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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:

  • Socket Wrench
  • Drill (with drill bits)
  • 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.

    Seat Articles

    • 11 January 2013

      Smittybilt vs. Rugged Ridge: Which Brand Offers the Better Jeep Seat?

      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.

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