Adapting seats from a different vehicle

[RADuck77]

Been lurking and reading for a while now. Lots of great stuff around the forum.

I recently bought a 2024 Gladiator Sport.
Like many, I am not happy with the seats in my gladiator. I have “slammed” the seats, which does provide a little better seating position, but still leaves much to be desired.
I have had 5 wranglers; YJ, 2- TJs, JK, & a JL, they all seemed to have better seats.

So I am looking for some insight. My thoughts are to either swap out my cloth seats for a set of Mojave seats which I have read seem to be better, or try to adapt seats from a different make of vehicle altogether. I also drive a Ram 1500, those seats are amazing.
I’m not overly concerned about losing the airbags in the seats, but what issues will arise if I do install seats without them?
I have the ability to make any brackets for mounting purposes. The various electronics in the seats are my main concerns.

Any feedback is appreciated

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[professorkx]

I’ve used PRP Enduro seats in Jeeps previously, as well as adapted seats from other rigs…but a factory Jeep seat would be the easiest conversion.

I am thinking about swapping the Volkswagen seats in my 47 cj2a truck conversion to PRP seats since I have an extra pair of seats on the second floor of the shop and the PRP seats are better.

 

[DC3]

Adapting seats from a different vehicle can be tricky because most OEM seat frames have integrated mounting specific for the application. With some fabrication skills, adaptation is definitely possible. Many late model vehicles use a CAN BUS system for controls so adapting late model power seats can also be tricky if the CAN BUS controls are integrated into the vehicle (rather than the individual seats). Reconfiguring the CAN BUS is also possible with some electronics wizardry.

The simplest is to retrofit seats from a different Gladiator/Wrangler trim level, as you suggested. The Mojave has the same fundamental seat profile as the sport with the accentuated bolsters which may or may not improve your experience depending on your objective.

Before seat slammers were available, I fabricated a similar modification for my first gladiator which made a significant difference in seating position comfort but did not overcome the seat profile issues.

I ultimately swapped Recaro seats with airbags, enabling maximum comfort without sacrificing safety. You can check out my approach here. My seats are not available in the US so I had to import them from Germany and the investment wasn't for the faint of heart but they've completely changed the experience.

As with anything, given enough money and/or time, anything is possible.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Adapting seats from a different vehicle can be tricky because most OEM seat frames have integrated mounting specific for the application. With some fabrication skills, adaptation is definitely possible. Many late model vehicles use a CAN BUS system for controls so adapting late model power seats can also be tricky if the CAN BUS controls are integrated into the vehicle (rather than the individual seats). Reconfiguring the CAN BUS is also possible with some electronics wizardry.

The simplest is to retrofit seats from a different Gladiator/Wrangler trim level, as you suggested. The Mojave has the same fundamental seat profile as the sport with the accentuated bolsters which may or may not improve your experience depending on your objective.

Before seat slammers were available, I fabricated a similar modification for my first gladiator which made a significant difference in seating position comfort but did not overcome the seat profile issues.

I ultimately swapped Recaro seats with airbags, enabling maximum comfort without sacrificing safety. You can check out my approach here. My seats are not available in the US so I had to import them from Germany and the investment wasn't for the faint of heart but they've completely changed the experience.

As with anything, given enough money and/or time, anything is possible.

Do the Mojave seats differ from the Rubicon seats regarding bolsters? I miss the BMW days and having side bolsters that actually hug you and keep you in place. Can't stand sliding around in a seat.

 

[ScoutVet19D]

If I was going to go with aftermarket seats Recaro would be the only brand. I’ve known a couple of people over the years who upgraded their Jeep seats to Recaro seats and I was always impressed with the quality and feel. That and I feel like they are actually made to fit.

OP, I have the tan leather seats in my 2020 JTR and they are the most comfortable seats I’ve ever owned in a Wrangler body vehicle. The only Jeeps I’ve owned with more comfortable seats were my 2019 GC limited and my wife’s 2023 GC limited which both have leather seats. My 2 cents is go test drive one with leather seats and see what you think. If you like em then you can try to find a set new from Mopar or used from a parted out Jeep.

 

[RADuck77]

Adapting seats from a different vehicle can be tricky because most OEM seat frames have integrated mounting specific for the application. With some fabrication skills, adaptation is definitely possible. Many late model vehicles use a CAN BUS system for controls so adapting late model power seats can also be tricky if the CAN BUS controls are integrated into the vehicle (rather than the individual seats). Reconfiguring the CAN BUS is also possible with some electronics wizardry.

The simplest is to retrofit seats from a different Gladiator/Wrangler trim level, as you suggested. The Mojave has the same fundamental seat profile as the sport with the accentuated bolsters which may or may not improve your experience depending on your objective.

Before seat slammers were available, I fabricated a similar modification for my first gladiator which made a significant difference in seating position comfort but did not overcome the seat profile issues.

I ultimately swapped Recaro seats with airbags, enabling maximum comfort without sacrificing safety. You can check out my approach here. My seats are not available in the US so I had to import them from Germany and the investment wasn't for the faint of heart but they've completely changed the experience.

As with anything, given enough money and/or time, anything is possible.

Thank you for the info. I have read through your thread a few times. Very impressive and informative, but definitely too much of an investment for my faint heart. Ha! Since I bought a base sport model, your seats cost about a third of my entire gladiator. Your seats turned out great though.

 

[RADuck77]

If I was going to go with aftermarket seats Recaro would be the only brand. I’ve known a couple of people over the years who upgraded their Jeep seats to Recaro seats and I was always impressed with the quality and feel. That and I feel like they are actually made to fit.

OP, I have the tan leather seats in my 2020 JTR and they are the most comfortable seats I’ve ever owned in a Wrangler body vehicle. The only Jeeps I’ve owned with more comfortable seats were my 2019 GC limited and my wife’s 2023 GC limited which both have leather seats. My 2 cents is go test drive one with leather seats and see what you think. If you like em then you can try to find a set new from Mopar or used from a parted out Jeep.

Thank you for the reply. This is the route I will likely go. Seems it would be easiest to adapt from another wrangler based model. I don’t necessarily want leather in the Central Texas sun, but I could always put cloth seat covers over them. Might even be able to get power seats too!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The problem with the JT (and JL) seats until they introduced the power seats in the X models in 2024, was the fact that you had 3 basic adjustments -
forward/backward,
straight up/straight down,
Seat back tilt forward/backward (lean forward, lean back)
There was no changing the tilt or angle of the seat bottom.
I get that, and understand they were trying to maintain simplicity, water fording depth and so on, but - for seats, one size does not fit all - for sure.

The seat mods like the slammers and others allow you to make a change -and you live with that change no matter how your back or hips feel on that day. I've found that on some days I may need to tweak the seat positions a bit, depending on if it's early morning, late evening, I've been doing physical work, and how my back feels.

So for me, and the fact that my wife also drives my truck now and then - power seats were my solution - trading Gladiators.

I actually found the seats in the 2018 Grand Cherokee we had to be "too hard" - like rocks. They didn't form around me. It was like the foam in the seats had set up or something. Even pressing on them, they didn't depress much. Ironic that I liked the seats in my 2022 JT better than that 2018 Grand Cherokee!
The 2021 GC we had, the seats were much better. It was the same level, but 3 years newer and they must have used better foam or something.

I guess the point is - you are going to have to do some testing of seats - what's comfortable for some won't be for others. Some say the Mojave seats with the "sport bolsters" were superior - but having driven both the Overland version and Mojave version, I frankly found very little difference in the seats. I suspect some marketing at play as the shape was very similar, and the bolsters on the Overland seats were firm and held you nicely in the seat even in aggressive driving situations. I literally thought to myself - what's the big deal?

The very best seats I've ever been in? My wife's cousin's Ford Escape. I drove that thing and never wanted to get out of it. If Ford made that same seat in a house type chair, I'd have bought one. It all but wrapped around me. I felt like I was being cradled in some racing seat.

 

[RudeJeepin]

@ShadowsPapa does your new Mohave seats have adjustable lumbar support, as in up or down, not just in or out?

My 84 Toyota Xtra-cab SR5 had the best seats for me. Tilt seat base, adjustable lumbar, adjustable bolster, and adjustable recline. The recline was by a knob that turned, so it was infinitely adjustable. The lumbar was in the perfect spot for me.
I did the DIY seat slammer on my Gladiator so the base is decent, but recline is either 1 notch to forward, or one notch to far backwards. The lumbar is also a touch to high, not bad and I can live with it. But if I was to ever pull the sear apart to redo the heat I added, I'd look into adjusting the lumbar down about an inch.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

@ShadowsPapa do your new Mohave seats have adjustable lumbar support?

Yes.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Yes.

4 way, I'm taking to mean, up and down as well as in and out.
Guess I need to go sit in one and see what I think. Then maybe I'll have to keep an eye out for some used ones.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

4 way, I'm taking to mean, up and down as well as in and out.
Guess I need to go sit in one and see what I think. Then maybe I'll have to keep an eye out for some used ones.

Sadly, these do get "wrecked" now and then. Since they came out with these in the 2024 model year, that means they started putting them out in late 2023, you may have a chance.............
Of course there are experts here on the forum that deal with converting wiring and such for that end, but they will likely be bolt-in as I can't see Jeep changing the floor pan - that's an expense they can do without in these times.

I haven't messed much with the lumbar setting - will have to check out the possibilities on that later.

 

[Janster]

4 way, I'm taking to mean, up and down as well as in and out.
Guess I need to go sit in one and see what I think. Then maybe I'll have to keep an eye out for some used ones.

I’ve yet to figure out the Lumbar adjustment…. I don’t use it often. But, from what I’ve learned….

The lumbar has an upper section and lower section…each are independent of eachother in terms of inflation. I don’t believe you can have both the upper & lower inflated at the same time. You can only inflate one at a time.

The lower section is almost ‘too low’…… When I’ve used it, it’s usually always fully inflated.

But again…that’s what I’ve discovered in my minimal usage of it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My spine has TOO MUCH curve from those years of heavy lifting, and often not doing it properly. Doc wanted me to lay flat on elevated boards in the afternoon for a few minutes a day to flatten things back out and stretch it out a bit - so I don't like seats pushing into my lower back - there's already too much curve there, don't need any more!

 

[RudeJeepin]

Thanks @Janster and @ShadowsPapa I'll definitely sit in one and play with it a bit before I try and buy new seats.
I'll also have to dig into the airbag part number and make sure they didn't change anything when they added the side curtain airbags.

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