XJ Seats the final answer FAQ

[ConnorMann]

Xj Seats the final answer FAQ

Saggy seat fix
-Take it apart and tighten the springs.
-Take it to a auto upholstery shop
-Passenger seat is a direct swap,
-I unbolted the passenger seat from it's manual rails and bolted it up to my
drivers side power rails. Everything was a perfect match. The only thing different about it is now the manual recline level (which is part of the seat itself) is on the inboard side of the drivers seat instead of outboard by the door.
- The seat frames tend to crack, especially the sheet metal buckets. You can weld up the cracks and other damage, and add little reinforcing gussets to taste pretty easily with a light-duty wire-feed welder. If you can weld, it's definitely worth doing.
- 94 and down are compatible, '95 and up will swap, possibly interchange with '93 and up ZJ (1993~1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee)
- It's a direct bolt in for late model XJ's when using WJ seats (1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee)

Used seat options
- www.car-part.com
-00 cavilier seats fit nicely in my 93 Cheromanche
- Honda/Acura seats

New seat options
- http://www.corbeau.com/
- http://www.redart.com/
- http://www.mastercraftseats.com/

Seat Rails
- diagrams of seat rails
- http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=53448&highlight=seat
- The seat rails on 84-94 are interchangeable and 95-01 are interchangeable.
-Brackets for electric seats. Are they swappable? They are the same bolt patterns as the manual tracks.
- The power seats in the newer XJ sit about 1"- 1 1/2" higher than manual seats
- The drivers side powered seat was only available on the 97 Country and 98-01 Limited
- The wiring for the power seats is already installed in your 99 Sport if you have power windows & locks. The open pigtail connector is under the passenger front door threshold panel.

Thanks to all the posters of this info, now in one location

Good Luck,

ConnorMann

[wilcharl]

I wanna add that the 95 up seats will fit the 84-95 with a minor mod the rear bolts have to be re drilled and the front needs you to cut a piece of angle iron and bolt it to the floor and then bolt the seats to it.. works great..

[Gerr]

can you post a pic of the slight mods youve mentioned i have 95+ seats to fit in my 93 and havent had time to do the fab yet

[streetjeep]

Is there a location on the power seat relay anywhere?

[PolishX]

ahhh seats .... now i can begin to find a replacement for my crappy leather seats in my 98

[streetjeep]

So no relay? Just a fuse? Or both?

[1993 Red XJ]

Did you have to do any modifications with the cavalier seats to fit in your XJ? If you did what mods did you have to do?

[PolishX]

good thread .. I have a 98 XJ that I hate the seats in , they are leather and leather in alaska sucks ....

[IslanderXJ]

...- The drivers side powered seat was only available on the 97 Country and 98-01 Limited

I have a 92 Limited with power front seats.

You're talking about just a drivers side power seat with a manual passenger seat are'nt you? In that case nevermind.

[RichP]

You also need to add in that the ZJ and WJ seats are a direct swap too, for certain years. Some one already did a write up on that with pics a few months ago..

[falcon556]

Has anybody tried to recover his own seats?
We fix just about everything on the XJ, why not the seats?
Any articles anywhere?

[RichP]

Has anybody tried to recover his own seats?
We fix just about everything on the XJ, why not the seats?
Any articles anywhere?

I had my front seat welds break and had an interior upholstery shop fix it, he pulled, uncovered, welded and reinforced the frame, put new firmer foam on it, reinstalled the covers and reinstalled the seat, $50....
The seat covers are the expensive part... I'd actually like to do mine, my drivers side has a couple of holes in it from a dropped soldering iron..

[87manche]

, my drivers side has a couple of holes in it from a dropped soldering iron..
you too? I dropped one on the passenger side.

[ConnorMann]

Recover Seat

No need to recover your seats just take them off soak them in Oxy Clean 4 to 5 scoops and soak for 48 to 72 hrs then put in washing machine and air dry.

Mine were horrible now the look new
Try these links for photos it aso has my floorboard repair photos

http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=52658224/PictureID=2508950834/a=72119373_72119373/t_=72119373
http://www1.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=52658224/PictureID=2508950844/a=72119373_72119373/t_=72119373

ConnorMann

[Spudboy]

Not sure where you were headed with the power seat note, but I have a '89 Laredo with a power drivers seat.

[RWKHausSupply]

Ok heres a question that has never been answered I think (or so my search says)..

What can be done to lower the seat as much as poss, or at least a 1" or more? Are there other seats, even the aftermarket variety, that will do this? I am 6'4 and my head is way high and with the cage is only about 1" lower then the top of the tube. And thats without a headliner.

Anyone with this experience?

[falcon556]

http://www1.snapfish.com/viewsharedphoto/p=457101160513240177/l=214032845/g=72119373/otsc=SYE/otsi=SPIC;jsessionid=8571698D23FC384CAB4286D9EDF83 052
I need some info on seats 97+XJ.
If you look at the seat back you notice that the sides stick out quite a bit, unlike my seats' that don't.
Is that due to the frame or padding?
I need to replace my seat covers and I need to know if the frames are all the same in which case I'll get the covers and the padding.

[Michaelarchangelo]

Ok heres a question that has never been answered I think (or so my search says)..

What can be done to lower the seat as much as poss, or at least a 1" or more? Are there other seats, even the aftermarket variety, that will do this? I am 6'4 and my head is way high and with the cage is only about 1" lower then the top of the tube. And thats without a headliner.

Anyone with this experience?


Cut and weld the stock bracket, or make your own.

[MAO]

Ok heres a question that has never been answered I think (or so my search says)..

What can be done to lower the seat as much as poss, or at least a 1" or more? Are there other seats, even the aftermarket variety, that will do this? I am 6'4 and my head is way high and with the cage is only about 1" lower then the top of the tube. And thats without a headliner.

Anyone with this experience?

At the beginning of this thread it was stated:

- The seat rails on 84-94 are interchangeable and 95-01 are interchangeable.

I was told that there was a seat height change from 1996 to 1997 in a different forum. If this is true, would it stand to reason that swapping a 95-96 seat into a 98 would add more headroom?

[falcon556]

Recover Seat

No need to recover your seats just take them off soak them in Oxy Clean 4 to 5 scoops and soak for 48 to 72 hrs then put in washing machine and air dry.


In my case my son's 99 had vinyl seats that were cracking up. Looked sorry.
I bought a complete set of cloth seats for $125 from the local yard and they were dirty. Pulled the covers off, soaked them in Oxy and tide for about a day or so and they look so good, I can't believe it. The whole interior looks like new.
I only used the covers, and kept the rails as spares, dumped the rest.

[maine96xj]

my 92 laredo parts jeep has the nicest seats you can get in a cherokee...IMO

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r159/owenhutch/S5000654.jpg

[MAO]

Xj Seats the final answer FAQ

- The power seats in the newer XJ sit about 1"- 1 1/2" higher than manual seats


I question the validity of this statement. From various sources, I have heard just the opposite. Does any one absolutely know for sure? Here is a sample about what I question:

"No, your not SOL, as mentioned by the other folks with 97+ Cherokees with power seats, you will get more head room, as we've all got the same center tunnel. As I recall on the test drives I took, the power seats in the late models allowed you to get the seat down significantly lower than the non-power seats. At 6'-0" tall, I was fine with the regular seats but I can imagine that it must be kind of tight for ya in there! See if you can find a late model Cherokee at a used car lot with power seats, and check it out before you invest the time & $$$ in replacing the seat...."

[ren]

My '88 LIMITED has BOTH front seats as power (and leather for ALL seating surfaces, too. Of course, the thing somehow left the factory with AMBER front lenses, just like the "export" models. Try finding those as a replacement in the wrecking yards!!). I am getting ready to throw some Honda(ugggh, rice) Prelude seats in my '88 Laredo, as the original seats are about done.

[falcon556]

I KNOW "it's a Jeep thing", but I still don't get it.

For those who understand, no explanation is needed, for those who don't, no explanation is possible.

[pabloconrad]

This is a pretty long and extesive thread dedicated solely to one's butt.

[riverfever]

For those who understand, no explanation is needed, for those who don't, no explanation is possible.

Been watching David Blaine have you?

[riverfever]

This is a pretty long and extesive thread dedicated solely to one's butt.

Hey...just b/c your butt's not worth the extra attention....:D


I actually started gettin' a little annoyed with my seats today. I think the PO was a rather large individual. I took out the drivers today to see if any of the welds had broken but they all look good. I think the foam has seen better days though. I could get new seats but I think I'll just switch things up a bit and start putting the wallet under my left cheek.

[pabloconrad]

Hey...just b/c your butt's not worth the extra attention....:D
My girlfriend says otherwise.:loveu:

In all seriousness, if there's any at this forum, I drive up to 100 miles a day for work. I currently have a nice set of seats I got from a former XJer who modified his rig for all off road. The seats are nice butt the driver's side is a bit worn. I'd like to get new ones without having to fully modify the interior, but those are a bit hard to find.

[falcon556]

Been watching David Blaine have you?

Nope, something I heard long time ago.

[Bdiddy11]

Connor, which OxiClean did you use? There are a number of different kinds... powder, liquid... which? And what did you soak it in? A big tub or what? I tried putting them in the washer with the liquid stuff... but didnt' work out like yours did. Please explain a little more which stuff you used and the process, thanks!

[falcon556]

Connor, which OxiClean did you use? There are a number of different kinds... powder, liquid... which? And what did you soak it in? A big tub or what? I tried putting them in the washer with the liquid stuff... but didnt' work out like yours did. Please explain a little more which stuff you used and the process, thanks!

I used a plastic trash can.
The covers had the tendency to float and I had to put a weight on top to keep them submerged.

[cherokee4fun]

So,

I have a 90 with manual seats, and I want to put in these power leather seats out of a 90 Limited. Where does the electrical come from? It appears in the FSM, that it is fed from the center console. But it looks like I will need some type of harness or wire to get 12v to each seat?

Anyone know where the harness is or is it something I need to get from another source?

Thanks,
Bob

[Bdiddy11]

Falcon, did you use OxiClean or something else? And which product of OxiClean did you use, if you used it? There a few different kinds of OxiClean... thanks!

[falcon556]

Falcon, did you use OxiClean or something else? And which product of OxiClean did you use, if you used it? There a few different kinds of OxiClean... thanks!

I used a combination of TIDE and color safe bleach. Whatever the wife had, it was an Oxyclean equivalent. Can't remember brand name.

[Bdiddy11]

Thanks Falcon, i'll have to find a not so dirty trash can cuz I dun wanna buy a new one... and don't think it would fly if I had them in the bathtub for a couple days...i'll figure something out, thanks though. Hoping to get them clean and ready to install on Sat when I put the power seats in with the carpet I got from the junkyard for $10 and it looks pretty much new now... amazing what a vacuum and steam cleaner can do. :guitar:

[XJadam]

I have a 99 xj 2 door with a power drivers seat. The bottom cushion is becomming torn and I would like to replace it. Can I use any seat to replace it (drivers side/passenger side) or do I have to use an ex-power seat to replace it? I never really looked under their to find out and will not have the chance to until spring. I have no garage and currently it is 10 deg and falling right now. Any help would be great.

[Bdiddy11]

XJadam, from what I can tell after removing the covers from my seats... the bottom cushion looks to be the same. I think it's only the upper/back cushion that varies mainly with how the sides/arms are designed. I could be wrong... try taking a look at your seat and comparing with another...
Another question I have... removing the cover from the back seat, the bottom seat where you put your butt... how does that come off? It looks to be almost tacked on... or clipped... doesn't look like you unscrew anything like the 2 front seats... I could be wrong. If somebody could shed some light on how to remove the cover from the back bench seat, the bottom one, that would be grrrrreat!:looney:

[PolishX]

will TJ seats bolt onto XJ frames ?

[cklaus]

I have a 2000 XJ and I just bought some 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis (ZJ) seats. These.( http://www.jeeporvis.com/1996-7-orvis-info.html ). They are the 6 way ajustable and heated seats (so they have the big plastic cover around the base.) They did NOT bolt in. only the front left mount was even close to being in the right mounting place. Are you guys using the ZJ mounts/frame rail? If anyone has a link on a write up i'd love to see it. I really want these seats to work! I know I didn't give a lot of info here but i don't wanna make a super long post if someone knows exactly what I am talking about.

[JeffDeWitt]

No need to recover your seats just take them off soak them in Oxy Clean 4 to 5 scoops and soak for 48 to 72 hrs then put in washing machine and air dry.
After 350,000 miles that won't do it, my seat is flat worn out (split, foam coming out, etc), I'd love to find covers so I can fix them.

Jeff DeWitt

[jk333]

if i understood you correctly, Connormann, you said in your origianl post that 94 and down Cherokees can fit the ZJ seats? i want to put a pair of leather seats in my 87 Cherokee and from what ive heard, the ZJ/WJ seats are only changable to 95 and up Cherokees.

[intuitionx2]

After 350,000 miles that won't do it, my seat is flat worn out (split, foam coming out, etc), I'd love to find covers so I can fix them.

Jeff DeWitt

I purchased a set of oem leather covers. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-01-Jeep-Cherokee-Sport-Leather-Seat-Cover-Covers_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33702QQihZ002QQi temZ120154671691QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW) Look great!!

[krelja]

If you get power leather seats from a WJ the bases will not swap out and it is not s direct fit ask me how I know it took a while but all the seats are in and working great
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/8/22209220632.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6271375)

http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/8/22209220631.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6271374)
click to make bigger

[TiRod]

Bench seats from a Comanche will work - use your original pedestals, drill out the rivets needed to bolt up into the Comanche frame. The seat adjuster lever will need to be bent slightly to operate - but since the seat cushion is slightly offset, it hits the B pillar anyway and will need more work to go back all the way.

Doing this with a full console means more cover up work, fabbing, and the loss of the tunnel mounted handbrake, which is a whole 'nother project to install the underdash type. Doubtful it will pass state inspection with no brake.

The console parts are modular, short or long, and you can swap the panels from one to the other - or scavenge them that way at the junk yard.

Seat belts can be added for the very short center position, will probably need longer bolts to secure all the ends, and no doubt probably not meet the OEM design strengthfor the anchors. At least your originals will slip right up and work no problem.

The spun bonded backing on the bench seat back is fragile and will not survive long term use, requiring a custom fix.

If you later remove it, use the bench seat in your garage against the wall - so it won't tip over. The base is too short for freestanding. I just may hang it from a left over garden swing stand for the ultimate redneck deck furniture.

Just a'swangin . . .

[Cipey]

what about rebuilding seats...
i have access to 93 zj seats, can i use my 98 brackets on them or if that doesn't work remove the cushions from the seats pans and place in my 98 pans and bolt the upper seat to the pan???

it sucks cuz i got burned on some after market seats that don't fit.(too high)...its killing me.


later

cipey

[xjh3]

So,

All 97-01 seats are interchangeable? Are the frames the same after you take the slider mechanism off?