Third row seat installed in JKU

[ColoFreeJeeper]

Purpose: Add third row seat using all OEM parts to wife's new JKU because we have 4 kids and I don't want to have to use two vehicles every time we all go somewhere.

Parts used: Rear seat and seat belts out of TJ and seat brackets from a TJ Unlimited. I used the LJ brackets because they are one piece per side and make lining things up easier. Used all grade 8 and grade 10.9 bolts for installation.

There are custom brackets from Teraflex to mount a two door JK rear seat for third row seating but the brackets are expensive and JK rear seats are hard to find cheap. There is also a company called www.littlepassengerseats.com but they are very small and also expensive. Due to these, I decided to used a TJ rear seat.

1. Here are the LJ brackets before modification and then after trimming them down and smoothing all edges. I also drilled extra holes to be able to mount the seat rear facing if need be.

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2. Here is the project before I started. I wanted to keep the cargo space so the plan was to make it fit and still maintain access.

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3. Since the subwoofer would interfere with the third row seat, I eliminated it for now and will relocate it later above the passenger rear wheel well.

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4. After measuring very carefully, I was able to do two things: Allow the cover to the cargo space to still be used and get the holes for the brackets to line up perfectly with the body reinforcing channels under the rear for safety. Drilled the holes and mounted the brackets with grade 10.9 hardware and used silicone to seal holes under the brackets. Also used blue Loctite on all hardware.

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5. The cargo area kept me from mounting the lap portion of the seat belts to the floor so I unzipped the fabric and located a mounting hole on the seat frame. This keeps the belts on the seat when folded and tumbled or removed for loading large objects. Installed belts with grade 10.9 hardware and blue Loctite. Cut small slit into rear of fabric to route belts through.

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6. Folded carpet back over and cut around the brackets.

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7. Torso portion of the seat belts were pretty easy. I piggybacked the lower to the rear seat lowers by drilling through the factory reinforcing tube and running grade 8 bolts all the way through both lowers. Used the roll bar to mount the uppers and tied the bottom into the seat brackets.

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8. Finished project. Foot room is limited but this is for my kids. I can fit but would be uncomfortable during long distance drives. The seat has about an inch clearance from the soft top rear window.

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[Ricky Booby]

Thats the first time I have seen that. Such a clean install. Nice job.

[Jacob]

Very Nice!

[90ARMYxj]

You should put some more pics of it up cause I think you just helped me sell my wife on a new JK

[airforce26yrs]

Sweet.

[JoeySnow70]

You sir are a Genius!!!

[CJ_Tiz]

Looks good and clean!
Just a quick question. Is the shoulder harness mount forward of the shoulder when seated?

[ColoFreeJeeper]

Thats the first time I have seen that. Such a clean install. Nice job.

Very Nice!

Sweet.

You sir are a Genius!!!

Thanks.

[ColoFreeJeeper]

You should put some more pics of it up cause I think you just helped me sell my wife on a new JK

That's all the pictures I took. I worked on it almost all day taking my time to get it right. If there is a particular angle you want, let me know.

[ColoFreeJeeper]

Looks good and clean!
Just a quick question. Is the shoulder harness mount forward of the shoulder when seated?

It is even with the shoulder. I spent some time figuring out the best placement watching for three things: Height on the roll bar, far enough back on the roll bar for safety (it's my children riding back there), and clearance for the soft top arms when folding the top down.