2001 TJ Seats

[redpete]

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

I have a 2001 TJ with only 86k miles. We have had it for 6 years. We keep it at the cabin and only use it for exploring the forest service roads or runs to town. It is more of a grocery getter than and off road machine.

The seats tilt and tumble to access the back seat.

I am having issues with the drivers seat.

The original seat covers are in great shape, but the seat leans back and to the center.

I have tried putting shims under the rear seat mounts but I am afraid to shim it too much.

I read somewhere that OEM seats tend to bend, so I am guessing this is the problem.

I'm not sure what to do, but I think these are my options:

1. Add more shims (I use washers)...get longer grade 8 bolts if necessary.

2. Take seat apart and try to bend back.

3. Buy new aftermarket seats...I'm afraid I will lose the tilt and tumble.

Any recommendations on what I should do?

Thanks.

 

[Sparky'sDad]

I see no one had any advice. I have a 97 and if I sit back into my drivers seat and look straight ahead I’m looking at the top of my sun visor. Did you reach any conclusions?

 

[LONGJP2]

I see no one had any advice. I have a 97 and if I sit back into my drivers seat and look straight ahead I’m looking at the top of my sun visor. Did you reach any conclusions?

Sounds like two different problems.

The original seat covers are in great shape, but the seat leans back and to the center.

To the OP (if he's still here), I had a similar problem and thought something was broke.
Ended up just being one of the side recline latches wasn't catching.

 

[Sparky'sDad]

Sounds like two different problems.



To the OP (if he's still here), I had a similar problem and thought something was broke.
Ended up just being one of the side recline latches wasn't catching.

Yeah, my description may not have been very clear. My seat also leans back and doesn’t seem to sit fully upright. I suspected that the back was either bent or the latching mechanism was broken. I too wondered about shimming under the back bolts (like the OP) in an effort to “straighten “ it out. Recently I decided to remove the drivers seat from the jeep just to see what I could figure out. The first thing I noticed is that every single one of the support wires in the spring held base had rusted away to nothing. My seat cushion is broken, disintegrating and sunken in a lot. I’ve ordered the replacement cushion from Summet racing and I’m working on fabricating a new base. This alone may be enough to place me in the proper seating position. I still plan on investigating the mechanism along with the rest of the back portion but just haven’t made it that far yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TJ Jim]

Bestop replacement seats. Used the oem sliders to retain the fold and tumble. Had to add a lever under the seat to make it work though.

 

[Sparky'sDad]

"Bestop replacement seats. Used the oem sliders to retain the fold and tumble. Had to add a lever under the seat to make it work though."

I've been looking at bestop seats in spice with the cloth inserts like yours for both driver and passenger but couldnt find them in stock anywhere. now I've invested in seat cusions and covers and my budget has run dry.. maybe after Christmas. What's your opinion on yours? And how did you add the lever?

 

[Sparky'sDad]

Just in case anyone else comes across this thread I did replace the seat cushion using the foam replacement from Summet Racing.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-RP20032-LH
I also repaired the grille base that the cusion sits on. It completely eliminated my issue. It turns out my seat wasnt really leaning too far back... I was just hanging out the bottom of the seat and unable to sit upright.

 

[Argyle]

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

I have a 2001 TJ with only 86k miles. We have had it for 6 years. We keep it at the cabin and only use it for exploring the forest service roads or runs to town. It is more of a grocery getter than and off road machine.

The seats tilt and tumble to access the back seat.

I am having issues with the drivers seat.

The original seat covers are in great shape, but the seat leans back and to the center.

I have tried putting shims under the rear seat mounts but I am afraid to shim it too much.

I read somewhere that OEM seats tend to bend, so I am guessing this is the problem.

I'm not sure what to do, but I think these are my options:

1. Add more shims (I use washers)...get longer grade 8 bolts if necessary.

2. Take seat apart and try to bend back.

3. Buy new aftermarket seats...I'm afraid I will lose the tilt and tumble.

Any recommendations on what I should do?

Thanks.

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They YJ’s were notorious for leaning back and failing to return to a full upright position. It’s less frequent with TJ’s.

I’d go aftermarket and sacrifice the tumble,

Or buy used OEM.