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Step-by-Step: Installing Rear Seat on Jeep Wrangler TJ

It’s a fine winter morning, and you want to take your whole family out on a perfect vacation. But your Jeep Wrangler TJ does not have enough seats for your entire family. So, what to do now? Of course, the right thing to do is to install rear seats. But how to install the rear seat on a Jeep Wrangler TJ? This question might be burning your brain cells!

Front brackets are usually pre-installed with the front seat on a Jeep Wrangler TJ. All you need to do is install the rear brackets. Using bolts and screws, place the rear racks perfectly. Then set up the back seat by assembling the front and rear brackets.

You can buy a new rear seat or use the one you had removed earlier. Jeep Wrangler TJs come with a back seat pre-installed. However, some people prefer to get rid of it and remove the brackets. So, install the shelves first before you move on to placing the seats.

Why Is It Necessary To Install Rear Seat On Jeep Wrangler TJ?

Whether to keep your rear seat installed or remove it depends on your preference. But as these seats come with all Jeep Wrangler TJ, there might be some use for it after all.

So here is a short description of why installing a rear seat on your Jeep might be beneficial, even after removing it in the first place.

Extra Passenger Space

Installing rear seats will provide you with extra passenger space. If your family consists of more than two members or you regularly travel with more than two people, having rear seats is a must.

Increased Comfort

Isn’t it better to sit comfortably on a long journey rather than huddle? If you have rear seats installed, it provides the proper comfort you wish to enjoy in your Jeep Wrangler.

Boost Longevity

Every Jeep Wrangler TJ comes with a rear seat pre-installed. However, some customers prefer to remove it, and some prefer to keep it installed.

Using the products that come with the Jeep will fulfill the manufacturer’s intended purpose and increase overall longevity. Leaving the removed back seat in the garage will only cause it to gather stains and decay.

Standard Interior

Whenever we take the name of a car, what do we imagine? A four-seater vehicle that provides you with all the comforts you want in a journey, right?

Keeping the back empty not only looks weird but also hampers the outlook of your Jeep. So, re-installing the rear seat might bring back that old-fashioned look to your car.

Safety & Security

On an off-road journey, having back seats ensures the proper safety for passengers needed on the rough tracks. It will not only allow you to travel with more people but also ensure a secure journey for the whole family.

Equipment Needed To Install Rear Seat On Jeep Wrangler TJ:

You cannot do this job only with your hands. Some proper tools are needed for this job. Here’s a basic breakdown of the equipment you’ll need while installing the rear seat on your Jeep Wrangler TJ.

Bolts

The front mount is permanently installed with the front seat. All you need to do is install the back support. To do that, you need bolts. You can use the T50 Torx for that. You can also buy all the tools needed available in a package.

Ranges

To loosen or tighten the bolts, you need a range. Any bolt remover range can be used for that.

Brackets

Installing rear brackets depends on what type of rear seats you wish to install on your Jeep Wrangler TJ. There are different types of seats available.

The most commonly used is the folded and tumble rear seat. You can easily place it and fold it when storage space is needed. So, we highly recommend you use these.

How To Install Rear Seat On Jeep Wrangler TJ?

Now you know what tools are needed to install a rear seat on your Jeep Wrangler TJ and why it is necessary. But how to assemble everything?

Don’t worry! Here is a step-by-step instruction for you to install rear seats properly.

  • Step 01: First, use diamond lube or oil on the bolts so they do not get rusty quickly after going in.
  • Step 02: Attach the rear seats with the front brackets. Pull out the bolts and put the back seat front bar into it. And then put the bolt in again.
  • Step 03: You have to install the rear brackets on both sides. You need back seat mounting kits that include bolts, screws, and a range.
  • Step 04: While doing that, do not forget to check the bar line of the seat to see whether it fits perfectly on the brackets. You can always change the bracket’s location if the bars are not ideally suited inside the frames.
  • Step 05: After placing the brackets perfectly, pull down the rear seats and check whether they are installed perfectly.

That’s it! Your rear seats are now ready to use on your Jeep Wrangler TJ.

Problems You Might Face While Installing Rear Seat In Jeep Wrangler TJ

Doing anything new is never easy. So, you will face many problems while installing rear seats on your Jeep. But do not panic. Here we are trying to point out the possible issues you might encounter along with their solution.

No Instruction Manual

Some customers have complained that only the mounting kits and seats come along while buying a Jeep Wrangler TJ. But they do not provide the proper instructions or manual for installing them. Follow this guide to learn all about the process.

Using Proper Mounts

The front and rear driveshafts are mounted to the corresponding axles with light-duty straps. They work just fine on the street but become a trail’s weak point.

So, it is highly recommended to use U-bolt-shaped mounts to fit the bars perfectly.

Fragile Wiring

Each back seat on your Jeep Wrangler TJ has cable integration. With these wires, you may tilt the seat back forward and access the space behind the front seats without having to reach behind the seats to use the low-mounted levers.

Unfortunately, the plastic ends on these cables break easily, rendering the device unusable. Once these cables malfunction, you have nothing to do but order the necessary parts from your local Jeep dealer, take the seats out, and disassemble the seats to access the damaged cable.

How Much Does It Cost To Install Rear Seat On Jeep Wrangler TJ?

Installing a new rear seat on your Jeep Wrangler TJ will cost you from $250 to $1000. The cost will vary depending on the quality and brand of your new back seat.

But using an average one is always recommended if you want your back seat to avoid tears and wear for a long time.

Otherwise, installing the existing rear seat that came along with your Jeep will save you a lot of your money. In this case, all you need to buy is the mounting kits and brackets.

Following DIY techniques will also save labor costs. But if you think you are not knowledgeable enough to do that by yourself, it is best to leave that to the professionals.

FAQs.

Knowing only how to install a rear seat on Jeep Wrangler TJ may not be enough for some customers. They always have some general questions that need to be answered in this section. Here are a few of your most common queries regarding the topic.

Will installing a rear seat hamper my Jeep Wrangler TJ’s performance?

Other than losing the storage space, we do not think there is any negative impact of installing rear seats. So, hampering the performance of your vehicle should not even be a concern.

What are the available types of rear seats for Jeep Wrangler TJ?

Many kinds of rear seats are available, such as folded and tumble rear seats, standard rear seats, bench rear seats, etc. But nowadays, folded and tumble rear seats are used primarily for Jeep Wranglers.

Can I remove the rear seat on my Jeep Wrangler TJ whenever I want?

Yes, you can permanently remove the rear seat whenever you want. If you need the storage space to carry more loads, you can just unmount the bolts and take out the brackets.

You can also keep the seats folded with the front seat. Otherwise, you can eradicate it from your Jeep. That will offer you more cargo space.

Conclusion

If you wish to compromise the cargo space and take your entire family on vacation, installing the rear seat is your only option. Rear seats not only provide you extra passenger space but also more safety and enhanced interior.

Unless you carry many bags and baggage regularly, we recommend installing your rear seat. This will help you in emergencies too.

After reading this article, we hope your confusion regarding how to install the rear seat on the Jeep Wrangler TJ is cleared out. So please do not waste any more time and install it as soon as possible!

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