Help with seat covers: not sure what to do

[Commbubba19]

In the process of cleaning up an 02 TJ that was used a lot on a farm to haul. The interior seats and carpet are pretty yuck.

I found tons of carpet kits so i plan to pull the interior and carpet and clean the tub up and cover up any exposed metal. Not sure if a lizard skin or line x would be good here or touch up paint / primer. Maybe even POR15 since it's under the carpet.

My big problem is the seats. I've found replacement covers (not slip on) but most are vinyl which I'd like to stay away from. However, with the covers and install, i'm well over $1k.

Looking at 4wd.com smittybuilt sells full replacement front seats and rear tumble seats for less than what i'd be into fixing the oem seats. Downsides is I think they're still vinyl like material. Require adapter brackets, and the rear tumble seat doesn't use the oem hardware to lock in place. It uses a single lock shared by the belts.

Thoughts on the best course here?

 

[RussTJ]

Check Craigslist for seats and welcome to the forum.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I wouldn't waste my $$$ on Smittybilt seats, they won't hold up. Bestop's Trailmax seats are far better quality and those didn't even hold up for me, the outside bolstering started crumbling and it finally collapsed. I ended up replacing my driver's seat under warranty once and even the replacement didn't last all that long. Both brands of seats are imported from China. I ended up replacing my Bestop Trailmax seats with PRC Daily Driver suspension seats which are manufactured here in California.

 

[Boinked]

I wouldn't waste my $$$ on Smittybilt seats, they won't hold up. Bestop's Trailmax seats are far better quality and those didn't even hold up for me, the outside bolstering started crumbling and it finally collapsed. I ended up replacing my driver's seat under warranty once and even the replacement didn't last all that long. Both brands of seats are imported from China. I ended up replacing my Bestop Trailmax seats with PRC Daily Driver suspension seats which are manufactured here in California.

Just Google them. Is it PRP seats?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Just Google them. Is it PRP seats?

Here's my writeup on installing the PRP seats. I just remembered it was my previous TJ that had the Bestop Trailmax seats in that didn't hold up.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ortable-seats-with-prp-suspension-seats.9905/

 

[Boinked]

Here's my writeup on installing the PRP seats. I just remembered it was my previous TJ that had the Bestop Trailmax seats in that didn't hold up.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ortable-seats-with-prp-suspension-seats.9905/

Look interesting. Thats for that. Ill add this to my options list.

 

[S.McArthur]

Have you tried the car wash method yet? Take doors/top/drain plugs off and head to the car wash. Put the sprayer on soap and go to town, just don't get too close or you may tear the seat. Obviously turn the sprayer to just water and rinse out.
This would be a good start even if you put seat covers on, don't want a dirty stinky seat with a cover on it. Cleaned my interior pretty well, just pull the carpet out and rinse tub out with house hose and let dry. I had quite a bit of cracked on mud/dirt in the seats and carpet and it all came out.

 

[Commbubba19]

Have you tried the car wash method yet? Take doors/top/drain plugs off and head to the car wash. Put the sprayer on soap and go to town, just don't get too close or you may tear the seat. Obviously turn the sprayer to just water and rinse out.
This would be a good start even if you put seat covers on, don't want a dirty stinky seat with a cover on it. Cleaned my interior pretty well, just pull the carpet out and rinse tub out with house hose and let dry. I had quite a bit of cracked on mud/dirt in the seats and carpet and it all came out.
View attachment 57790

the existing carpet might be able to be saved but dousing the interior with that much water could lead to mold. if i do the work to take the carpet out i might as well replace it. carpet kits are only $200.

i thought about taking the seats out and having them deep shampooed. they don't appear to be torn but i'm not sure of the foam or any mold on the foam.

 

[Squatch]

I would do what you can to either save the original seats, or replace them with some decent used seats from another TJ. Aftermarket seats can be pricey for top-end stuff (suspension seats, and the like), or they can be miserably uncomfortable in the lower end of the price range, which is what I experienced. I had bought a set of Rugged Ridge buckets for the wife's XJ for a little over $500. Singularly the most uncomfortable seat I had ever sat on. Ended up selling 'em for well under half of what I paid for them, and repairing her original seats.

 

[AndyG]

I have Bartac seat covers , love em.

 

[Tigerman]

Anyone professionally re-upholstered their seats instead?

 

[Squatch]

Anyone professionally re-upholstered their seats instead?

I'm looking to have mine done locally in November, if things work out as planned.

 

[RetiredJim]

I have Bartac seat covers , love em.

X2 on Bartact. They are great.

 

[MaloStapalo]

Looking at 4wd.com smittybuilt sells full replacement front seats and rear tumble seats for less than what i'd be into fixing the oem seats.

Thoughts on the best course here?

Imo, no matter the question smittybuilt is never the answer.

 

[Commbubba19]

I'm looking to have mine done locally in November, if things work out as planned.

i found a local guy that will do the recover but he wants pre cut kit which besides vinyl i can't find.

 

[Camdenst]

I've run the carpets through the wash at a laundromat with the old tj. Everything came out great.

 

[Commbubba19]

I've run the carpets through the wash at a laundromat with the old tj. Everything came out great.

haha, not a bad idea. i'm assuming you pulled the pad or kept it on there. the insulation pad will likely get ruined from the adhesive holding it to the tub.

 

[Camdenst]

haha, not a bad idea. i'm assuming you pulled the pad or kept it on there. the insulation pad will likely get ruined from the adhesive holding it to the tub.

Nope. I pulled the carpets and ran them with the heat shielding. Everything stayed intact in the end. I wouldn't recommend drying the rugs.

 

[PCO6]

Junk yard seats are a good alternative to reupholstering or covers. I've found them for as little as $35 each.

Here's how I mounted the above seats ...
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-install-hyundai-tiburon-seats-in-a-jeep-wrangler-tj.2997/