Rear Seat & Crossbar

[Buster1]

Hey guys, below is the situation with my new M38 rear seat. It’s loose, pretty beat up, and most significant… the support crossbar is gone.

We’re gonna strip it down to bare metal, sand and paint… but the crossbar is long lost. Is this as simple as welding a new replacement bar in place? Or is it time for a new remanufactured rear seat? Seems like the original crossbar was only welded or attached to the seat frame bars on each side. It wasn’t welded to the seat ‘pan.’

Any advice? Thanks

[dpcd67]

Do a cost/benefit analysis, comparing the value of your time it will take to repair this one, to the cost of a new one. I'd probably buy a new one and use that time on something else.

[85jeepcj]

I would repair original.
Reproductions probably have inferior materials and construction techniques.

[Ron D]

Agree ---> repair. A new seat will cost you $200+ if you're lucky. I have a very well made re-pop, but the choice between that and a well-repaired solid original is a no-brainer.

Pretty sure even if you had to pay somebody to weld a new cross pipe on your seat it'd still be plenty cheaper than $200+.

Good luck!

[dfield]

I got a repro back seat from Ron Fitzpatrick and I am very happy with fit and quality. Minor differences side by side with an original. Nothing noticeable once the fabric is installed.