Rear Seat
Factory rear bench seat in Jeep JK is extremely uncomfortable while traveling long distances. Instead, I decided to install the JK's front bucket seat. It is quite of the challenge to make it fit in the rear section. Fortunately I found enough space to allow it to slide forward and back. A new seat is also able to recline back.
Parts used:
- JK's factory front bucket seat
- Steel U-Channels
- Spray primer
- Spray paint, flat black
Weight reduced by: 40 lb / 18 kg
After removing the rear bench, I had to plan how to mount the front bucket seat. Initially, I used two by fours to put a seat on. I sat in it and made sure that it can recline back. In this way, I got a confidence about the height at which it has to be mounted.
The next step was to design the front support. For this purpose, I used steel U-channel brackets. I cut them and welded together, to fit into the existing holes in the floor. A new painted support bracket was secured with factory bolts.
In the front seat is attached to a new bracket. To stiffen the back of the seat, I used a factory screw on the right. On the left side, however, it was necessary to drill a hole in the floor of the trunk and use a new bolt. Factory floor mat fits almost perfectly. I had to cut it in two places only.
My goal was to mount only one seat, although there is a room for two. We have no need for two seats because we travel only in three people. An additional panel mounted next to the new bucket seat added a large flat cargo area much needed in the off-road expeditions.
