Seats

Types of seats you will find

This category covers both front and rear seating, and the use case differs for each.

• **Front bucket and recliner seats.** Replacement factory-style seats, or sport and racing-style seats with higher bolsters for support on side slopes and washboard roads.
• **Suspension seats.** Designs such as a Baja-style seat add a pivoting or sprung base to absorb impacts, popular in desert and high-speed use.
• **Rear bench seats.** Fixed, low-back or high-back benches that restore seating in vehicles where the rear seat was removed.
• **Fold-and-tumble rear seats.** The back folds and the seat tips forward to free cargo space or give access behind the front seats.

Choosing a seat

• **Comfort and support.** Sit in a similar seat if you can. Tall drivers and those with a larger frame should compare listed dimensions such as width, depth and height.
• **Material.** Vinyl and denim shed water, mud and spills. Leather looks good but can be warm in summer. Some seats are made with water-resistant fabrics for open vehicles.
• **Adjustability.** Recliners and sliders help drivers with different heights share a vehicle.
• **Weight.** Lightweight racing seats cut weight but give up some padding and convenience.
• **Safety equipment.** If you want a harness, confirm the seat is designed for it, and use brackets and belts rated for the application.

Fitment and installation

Seat mounting differs widely between vehicles. Some seats are vehicle specific, while universal-fit seats need an adapter or bracket set to bolt to your floor. See the Seat Mounting Bracket and Seat Adapter subcategories for those parts. Confirm fitment for your exact year, make and model before ordering.

Seat mounting hardware is safety-critical. Use the grade of bolts and spacer hardware the manufacturer specifies, torque to the listed values, and make sure the mounting points are on solid floor structure. In a crash, seat and belt anchors carry large loads, so have a professional install the seat if you are unsure about drilling or modifying the floor. Do not put aftermarket seats in a vehicle with side airbags in the factory seat without understanding how that affects the safety system.

Check that wiring for seat belt sensors or heaters is handled properly, and check that the seat does not block the factory belt reach or restrict pedal movement.

Measure the available space before choosing a seat. Check the floor width between the door sill and the console or tunnel, the distance from the pedals to the seat back, and headroom with a roll bar or soft top in place. Seat width listed for a bucket should fit between the mounting points without touching the door or console.

Other items often used with seats include seat belts and belt pads, brackets and adapters, and headrests, all of which have their own subcategories. Common mistakes include reusing worn belts, using bolts of the wrong grade, and leaving the seat loose enough to shift under braking. Inspect the slider latches, mounting bolts and fabric regularly. Vinyl and denim can be cleaned with mild soap, and drying a wet seat after water crossings helps prevent mildew and odors.