Reviews for Bestop TrailMax II Fold & Tumble Rear Bench Seat in Fabric for 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ
Why I bought this: My 4'10" 10-year-old is too young to sit legally in the front seat (thanks NY DMV!) but too tall to sit in the stock rear seat because his head would fall off in the event of a rear-end collision, so I got this bench seat entirely for the headrests.
Result: With the headrest in highest position, it comes to the middle of his head, so it does the job.
Installation: As I write this, a '97-'06 TJ was built 17-26 years ago, so the advertised 1-hour installation time does not count the hours of PB Blaster soaking required to remove stock bolts and brackets to make room for the new parts. After that though, yes, about an hour for even a bumbler like me. You can do the job solo, but I would recommend a second pair of hands when you're maneuvering the seat into the brackets. (You have to install the second bracket while the seat is in place, unsupported by said bracket.) Also, don't drop the retaining clip in the tiny space between the bracket and the carpet. Lastly, if you can remove your side windows (or hardtop) it will be much easier to get the retaining clips in place.
Things the instructions don't mention: 1. If you still have stock carpet, you have to cut a small section away for the rear hardware, so have scissors or a knife. Easy, but not mentioned.
2. The instructions describe a "pivot pin" sticking out each side that you mount into the front brackets, but there is a second set of similar-looking pins right near the pivot pins, not shown in the instructions. It's the lower pair goes into the brackets. (The upper pair are the stoppers for when you tumble the seat forward.)
Differences from stock: The seat is less plush than my '05 original, but rear Jeep seats couldn't be much less comfortable anyway; the kids say it feels fine. The thinner profile actually seems to allow a bit more under-seat room, and possibly a (very) little extra trunk space, although I think it leans back a bit farther at the top than stock, which explains another reviewer losing use of his hide-a-trunk. The actual seating surface is narrower than the original, thanks to the bumped-up edges that I didn't notice in the photo, so my kids have to sit that much closer together. Also, the seat folds down and tumbles forward but is not removible without tools.
Incidentally, I have one of those Hi-Lift jack mounts on the rollcage behind the rear seats, and it doesn't get in the way of the new seats.
Durability: No idea, just installed last month.
Overall: I got what I wanted from it, and the installation was easy enough for an amateur.
My 10-year old says it's more comfortable than the original. It's definitely safer with the head rests. It was easy to install...except for removing the original seat's mounting bolts. Be prepared to remove very tight seat mounting bolts that have been in place for 14 or more years! (I had one break off and I had to drill it out.)
Like mentioned in other reviews: 1) it's slightly bigger and has different mounting points so other options may not fit and 2) even a medium height person won't fit in the back seat...but I'm not sure they would have fit with the original seat anyways.
Fixes one problem and creates others
Pros - decent construction and slightly larger seat, with head rests
Cons - being a slightly larger seat, means your hide a trunk doesn't fit, or the under seat storage - important consideration if you have either to consider before you replace - website could do a better job highlighting.
Replaced rear seat with this model for safety issues. Original seat does not have headrests.
Pros- Easy to install (if you read the instructions well before starting), comfortable, seems durable, folds flat.
Cons- The headrest fits adults 5' 3" or less at the most extended position. DOES NOT properly protect the head and neck of adults taller than 5' 3" (not official information; tested with adults in my family)