Summit seat foam review

[HeffTJ]

Well I was going to get a Dewalt that I saw at tractor supply because they seem to think things out pretty good...They were sold out and we picked one up and it looked pretty basic and it worked really good- You’re only doing about 8 rings per seat

I think the bend of the ring is key....If I was shopping I will try to get everything from the same manufacture.


You know what you just said really got my attention in the beginning the reviews on this stuff we’re just over the top.


One of our members that I know personally did it first and this guy is no pushover and he was really really happy with the results. @tr21triton .

I think when it gets down to it foam technology has advanced a lot in the last 20 years. And Chrysler was never on the cutting edge of across-the-board quality those days.

- when you do it you’ll see pretty quick that the stock material is just not really that good...At least 20 years down the road.

In a minute I’ll see if I can add a picture of the set that I got.

View attachment 557587

I was afraid these weren’t that great but it turned out they were very good- I think it’s important that the ring is designed by the tool manufacture.

Do you know of or have any concise instructions on how replace the old foam with the new?

 

[red02tj]

Do you know of or have any concise instructions on how replace the old foam with the new?

Thread 'How-To Remove / Replace Seat Cushion 03-06 Front Seat'

Apr 1, 2024

A picture is worth a thousand words… or something like that.

Here’s a breakdown with some photographs on removing the driver side (the steps are identical for the passenger side seat).

Quick Tip: you might have to slide the seat forward or back to have a better angle to reach some of the plastic inserts.

Tools used to remove the seat:
13mm socket
T50 bit socket
Ratchet
13mm ratcheting wrench

The T50bit/13mm sockets and ratchet were used to remove the two bolts behind the seat while the ratcheting wrench was used to remove the two bolts to the front seat.

*Might need to...

• Sgt Jarhead
• Replies: 14
• Forum: TJ How-to Guides

• 

+/- @AndyG trick for removing just the seat and not the entire base.

 

[tr21triton]

Do you know of or have any concise instructions on how replace the old foam with the new?

youtube has some video's on it.

 

[AndyG]

Do you know of or have any concise instructions on how replace the old foam with the new?

No-

But this is what I would tell someone if I were asked-

Remove the lower platform from the base

Unclip the cover
- then cut the hog rings

- foam lifts out

- This is a good point to spray the frame with a rust converter and lubricate everything

- Install the foam
- Install the cover starting with the hog rings along the top of the seat then clip everything in place and reattach the base

 

[MikekiM]

Do you know of or have any concise instructions on how replace the old foam with the new?

 

[Dave Kerr]

No-

But this is what I would tell someone if I were asked-

Remove the lower platform from the base

Unclip the cover
- then cut the hog rings

- foam lifts out

- This is a good point to spray the frame with a rust converter and lubricate everything

- Install the foam
- Install the cover starting with the hog rings along the top of the seat then clip everything in place and reattach the base

Or just pull the two metal rods out of the hogs rings and then slide them into the cover on the new seat foam. Easy.

 

[LJ-MXer]

I wouldn't feel too badly about those Jeeps, Summit just started selling these in March...




Surprised to hear this. I was leary of them when I purchased, but so far that bushing kit has cleared up a number of issues that ended up being related on my LJ.

I thought I knew my way around my Jeep but have no idea what the bushings actually do. I was always under the impression that they helped the seat roll easier. Can you expand?

 

[LJ-MXer]

Currently insulating my 06 LJ. While doing my research for what products to use I ran across a ton of vibration isolating mounts for everything from industrial generators to home theater stuff. Anyone away of material to put between the seat frames contact points? Maybe 1/2 inch industrial rubber for little seat lift and vibration dampening. I only mention it because it's never one thing but the totality of the approach for things like this. TIA

 

[Tob]

Currently insulating my 06 LJ. While doing my research for what products to use I ran across a ton of vibration isolating mounts for everything from industrial generators to home theater stuff. Anyone away of material to put between the seat frames contact points? Maybe 1/2 inch industrial rubber for little seat lift and vibration dampening. I only mention it because it's never one thing but the totality of the approach for things like this. TIA

Seems like damping in the seat fastening would compromise rigidity. You would have to find something stiff enough to withstand the joint pressure without blowing out.

 

[chili_pepper]

but have no idea what the bushings actually do

The bushings tighten up the seat mechanism. When worn or missing, there's a bit of play between seat and base frame. I had noises that I initially suspected might be the result of worn suspension components (hard to pinpoint origins), but those noises vanished with the Summit bushing kit installed.

 

[LONGJP2]

Currently insulating my 06 LJ. While doing my research for what products to use I ran across a ton of vibration isolating mounts for everything from industrial generators to home theater stuff. Anyone away of material to put between the seat frames contact points? Maybe 1/2 inch industrial rubber for little seat lift and vibration dampening. I only mention it because it's never one thing but the totality of the approach for things like this. TIA

I doubt the rubber would survive the shear forces of a crash.

 

[Rut Row]

Where on the seat are you getting heat or cold? The likelihood of heat or cold radiating up the seat frame is pretty low. However, for a thermal break you don't need much. A UHMW washer would do the job.

 

[Kevo1966]

I have mentioned these in another thread but I’m going to post this because I’m just so happy with the product.

Summit has left and right late-model seat foam on the market that feels far superior to the 2003 to 2006 factory foam.

How good does it feel? It is firm without being hard, It feels like you have made a significant suspension upgrade.

It makes you feel like the seat is inclined back just a little bit more and your position with the lumbar support of the back is so good that the upper foam feels better too.

We are not talking about a marginal improvement. This stuff is night and day different.

The installation takes a good hour to remove the seat and carefully remove the upholstery and change the foam and reassemble, per seat. This is a good juncture to put spray lubricant into any cable mechanisms and lubricate the pivots.


At this point I purchased five of these. I’m taking my low mileage LJ passenger seat foam and putting it in the TJ Rubicon with the new Summit foam on the driver side.

Then I’m putting complete new foam in the LJ on both sides.

The other two I got for a buddy who has selflessly helped me with the project and some other things.

You will sit a little taller but it will not be a disadvantage in anyway.

If I had to go on a very long journey in a TJ or it was my only choice of transportation I would insist on doing this foam swap.

Most 03-06 foam is about 4-5 on the comfort scale and most are broken down next to the drivers door. What Summit sells is equal to the feel of a 2024 vehicle, It makes the entire experience of driving these even better.

You need hog rings and pliers. They do provide rings but the ones we bought seemed to work better.

....another notable point is dealing with Summit is a very pleasant experience- Everything I have ever ordered I had within a couple of days at the longest. I would say they are a Crutchfield level supplier.

Tangent below- While we’re talking about good service:


I’ll take a minute to put in a plug for @mrblaine -He will knock you down getting product out the door. He’s not after your money, he’s out to solve your problem.

He is a good example of how small business can do things big businesses can’t. The same reason that a fly can walk on the ceiling and an elephant cannot- size.

I have the Upper seat foams in stock now! use the bottom seat foam part number with a U on the end. SUM-RP20032-LH-U as an example.

 

[BillW]

I have been thinking of buying a new seat, but If I can replace the foam for a sixth of the price, bring it on... However, the question still remains of replacing the factory seat upholstery.... I believe mine is an Indian blanket theme.... Is there a source for that??? Oh, it is a 1997 TJ....

 

[JP_in_STL]

I have the Upper seat foams in stock now! use the bottom seat foam part number with a U on the end. SUM-RP20032-LH-U as an example.

Kevo1966 - you are the Summit guy correct? Whatever happened with the demo of the Seat Covers? Any word on that orpics? My stockers are getting thin.

 

[BoldlyGoing]

Kevo1966 - you are the Summit guy correct? Whatever happened with the demo of the Seat Covers? Any word on that orpics? My stockers are getting thin.

I'd be interested to hear this as well. My Driver's side seat is trashed. I'd love to just re foam / re cover the seat base and then throw something like Bartact covers over the whole kit and caboodle.

 

[AndyG]

I'd be interested to hear this as well. My Driver's side seat is trashed. I'd love to just re foam / re cover the seat base and then throw something like Bartact covers over the whole kit and caboodle.

Don’t forget you can use bartacts until you get the covers - If I’m not mistaken that’s been done more than once

 

[Dave Kerr]

I'd be interested to hear this as well. My Driver's side seat is trashed. I'd love to just re foam / re cover the seat base and then throw something like Bartact covers over the whole kit and caboodle.

The boneyards have seats and will ship you the covers.

 

[BoldlyGoing]

The boneyards have seats and will ship you the covers.

Great idea. Hadn’t thought of that

 

[hosejockey61]

Here's an install video for the new Summit uppers. I cover the 97-02 which has no hog rings. The 03-06 has hog rings.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-install-the-summit-racing-upper-seat-cushion.82974/