If you'd like a little upgrade to your seats that won't cost much, swap in a set of Chevy Cavalier seats. I got mine out of an '03 Cavalier coupe and it only required me to use a piece of plate steel to adapt it to the YJ bases. Seats were like $50/pair, steel was $40 (I didn't use all of it), and some quick measuring and drilling. Since it was out of a coupe, not only does my YJ base flip forward but the back of the seats also lean forward.

 

This will answer some questions and also give you some ideas. It's from the sticky: YJ Modifications Super Thread.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/replacement-seats-post-up-what-year-model-you-used-490426/

 

You need early model bases, somewhere around '91 or '92 the driver flip forward design was nixed.

 

I have scoured the local kine yards for the cavalier seats mentioned so many times in the seat thread- I am thinking I may have to just tear them down, recover them and repair anything broken. heavy sigh. BTW- mine is a 94 YJ and the seat folds forward, really , really need this option as I have kids and stuff.

 

Oooh, I didn't notice you were out in Hawaii! I'm sure it's not easy to get a hold of parts there. I almost feel like hitting up the junk yard here and pulling a set of seats for you but I'm sure that shipping would be horrendous! I haven't seen a YJ in their yard for the last year and a half but they have a crap ton of other vehicles.

 

None of the replacement seats fold the back forward like the stock ones do. That started in 91 with the reclining seats that had to be moved inboard which precluded the earlier lift and tip style drivers side mount. If you get an early YJ tipping style mount, you can use the cheap fixed back seats. Its better and gives a larger opening space, also.

 

The funnest thing about getting in a jeep, as a kid, was getting to climb in over the tire and through the "cage".

 

TRUTH!! My kids are always doing the same thing. It's getting funnier as they got bigger and still try and squeeze through the gaps between the soft top frame and the Kiddie Krusher rear bar! Now I make them climb through the back if the tops still up. 0

 

Oh. And on topic. I had GREAT results using early 90s Camaro seats. Liked them better than the Cavalier. Best old photo i could find. I upgraded (unfortunately) to Corbeau Moab seats.

 

I shopped around for a place that would recover my YJ stock seats. No luck. Every place was like - just go buy new seats online.

My 95 has the driver side seat back that flip/lean forward. It was a nice touch to get stuff out of the back seat.

I bought the fixed back Bestop seats to replace mine. They're pretty good. I do miss the stock seats though. I'm always looking for a new set.

I see DIY seat skin kits for other vehicles. I wish there was one for the YJ.

The jump forward drivers seat in the older YJs was badass... Can you put that into the later YJs?

 

I shopped around for a place that would recover my YJ stock seats. No luck. Every place was like - just go buy new seats online.

Getting seats reupholstered is very expensive. Usually it is something reserved for those who are determined to reuse OEM seats, like in a classic rebuild. The YJ seats generally are not worth the process where there are superior aftermarket options.

Piece of advice. I learned the hard way. Dont go neo, high wear factor. Dont go vinyl, you will sweat every drop of water your body has - doesnt breath. I would go genuine leather again maybe, but if I really wanted to do it right I would go cloth, treat with water resistant spray, and use a high quality (custom fit) seat cover made from cordura, which is waterproof and breathes very well. https://www.coverking.com/seat-covers/custom-seat-covers/heavy-duty-ballistic.html

 

If your tall you also have to look at the height of the seat bottom in a lot of aftermarket seats. My YJ came with aftermarket seats and now that I'm getting ready to put it on the road I realized that I almost look over the top of the windshield frame. I'm either going to have to find lower seat bottoms or modify the brackets. I do have the flip forward bottoms along with reclining seats on both the driver and passenger side currently.

 

Man- almost got a set of cavalier seats- just missed them.

 

Look, if you want to keep your stock YJ seats, and are handy with tools, have Hog ring pliers (if you have to ask don't go this route) then call SEATZ in Anaheim and get a set of covers, go to the fabric shop and get some foam, and put your brand new seats together.

Here's a link: http://www.seatzmfg.com/seatz/index.htm

They sell them for less than list on Amazon: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-1991-1996-YJ-WRANGLER-FIXED-BUCKET-SEATS-UPH-KIT-NEW-/181550078669

I used these guys for 1950-1960 VWs back in the day. Quality vinyl and great fit.

EDIT: At $240+shipping, that's a factory fresh look for less than ONE "New" aftermarket seat.

 

Wish I would have seen that a month ago.

 

I replaced the seats in my yj, and my wife's. In both cases the frame of the driver's seat was very broken so recovering wasn't an option. Outside of that, I think recovering is a great idea. All the aftermarket seats I've seen raise the seating position which sucks if you're tall.

 

The problem is that I drive the jeep all the time and dont' want it out of commision for a week while I get the seats re-done. But I thinking that I may have no choice. Cost to take to apolstry shop and have them do it with marine grade vinyl is about the same as ordering new from seatz, and the cost of re-do is not too bad. If the frames are broken I guess I will weld them back together!

 

The problem is that I drive the jeep all the time and dont' want it out of commision for a week while I get the seats re-done. But I thinking that I may have no choice. Cost to take to apolstry shop and have them do it with marine grade vinyl is about the same as ordering new from seatz, and the cost of re-do is not too bad. If the frames are broken I guess I will weld them back together!

I agree about the frames. The previous comment about the frames being too far gone made me think that one man's "too far gone" is another mans "perfect starting point".

 

I've used these before on other vehicles, a little pricey but really comfortable, they're made out of neoprene wetsuit material:

http://www.wetokole.com/mm5/merchan...GY&Store_Code=ASCWOH&Offset=&Category_Code=JEEP&CpField=vmodel&CpValue=Wrangler