Drivers Seat height dangerous
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg, VA
Based on how this shop does work (2000hp drag cars), I'll go out on a limb and say that these are overbuilt. I'm not a little guy and they know that...they've done a ton of work for me in the past and are the only independent shop I let touch our cars. All factory hardware was retained, save the brackets 
JK Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: cumberland ri
id figured i would throw my 2 cents in...at 6'3" i would say that sometimes i feel a little cramped cruising around in my JK...i think this is a cool mod...may even try it myself...but apparently the "god" of seat building thinks its a bad idea....well good for you...still might try this mod...now ill agree to a point...that the car manufacturers have spent lots of time and money to come up with what one would hope is the best solution, but one size doesn't fit all...now where you wouldn't see me making new control arms, you might see me make a seat bracket...and for all arguementative purposes, you're probably just as likely to die from a drunk driver skidding off the road into your driveway, as you're getting into your jeep, than from a seat bracket failing IF you should ever get into a wreck...again just my 2 cents...feel free to flame my post, just my opinion....and for the record, Chrysler doesn't have all the answers....check the photo.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 1
From: Punta Gorda, FL.
I too am tall (and a little wide), I did a mod on the existing seat track and factory frame that moves the seat back 2 inches to give more leg room.
It's post #5 in this thread on this forum.
Might help your situation.
.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Tejas
I think the bigger problem is the corner of the roll cage on the top of the windshield as this video demonstrates.
TeraFlex Presents: JK PreRunner Jeep Crash - YouTube
If the cage isin't reinforced, the head will hit the ground and the roll cage. I'm thinking about getting a Poison Spider cage just for the front. I'm only 5'9 so I don't have a big problem with my head getting near stock cage but maybe this would be the next step for you taller folk. Rather the head hit the cage than the cage and floor
TeraFlex Presents: JK PreRunner Jeep Crash - YouTube
If the cage isin't reinforced, the head will hit the ground and the roll cage. I'm thinking about getting a Poison Spider cage just for the front. I'm only 5'9 so I don't have a big problem with my head getting near stock cage but maybe this would be the next step for you taller folk. Rather the head hit the cage than the cage and floor
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: NW Georgia
There certainly appears to be some very uneducated opinions in this thread. For one thing - being an industrial designer by trade (going on 17+ years), yes...quite familiar with various metal alloys. To the guys talking about design etc...you would know that human factors uses averages. The average adult male fits within 5'-10" to 6'-1". That means us taller people get left out...
Being 6'7", I can relate And...after having built a couple race cars and done this same thing to them myself. This a GREAT mod. A couple tips - if replacing bolts, etc...use Grade 8 hardware and strong metals/alloys that bend, not break when fabricating the brackets.
Sounds like the guys that have done this have done it properly. PGT - Nicely done, you sought out pro's and it shows. Will definitely be looking to do the same. And soon.
JJ
Being 6'7", I can relate And...after having built a couple race cars and done this same thing to them myself. This a GREAT mod. A couple tips - if replacing bolts, etc...use Grade 8 hardware and strong metals/alloys that bend, not break when fabricating the brackets.
Sounds like the guys that have done this have done it properly. PGT - Nicely done, you sought out pro's and it shows. Will definitely be looking to do the same. And soon.
JJ
Last edited by JJBiggs; May 6, 2012 at 11:04 AM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
After researching here on JK-Forum and talking with a few vendors, I dropped my Jeep off at my local speed shop (one who I've had a long experience with). Dan and his team at Mach V Motorsports spent the day today fixing the issue. Bottom line....this is a custom job, not easy to fix with fab'ing some new brackets to sell over the counter (that might have worked ok on the older models...not sure). There's a welded-in riser at the front right that had to be cut out and some new metal tacked in place, to allow all four corners to drop the 2" max that's available.
So...bottom line is that at least on the 2012+, there's no simple fix (but it IS fixable). Full function up/down/back/forth is still available, just now two inches lower. I can snap a pic of the finished product tomorrow but the seat angle adjuster is basically flush to the the bulge in the B pillar where the seatbelt retractor lives.
A two inch is exactly what I needed for my Jeep. I'm 6'1" and it now feels perfect (and has the added benefit of keeping a "stock" like entrance height when I add the 2.5" AEV kit).
So...bottom line is that at least on the 2012+, there's no simple fix (but it IS fixable). Full function up/down/back/forth is still available, just now two inches lower. I can snap a pic of the finished product tomorrow but the seat angle adjuster is basically flush to the the bulge in the B pillar where the seatbelt retractor lives.
A two inch is exactly what I needed for my Jeep. I'm 6'1" and it now feels perfect (and has the added benefit of keeping a "stock" like entrance height when I add the 2.5" AEV kit).
I apologize for asking so many questions, but I am VERY interested. I'm a big guy. Thanks in advance!
