Alternately, UPHOLSTERY NERDS HALP

"Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull" (RamblinRover) 01/09/2014 at 21:58 • Filed to: None

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I think I know what kind of seat, loosely speaking, I want in the Ranchero. It's the as-equipped-in-CJ5 Tuxedo Park -split bench like this:

Only trouble is this: the actual Jeep Tuxedo Parks seem to be very hard to find, let alone their seats. Then again, maybe there are secret ways open to the mystics of CJ I don't know. Or, if there are those among us familiar with upholstery in general (COUGH COUGH MAYBE EVEN WITH ACCESS TO OLD BUICKS) they might know an alternative or solid aftermarket choice. Is there another bench out there that looks, works, and is sized about like this?

I have the original bench for the Ranchero, but it's semi-collapsed, heavy as all hell, not as tall as I want, and spent quite a bit of time outdoors. It's a reupholster/frame repair job at minimum, so I'd really like to upgrade...

HammerheadFistpunch > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/09/2014 at 22:04

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These old benches aren't terribly complex. You could build a frame and have it sent out for re-upholstery. I did a small bench on a boat recently and it was like $60

Frank Grimes > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/09/2014 at 22:07

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tuxedo park sounds intersting.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > HammerheadFistpunch 01/09/2014 at 22:08

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I may be stuck going custom if I can't find what I want off the shelf, but I thought since there was at the least a real-life seat exactly like what I want I'd test the waters.

I have no hate for my original bench, but it's single-back, which means behind-seat access is a big bowl of fail sauce, not to mention the fact I have to rebuild it and that my missing floorboards make for no special reason to stay stock.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Frank Grimes 01/09/2014 at 22:15

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It's an option package they had on the CJ5/6: extra chrome, column shift, front bench, that's about it.

Birddog > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/09/2014 at 23:22

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That's just a 60/40 bench in reverse. Plenty of GM cars through the 80s had 60/40 benches but the 60 was on the passenger side.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Birddog 01/09/2014 at 23:28

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The Jeep Cherokee offered for a time a "standard" 60/40 as well, but the problem with it and the GM seats so far that I've seen is the cut of the seat cushion, the size (the Falcochero is *small*, and most are in trucks), the upholstering, and most glaringly, the fact that they have headrests. It might be possible to take the frame and cushion from such a setup, trim, and re-skin appropriately, but it'd be labor-intensive to a degree.

Birddog > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/09/2014 at 23:49

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I was thinking of 80s G body GM wagons and sedans. They had an integral arm rest on the 60 part though.
Way too wide for a Falco though.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > Birddog 01/09/2014 at 23:54

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That, and the arm rest would be hard to get any sort of period look going with.

GRawesome > Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull 01/10/2014 at 10:23

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I used a split bench from a Ranger in my early Bronco, fit nicely and you can get it upholstered any way you like. I'm not home but I'll see if I have any interior pictures with me.

FJ40's have a very nice split front bench but those are probably even harder to find in good condition then Ranchero benches. If they could be found they are probably $$$.

Ramblin Rover - The Vivisector of Solihull > GRawesome 01/10/2014 at 18:24

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I managed to get pictures of the 60/40 available in the 80s Ranger: nice, but not quite white I have in mind. The FJ-40 one is pretty much dead on the money, and there's a guy selling a set needing reupholster on eBay right now. Hrmm...