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JKU Rear Seat Recline Mod - ebay Kit

39K views 136 replies 68 participants last post by  dmbolp 
#1 · (Edited)
Time to install my kit I bought on ebay. I am slow so this took me about two hours. A good wrench can probably do this in one hour.

Here is the kit I bought.

2007 2014 Jeep JK Unlimited JKU 4 Door Rear Seat Recline Kit | eBay



Kit comes with three square back leg spacers and four rectangular front leg spacers. Front leg spacers are higher than back. Instructions are good but lacking torque for bolts.



Front bolts through front spacers. On the front bolts there is not a lot sticking through to grab threads so if you over torque you will pull up the threads. See below. If you have safety OCD you might want to buy four longer bolts and washers.



Rear bolt through rear spacer.



Seat bolts were not that hard to remove just annoying. You might want a drill and deep 18mm bit to help. I did use a break bar and my long torque wrench.





You can see how the front spacer lifts the seat to help create tilt. This does lift the head of the person in the backseat so for tall folks this might be a headspace issue.

Caution: Do not over torque these bolts. I did and messed one up. I had to go buy a longer one. As far as I can see in the torque list they should be torqued at 45-50 FP.




Installed. Showing tilt of seats.







You can definitely tell the difference when you sit down. This is great with the headroom issue being the exception.
 
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#3 ·
Good question. The blocks are very stout so that is not an issue. As I see it there are two issues from this mod.

1. The bolts on the front four mounts do not go as far into the Jeep body as the original. Solution to this would be to buy longer bolts.

2. It puts the passenger up slightly in the vehicle which changes angles for a collision.

I am not worried about the back bolts coming lose as they have a very firm grip on the Jeep body like factory.

That is all I can think of. I am willing to deal with these issues for the sake of providing a much better ride for all in the back seat. Factory lean on a JKU is almost intolerable. If you don't believe me go have someone drive you around for an hour back there and you will agree.

:iamhappy:
 
#8 ·
Hi, thanx for posting the pix on this.

I ordered a '15 JKU that will be in next week. When I test drove a '14, the ride in the back seat was an issue, so I ordered this kit and will install it right away. I am curious if it significantly alters how the seat folds down.
 
#18 ·
Did anyone try these without the back spacer?
 
#19 ·
I went & picked up my Jeep tonight and put these in as soon as I got it home. I think that they make a good difference & are worth it.

I could see how a bigger person would get uncomfortable after a few hours riding back there, but I think that after installing these blocks and correcting the angle, the discomfort would have more to do with the fact that the seat is not all that big or comfortable to begin with.
 
#27 · (Edited)
I wouldn't say recline... they just tip it back a few degrees. Check out the link at the top of the thread for pictures & more info.

Never mind...found it on another thread. For those interested...

"FYI., I replaced the lower front bolts with longer ones. I stripped out 2 of them while tightening them back down. It could have been my super human strength though. Ha.
I used grade 10.9 black 12X1.75 bolts an inch longer than originals. Tightens down great now."
Thanks!!
 
#23 ·
Never mind...found it on another thread. For those interested...

"FYI., I replaced the lower front bolts with longer ones. I stripped out 2 of them while tightening them back down. It could have been my super human strength though. Ha.
I used grade 10.9 black 12X1.75 bolts an inch longer than originals. Tightens down great now."
 
#31 ·
Picked up my new Jeep this morning and immediately installed this "kit". I'm sure there are cheaper DIY options to get the "recline" but the kit had great reviews, shipped quick, and other than a couple bolts being tough to loosen up, was an easy install.
 
#29 ·
because when you tip back everything - the three brackets under the seat that bolt to the tub wouldn't fit flush - so there are spacers to put there as well to make up the difference. if it didn't - I think all you'd actually accomplish is to tip the front of the seats up while leaving the backs of them still at an uncomfortable upright position.
 
#34 ·
Rubi,

For the money, this is probably the best JKU upgrade going. Just don't over torque the front bolts like I did on one. I now had numerous folks in the back even for long drives and I get all positive reviews. Also, the seat fold down works just as before it is just a bit higher and tighter to the front seats.

This is such a great mod I am surprised Jeep has not figured this one out.
 
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