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Good seats for long road trips?

23K views 41 replies 25 participants last post by  JeepHerz 
#1 ·
Does anyone have any recommendations for aftermarket seats with first hand experience? I spent about 6 hours today in my JK(2 dr sport), and my back is killing me. I've done 18+ hour convoys wearing body armor, and it didn't leave me this sore. Maybe my back has just gotten a little soft lol.

I was looking at Mastercraft, and Corbeau, but I'm not finding a whole lot of information for how they hold up on long road trips. Any help would be a appreciated!
 
#3 · (Edited)
A very difficult question...

Seat comfort is so very subjective : Imagine spending $$$ on
aftermarket seats only to find a minimal improvement in comfort.
I would suggest a lower back cushion from a company with a return
policy. Or a lumbar support belt . As a retired DDS in practice for 38 years.
I have found good lumbar support can relieve many back problems
I wish you good luck with your search

Dante :)
 
#5 ·
Seat comfort is so very subjective : Imagine spending $$$ on
aftermarket seats only to find a minimal improvement in comfort.
I would suggest a lower back cushion from a company with a return
policy. Or a lumbar support belt . As a retired DDS in practice for 38 years.
I have found good lumbar support can relieve many back problems
I wish you good luck with your search

Dante :)
That's what I was thinking was just getting a lumbar support bladder and save a good chunk of money. A new set of seats for the jeep, would mean I could put the jeep seats in my other truck(91 GMC Jimmy, fullsize). I'm really curious about the results people have had with these after market seats though.

It's a '12. Do the earlier JKs have a different mounting system for their seats? I have basic welding/fab/mechanical skills, so getting a seat to fit is not a problem for me.

Unrelated to the quotes above, but 8 hours later, 3/4 of a bottle of Jack, and my back is still sore lmao. I've probably just been logging too many hours in Spintires!
 
#7 ·
Are you taller? I am 6'5 and find the issue that the front lower part of the seat does not put any pressure on the back of the legs while sitting. I know another tall owner put a spacer, much like the rear seat recline kit, to change the angle of the front driver's seat and helped with his back pain. I will be trying the same.
 
#9 ·
I'm 5'10 180ish lbs, my seat was actually putting pressure on the back/bottom of my right leg. It was enough that after a while part of my foot went numb. This may be unrelated as well, but the seat position never feels "right". I'm either too far away from the clutch, too close, seated too high, seated too low, and the pedals almost feel offset to the left. That's just me though, I'm not complaining about it, or asking for an answer as to why. Just making an observation.
 
#10 · (Edited)
My back would tire after a couple hours in my 2008-12 JKs; it tires no more in my 2013 and 2014.

Pre-2013 JKs have seats inspired by park benches; 2013+ have well contoured seats.

May be worth picking up a pair of seats from a salvage yard.

Good luck.
 
#16 ·
I'll look into that, at least ebay, the yards in my area are garbage and are 90% sedans from the late 90s/early 2000s.

I also have the 2012 and they kill both my back and my husbands. Especially if we've been wheeling for an entire day. Per some other suggestions- I looked for newer model seats for 6 mos. before I gave up. Bought several lumbar support thingies but with limited success. They don't stay in place, get filthy, fall apart ETC.
My last gasp is to get the support bladders
For my Trek Armor. Should arrive next week.
Let me know how it works for you! I drove a Hyundai Sonata for a couple days while my jeep was getting fixed. I won the cylinder head lottery when I bought my '12, and those rental car seats were bad lol. Thirty minute drive home and my back was begging for mercy.

We have one Jeep 2014 jkur , one Chevy corvette, and three Fords. The Ford seats in the newer F350 power stroke diesel pickups are by far the most comfortable on a long trip. I suggest buying a new Ford pickup when going on a long cross country trip.
...really dude
 
#12 ·
I need leather seats. The stock cloth seats in my '15 JK Rubicon aren't good for me. They're too soft. The left side feels softer, like it's collapsing, because I use my left leg for the clutch all the time. The cloth doesn't let you slide around on the seat much, so every little movement causes your shorts to ride up and bunch....wedgies.

I don't need a fancy aftermarket solution. I'd gladly settle for some stock leather Ruby seats.

Quick! Does anyone have a freshly crashed Rubicon with leather seats I can swap with before the insurance company gets it?! [emoji2]
 
#13 ·
I also have the 2012 and they kill both my back and my husbands. Especially if we've been wheeling for an entire day. Per some other suggestions- I looked for newer model seats for 6 mos. before I gave up. Bought several lumbar support thingies but with limited success. They don't stay in place, get filthy, fall apart ETC.
My last gasp is to get the support bladders
For my Trek Armor. Should arrive next week.
 
#20 ·
the Wrangler seats are the most comfortable seats in any vehicle i have ever driven since the days of the big sofa bench seats and the large borderline recliner-status Buicks. i am 230 lbs and i tend to bottom out on a lot of vehicles where the bolster frame of the seat gives me left thigh/hip pain. the Wrangler seats have very thick padding all around, and when i sink into the foam due to my weight i do not feel the bolster frames of the seat. all i feel is foam and i don't collapse in the middle of the seat like i do on say, Subarus.

someone commented on the new F-150 seats. i guess i am one or maybe the only one who finds them extremely uncomfortable due to the issue i mentioned above. the center flat part of the seat is too narrow for me and my hip is riding on the bolsters which for me, compress too much and too easily and i feel the seat frame. for me, i need thicker foam if the manufacturer has seat frame protrusions on the bolsters. i run into the same issue now with all vehicles which have these massively pronounced seat bolsters which to save money, the manufacturers are not making pronounced with thicker foam but rather with seat frame protrusions to "push up" and give shape to the bolsters.

i know i am in the minority on this one, but i just wanted to share my experience with the Wrangler seats.
 
#21 ·
I have a 2014 Rubi X and it has Leather seats, I have done many 3300 to 5500 mile trips in it without any issues.

On a side note the most comfortable seats I have ever owned and the most missed where in my 997 Porsche 911...The Sport Adaptable Seats in full Leather.
They were a $3300.00 option and worth the money ;)
 
#26 ·
No worries, I think this thread has already been derailed lol. I'll check up on ebay for '13+ seats though.


Unless you drive a Ford, you can't compare. I have both, and the Ford is much more comfortable.No comparison. I am OLD, so comfort is a high priority.
If you are young and happy to sit on an egg crate, then so be it.
Definitely not going to buy a new pickup to haul a new Jeep. Just because the seats are uncomfortable. $500 for seats or $50,000 for a new truck which should I spend? A long with maintenance and insurance. I'd rather solve a problem, not throw money at it until it goes away. Especially when it's money I don't have.
 
#27 ·
Yes sir!

I have a simular issue, in my day it was called gun belt syndrome. Starts pretty much at the right hip traveling down yoh right butt cheek behind the right leg to the knee. Worst case ah guy can't walk without horrid pain. Numb toes/feet.

Ok... I'm and old fart with a bit of spunk left in me so here's what I learned.

Be very mindful as after market seats are not built near as good as our Jeep component brand.
 
#30 ·
I hope you're not talking about those old duty belts and alice packs lol. Good Lord those things were horrible! 7k hike and it would take you 3 clicks to get your pack situated to the point it didn't give you severe pain or numbness lol.
What would make more sense is to trade your '12 in on a brand new '17 :DEveryone is built different, but for this 52 year old 6'3" 190lb person, I found the seats in my previous '13 to be extremely comfortable on long (8+ hour) drives. I bought it used and my 72 yo Dad went to go pick it up and drove it back from Kentucky to Florida (drives a Ford F150) He remarked on how comfortable it was.

Found these on ebay: 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK Factory Front Seats Cloth Complete Mopar Used Black | eBay 850 for a pair of seats out of a 2015.

If you do think you are going to get seats out of a newer Jeep, I'd recommend going down and test driving a Jeep or at least sitting in one. You should be able to get an idea if your particular discomfort can be alleviated with the newer seats.
Unfortunately I can't trade my Jeep in because of "revolving credit". It's all my fault, long story short, the dealership ran my credit so many times it dropped my credit score from the low 700s to the low 600s. Then when I took the jeep back because of mechanical problems, to get another vehicle. It just made everything worse because of my stupidity. Anyways a few months and a few lemon law lawyers later. I'm stuck with the decision of trading up and destroying my credit even more, or lay in the bed I've made.

After looking at the prices of the seats online, I've decided to either go with a lumbar bladder and see how that works. Then decide from there if it warrants any more money being put into it. I also found a bad draglink end today as well, so I've got that to repair as well lol.
 
#28 ·
So sorry, my tablet is not allowing me to continue my post.

After market are not returnable

cheap quality. As compared to factory seats. Bracketry is lower quality. which cost extra.

Since 2012 Jeep in my opinion has greatly improved front seating especially the Katzkin leather seat company out of Los Angeles. If you click the link it will take you to multiple choices in full kits that allow us to upgrade without having to buy a newer JK. For additional $$$ they will add custom designs to include embroidery if so desired.

JUST as a pre-tryout period, plant yo bum in newer year modal jk's (custom Katzkin leather seats) and I guarrantee you won't be singin' those cadence blues!

Kits range from $800 to $1200. Give em ah call. Of course I am assuming most Jeepers know Kazkin makes all upgraded seats for Jeep

https://katzkin.com/
 
#33 ·
I take my wallet out for a drive that's longer than an hour too.


I'm 6'5" and very broad across the back. I found the seats in my 2008 more comfy than my 2014. My wife, otoh, is 5'5" and likes the newer seats.

Took me a while to dial in the height/distance/tilt to where I could stand it.
 
#39 ·
I just received my Bartract lumbar bladders for the seat covers. Let's just say they look like $25 worth. It's a simple little bladder that you squeeze to blow it up. I plan to install them this weekend. I am not optimistic but we'll see.
My husband found these: CPA3001 All Black Leatherette Cipher Auto Universal Jeep Seats - Pair [CPA3001PBK] - $449.00 : Cipher Auto!, Automotive Parts Accessories & Universal Racing Seats
El Monte CA is not far from me so in the next couple of weeks I plan to try driving there and checking them out. Right off the bat I am not thrilled about black vinyl seats in sunny California but I imagine they can do a different material.
 
#41 ·
Having experienced a broken vertebra (L2), and shattered coccyx, I'm well-versed in seat discomfort. For my money, a gel seat cover and lumbar bladder are must-have if I'm going to be in the seat more than an hour at a time. Just recently did a full day of off-roading in the wife's JKU, followed up with ~3hours of driving to get home. No problems like I used to have, thanks to this:

https://smile.amazon.com/Wondergel-WG-FG-001-WonderGel-Fold-n-Go-Cushion/dp/B00SS3EZ7U

Bonus, it fits airplane seats so when I fly, same cushion goes in my carry-on backpack through security. Think of it like those Dr. Scholl's gel shoe inserts, I'm gellin'!

O_E
 
#42 ·
Might have to try that. I worry that the gel surface would collect a lot of dirt though. I don't think that would hit under the seat cover- and I wheel (Jeep) topless so the dry California landscape covers my Jeep on the inside.
On a different note I will mention that Batract totally refunded my purchase and did not even require I send the bladders back. Makes my life a lot easier.
 
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