Drivers seat mod/replacement to gain more headroom?
#1
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Drivers seat mod/replacement to gain more headroom?
an xj with a sunroof has proven to be smaller than it felt on the first testdrive. At 6' flat my head just touches the headliner sitting with the seat decently far back. I like to sit more upright but i just dont have the head clearance to do that, is there any way to mod the seat mounts to take an inch or two off? or any seats to purchase that will semi-bolt in that are lower? i tried searching here and a couple other forums, mostly just found people swapping seats to gain comfort/options but not for headroom.
#2
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Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Huh.. Dunno man. I don't know of any for jeep, It's usually a tuner/ricer thing. Doesn't mean they don't exist, though! A guy I know is like 6'7"ish and has to totally hunch when driving. Looks super sucky. Google the hell out of it, I guess. Somebody will have somethin for ya.. Good luck!
#3
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
It is hard in the 99 man because of that ridge on the floor. When I pulled my Hunsaker racing seats out of an older XJ and put them in my 99, it was a giant PITA. Chances are any aftermarket seat w/ a bracket is going to be even higher than the stock ones. I don't know how your welding skills are but it would not be all that hard to pull the seat out, cut the bracket, weld it back together a little lower and stick it in there.
#4
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Year: 1999
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Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
Oh wait.. just did a search and found this. Might explain what I was talking about.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/low...s-my-xj-62689/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/low...s-my-xj-62689/
#5
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I am 6'3" and swapped my drivers for a WJ leather seat (I think it was, a tboned 04 Grand) and found that I lost head room.
My 01 Sport doesn't have a sunroof so I still have an inch or so.
Most of the 'better' Jeep seats that bolt in seem to have better padding which translates into thicker seats which means less headroom.
I have dealt with the sunroof issue for years.
You could try having the seat modified or changing out the foam for stiffer thinner stuff. This would give you the support that you want and need with a thinner seat cushion.
Electric carving knife and sanding would shape the foam to match the shape and you could have a custom seat.
My 01 Sport doesn't have a sunroof so I still have an inch or so.
Most of the 'better' Jeep seats that bolt in seem to have better padding which translates into thicker seats which means less headroom.
I have dealt with the sunroof issue for years.
You could try having the seat modified or changing out the foam for stiffer thinner stuff. This would give you the support that you want and need with a thinner seat cushion.
Electric carving knife and sanding would shape the foam to match the shape and you could have a custom seat.
#6
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If you don't mind a bench seat and losing the console bench seats from early Dakotas (87-90) should fit 96+ XJs with the rear mounts being direct bolt in. It will be significantly lower.
Last edited by motorcharge; 10-12-2012 at 04:49 PM.
#7
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Year: 1999
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Originally Posted by Ianf406
Oh wait.. just did a search and found this. Might explain what I was talking about.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/low...s-my-xj-62689/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/low...s-my-xj-62689/
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#9
an xj with a sunroof has proven to be smaller than it felt on the first testdrive. At 6' flat my head just touches the headliner sitting with the seat decently far back. I like to sit more upright but i just dont have the head clearance to do that, is there any way to mod the seat mounts to take an inch or two off? or any seats to purchase that will semi-bolt in that are lower? i tried searching here and a couple other forums, mostly just found people swapping seats to gain comfort/options but not for headroom.
has anyone seen a xj with a bumped up roof?
#10
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I am 6'2" but sit tall (long waisted). For starters, I try to avoid any vehicle with a sunroof. I also don't like driving while leaned back.
In my Jeep, I managed to get about 1/4 inch more headroom. I know that this is a small amount of difference but it made enough difference for me to fit well.
I have a power seat which helps. I took the seat apart and removed the seat bracket. It had a ridge that lifted the seat by that !/4 inch and replaced it with a piece of 3/8" flat steel. I had to do some drilling but no big deal.
In my Jeep, I managed to get about 1/4 inch more headroom. I know that this is a small amount of difference but it made enough difference for me to fit well.
I have a power seat which helps. I took the seat apart and removed the seat bracket. It had a ridge that lifted the seat by that !/4 inch and replaced it with a piece of 3/8" flat steel. I had to do some drilling but no big deal.
#11
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
I am 6'2" but sit tall (long waisted). For starters, I try to avoid any vehicle with a sunroof. I also don't like driving while leaned back.
In my Jeep, I managed to get about 1/4 inch more headroom. I know that this is a small amount of difference but it made enough difference for me to fit well.
I have a power seat which helps. I took the seat apart and removed the seat bracket. It had a ridge that lifted the seat by that !/4 inch and replaced it with a piece of 3/8" flat steel. I had to do some drilling but no big deal.
In my Jeep, I managed to get about 1/4 inch more headroom. I know that this is a small amount of difference but it made enough difference for me to fit well.
I have a power seat which helps. I took the seat apart and removed the seat bracket. It had a ridge that lifted the seat by that !/4 inch and replaced it with a piece of 3/8" flat steel. I had to do some drilling but no big deal.
#13
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