Seats

Installing New Buckets Seats Made Easy

You may not know this, but automotive seats receive a lot of punishment. Indeed, too much of your posterior isn't particularly good for an automotive seat. While you sit comfortably on one, its condition gradually deteriorates. An automotive seat's covering, padding, springs, and other components will eventually be worn out due to constant use. Yes, you can always continue to use a broken-down seat, but why do so? You'll only be compromising your comfort and the aesthetics of your car's interior. Replacing an automotive seat isn't that difficult (as long as you use a seat with the same specifications); in fact, you can accomplish this in more or less an hour. We'll tell you how to properly install a new one with this guide.

Required Skill Level: Novice

Needed Tools and Materials:

1. Socket Wrench
2. Drill (with drill bits)
3. Marker

Safety Precautions

Before you proceed with the installation, make sure that your vehicle is parked on a level surface. Also, chock the wheels and activate the parking brake.

Taking Out the Old Bucket Seat

You can proceed with taking out the old bucket seat once your vehicle has been secured. Start by opening the car door as wide as you can-the more space you have, the easier your job will be. After that, grab your socket wrench and locate the mounting bolts that hold the seat in place. Remove all of those bolts and take out the old bucket seat (be careful while doing this to avoid causing damage to other interior parts).

Placing the New Bucket Seat

With the old one out of the way, position the new bucket seat in place. Make sure that your new seat can be mounted on the old bracket. Line up the holes and secure them with the bolts you took out earlier.

If you happen to have a new bracket that has different specifications compared to your old one, then you may have to drill new holes on the floor. But before you do that, grab a marker and use it to mark the areas where you'll have to drill new holes. Doing this should immensely help in drilling accurately. After you're done drilling, secure the new bracket and seat in place.

When it comes to replacement seats for a Jeep, two names immediately come to mind: Smittybilt and Rugged Ridge. Both of these brands are the industry's leading manufacturers of Jeep parts and accessories. And as a consumer, you can't go wrong with the seats of either brand. After all, they're similarly of superb quality. However, which brand really gives the most bang for your hard-earned buck? We pit Smittybilt seats against Rugged Ridge seats in this guide.

Comfort

This is arguably the most important aspect when it comes to choosing a new seat. With that said, both brands do well in this category. Standard Smittybilt seats are composed of custom-molded foam and a high-quality spring suspension. They're contoured for even greater comfort. There's also the brand's premium variants, which boast of thicker foaming for a more cradled feel. Mil-spec fabric covers these seats. Extra heavy-duty suspension supports Smittybilt seats, which aim to dampen the effects of speed bumps and off-road elements.

Of course, Rugged Ridge seats also do well in this regard. The brand's standard variants are made of automotive-grade woven fabric that's paired with a vinyl trim-a combination that's surely inviting for your posterior. And just like Smittybilt's standard seats, Rugged Ridge's basic variants are supported by a top-notch spring suspension. Naturally, Rugged Ridge's more deluxe offerings take the comfort level up a notch. While they're covered in the same durable vinyl, the premium seats are foamier (which of course translates to more comfort) than their standard counterparts. These are also supported by heavy-duty suspension.

Winner: Smittybilt and Rugged Ridge

 

Product Range

 

Both brands boast of a wide variety of bucket seats and even bench seats. Smittybilt's seat lineup features standard bucket seats, low back bucket seats, factory replacement seats, contour sport seats, XRC custom seats, standard rear seats, and "fold and tumble" rear seats. Rugged Ridge matches that with its standard seats, standard low back seats, factory-style reclinable seats, sport seats, race-car like seats, standard rear seats, and "fold and tumble" seats. Basically, it's a tie again.

Winner: Smittybilt and Rugged Ridge

 

Price

 

This category is the tie-breaker. While Smittybilt seats and Rugged Ridge seats are practically in the same price range, Rugged Ridge seats are a little bit more expensive than Smittybilt's offerings. Rugged Ridge's standard bucket seats are priced around $160-$180 while Smittybilt offers the same at around $140. The same trend goes for the premium seats.

Winner: Smittybilt

 

The Verdict

 

In terms of quality and variety, both brands fare excellently. Smittybilt has the advantage in terms of pricing though, giving the brand the win in this head-to-head battle. But if money is no object, then go with what you prefer.

You've been stuck in traffic for an hour, and the lack of movement is giving your back a beating. You try to adjust the angle of the seat's support to allow your aching back muscles some rest, however, the adjuster is stuck and the entire seat simply won't budge.

Driving can definitely get uncomfortable if you have a busted driver seat. Failing to adjust the seat according to your height and the length of your legs does not only cause stress, but it also brings hell on your neck and back.

Replacing a busted car seat is no challenge-the real challenge lies in the task of getting the seat that fits your ride, budget, and lifestyle. There are numerous choices available, which can make this task even more difficult. Here are some tips to help you out.

A sleek and stylish leather car seat is definitely an eye candy; however, you shouldn't let its style take your focus away from the goal: getting a comfortable car seat that would last for long. The first thing you have to check is its specs. Is it tall enough to replace my truck's busted seat? Will it be proportional to the size of my passenger cabin? Is it made to suit my car's year, make, and model? These are the important questions you have to answer before buying.

Don't take the salesman's word for it. Sit, lie down, and stretch it out on the car seat before you install it on your vehicle. Doing a little research would really help you out, like knowing what its cover is made of, where it is attached, how long does installation take, etc. If you want to make your car seats slightly more edgy, you can upgrade them to electric-powered ones to enjoy convenient access and control.

If you need a new seat for a family car, you may also want to check out the child-friendly features that are offered by some products. You can get seats with lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) and more.

Just because it feels good on the back or it's safe for the kids doesn't mean it's the perfect one for your auto. Once you are sure that the product has the specs you need and the features you want, it's time to ask if it's available in your favorite color. Remember, a comfortable car seat does not need to look like a complete disaster when combined with the dashboard, carpets, and the rest of your interior.

Car seats are available in a wide variety of styles, so mixing and matching definitely won't be a problem. Leather seats are perfect for single guys and gals who own hot rods, sleek convertibles, and sexy sedans with curvaceous trims. These are also great for luxury vehicles. Seats covered in vinyl and cotton fabric are perfect for starting parents; these types are highly resistant to spills and stains and require little maintenance.