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View Full Version : J truck folding bench seats questions

seventynine
02-05-2009, 06:53 AM
I need to replace the bench seat in my '79 J10. The one I have in there now does not fold forward. The PO likely swapped this one in from a different year.

I'd like to get one that does fold forward.
Were the folding bench seats an option or were they only available after a certain year?

Also...are all of the bench seats from different year J trucks interchangeable? And finally...will seats from a Waggy or Chero bolt into a J Truck?

Anyone have a decent condition bench seat...preferably black...near Virginia they are looking to sell?;-)

Thanks,
Dean
Chris P.
02-05-2009, 07:39 AM
I'm not sure if they were an option, but my '74 does not fold while my '79 does.

I think seats will swap within a given period of years. The floor pan changed slightly in '80? and up FSJ's
dlowrance
02-05-2009, 07:40 AM
I didn't know that they made bench seats that didn't fold up?

Anyhoo, any bench from another J truck should swap, and yeah, the seats out of a cherk or waggy will as well...

I put a seat out of a conversion van in mine...took a few mods but not terrible...

see here...

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=96438
tgreese
02-05-2009, 12:27 PM
I didn't know that they made bench seats that didn't fold up?
...
Yes, same here. My '77 folds, and it's the plain jane no-options version.
del
02-05-2009, 12:29 PM
Don't look at Dale's bench! It'll have you searching junkyards in sub-zero weather for one like it. Saw his switch right after I bought two new buckets. His bench looks good.
seventynine
02-05-2009, 01:04 PM
It could be that the seat in my J10 came out of a Wag or Chero...which I'm assuming didn't have folding bench seats.

Nice seats Dale!

I'm torn though between going for modern comfort or sticking with the old school plain Jane stock bench look;->

Dean
j20brett
02-05-2009, 01:32 PM
Wish you were closer, i would have GIVEN you my old one to get it out of the way. still in great shape too
mdill
02-05-2009, 01:41 PM
Most likely you are correct, the Cherokee/Wagoneer benches were pretty much exactly the same as the J-truck seats without the folding break in the frame.

It could be that the seat in my J10 came out of a Wag or Chero...which I'm assuming didn't have folding bench seats.

Nice seats Dale!

I'm torn though between going for modern comfort or sticking with the old school plain Jane stock bench look;->

Dean
mdill
02-06-2009, 10:05 AM
One quick way to tell if it is a Cheokee/Wagoneer seat, does it have an ash tray in the back?

Mike D.
seventynine
02-06-2009, 10:26 AM
One quick way to tell if it is a Cheokee/Wagoneer seat, does it have an ash tray in the back?

Mike D.

Good idea! Sure enough...it's got an ashtray.

Dean
zinertia
02-06-2009, 06:24 PM
As a minor note my '73 seat does not fold, never realized that any of them did!
Bill Moore
02-06-2009, 08:04 PM
original Jtruck seats fold, if your doesnt, its been swapped out
Locked and Loaded
02-06-2009, 08:10 PM
The one I have in there now does not fold forward.

That would suck.
JERSEY JOE
02-06-2009, 08:13 PM
In my opinion all the J truck bench seats are horrible. Even my 87 has a horrible seat and I had a trim shop firm it up. As far as I know the J trucks were narrower than anything else so a swap out is not an option. I really do not want to do a grand wagoneer bucket conversion, been there done that. I would like to keep the folding bench.

Anyone ave any ideas???????????
Bill Moore
02-06-2009, 08:23 PM
In my opinion all the J truck bench seats are horrible. Even my 87 has a horrible seat and I had a trim shop firm it up. As far as I know the J trucks were narrower than anything else so a swap out is not an option. I really do not want to do a grand wagoneer bucket conversion, been there done that. I would like to keep the folding bench.

Anyone ave any ideas???????????the bench seats can be rebuilt better, Ive done 3 of them. The best ones are the 80s models, you have to add springs, foam, etc.
HOOT
02-07-2009, 03:05 AM
In my opinion all the J truck bench seats are horrible. Even my 87 has a horrible seat and I had a trim shop firm it up. As far as I know the J trucks were narrower than anything else so a swap out is not an option. I really do not want to do a grand wagoneer bucket conversion, been there done that. I would like to keep the folding bench.

Anyone ave any ideas???????????

If you can find certain Cherokee bucket seats that fold forward they would bolt right in place. Not all 2 door Cherokees came with them but some did as it was an option. You will of course have the half uncomfortable Jeep seat still but it will fold forward.

I have scored a pair of SAAB bucket seats for mine. Not installed yet but they are very nice leather,heated,fold -able and the seat back is also adjustable.

I kept my 76 Cutlas Supreme 60/40 split bench just in case I change my mind. I've spent days behind the wheel of my Olds and many nights sleeping in them. I've owned 3, 1976 Cutli back to back and currently seeking another. Nothing like good ole velour to snuggle against.
fulsizjeep
02-07-2009, 03:20 AM
I think it is a mixed bag on whether they fold or not for the trucks. The 63 J200 Ryan got a couple years ago had a folding seat while three 72s I am familiar with are all non folding. Then my 81 folded. I have wondered if there was any logic to it... FSJ Logic!


Dale's conversion van seat upgrade is awesome. <drool>
seventynine
02-08-2009, 09:19 AM
Yeah...my bench seat besides not folding forward is completely deflated on the drivers side.

It's like I'm sitting on the floor. I was thinking about delating a big beach ball and squeezing it underneath then re-inflating to proper comfort as a temporary fix you know a kind of air seat :D

There is a crusty J10 (looks like a '79) for sale in town that I stopped and looked at. The seat looked a bit worse for wear aesthetically but it felt good sitting on it. A whole different world than my sink hole. And it did fold forward...

Dean
H Callaway
02-08-2009, 06:43 PM
Mine was completely rebuilt by a man in a wheel chair. I only mention his so called disability since he was amazing to watch work. What a craftsman!
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/hcallaway/DSC01903.jpg
Finished Bottom. If they have to add carpet to the top of the springs to firm it up, they are not doing it the right way.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/hcallaway/DSC01909.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/hcallaway/DSC01893.jpg
Door Panel and Seats. (They do fold in 1968.)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/hcallaway/DSC01926.jpg
Shameless
02-08-2009, 06:52 PM
The factory seat in my 78 doesn't fold.:banghead:
Rod2
02-08-2009, 09:07 PM
The bench in my '73 is out of my former '68, and it folds. The only problem is the '68 sat higher from the floor, so I had to source a tilt column from a '77 Firebird to clear the wheel when I got in.
seventynine
02-09-2009, 09:57 AM
Mine was completely rebuilt by a man in a wheel chair. I only mention his so called disability since he was amazing to watch work. What a craftsman!

Finished Bottom. If they have to add carpet to the top of the springs to firm it up, they are not doing it the right way.


Door Panel and Seats. (They do fold in 1968.)


Nice seat Callaway! How much did that refurb end up costing you? I may go that route but I need to get a folding seat to start with.

Thanks,
Dean
Woodchomper
02-09-2009, 11:33 PM
Callaway that seat looks great! I like the idea of the factory bench because it gives you the most leg room. Another alternative I have thought about is the PRP Seats custom bench seat. You can order any width from 34 to 72 inches and there is large selection of coverings. I priced out a basic vinyl bench seat and it came to $499. The only problem with the PRP seat is that it does not fold. http://www.prpseats.com/store_seats.html
seventynine
02-25-2009, 09:06 PM
Ok...I've got a couple more J Truck seat questions here. If you got bucket seats in a J Truck did they fold forward too?

These pics are from a '79 Honcho...and I don't see a lever to fold the seat forward...were these swapped in from something else or do they just not fold forward in J Trucks?

The color looks a little odd to me wit the blue dash. I'm thinking about buying this truck for parts. I might still go with buckets....psossibly find a pair and recover them like these.

Dean
JeepBountyHunter
02-25-2009, 09:13 PM
Not to Hijak, but H. Callaway how much did that cost to do for that one seat?
seventynine
02-25-2009, 10:01 PM
Not to Hijak, but H. Callaway how much did that cost to do for that one seat?

I'd like to know myself:thumbsup:
trailscape
02-28-2009, 06:56 PM
I just started on a 74 J10. The PO had replaced the floor boards with sheet metal and bolted some buckets to it. The seat belts aren't even attached anywhere.

He gave me a spare bench which is in nice shape, but doesn't seem to fit right. There's no gap in the middle so it sits far too high. I've been stripping parts from an 83 Grand Cherokee that has a really nice rear seat. Any chance this would fit? Otherwise, I think I'll try the front seats which aren't in the best shape.

Thanks
MFRPA
02-28-2009, 08:38 PM
My 1972 bench seat did not fold either.

Thae gentelmen above in VA did a very nice job on that black and white seat.
H Callaway
03-02-2009, 12:40 PM
Nice seat Callaway! How much did that refurb end up costing you? I may go that route but I need to get a folding seat to start with.

Thanks,
Dean


I don't check the site like I use to everyday, now it may be weeks or more before I get to it, so I am sorry for the delay. I think that the seat and door panels were around $450.00. I took them in and then had to wait for 3-4 months before I got them back. Wayne is in Buckingham County for those in VA. He is always backed up, but I can tell you he is a true craftsman. One day I was there they had the woodstove going and a guy played the guitar for hours, it was like a bit of heaven. I should have paid him an hourly fee for the time I spent there. Send me an email if you need any more info. Thanks Holt