Adapting a Suspension Seat Base

[ShapeShifter]

The stock 1997 TJ seats are actual suspension seats. That is, the seat padding is suspended on a mesh that is connected with springs to the steel seat frame (note: this is not true for for some aftermarket seat manufacturers like PRP that claim their seats are suspension type). That being said, my body fat index now exeeds the stock seats ability to absorb shocks from miles of baby-head sized boulders I endure on some trails.

I first had a suspension seat base in a 1984 Mitsubishi Montero. I liked it so much that I went to a junk yard and bought two additional seat bases, one I adapted in to a Suzuki Samurai. The other still sits in my shed. I recently tried to adapt it in to my TJ but unfortunately the base is just too tall for this rig.


High quality suspension base from Montero has adjustments for weight and tension is made by ISRI.

So I found a lower profile seat base that looked like it could be adapted here https://www.surpluscenter.com/Truck...-w-Weight-Adj-Black-Talon-955000BK-1-3812.axd


It came with slider rails but I wanted to use the stock Jeep seat rails so I removed them

This seat base is made in Italy. The stock TJ seat slider studs are 11" wide on center so I had to drill new holes

I also used this seat bracket adapter that is meant to relocate the seat rearward for taller drivers. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M64G552/?tag=wranglerorg-20 I am just using it to make a more level platform for the new seat base. The base shares the front factory hole locations, and I drilled two new rear holes for the base to mount on.

 

[ShapeShifter]

Having the new, wider strance holes creates a problem of no room for the nut that goes on the studs underneath because they're too close to the downturned lip.

So instead of cutting a bunch of reliefs for the nut, I had to find the right fasteners. I decided that some stainless socket nuts used in cabainets would do the trick.

Upon my first test fit today, I was happy that everything fits perfectly and bolts together as planned. The seat centered on the steering wheel and sits a little higher at full height which is actually good for me.

Of course when adapting something to fit, there are sometimes things that are overlooked. I measured for the front to back slide to make sure the distances were as cloise as I could get to factory, but I neglected to see that the slide release bar will not drop back in to locked position when slid all the way back because it hits the top of the new seat base. I will have to think about the solution to this......

 

[MountaineerTom]

Pretty cool mod.

 

[ShapeShifter]

I figured out that the slide release bar was being prevented from latching by these strcutural stiffner-bumps in the top plate of the base. Sometimes you have to get medieval with a grinder.... Problem solved.

I put it back together and even put the rubber dust skirt back on. Now it's legit.

 

[ShapeShifter]

Made some changes to the base. It needed to move rearward but that left over half the base cantilevered and unsupported, so I chopped a couple pieces of 2.5" square tube to support the overhanging part. The pieces are cut at an angle so I can get a wrench in there for the floor bolts.

The seat is rock solid and I'm really happy with this mod. Of course if I had a welding rig I would have just melted something together but for now I'm using drill and fasteners which is just fine.