BMW seats + Torfab brackets install = Ahhhhhh...

[jawjatek]

Nice to see others making use of my pics.

For earlier years of Cruiser that these brackets do not fit, I would first go and look at some seats like Volvo (nice), or Lexus, whatever, find what you like, then make them work - fab up brackets to fit yourself. Everyone has at least one friend that can weld, right? I always loved the FJ60, but hated the seats, I could not go 2 hours without cramping up and getting sore. Now I think it is good for the long haul. Best of luck.

 

[Major Nelson]

I think I went too far.....

That's how it starts..."while I'm at it" sets in. been there done that...hah! Right time to get it done. While you're under there take a peak at the foam for doors on the blower motor.

 

[red66toy]

Ha, yeah, I dove right in the rabbit hole. Already took apart the rear heater to clean it, so might as well peek at the front heater system . I only want to do this fiasco once so I am trying to do it right in one swoop. Plan is for Quiet$rap, autocarpet jute, then the carpet on top. I need to treat some surface rust first though. The gutters had been leaking water into the interior (another project on the horizon), so it caused a bit of a mess with the old jute and rug. I found this were it was directly leaking into the cab by the b-pillar.
Time for new seat belts:

I did enjoy the new seats for 5 min before I tore it all apart at least:

 

[joebattle1]

got mine in....really nice improvement!!!!

Which seats did you go with? I like the added side thingy's. Be good for the trail to keep you planted.

I installed manual BMW seats in my 60, with my own brackets and did not have to do any heater mods.

How did you do this? I have a little one and am not a fan of having no HVAC in the rear of the vehicle. It does make a huge diff back there with the openness of the cargo area. Gotta keep my little girl cozy or the wife ain't letting me take my 2.3 year old wheelin.

This is a great thread by the way. Thanks. Definitely going this route when time/money permit.

 

[IBFJ62]

Wow. I hadn't even considered this. I like the seats in my 62, but the grey Bimmer (I'm an E24 guy) seats look fantastic! Great job on the install writeup.

So, as I understand it, on a 62 there is no need to remove the rear heater? If anyone can confirm this, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[rustybucket]

Makes me want to chuck out my old stained loss of support seats. But I may be parking or selling my 60 soon frame is almost shot. looking for a van.

 

[Grumpyhead12]

Wow. I hadn't even considered this. I like the seats in my 62, but the grey Bimmer (I'm an E24 guy) seats look fantastic! Great job on the install writeup.

So, as I understand it, on a 62 there is no need to remove the rear heater? If anyone can confirm this, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

No need to remove the FJ62 heater as it sits between the seats and there is no conflict as in the FJ60.

 

[IBFJ62]

Thanks for the confirm. Damn, one more thing to add to the list...

 

[SAFJ60]

BMW Seat FJ60

• SAFJ60
• May 11, 2015

Which seats did you go with? I like the added side thingy's. Be good for the trail to keep you planted.



How did you do this? I have a little one and am not a fan of having no HVAC in the rear of the vehicle. It does make a huge diff back there with the openness of the cargo area. Gotta keep my little girl cozy or the wife ain't letting me take my 2.3 year old wheelin.

This is a great thread by the way. Thanks. Definitely going this route when time/money permit.

 

[joebattle1]

BMW Seat FJ60

• SAFJ60
• May 11, 2015

Ohh I get it.... You didn't have to remove the rear heater because you only did the driver side.

 

[SAFJ60]

Ohh I get it.... You didn't have to remove the rear heater because you only did the driver side.

I actually ended up installing both seats, with the same type of homemade bracket. The clearance is tight between the bottom of the seat and the heater, but fit nonetheless.

 

[Rugy]

Great write up Jawjatek and thanks for posting.
Will be installing some BMW seats over the holidays.

 

[SCpilot]

I am adding on to Jawjateks post because he was nice enough to send me his extra hardware for my seat swap and answer some of my questions. I got my brackets from Adam and Tor last week and got my seats in this weekend. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! This really is the best upgrade I have done so far.

For you taller 60/62 owners I am 6'4" and was cramped with the original seats. With Torfabs brackets I am comfortable and don't have the seats adjusted as far back as they are capable of going (2003 325I seats). So, these may be the answer for my fellow owners who are taller and feel cramped).

P.S. I just plumbed into the rear heater 12v (as suggested by Adam) and as long as you adjust one seat at a time you are unlikely to blow the fuse.

I am adding on to Jawjateks post because he was nice enough to send me his extra hardware for my seat swap and answer some of my questions. I got my brackets from Adam and Tor last week and got my seats in this weekend. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! This really is the best upgrade I have done so far.

For you taller 60/62 owners I am 6'4" and was cramped with the original seats. With Torfabs brackets I am comfortable and don't have the seats adjusted as far back as they are capable of going (2003 325I seats). So, these may be the answer for my fellow owners who are taller and feel cramped).

P.S. I just plumbed into the rear heater 12v (as suggested by Adam) and as long as you adjust one seat at a time you are unlikely to blow the fuse.

Blackjaw11 I have been looking into this mod a bit for to replace my worn out 62 seats. I am a touch over 6'4" and worried about loosing some headroom. What's your impression did you loose or gain headroom with your new seats? Thanks for the input.

 

[Blackjaw11]

I think I gained a little headroom (maybe based on the ability to adjust the new seats).

 

[JamesR]

Nice looking seats. My driver's side is bleeding foam. I'll need new seats soon.

 

[tgadd]

How much room is there underneath the seats? I'm wanting a shallow sub mounted under the front seat and need 4" of clearance.

 

[Elbert]

97' FZJ80 heated seat install with Toyota horizontal low/high switches

Seat Heater Switches

a link from the 80 section about rigging up heated seats...maybe good for ideas/parts...

 

[CenTex62]

Does anyone know the specs of the bolts that mount the seats to the floor? Had one bolt come out in bad shape so I need to chase the threads on one of the holes on the floor. Checked a bolt with good threads and M10 too small, M12 too big, so I'm guessing M11 1.25. Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks

 

[Stoshu]

I'm fairly certain that the seat mounting hardware is hardened. IMHO, and in the interest of safety, I would spend the extra couple of $$ for the OEM bolts. As far as size goes, take a good bolt to a parts store for measurement and thread pitch confirmation if you choose to go the non-OEM route.

 

[CenTex62]

I'm fairly certain that the seat mounting hardware is hardened. IMHO, and in the interest of safety, I would spend the extra couple of $$ for the OEM bolts. As far as size goes, take a good bolt to a parts store for measurement and thread pitch confirmation if you choose to go the non-OEM route.

Thanks, I agree. I've got the two extra bolts, from the front, but the threads in one of the bolt holes in the floor are in bad shape from when I pulled the factory seats.