[emcvay]

OK, I bit the bullet. my Mastercraft Baja RS recliner broke on me a while back (I'm a big guy) and after repairs has never been the same. So, despite the poor reviews on Amazon I decided to spend the $270 and get a Rugged Ridge replacement seat.

Supposed to bolt in (more or less) and be a little wider and easier on the rearend then the Mastercraft so I figured I'd give it a whirl.

The XJ hasn't been driven as much in the last year and sits at 251k so I decided it's time to replace the broken rad (fitting for tranny), heat shroud (got two extras), seat and stereo....should set me up for another 50K plus I hope!

[AeroSync]

Updates on when you get the seats please. I am 6'1 and I hate the stock leather XJ seat in the Limited. I was looking into these or WJ ones.

[emcvay]

Will do. I'm just shy of 6' and 270lbs and I break seats.....so it will be a test for sure!

[emcvay]

I bought a Rugged Ridge XHD Reclining Seat, Gray because of pricing and that it would fit without extra parts in my '98 XJ. Right off I was disappointed. Here are a list of problems:

1. Hardware (nuts and bolts) must have been made in China to poor standards. A 13mm nut might well be a 13.5mm nut so expect to use a 14mm driver for a 13mm nut!!! Some hardware required chasing the threads and straightening. VERY POOR QUALITY.

2. Instructions were useless -- toss them out it will save you the headache.

3. Fitting the XJ seat riser to the seat took 1 1/2 hrs of fiddle farting around (and scrambling to find better bolts to use etc).

4. The recliner 'knobs' suck (broke one partially trying to get the seat sit up and had to use pliers to finish the job) and stick out too far causing it to be nearly impossible to adjust the seat back in the vehicle....ya, that's right, they SUCK.

5. The seat itself seems shorter then stock and feels like there isn't enough seat for your rear and thighs....might be ok in the long run but odd first off....seems the seat was made for little people with wide butts.

On the good side, the seat feels good once installed and adjusted (see above) and I think I'll like it more or less....time will tell but I will NEVER buy another one!!!! Yes they are only $250 plus shipping but I think it would be worth spending another $100 to get a Corbeau or similar seat....the Rugged Ridge just doesn't impress me but I've got it now so I guess I'm stuck with it.

Oh yay.

[emcvay]

Maybe I can sell my Mastercraft Baja RS Recliner for $100 and recoup some of the cost of this crappy seat! lol Anyone one a used and repaired Mastercraft Baja RS cheap? But if you weight over 200lbs don't bother! The seat is too narrow.

[AeroSync]

Damn that sucks to hear! Hopefully you get your money's worth, as long as it lasts long enough.

[emcvay]

I could have bought a more expensive seat but there were features on this one that I was interested in frankly, like not having to spend an additional $120 on a seat bracket (Corbeau seems to think you won't mind, but I did). The fact that it's similar to factory seats in style and shape etc, and that it was supposed to be a stronger frame.

Time will tell on the frame (I'm extremely hard on them) but I do think that the seat itself is ok so far. To clarify that, let me just say that while the reclining mechanism sucks and the frame adapters are total crap the fit and finish of the seat itself is actually pretty good and for the money I might even be willing to put up with the other issues.

I'll get some pictures this weekend and post here for those interested but at this time I will not recommend buying the seat.

Cheers
Erik

[emcvay]

Here's the seat pulled forward for a better look.


Hard to see but the adjuster is clearly in a tough spot to use.


Ya, it's THAT tight in there!


It does match the interior pretty well for an aftermarket seat and it isn't uncomfortable and doesn't hurt to sit in, but it's no Mastercraft that's for sure!

In truth, is the Mastercraft Baja RS was 3" wider I'd keep it and be happy with it but I'm a big guy and it got to hurting (sitting on the steel side bolsters doesn't help the comfort level much).

So there you have it -- mounting sucks, reclining knobs almost useless but otherwise the seats 'ok' I guess.

I'll let you know what I think after putting 500+ miles in it on my next trip to and from the cabin.
Erik

[emcvay]

Conclusion on these seats is that they are 'ok'. Not too uncomfortable but hard to adjust.

If I buy another seat it won't be one of these.

[Azzy]

Instead of those you could just grab any random seat from the junkyard. I got mine from a Nissan. Conversion cost me a whole $30 after you figure in wire and electricity.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...seats-1338006/

[emcvay]

I break random seats....I break all seats actually, but I also wanted something that matched the vehicle and was a straight bolt in job -- oops.

The seat is 'ok' and I guess for the money it is what it is. It IS too short in the seating area though. Made for short people I guess.

Anyway, I'll keep it until I break it or get pissed at it and then I'll replace it with a Corbeau wide sport seat.

[emcvay]

Though I now have a Mastercraft Baja RS I'll sell to someone for $100 plus shipping. It's used, has been welded once but is otherwise in excellent shape (as it should be for a $550 seat!).

[emcvay]

Sold the Baja RS for $100 today

As for the Rugged Ridge, the jury is still out. I don't love the seat but I don't hate it. It's too short for me (in the seating area) but then I'm a big guy too so perhaps that's more of the problem. The back support is decent but I hate the reclining controls. Otherwise, it's ok.

[emcvay]

Last trip of 500 miles in the XJ and I survived (barely).

The seat is OK but I'll still replace it. My hip hurt after the first 200 miles which was 150 longer then with the too narrow Mastercraft....so for what it's worth, wide bodies ought to ignore this seat.