'98 XJ Seats Into '90 MJ

[mrmel2you]

Needing some input/info on this one. Just bought a pair of '98 XJ buckets, took the mounts/sliders off----pulled the bench out and took the mounts/sliders off. Looked them both over before and after taking them apart, and I see no way to make these buckets work. Don't know if it's something that I am overlooking, or if it's because it can not be done. Any help/info on this will greatly help me out (pics would be excellent). Many many thanks in advance. Would really love to be able to use these seats. Gray leather wrapped, complete with belts/mounts/trim pieces, and look like new----only paid $50 for the pair :)

 

 

[cruiser54]

MJ bucket and bench seat brackets are different. 

[Blue88Comanche]

I thought the later model xjs had different brackets and sliders than the early xjs.

 

 

Jeff

[Eagle]

I thought the later model xjs had different brackets and sliders than the early xjs.

 

 

They do -- but they're still different from MJ brackets, because the floor framing is different. You can put late-model XJ seats into an MJ, but you will have to make custom adapters to attach the seats to the MJ seat pedestals/brackets.

[mrmel2you]

That's what I found out so far, everything is different on the MJ and XJ.  Decided to try and go with 1" angle iron, bolted to the sliders on the XJ seats and then bolt them to the MJ mounts.  Looks promising so far, but clearance is really tight for bolting the mounts back on the floor.  Have to make a slight notch in the front mount for clearance for the slider handle on both mounts, but all in all it just might work (fingers and toes crossed on this project) LOL :) 

[Wiggilez]

Keep in mind that I used seats out of a 90 xj but i just drilled out the weld of my mj bench then welded them to the xj seat slider and worked just fine. I have a few pics in my build thread.

[Papa ken]

I am swapping a set of '01 XJ seats into my '88 with these brackets. They should work well. I will post back up this weekend with how it went.

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jzp-450-010-09

[Eagle]

I am swapping a set of '01 XJ seats into my '88 with these brackets. They should work well. I will post back up this weekend with how it went.

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jzp-450-010-09

 

Be sure to post a follow-up. If those work at all in an MJ I'll be amazed.

[HOrnbrod]

I am swapping a set of '01 XJ seats into my '88 with these brackets. They should work well. I will post back up this weekend with how it went.

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jzp-450-010-09

 

Work well? I guess if you never want to slide the seat they would. Looks like they will raise the seat too high also. Good luck.

[mrmel2you]

*Papa Ken*, I just looked at those mounts, you may need to turn the uprights around (floor mounting tabs) so they face towards each other due to the narrow space between the tunnel and door sills.  Kinda wish I would have seen them before I did mine, LOL.  Got both seats installed, 1" angle iron laid across the stock 'manche mounts (had to notch both front mounts for slider handle clearance.  Came out the same height as the stock bench seat :)

[87Warrior]

When I installed 99 XJ seats in my 86 MJ, I did it a little different.

 

I used the XJ bracket/slider and the XJ floor brace that is spot welded to the XJ floor. I mounted the XJ sheet metal floor brace to the floor of the MJ. The rear of the XJ slider/bracket needed bent upwards some to account for the MJ rear floor pan and the MJ needed some bracing to properly secure the seat. The back of the seat does sit about 1" higher than it did in the XJ. Can't compare to the MJ bench since it was sagged to the floor. I don't notice the extra rear height and my passengers never notice. I can slide the seat all the way back and struggle to reach the pedals, which impressed me being 6'3" tall.

[Papa ken]

Work well? I guess if you never want to slide the seat they would. Looks like they will raise the seat too high also. Good luck.

I have the slider assembly removed from the XJ seat brackets so the plan will be to drill and mount the sliders right on top of the bracket.

 

I was planning on flipping the base brackets around to clear the tunnel. We will see if they work or not this weekend.

[SBpunk]

_{Didn't read through all the comments but I'm sure everyone has told you its a pain to get them to fit. I put WJ leather seats in mine with the fold forward lever. To get them adapted I initial used 1/4 flat steel. Didn't work well and they bent pretty quick. Ended up cutting and rigging up some square steel tubing for the adapters. It raised my seat up a bit (I'm only 5'6 and a half... it counts) but not enough to the point were I couldn't get in and out. That's help up a lot better. The alternative is cutting your bucket seat brackets and welding on the top part of the 98 xj brackets. Depending on how the rails are that might not even be possible if it has the separated rails with the pull bar for an adjuster.}

[mrmel2you]

Here's what I wound up with, not the prettiest---but it worked :)  I bolted 1" angle iron to the tops of the rear seat mounts (while they were bolted to the floor).  I then set the seats on top of the angle iron, with the sliders bolted to the seats.  I marked where the holes in the sliders met with the angle iron, drilled them out, set the seats back in and bolted them in---rock solid too.  Had to notch both front mounts for the pull handles.  One additional note, I cut the outboard front leg off the '98 mounts, flattened the bottom tab and bolted it to the outboard 'manche seat mounting stud (front mounts).  Had to drill an additional hole on the top side for the slider to mount.  For the seat belts, I swapped out the seat belt that is attached to the XJ seats and bolted on the ones from the 'manche.  I pulled the XJ seatbelt out of the housing that bolts to the seat. Using a stiff piece of wire attached to the seatbelt tab on the 'manche seatbelt, I pulled it through the XJ seatbelt housing---my stock seatbelts still work :)  Will post some pics here in a bit, wife and I have some running around to do. Happy Trails everyone :)

[mrmel2you]

Here is a few pics of the '98 XJ seats in my '90 Comanche :)  Turned out better than what I thought they would, and so much more comfortable than the bench seat (anyone needing a bench seat? No mounts or sliders though, sorry).

 

  

 

 

 

Still need a horn button cover

 

[Papa ken]

Nice! I still haven't had a chance to fight my seats some more. I did find that those brackets are an inch to short to mount the seat to. I already have some angle iron cut and drilled and mounted using the same idea as the universal mounts.

 

What is the measurement from the top of the bucket to the ceiling?

 

Thanks,

 

Ken

[HOrnbrod]

....top of the bucket to the ceiling?

 

Top of the head rest to the ceiling?  Front of the seat bottom to the ceiling?

[Papa ken]

I guess both wouldn't hurt, but I was looking for top of head rest.

[HOrnbrod]

Stock OEM MJ Laredo bucket seats with stock non-rocking bases.

 

Top of the head rest to the ceiling:  12"

Front of the seat bottom to the ceiling:  32"

 

[SBpunk]

Man I need to find some good carpet

[Bill]

Last year I bought some new grey carpeting from a company thru the internet, I think their name was like "Stock Interiors" or something like that, was only about 120.00 and it fit perfect and looked factory, I was really satisfied with it.

[1989 comanche mj]

I am 6' 5" so I need the seats low and back.   Over the years I have modified several seats.  Cut the tracks down, weld on angle iron and drill new holes to bolt them down when they are where you want them.

[SBpunk]

5'6 here so I could probably put in barstools and be alright. This is what I ended up with. Giant pain so I'm sure the XJ seats wouldn't be too difficult. Once I get the interior in and everything adjusted I'll start welding up the brackets.

 

[WyoCherokee]

just did this swap my self. 98 2 door folding seats into a 90 MJ with MJ bucket mounts. Had to fab up my own adaptors, as the 97+ racks are a good 4" wider than the 90 sliders.