New Build - 1978 Cherokee Chief!

Do the seats switch right or left? If so you might check into installing two rights. I did that on a couple of work vans. The right seat was barely used.

 

Putting lots of thought into what i need to do about that drivers seat.... they dont switch l-r because there is a lever/latch that allows them to fold forward to access the rear seat...at this point, i have called all the pick-a-parts within ~50 miles and am having a hard time finding a decent drivers seat....i called a buddy with an upholstery shop - it will run me ~200 or more to get it fixed, and at the same time - the seat isnt exactly what i want. i am thinking of finding some buckets or a bench that i like and modifying...but havent made progress on that front either...

 

For me it would depend on the end goal of the project. If you are not going for originality, I would definitely get some some more modern, ie more comfortable, buckets or, as you mentioned, maybe a bench or split bench. I'm thinking something from maybe a Durango or a dakota. The seats from a full size SUV or truck may be too wide. This wouldn't be an issue if you go with buckets I guess. Keep us updated. Cool project. I like it a lot.

 

when i worked on the '61 CJ5, I used some seats out of a 3 series BMW (dumpster diving does pay). Welding skills aside, or lack thereof in my case, they did fit well and ride good.
ever thought about not having a flip-forward seat? Like having access through the rear gate? or do you need to have the rear bench also?

 

So, After being away on business for a week, and a complete lack of funds, finally got down to a little more business this weekend...

First off, i pulled the instrument cluster out to attempt to fix the fuel gauge, and after a puff of smoke, i have found out the wrong way to wire it lol. I also found a rotted vacum line, feeding the heater/defrost controls - now replaced and voila' my controls work , next issue...the duct hoses from the heater box to the defroster's were rotted away (metal frame, covered in paper tape)...a little duct tape, and bingo - i now have defrost to go with the heat!

I decieded to throw a coat of wax on it, just to see if the orange would come back from the oxide...it sure did



Then, to make it a little more useable, i decided to attempt to fix the "gansta" lean that my drivers seat had going for it, so i pulled the seat out and found that the frame in the seat was busted, took some time and made a plate to bolt in - as i was drilling, the bit caught and bucked - right into my chin, a nice big split, and because the wife wanted to bandage, it took my goatee off too (had to shave to bandage ..) anyway, i did fix the seat (before i got bandaged up lol) and headed down to wally world, where they had some decent floor mats for 7$ and a cheapie black seat cover for 10$...so not bad IMO, and here are the updated pics



I can drive the jeep, comfortably now, lights all work, blinkers, speedo, temp sender, amp meter etc...only thing left is to figure out how to get the fuel gauge working....

 

We love carnage pics, good thing you didn't knock out a tooth.

 

Here's a much better pic of the jeep....

 

Thanks Jim! I dont suppose you have a fuel sender and aftermarket gauge extra laying around lol. Thats the only other thing that really needs done to be a full DD...

 

Spent some time with the jeep this weekend, installed some Hella lights

 

Ouch, those Hella's look to be in a very vulnerable spot. Around here where we have to parallel park a lot those poor things would be crunched in no time. I'd hate to see some doofus in a crapbox in a Walmart parking lot take out your nice Hella's.

 

Yeah, they are in a bad spot, but its only temporary, i think i am going to build a pre-runner style front bumper and mount them up protected

 

Took a short lunch break today and blacked out the grill on the FSJ! I like it!

 

I do too. Much better