Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Moving the seat back

Equilibrium31 The two main bars on each side aren't hard to figure out. In fact on the Misch ones they only go on one way. But the other four plates I have no idea.
Yea, still trying to figure out the 4 plates. Maybe they're there for an extra lift on the seats? Not sure as I haven't seen any mention of anything like that. I was looking at the website for these brackets, which also list the item, but there's not much more there. However, you can zoom in on the picture of the installed brackets and see pretty clearly where they go:
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https://www.ubox-offroad.com/products/seat-adapter-brackets-for-jeep-wrangler-tj-1997-2006-1766
 
Yea, still trying to figure out the 4 plates. Maybe they're there for an extra lift on the seats? Not sure as I haven't seen any mention of anything like that. I was looking at the website for these brackets, which also list the item, but there's not much more there. However, you can zoom in on the picture of the installed brackets and see pretty clearly where they go:
View attachment 95375

https://www.ubox-offroad.com/products/seat-adapter-brackets-for-jeep-wrangler-tj-1997-2006-1766


You could try their customer service email on the site. I can't tell how they go in. But I guess if you wanted lift. And sandwiched them in there and the bolts are long enough. Why not? But if your over 6 feet. I would avoid anymore lift.
 
That extra piece of metal is to hold the oem jack in place. HAs anyone figured out how to make it work? I could not get mine to fit properly. It looked like if I ground it down a bit and it wasn't so long - it would work.

The stub on the bracket just goes in the hole on the jack base and the jack head gets tightened against the retaining bracket on the jeep floor pan.

A48FB5C8-B19C-494B-9377-38D9241C97DE.jpeg


F1D47A53-CB2A-45EB-B0E8-58D79CAFD569.jpeg
 
The stub on the bracket just goes in the hole on the jack base and the jack head gets tightened against the retaining bracket on the jeep floor pan.

View attachment 95396

View attachment 95397

That's how mine came apart. And how I attempted to get the jack back in. But I think my Misch plates may be too close together on the passenger side. There is some play them. I just need to grind off a bit of that metal on the tab. And then it should fit.
 
Yea, I just got them last night and there's no instructions. I figure it can't be rocket science to figure it out though. Haven't tried installing them yet, but they are just as solid and thick as the Misch ones appear to be, but they definitely look a little different, particularly for the passenger side. The Misch ones have a bit of extra metal for their passenger ones, so I'm not sure if it will make a difference. I figure for the price, it's worth the risk of trying.

Hopefully I'll be able to get them installed tonight. If not, then likely this weekend. Will let ya know how it goes and if that goes well, maybe I'll even put a brief write up in the How To section for anyone else interested since they don't have instructions.

View attachment 95365
That’s great! How long did it take to get to your door?
 
I am six two and have these brackets, and this is by far the best mod to the Jeep. I use the seat all the way back and have a manual.
 
That’s great! How long did it take to get to your door?
Ordered May 20th and it was supposed to arrive the next day, but got delayed. Arrived last night, although they dropped it off in front of my neighbor's door instead of mine, lol.
 
Well, I started installing the passenger seat last night, but after having a bolt break, I decided to wait until the weekend to finish up since the project went beyond what I was willing to deal with for a weeknight project. However, I at least figured out how the kit is designed to work. Each seat uses one of the long brackets, which should go across the section with the torx bolt (the kit uses your existing bolts and supplies additional ones for the extension). The smaller plates with the hex-shaped holes fit by sitting on top of the 13 mm bolts on one side as shown in the second pic.

I'm a bit skeptical at this point as to how sturdy this will be, but I'll post again later once I have time to deal with the broken bolt and get a replacement from the hardware store.

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95473
 
Well, I started installing the passenger seat last night, but after having a bolt break, I decided to wait until the weekend to finish up since the project went beyond what I was willing to deal with for a weeknight project. However, I at least figured out how the kit is designed to work. Each seat uses one of the long brackets, which should go across the section with the torx bolt (the kit uses your existing bolts and supplies additional ones for the extension). The smaller plates with the hex-shaped holes fit by sitting on top of the 13 mm bolts on one side as shown in the second pic.

I'm a bit skeptical at this point as to how sturdy this will be, but I'll post again later once I have time to deal with the broken bolt and get a replacement from the hardware store.

View attachment 95472View attachment 95473

Those two plates can't be all that holds that entire side of the seat on? That does not look safe. Are you sure those extra four plates aren't for both sides and that you need two complete sets to do both seats? Someone in the reviews said you need two sets to do both seats.

It looks like your trying to use one set to do both seats. I can't believe they don't provide instructions. Seems like a liability.

I had to PB Blaster the hell out of my seat bolts. Water gets on them either from the top being off or from the bottom. Mine were pretty rusted. I had to let them soak overnight. And one was a real pain to get out even after that.
 
Those two plates can't be all that holds that entire side of the seat on? That does not look safe. Are you sure those extra four plates aren't for both sides and that you need two complete sets to do both seats? Someone in the reviews said you need two sets to do both seats.

It looks like your trying to use one set to do both seats. I can't believe they don't provide instructions. Seems like a liability.

I had to PB Blaster the hell out of my seat bolts. Water gets on them either from the top being off or from the bottom. Mine were pretty rusted. I had to let them soak overnight. And one was a real pain to get out even after that.
Well, it's supposed to be a "Front Driver and Passenger side Seat Bracket", but at this point, I guess it just means to imply that it will work for driver *or* passenger seat for each kit.

And yea, I have some PB blaster still soaking on the bolt now. I sprayed them last night, but they must have needed more soaking than I initially expected. Good times, ha.
 
Well, it's supposed to be a "Front Driver and Passenger side Seat Bracket", but at this point, I guess it just means to imply that it will work for driver *or* passenger seat for each kit.

And yea, I have some PB blaster still soaking on the bolt now. I sprayed them last night, but they must have needed more soaking than I initially expected. Good times, ha.

I literally have tendonitis in my elbow from reefing on that last bolt. Seriously. Been hurting for weeks after reefing on the sob. I'm going to the doc today to get a cortisone shot. No shit. LMAO! Ah. Getting old. Ain't it grand!

That and those seat bolts are a PITA. Plus I think the PO left a bikini top on it year around. Or at least during times of rain. Lots of rust tightened bolts. I had to use a breaker bar on the last bolt. And it still was terrible getting it out. I can't believe it didn't break.
 
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@Equilibrium31

My guess is that those plates sit under the front and rear of the long plates (hex holes pointing towards the rear) to make space and capture the head of the new bolts coming up from the bottom that hold the seat to the bracket. The Misch brackets use carriage bolts in those locations since there is no room for a wrench.
 
It’s always the little jobs that make you want to scream!

Yeah, I’m thinking that kit is for one seat. I thought the tabs might be for bracing underneath but capturing the hardware might be the intended purpose.
 
It’s always the little jobs that make you want to scream!
Yup, definitely the case here. I finally got the broken bolt out, thanks to my neighbor with a welder, but the bracket doesn't seem to fit with the passenger seat. The issue is the long brackets either put the rear bolts too far apart, or if you swap them, they won't match up with the original holes in the Jeep.

This kit might work for the driver's seat, but I was primarily looking to adjust the passenger seat. However, even if the brackets will fit for the driver's side, they still don't take into account the larger Torx bolt and will require at least some drilling to work.

Either way, at this point, I can see why you can't buy this from the original seller's website anymore. Guess I'll have to throw some extra cash out and get the get the Misch bracket.
 
I'm also considering the Misch seat extenders. Issue is that I'm 6' and my wife is closer to 5'. What I'm pondering is raising the seat extenders on quality lift blocks (1 1/2") and re-drilling the seat bracket mounting holes in the extenders to allow it only being moved back 2-3". I think this distance would work more as a compromise for us both. Has anyone done something similar? Also, the reason for the lift blocks is to both give my wife better visibility and also be able to get access to the bolt heads under the extenders as I couldn't use the carriage bolts as equipped. Thanks!
 
I'm also considering the Misch seat extenders. Issue is that I'm 6' and my wife is closer to 5'. What I'm pondering is raising the seat extenders on quality lift blocks (1 1/2") and re-drilling the seat bracket mounting holes in the extenders to allow it only being moved back 2-3". I think this distance would work more as a compromise for us both. Has anyone done something similar? Also, the reason for the lift blocks is to both give my wife better visibility and also be able to get access to the bolt heads under the extenders as I couldn't use the carriage bolts as equipped. Thanks!

At 5 feet does your wife even need the misch brackets? I could see her needing the risers. But not you. Keep in mind you gain 4 inches in front. But you lose 4 inches storage behind your seat. Which can also effect the rear seat from tumbling forward and latching. I guess that might happen if you did either side. But even with the seat in the normal position ir taken out. You lose 4 inches storage on each side.

If you are going to redrill the brackets I would buy the cheaper set on Amazon. There are knockoffs for like $30 iirc.

Out of stock. But you might contact them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2745434477...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
 
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At 5 feet does your wife even need the misch brackets? I could see her needing the risers. But not you. Keep in mind you gain 4 inches in front. But you lose 4 inches storage behind your seat. Which can also effect the rear seat from tumbling forward and latching. I guess that might happen if you did either side. But even with the seat in the normal position ir taken out. You lose 4 inches storage on each side.

If you are going to redrill the brackets I would buy the cheaper set on Amazon. There are knockoffs for like $30 iirc.

Out of stock. But you might contact them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2745434477...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Thanks for the reply Moab. You're right, my wife doesn't need the extenders which is why I would need to re-drill the seat mounting holes further forward or she'd never be able to reach the pedals. Thanks for the reminder that the rear seat will have issues if needed to be tumbled forward (would not have thought about that). Will update this thread if I move forward with this endeavor.
 
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Thanks for the reply Moab. You're right, my wife doesn't need the extenders which is why I would need to re-drill the seat mounting holes further forward or she'd never be able to reach the pedals. Thanks for the reminder that the rear seat will have issues if needed to be tumbled forward (would not have thought about that). Will update this thread if I move forward with this endeavor.

I've rarely needed to use the tumble forward of the backseat. I rarely use my Jeep to transport loads that large. And if I was going on a trip. And I needed the room to tumble it forward for storage. That means no one is sitting in the backseat anyway. So why not just remove the backseat? And give yourself all the room in the back? Tumbled forward even without the bracket - leaves alot to be desired. You can't just reach behind you to get something. Its further in the back. Back behind the upright seat. Not to mention its extra weight you don't need.

When I was talking about your wife (that sounds bad) I meant you didn't need to do both sides. But if she's gonna drive - it might be a consideration. Is there a compromise in how far back you could take it? Like maybe drill the bracket to take you back 2 inches instead of 4?

For me I'm 6'3". And the brackets literally changed my Jeep from undrivable to drivable. My knees were buried in the dash. And the steering wheel was giving me the Heimlich.

My wife doesn't drive my Jeep. But I do recall her driving it a couple times. And she is short. But I don't recall if it was before or after I put the brackets in.

All you can do is consider the viability of the backseat. And take some measurements with your wife sitting in the drivers seat. Has she driven it much? Jeeps are kind of a bitch to drive on the freeway. My wife hates it. Thus she never drives it.
 
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I just tackled this last week on mine. I pulled the seat out and redrilled the holes approx 1 inch forward, the seat brackets are obviously contoured but I used extra metal to shim the bottom for the inch adjustment I was looking for.. the back holes were easy and straightforward, but the front holes were going to barely catch the ends of the brackets.. took a big washer and grinded it down so it would sit within the brackets, and hold tightly my 230 lb ass from pulling up at anytime. Definitely ok with how it feels as far as secureness, and the extra inch I gained f0r my legroom was worth the effort... felt like I was humping the steering wheel and im only 6'0 😏
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator