Are 2003 seats compatible in a 1998?

Rusty98TJ

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Good afternoon! Ok, I am looking to replace the seats in my 1998 TJ. I found a full set on marketplace from a 2003. I am fairly sure the front seats will fit since the seats have the bases as well. I am correct with that guess, right? Also, does anyone know if the rear seat will be a drop in swap? Looks like this year the rear seat has a handle at the top to release to tumble feature which is obviously different than a 1998. Thank help/advice would be greatly appreciated! Thx! Added a picture of the 2003 release handle below:

IMG_0775.jpeg
 
I know when I replaced my 1997 tub with a 2000...I left the 2000 shoulder belts in assuming they'd buckle right up...and we didn't test until just before we left...and I stayed up late stitching belts together to get my 97 pieces sewed on to the 2000 belts on the passenger side because that retractor was broken.

I then ordered replacements from Seatbelt Planet and they suck. Constantly fiddling with them to get them to retract.

-Mac
 
as long as you have the bases attached to the seats, they will fit. you can't put seats or bases from a 97-02 with seats or bases from an 03+

found this out the expensive way.

Great! Thank you! I think I am probably going have to keep the 98 rear seat in—seems like there is a ton of different mounting positions for the rear seat. I might buy some brackets to see if I can fab something but then I have the that macleanflood mentioned with the seat belts?! It seems like every upgrade I do takes WAY more work than I thought. LOL!
 
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I know when I replaced my 1997 tub with a 2000...I left the 2000 shoulder belts in assuming they'd buckle right up...and we didn't test until just before we left...and I stayed up late stitching belts together to get my 97 pieces sewed on to the 2000 belts on the passenger side because that retractor was broken.

I then ordered replacements from Seatbelt Planet and they suck. Constantly fiddling with them to get them to retract.

-Mac

Mac, thanks for the response! I have found a few more threads on this and I might be stuck keeping the rear seat. Seems like too many fabs I would need to do, but my OCD will drive me nuts having two different seat fabrics! (And I do not want to run with seat covers)
 
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