When your Jeep Wrangler YJ is over a decade old, it’s time to replace those worn-out standard seats. Upgrading the YJ’s front and bench seats is a terrific way to improve the vehicle’s comfort, regardless of whether your current seats are ripped and worn or you want a sportier seat with greater support for off-roading.
The greatest YJ seat and rear bench improvements will be discussed in this article. Seat brackets and “junkyard” seats that are direct replacements for the YJ will also be discussed in this section, if you’re seeking for cheaper secondhand seats rather than new ones.
Wrangler YJ Seat Considerations
There are a few things to think about before settling into our favorite YJ seats. The most critical factor is the base height, which has an impact on the height at which you sit. Seat width and side bolstering have an impact on how well you fit in the seat and how much support you get when driving offroad. Finally, the type of seat you select will determine whether or not you require seat brackets. A lot of the seats can be bolted in, but there are also those that require an additional seat bracket.
Base Height
The first thing to consider is the height of the base. Preceding the seat itself, this is the height of the seat base, which dictates how high or low you can sit. Base heights ranging from 3.5″ to 5″ work well on the YJ. If you’re particularly tall or like a more squat position, the low end of the seating spectrum is your best bet. Alternatively, those who are a little shorter can opt for a higher vantage point. Anything from 3.5 to 5 inches should be fine for most people.
Bolstering & Width
Trail riding and off-roading, as well as comfort, necessitate this. The majority of aftermarket seats aren’t made to fit a single body type. Bestop Trailmax is a popular choice for everyone, although it lacks a lot of side and back support.
Seats that are neither too tight nor too wide will keep you from being flung from side to side during turns and offroading. As a result, the seats with additional side bolsters will provide more support and comfort. However, daily driving might be made more difficult if the seat is too narrow.
In the end, it all boils down to your physical stature and your goals. For trail and offroad use, a narrower profile with more bolster is preferable. Most aftermarket seat manufacturers should include information on fitment and width so that customers may make an informed decision.
Fixed or Reclining
It’s entirely up to you whether or not you like a reclining seat or a fixed-back, or bucket, seat. Because of the additional bolster and waist support they provide, bucket chairs are given the nickname “bucket.” With that stated, getting in and out of them can be a little more difficult, and they may not be ideal if many people are driving the vehicle. It’s basically a matter of personal opinion when it comes to selecting a comfortable reclining seat that yet provides plenty of cushion and support.
Seat Belts and Harnesses
If you only want to freshen or upgrade your factory seat, you probably don’t want to change the seat belt. If you go this route, you’ll be able to use the stock seat belt with virtually any seat. Off-road vehicles, on the other hand, may benefit from 3-, 4-, or 5-point harnesses. Passthrough points above the shoulders are required for seats with 3- or 4-point harness passthrough points. If you want a 5-point or 6-point harness, you’ll need a seat with a “submarine” harness point that goes in between your thighs..
Seat Brackets / Direct Bolt-Ons
In some cases, aftermarket seats cannot be used with the original seat brackets. As a result, you may require an additional seat bracket depending on the model of seat you select. Full brackets, which replace your factory seat brackets completely, are also an option, as are adapter brackets, which attach to the factory bracket and allow you to preserve your stock seat riser.
Seats that are direct bolt-ons are the way to go, in our opinion. In order to update your YJ seats, you’ll need to spend between $120-$150 per seat on new seat brackets. There are no brackets required for any of the seats we propose below. For those who need additional brackets, we offer the Corbeau brackets. ”
Best Wrangler YJ Seat Upgrades
- Baja XRS
- Moab
- Bestop Trailmax
- Trailcat
Note that all the seats we’ve included here have reclining backs.’ We propose the Baja JP bucket seat if you’re looking for something that looks good and is comfortable. As their name implies, they’re designed for more aggressive off-road use and feature all of the necessary passthrough holes for 5-point harnesses.
1) Jeep YJ Baja XRS Seats
Suspension technology is built into the Baja XRS to reduce the impact of bumps, making it extremely comfortable for offroad driving. Further support is provided by the Trailcat’s more forceful thigh bolsters. The seat can accommodate those with a waist measurement of 42 inches or more because it is a little roomier. It’s also a tad lower than the previous model.
Pass-throughs for the shoulders and a submersible option are also included in the Baja XRS. Off-roading and trail driving are made easier with this seat’s improved suspension and thigh bolsters. For daily driving, though, it is an excellent choice.
Baja RS seats are available as well. Like the XRS, it has a bucket-style design, yet it still has the ability to recline. When it comes to height, it’s a hair shorter than the XRS, but the shoulder breadth is broader. Even though it’s a little less expensive, this is an excellent choice if you like a bucket seat but don’t want to sacrifice reclining functionality.
This is a wonderful seat choice because it is a direct bolt-on to the YJ. It is our opinion that the Trailcat is a better daily driving seat, while the XRS is a little better for more serious offroading use.
2) Corbeau Moab Wrangler Seats
If you’re wanting to replace your old seats but don’t need the best performance, the Moab seat is an excellent choice. Easy entry and exit are made possible by the Moab’s flat seat base and low thigh bolster, which keeps the seat’s fit looser around your legs and waist. Despite its narrower shoulder width, this chair provides a nice balance of comfort and support thanks to its soft side bolsters and wide seat back.
The Moab seats will appear and fit the most like the stock Wrangler YJ seats. All in all, these seats are a wonderful choice for those on a tight budget who want to replace their worn-out seats without breaking the bank.
3) Bestop Trailmax Jeep YJ
Because Bestop is one of the most popular seat upgrade options for the YJ, we included it on our list. At $285 per seat, it’s clearly a low-end option that doesn’t provide much in the way of performance. There are no side or thigh bolsters on this seat, making it a good choice for drivers of all sizes. It looks and feels like the standard seats, and it’s a nice alternative for folks who just want updated seats but don’t want to spend a lot.
We don’t suggest this seat for off-roading. Because it has low bolsters and no alternatives for seat belt harnesses, it’s best suited for daily drivers who want to step up their safety. It’s a simple bolt-on, making it one of the most cost-effective options.
4) Corbeau Trailcat Wrangler YJ Seats
The Trailcat will need a seat bracket because it is not a simple bolt-on. It may not be the most comfortable, but it’s one of our favorites. Aside from that, it’s a fantastic seat that’s equally at home on the road or in the wilderness.
The 4.5-inch base height is ideal for drivers of various heights. The seat features low side bolsters for regular driving, as well as aggressive side bolsters for off-roading, to keep you snug in the seat. For more serious offroad constructions, the seats feature shoulder passthroughs and an option undersea slot for 5- or 6-point seat harnesses. Using this seat, you can sit comfortably with a waist circumference of up to 40″. Anyone who is larger than that may find that the side bolsters are too snug for daily driving comfort.
As a whole, these chairs are a fantastic combination of comfort, quality and performance. You’ll have to fork over an additional $260 for the necessary seat brackets, which isn’t ideal.
“Junkyard” Replacement Seats
You have a few options if you want to buy a secondhand car seat from a junkyard. It’s possible to locate a set of stock seats for your Jeep. It’s also possible to look into seats from other vehicles that are a direct bolt-in for the YJ. Because these cars are all over twenty-years-old, you’ll probably have a hard time finding them as well. However, we’ll be happy to supply the information in the event that it’s needed.
Here are direct bolt on replacements from other vehicles:
- 1995-2003 Pontiac Sunfire (coupe versions only)
- 1995-2003 Chevy Cavalier (coupe only)
- 1999-2001 Pontiac Sunbird (coupe only)
- 1996-1997 Oldsmobile Acheiva
- 1995-2001 Pontiac Grand Am and Grand Prix
As you can see, these are also old and tough to source cars. So I really would recommend getting a new set of seats, but there the information is just in case.
YJ Rear Bench Seat Upgrades
The rear seats of the Jeep YJ can be upgraded by Corbeau in two ways. A Safari-style rear bench is available in a variety of colors and is a direct bolt-in. They also have a 36-inch Baja bench seat that matches the Baja front seats perfectly. The Baja bench, on the other hand, does necessitate a separate bench.
Jeep YJ Seat Upgrade Summary
If you’re wanting to replace worn-out seats or simply want a better seat for off-roading, investing in new YJ seats is a wonderful alternative. There are a plethora of seats available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Corbeau makes the best YJ seats in terms of value, quality, comfort, and performance, and those are the ones we recommend. Additionally, they provide the most YJ bolt-on possibilities, allowing you to customize your vehicle to your desired look and budget.
Some “junkyard” bolt-on seats are available, but they’re all at least 20 years old, so they aren’t enhancements at all.. Even while installing new seats in an older Jeep can be pricey, the improved comfort is well worth the investment.
