The AMC Forum : Eagle SX/4 seat comparison

Author: billd
Subject: 21931
Posted: Aug/15/2010 at 3:04pm

The question comes up from time to time - most recently in my own quest to find replacement seats for my SX/4 project car. A lot of folks have advised what will and won't fit, most recently I was advised that Spirit seats are the same and should bolt right in.

This post should help those who, like me, were wondering what they could do or find to replace the seats in their little Eagle.

The bottom line is -> not a thing, nothing. Other seats will not fit. You can't take Jeep, Spirit or other seats and bolt them into an SX/4. The reason is the large, high and wide "hump" in the car for the transmission and transfer case.

In pictures below, I'll illustrate the differences, and what you CAN do if your SX/4 seats are trashed.

I'll concentrate on the seat bottoms and seat frames as the backs are quite similar and will interchange - you can take a Spirite reclining seat back and bolt it to the Eagle reclining seat bottom. However, the Spirit seat back covers and foam don't simply slide off like in the Eagle.

Some notes:

* Spirit seat backs will fit Eagle seat bottom frames, although it's a really close fit on the reclining seat - the Spirit lower seat covers and foam don't allow much clearance for the inner "hinge".

* Spirit seat springs will NOT fit Eagle seat frames - the Spirit springs are shorter due to a different frame shape.

* Spirit bottom seat covers and foam will fit the Eagle seat bottom frames with modification - the Eagle frame is so differently shaped you have to cut and trim the plastic retainers on the Spirit covers, notching and shortening them. The covers then sit a bit higher and firmer on the Eagle frame, but do fit.

Spirit seat bottoms will NOT bolt into an Eagle and cannot be modified to fit. The frames are a different shape, and attach in different locations. If the Eagle frames are really bad, you are still better off welding and repairing them.

Spirit adjusting rails will not bolt into an Eagle and cannot be made to do so without some massive engineering - you are better off finding donor Eagle parts.

Now for the explanations via photos:

First - the front view of the seat frame - Spirit on the left, Eagle on the right. Note the mounting rails on the frame - level and even on the Spirit, where the eagle seat bottom bolts to the track clear up inside the seat frame in the inside, and the frame of the seat extends lower than the spirit on the outside of the seat.

Close of the Spirit lower seat frame - note the mounting rails and the shape of the fram itself. Again, this is SPIRIT seat.

This is the EAGLE reclining seat frame (bottom). Note mounting rail (outside of the seat) and the shape of the frame.

Eagle seat - note the spring length and frame shape.

Spirit seat - note red arrows indicate where the seat mounts to the adjusting rails.

Eagle seat - inside rear corner - this is where the Eagle seat attaches to adjusting rails.

Inside rear corner of Spirit where the seat attaches to adjusting rail

Eagle inboard seat adjusting rail

Outboard Eagle seat adjusting rail

Eagle driver seat sitting on the adjusting rails, these are the studs on the adjusting rails up through the seat frame.

Note - on the Eagle, you can't remove the seat from the car unless you remove the rails from the bottom, or disassemble the seat. On the spirit, the seats can be removed off the adjusters without disassembly.

Note how closely the Eagle seat sits to the "hump" - when clear forward the seat is against the carpet. (this is a Spirit seat cover and coushin on the eagle seat frame)

Another view of the Spirit driver seat frame.

Another view of the Eagle seat bottom frame on the adjusters - note that even with no cover the frame will contact the floor when it's slid forward.

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