Summit seat foam review

My seats are otherwise in really good shape and actually the least prone to hurt me of our 3 vehicles after hours of sitting in them but I'm tempted to do this just for the modern foam upgrade and the height boost. I'm not short (my hair touches the roof in our 4runner) but more visibility over the hood is never a bad thing and I have enough room in the LJ that I'm not worried about head contact.
 
My seats are otherwise in really good shape and actually the least prone to hurt me of our 3 vehicles after hours of sitting in them but I'm tempted to do this just for the modern foam upgrade and the height boost. I'm not short (my hair touches the roof in our 4runner) but more visibility over the hood is never a bad thing and I have enough room in the LJ that I'm not worried about head contact.

I don't need another project right now but I placed my order with Summit. Since I am at it I ordered the seat heaters. May as well only get in into the fabric one time. 2 birds stoned at once situation. Maybe I'll get around to installing this before 2025
 
Didn't need hogs rings. My OE seats came with split rings. Just took them off the old seats and put them on the new ones. The bars slide out of the rings and fabric and slide back into the new ones.
 
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In the other long thread on this topic everybody was suggesting to get the seat bushings too, since it is enough to get you free shipping. Just thought I'd mention it. My daughter's 97 probably needs this badly. My 97 would probably benefit too, but I feel like they're just the right level of comfy right now.
 
Didn't need hogs rings. My OE seats came with split rings. Just took them off the old seats and put them on the new ones. The bars slide out of the rings and fabric and slide back into the new ones.

Split rings would have been easier for sure but hog rings weren’t horrible to work with.

Finally made time to install the cushion I ordered back in May. Seat risers used to be in the top three comfort mods I have done along with B&M short shift and Bartact seat covers & warmers. The new seat foam might have demoted the seat risers, if not relegated them to completely unnecessary. Seat feels amazing. Mirrors, seat position, lumbar pillow and steering wheel tilt all needed to be adjusted. I left the risers in and after a short drive I am feeling a bit of pressure against the back of thighs that might prove annoying so the risers are now on the watch list. Uncovered that the seat warmer was all bunched up under the Bartact cover. Feels like the Bartact lumbar pillow is now too low as well.

As far as the installation.. it wasn’t difficult by any stretch. I’d say one out five banana’s at best. That said it was about as fun to do as stretching a new soft upper onto the window frame. One pinched finger and scraped my thigh on the rock rail. Not bad.

Happy surprise is I found seventy eight cents, two of those rigid straws you press into the nozzle on the can of spray lube and of all things.. a missing 10mm socket.
 
Definitely sitting too high. Feeling pressure on the back of my thighs that I am sure will be really uncomfortable over time. And my right arm can’t rest on the arm rest. I couldn’t find the original seat hardware so grabbed what I needed from the supply house..
  • One 7/16-20 x 1-1/4in bolt
  • Three M8 x 1.25 x 30 bolts
Without the risers the pressure on the back of my legs is very much relieved. Might choose to cut the risers in half and try 3/4” of lift.
 
Did my LJR Driver seat today. I am absolutely stoked, it’s made a great rig even better.

The other passenger foam I have may go in the TJR since it gets wheeled harder- a little passenger courtesy.


Tip: Those large, dull picks/hose removers Lisle and Harbor freight sells help with removing the black plastic clips from the frame and reassembly.

Man I love this foam.
 
Ordered Friday, delivered Saturday. The hog ring pliers won't be here until Monday. Looking forward to this.

Try to get rings made for your pliers- they vary out there I learned.

Be patient and it will go well.
 
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You will sit a little taller but it will not be a disadvantage in anyway.

I now sit about 2” taller than I did the day before the change. I had previously installed 3/4” risers, and I took them out.

I have no idea how much taller this is than it was when I got the LJ in 2005—it could be an inch. I also replaced the seat covers at the same time, which added a little height.

To solve the low-armrest issue (which is really how I know I’m up higher) I got an armrest cover on Amazon and added about 1.5-2” of upholstery foam underneath.
 
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Test drive in the full moon as a front moved out …..really great . We have “coves” in our area where the plateau drops down to the river, wooded paved roads with wildlife and great views- the foam is just great. So glad it is on the market. The stock foam has no personality. And it is the reason your lower back hurts …it makes you slump forward some.

A time capsule to 1976 was playing on a classic rock station- songs from that year (Thin Lizzy, Kansas, Bob Seger, Boston, ELO) plus leisure suit and Jimmy Carter Campaign adds …. If I could go back I might stop around 1984, but it was great memories….I was 10 and my older brother blew every paycheck on speakers and cassettes and black light posters , cigarettes and beer . And model cars.

I sat there on Saturdays watching a tape deck go in a Chevelle wondering things like “why doesn’t he fix this hole in the floor board first” and why does dad seem mad at him all the time.

Life is funny. Man it goes by so fast. Eventually you see history may not repeat itself but it sure rhymes.




Quote of the week- “never search for happiness- it sets the framework that you are unhappy”
 
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I now sit about 2” taller than I did the day before the change. I had previously installed 3/4” risers, and I took them out.

I have no idea how much taller this is than it was when I got the LJ in 2005—it could be an inch. I also replaced the seat covers at the same time, which added a little height.

To solve the low-armrest issue (which is really how I know I’m up higher) I got an armrest cover on Amazon and added about 1.5-2” of upholstery foam underneath.
I am undecided on whether to keep the seat risers. Mine are 1.25". Prior to the foam I sat perfect. With the foam I am too high. Took them out and I feel like I am sitting on the floor. Plan is to cut them in half and try again or find a set of 3/4" risers. Can't imagine the foam added more than 1" of height.

Test drive in the full moon as a front moved out …..really great . We have “coves” in our area where the plateau drops down to the river, wooded paved roads with wildlife and great views- the foam is just great. So glad it is on the market. The stock foam has no personality. And it is the reason your lower back hurts …it makes you slump forward some.

A time capsule to 1976 was playing on a classic rock station- songs from that year (Thin Lizzy, Kansas, Bob Seger, Boston, ELO) plus leisure sure and Jimmy Carter Campaign adds …. If I could go back I might stop around 1984, but it was great memories….I was 10 and my older brother blew every paycheck on speakers and cassettes and black light posters , cigarettes and beer . And model cars.

I sat there on Saturdays watching a tape deck go in a Chevelle wondering things like “why doesn’t he fix this hole in the floor board first” and why does dad seem mad at him all the time.

Life is funny. Man it goes by so fast. Eventually you see history may not repeat itself but it sure rhymes.




Quote of the week- “never search for happiness- it sets the framework that you are unhappy”
That sounds like my kind of play list.

“never search for happiness- it sets the framework that you are unhappy”. That's a keeper.
 
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Chopped down a few extra seat risers I had to bring them down before installation of the seat foam. Finger crossed it's all the hype. I'm sure it will be, mine is broken down at 210K.
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I just had the pleasure of sitting in my TJ Rubicon with the new foam Dave did on the passenger seat-

In that vehicle I have 1/2” seat risers on the drivers side and none on the passenger side

I’m convinced that you’re really not gonna want to use seat risers with this product in most circumstances.

My LJR sits perfect at the wheel- but I realize this is a subjective deal.

Having had the opportunity to enjoy this a little bit my immediate reaction is how much better your lower back feels.

Because it changes the relationship of the lower seat with the upper the design of the seat really works with your lower back nice.

Seat risers do not do that.

He also secured my fire extinguisher-

I had made a deal to purchase him some foam for his rig if he would help me with a couple of things- great dude

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I am still feeling my way through the risers dilemma. Been driving the past few days with the new foam, which feels great, and the risers installed. I noticed my left shin hit the knee bar under the dash a few times while depressing the clutch so that pretty much seals the deal for shortening the risers.

When I had the drivers side installed with no risers, with the risers still installed under the passenger side, the difference in height of the headrest was immediately disturbing. I am too anal retentive with the height difference and would be bothered every time I looked at the Jeep. If I do half the size of the drivers side risers, I'll have to do the same on the passenger side.