Did the mod yesterday. Phew.. Those bolts are super tight as they should be. Breaker bar is a must. First couldn't get couple of them loose with 12" bar so a trip to hardware store for an 18" one and that did the trick. I like the way back seat has a little recline now although I'll never sit in the back but might come in handy for kids on long drives.

 

ok. the hi-lift is out from under my seat, as is my shovel, jumper cables, baby wipes, etc etc.... and now I'm going in!

stay tuned...

 

DONE. What's my time, coach?

Hmm. 49 minutes. Not too bad. I've got one word for this job: AIR TOOLS!

I completely removed the bottom 4 bolts then used a bungee cord around the head rest to keep the seat bottoms up and out of the way. This allowed easy access to the 3 seat-back bolts.

What wasn't said here, I think, is that you really need to push on the top of the seat back to bend up on the brackets in order to get the washers in place for the 3 seat-back bolts. I see we are essentially bending the brackets a bit to get this done which doesn't thrill me. But the truth is, in an accident, the seats aren't doing much to restrain passengers in forward movement as the seat belts are anchored separately. I rear end impact might be a different story.

I used 4 washers on the bottom 4 bolts each, and 3 washers in the 3 rears. The bolts still come completely through the floor so there's no need for longer bolts.

I torqued to 120ft lbs cause I couldn't do any more! LOL

Now I just gotta see if my sons like it.

 

What is the thickness of this flat steel bar (or the stack of washers)? Do I need different thickness for front and back?

What size hold to drill. Sorry I'm at work and can't go look at my Jeep.

I have a friend who can make these, I just need to email him the dimensions.

Thanks and this is a great mod!

 

I used 3/8" thick bar stock for both of them. Back ones are like 4 inches long and the fronts are like 2.5 inches long. Then my holes are of set to one end on both of them. I don't have the exact measurements, but if you need, I can get them for you.

 

Tight_wad, if you can get exact measurements that would be great. I am traveling and would like to get the process going with my friend. Thanks!

 

I will be glad to do so. I will do it tomorrow.

 

That sounds great. Thanks again!

 

Here you are: front plates 1.5 inches x 2.5 inches 3/8 bar stock. Hole drilled 3/8. Offset from end 3/4 inch.
back plates 1.5 inches x 4 inches of 3/8 bar stock. Hole drilled 3/8. Offset from end 3/4 inch.

The original bolts are more than long enough to do this, they still protrude through the bottom of the vehicle, just not as much. If you have access to an air impact wrench, remove the 4 front bolts and hold the seat bottom up out of the way, and you can use it to remove the back 3 bolts. All my bolts came out very easily. Good luck!

 

Tight_wad, I really appreciate that you took the time to do this.....it helps greatly!