Reupholstering Factory Seats

[Dan_Goodwin]

I'm driving my 97 TJ 4+ hours to the beach this year and am using that as an excuse to freshen up the interior, especially the seats. My vinyl SE seats are still in very good shape, but the vinyl has to go (read: I sweat a lot). I've researched the aftermarket suspension seats and have decided the Mastercraft Baja RS fit my needs for a DD/ weekend wheeler, but as a cost savings I also haven't ruled out getting my factory seats reupholstered with fabric like the Sahara seats. My Google skills have failed me as I haven't been able find anyone else that's done this and was hoping the collective knowledge here had some input or experience.

And because every thread needs a picture:

 

[TheBoogieman]

Quality seat covers or new seats are cheaper than reupholstering them. I paid $250 a seat to reupholster a few years ago
p.s. Great looking Jeep!

 

[rasband]

Quality seat covers or new seats are cheaper than reupholstering them.

^^ - also most folks I know with the earlier TJs say the seats are far less comfortable than the later TJ seats. So another option would be to find later model seats for around $100 or so.

 

[TheBoogieman]

^^ - also most folks I know with the earlier TJs say the seats are far less comfortable than the later TJ seats. So another option would be to find later model seats for around $100 or so.

The seats from 97-02 are higher seat wise. 03-06' lowered the seats and added a higher back. I've had them all and have no preference. Comfortable and Jeep Tj is an oxymoron to me.

 

[PCO6]

Nice looking Jeep. I looked at having my seats reupholstered a few years ago. It might have just been the shops (2) that I went to but found it to be the most expensive of the options I was looking at. Originality wasn't important to me so I went with Hyundai Tiburon junk yard seats over reupholstery or covers. At about $35 / seat plus about $20 in materials to mount them it was a good way.

 

[Tray Burge]

I have a 97TJ and the seats were designed by the Marquis de Sade.
They suck so bad and no matter how much money you throw at them, they'll still suck!
Go ahead and order new seats for your trip, your back and ass will thank you.
The Mastercrafts get great reviews, I almost bought some, but I decided to go with the PRP Enduro Elites that I could design to compliment my Jeep.
Plus, they're one of the most comfortable seats ever made.

 

[rasband]

Comfortable and Jeep Tj is an oxymoron to me.

That’s fair, I don’t mind mine and in fact prefer it to all the other vehicles I’ve owned besides one “truck”.

 

[defenderu]

I went with bestop seats instead of redoing the ones I had. My foam also needed to be replaced it was pretty worn. Im happy with them.

Also a side note. If you call quadratec to order seats they gave me my mounting brackets for free. they are $125 each.

 

[Andy-WhiteTJ]

Here's an old thread on reupholstering seats: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/has-anyone-reupholstered-their-factory-tj-seats.10821/

 

[Dan_Goodwin]

I have a 97TJ and the seats were designed by the Marquis de Sade.
They suck so bad and no matter how much money you throw at them, they'll still suck!
Go ahead and order new seats for your trip, your back and ass will thank you.
The Mastercrafts get great reviews, I almost bought some, but I decided to go with the PRP Enduro Elites that I could design to compliment my Jeep.
Plus, they're one of the most comfortable seats ever made.
View attachment 261273

I did look at those, but they're out of my price range.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like you have solidified me buying suspension seats (I hadn't priced recovering the stockers yet). I found this Jeep for sale on FB and its the same year, color and interior as mine with the exact combo of interior mods I want - even down to the bedrug.

 

[Tray Burge]

I did look at those, but they're out of my price range.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like you have solidified me buying suspension seats (I hadn't priced recovering the stockers yet). I found this Jeep for sale on FB and its the same year, color and interior as mine with the exact combo of interior mods I want - even down to the bedrug.

View attachment 261392

The MasterCrafts are damn nice too, and made in America too I believe?
Don't shoot me Jerry (made in China), but the Corbeau's get great reviews too and look nice.
You can get ~decent covers for the front ~$150, but you're just putting icing on a turd and they'll still feel like shit when you sit in them.
I think you're thinking in the right direction.
Be sure to show us.

 

[Apparition]

I have Mastercraft Baja RS's in one LJ and factory in the other. Factory seats suck. It's lipsick on a pig, get the new seats. So much more comfortable.

I'll be putting new seats in the new LJ eventually.

 

[Moab]

^^ - also most folks I know with the earlier TJs say the seats are far less comfortable than the later TJ seats. So another option would be to find later model seats for around $100 or so.

I put late model seats in my early model jeep. Love them. But im 6'3". Maybe that makes a difference. Its the most comfortable car seat ive driven.

But where are you finding them for $100?! I paid $400 shipped for a really nice set from a junkyard instate.

 

[rasband]

I put late model seats in my early model jeep. Love them. But im 6'3". Maybe that makes a difference. Its the most comfortable car seat ive driven.

But where are you finding them for $100?! I paid $400 shipped for a really nice set from a junkyard instate.

Maybe I’m misremembering, I thought I read that @starkey480 found them for around there.

 

[starkey480]

Maybe I’m misremembering, I thought I read that @starkey480 found them for around there.

I put late model seats in my early model jeep. Love them. But im 6'3". Maybe that makes a difference. Its the most comfortable car seat ive driven.

But where are you finding them for $100?! I paid $400 shipped for a really nice set from a junkyard instate.

I found mine for $100 in great condition. They were listed for $300 with the backseat and I offered 100 for just the front seats. He said no then the next day came back with a yes lol.

 

[Moab]

I found mine for $100 in great condition. They were listed for $300 with the backseat and I offered 100 for just the front seats. He said no then the next day came back with a yes lol.

Thats a steal! Good job.

 

[Bluovalguy]

Man, everyone keeps saying the old seats are uncomfortable, but I think the seats in my ‘98 are awesome for what they are… no side bolstering to speak of but they are extremely comfortable.

Back on topic, for my mustang, my GF and I reskinned and new seat foam in the living room. It was about $950 I believe for the kit, but it was not terribly difficult. And talk about a night and day difference!

 

[Jeffseven777]

Man, everyone keeps saying the old seats are uncomfortable, but I think the seats in my ‘98 are awesome for what they are… no side bolstering to speak of but they are extremely comfortable.

Back on topic, for my mustang, my GF and I reskinned and new seat foam in the living room. It was about $950 I believe for the kit, but it was not terribly difficult. And talk about a night and day difference!

my 99 are super comfy my 05 killed my back. I just used sewing machine to do my ass cushion.