Tepui tent, 1/2 decked system.

LONG time member of ifsja.org, FSJ-List and some others...

81waggy
Posts: 111
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:30 am

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by 81waggy »

I thought about doing the corbeau seats in mine until I found this shop. Not sure if he's just cheap or what, but I talked to a guy in Raleigh a few weeks ago about doing a custom interior for my Wagoneer. New custom everything, carpet, door panels, seats, headliner, was going to be about $3000. Vinyl, not leather, but completely replacing everything.
81 Wagoneer with a TBI 350 Vortec.
83 Wagoneer - 360 Quadratrac
69 Wagoneer - 350 Diesel trail rig
70 Wagoneer - 1414x

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by Santeh »

j10jim wrote:late 90's dodge dakota cab and a half seats bolt in. They also tilt forward. The durango seats fit but don't tilt forward, so for a waggie they would be fine but for a cherokee or a Jtruck you want tilt. I have a set in my truck. Took about 10 mins per side to unbolt the old seats, remove the sliders, bolt them to the dakota seats and drop them in.
Nice. I will look into them. Thanks!
81waggy wrote:I thought about doing the corbeau seats in mine until I found this shop. Not sure if he's just cheap or what, but I talked to a guy in Raleigh a few weeks ago about doing a custom interior for my Wagoneer. New custom everything, carpet, door panels, seats, headliner, was going to be about $3000. Vinyl, not leather, but completely replacing everything.
Thanks for the information! I will keep it in mind. Right now, what is really pushing the Corbeau seats is that with my being short I find that the original bucket seats force me to lean back too far which is rather uncomfortable and makes using the side mirrors almost impossible. I think I might prefer better lumbar seating where I have a chance to see a car on my side before I hit it.

I do, though, still have to recarpet and headline my Cherokee thus I might look into that.
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

81waggy
Posts: 111
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2016 7:30 am

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by 81waggy »

If it helps I'm 5'7". The power seats get me plenty close. I think a previous owner was a few hundred pounds more than me though because the seats do have a pretty good bend to them. He said he could straighten them out for me as well.
81 Wagoneer with a TBI 350 Vortec.
83 Wagoneer - 360 Quadratrac
69 Wagoneer - 350 Diesel trail rig
70 Wagoneer - 1414x

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by Santeh »

81waggy wrote:If it helps I'm 5'7". The power seats get me plenty close. I think a previous owner was a few hundred pounds more than me though because the seats do have a pretty good bend to them. He said he could straighten them out for me as well.
Aye, yet at 5'5" I might give the seats a run for their money to get me close enough to see properly! ;)
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.

1979bettywhite
Posts: 547
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:14 am

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by 1979bettywhite »

The corbeaus will get you up higher than the stock low backs. I am about 6' roughly and I have an a couple inches of headroom with the new seats. But a perfect driving position, IMO. Much better than the stock seats.

Topic author
Santeh
Posts: 182
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2017 9:11 pm

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by Santeh »

1979bettywhite wrote:The corbeaus will get you up higher than the stock low backs. I am about 6' roughly and I have an a couple inches of headroom with the new seats. But a perfect driving position, IMO. Much better than the stock seats.
Thanks! That is very good to know and quite encouraging on the Corbeau seats! I have been thinking of the Baja RS over the Moabs as I thought that the Baja RS looked a bit more comfortable (please see https://corbeau.com/susp-reclining/baja-rs.html versus https://corbeau.com/sport-reclining/moab.html), yet I am a little concerned that the Baja might not give as good back support as the Moabs. It would be lovely if I could physically see and try them first, but such is life.

Thanks again!
1978 Jeep Cherokee S; 5.9L/360 V8 automatic/FiTech fuel injection and Davis Unified Distributor systems.
User avatar

Jonny Mac
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 12:27 pm

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by Jonny Mac »

j10jim wrote:late 90's dodge dakota cab and a half seats bolt in. They also tilt forward. The durango seats fit but don't tilt forward, so for a waggie they would be fine but for a cherokee or a Jtruck you want tilt. I have a set in my truck. Took about 10 mins per side to unbolt the old seats, remove the sliders, bolt them to the dakota seats and drop them in.
The 90's durango is what you're talking about right? I am redoing the interior of mine in the spring and can start getting the maroon out!
- Mac

89 Grand Wagoneer

Deployed to support the Jeep :mrgreen:

1979bettywhite
Posts: 547
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:14 am

Re: Proper FSJ Seat or Cover Replacement

Post by 1979bettywhite »

Yes, Durango, or Dakota. Dakota ones will tilt forward, Durango will not.

I know that I looked at quite a few pick and pull places for seats when I was redoing my interior. I looked at many Dakotas, Durangos, Ford SportTracs, Explorer Sports, Escorts etc. What I found is that most of those interiors were pretty worn out/gross. They would have taken recovering as well as possibly re-foaming etc. to make them decent. By the time you did all that work, you were at the cost of a brand new seat probably. Plus in my situation I needed tan/beige and almost everything I came across were the dark grey interiors. You may have better luck than I did, but I finally gave up and went new. Glad I did now.

Just my 2c.
Post Reply