Leather Seat Upgrade Questions

[Bottomlesspit]

I want to rid of my ugly stock cloth seat in my XLS. They have NO support, bolstering, etc.
I see on E-bay several types of seats available.
I hope some of you with leather seats can clue me in on some of the differences.
There are Eddie Bauer, XLT, and Limited types.

The Limited appear tall and straight, with moveable headrests.
The EB are more rounded, deeper thigh bolsters, and no headrests.
The XLT type just look similar to EB with no lettering.

Are the Limited as comfortable as the EB? Support? Quality of leather? Comfortable?
ANY comments or experience with any leather types will help.
These things are not cheap, and I would like to purchase/bid on the set that works the best. All are powered, so that will be a project itself since mine are all manual cheapies.
Thanks,
Ken

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Limited is the low back buckets with 4-way adjustible headrest. The Eddie Bauer and XLT's seats are identical other than stitching. The quality of leather on the Limited seats are a lot better due to the thickness of the leather. It's a little thicker than the EB and XLT leathers.

In terms of comfort, the Limited seats are a lot more comfy than the EB and XLT's seats. BUT, the drawback is that the Limited seatbacks are a lot flatter than the EB and XLT's sport buckets so they don't hold ya in the seat as well during a turn as the others.

 

[RPheezy]

I replaced all 4 seats in my Sport with leather. The seats in a Sport are different than a 4 door. The rear in a Sport is 50/50, in a 4 door they are 60/40. The fronts in a Sport has sliding rails and extending pads for the lower, rear part of your leg.

I like the leather much better. They provide much more support and comfort than the stock captain's chairs.

 

[alphabets13]

i replaced the cloth in my 96 with leather out of a 2000 XLT and they are great. real comfortable and soft and have basically all the options i need. they don't have heat, but i have a remote starter so who needs it

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Thanks so much for the replies.
96ExEB...that is a lot of good information! That is exactly what I am trying to find out.
There are 2 auctions on E-bay right now (same seller).
One is a front set of Limited leather seats and the other is EB front leather seats. Both are no reserve and being bid on by several people.
I currently have the high bid on the EB seats.
BOTH seat sets look in perfect shape, so condition is not a concern. I want the best for my Explorer and physical comfort.
My cheapo cloth seats look more like the shape of the EB...no headrest.
The leather limited seats do look flatter! You say they have thicker leather...nice quality...and are more comfortable?
I have some bad back problems so long trips can be pretty bad on me. I would like some good back support, but don't want to stiff a seat....something I can sit on and not kill the old butt! It SEEMS like the thicker leather on the limited would be harder and less comfortable???
All in all, good info, but I am still concerned over which would work the best.
The shape of the limited is quite a bit different than my stock seats/EB shape. Do the limited square backs look ok or funny in the newer models? Mine is a 99. I looked at tons of explorers the last couple of days and have yet to see even one with seats like the limited...they all have the rounded EB look.
Are the limited rare or something?
Thanks again for all the info. More comments or suggestions!!!???
Ken

 

[DaHeinah]

At least you have it narrowed down to two great seats. I exchanged my 92 beat-to-hell shoe leather seats for 2001 leather seats from an XLT and I couldn't be happier. Whatever you do, make sure that both seats (the limited definitely will) have the lumbar control as that greatly helps in reducing back pain after a long drive. The limited seats are relatively rare but oh so comfy! My dad's 99 limited X is truly a pleasure to ride in, they are probably the most comfortable seat I've ever ridden in. I didn't really slide during hard turns, but I think that depends on the person. I only weigh like 145 lbs and am 5'10" so if anyone should slide, I would definitely be one. Good luck on those seats and don't hesitate to ask any questions during the installation...(it's really quite simple).
Greg

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Hey...cool, some more good information!!!
It's hard to believe that those Limited seats are so nice. I thought they might just be some cloth types just covered in leather. My cloth seats are the basic type with no power, no lumbar...etc. Very flat, no support. The limited shape looks similar so I thought they would be cheap.
Currently, the limited have the lowest bid...a good bit less than the EB seats. Maybe I should give the Limited seats a closer look and bid on them. I have only bid on the EB so far.
My wife has the EB in her 99 Expedition. They are built well, but do seem pretty hard seats. You sure don't sink into them that much!
Sliding won't be a huge concern with me. I did enough hard cornering in my stang...before I blew my back out. As long as I can stay put in the seat I will be happy. I weigh about 180, and am fairly thin and tall.
The limited seats on the auction have power tracks and lumbar on both sides!!!
Thanks again for the VERY helpful info. All this discussion really helps narrow things down. I am basically buying my X-mas present. I will have to search and find a matching rear seat later.
Thanks,
Ken

 

[SVO]

Unless you are truly bound, you know you can always search around and find other seats to put in your vehicle too.

I snatched these out of a 97' Celica GTS and they are some of the most comfortable seat I have sat in next to my seats out of my SVO.

I used the factory seat tracks and welded them to the modded Toyota seat tracks, which also gave it just the right hieght.

 

[slugmike]

i have a seat-swapping question also.

i have a 2001 X Sport w/ the power leather seats, and i'm not too happy with them. They are the kind with absolutely no kind of headrest on them, so they give like zero neck support - very uncomfortable.

what other seats could i swap in there easily? does having power seats make it more problematic?

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Well......I was outbid on the EB seats, so it's back to square one. I am free to re-bid or bid on those Limited seats.
SVO, hey...those Celica seats look real nice in there! I'm not sure how industrious I am feeling about modding seats right now, but it is a good option/idea. Your seats look great!
I did finally look inside a 2002? Explorer today out in the parking lot. I noticed it had straight back seats with headrests. They looked real sharp. 2-tone leather with the perferated holes in the seating surfaces. I liked them a lot better than I thought I would, so I am going to examine those limited seats a little closer.
It was mentioned that the limited seats are a bit rare. I hope that would not mean that finding matching rear seats will be next to impossible?!
Good info from all, thanks.
Ken
PS: I also E-mailed the seller of the seats. I asked about comfort between the 2.
He responded saying both are nice and comfortable, but the Limited has a bit more wiring!
Any idea why/what EXTRA wiring the limited would have over the EB?
He lists BOTH seat sets as being powered, including lumbar.?????????????

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I believe the memory seat module is attached to the seat as well and that's why there're a lot more wires.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

That's probably it...memory module. I hope I could delete that part, or at least be able to minimize the wiring.
Here's a picture of the Limited seats I'm thinking about. Auction ends in 23 hours so I need to make up my mind.
Thanks again for all help.
Questions: Where is this memory seat module located? It's not something that is visible? Or has controls on the side of the seat is it? I mean...I don't want some extra stuff just sticking out like it does not belong...or could the memory module be used? WHAT IS THIS MEMORY THING???!!!!
Ken

 

[DaHeinah]

The memory module is simply an option that allows the driver to switch between multiple seat configurations. For example, sometimes my mom drives my dad's 99 X (much to his dismay ) and she is 5 foot and my dad 6'2". The seat memory function allows them to literally step in the car and push their respective number, ultimately resulting in the seat accomodating the required distance from the pedals. Pretty neat feature.
BUT- the seats that I got from that 2001 X had the memory module and I just decided not to hook it up. It looked like more trouble than it was worth and the module itself is hardly noticeable...actually it's not really noticeable now that I think about it. I wouldn't be concerned over the memory function. There are most likely people on this board that could easily figure out how to wire in the module, I am just electrically challenged
Those seats look great!!!
Greg

 

[Bottomlesspit]

People are starting to bid on those Limited seats now...the price is jumping quickly.
I just can't decide which seats to really go after...I see definite advantages to both?????!!!!!
Here are the EB seats.
I'll take a quick poll....WHICH ONES???
Bidding ends in 4 hours on both.
Thanks,
Ken

 

[Premier]

I like the EB seats personally... They are more asthetically appealing

 

[DaHeinah]

Go limited the whole way! I do love the EB, but they can serve as backup should you lose this bid.

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

bottemless, i have a 92, and it had the eb seats, but they were well used, and needed to be replaced.....and to my dismay, i found a set of front seats out of 94 limited in a wreck yard for 100 bucks...ya, i snatched them...and they are the most comfortable seats i have sat in....more comfy then my moms 98 lincoln town car...the point im getting at is if ya can, go with the limited...and the wiring, if ya want, talk to me, i just switched tracks, and solved problem...or, if ya want the memory feature, look up BIG COUNTRY thread on installing memory seats....has anyone heard from him in a while?

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Well...................?
Whether I like them or not, I am now the proud owner of 1997 Tan Limited leather seats!
The EB auction was ending 3 minutes before the Limited auction, so I placed a bid with 3 minutes remaining for the EB seats. I was outbid, and the auction closed before I could try again.
I went straight to the Limited auction, got a bid in with 1 minute remaining and won...with only seconds to spare.
There were about 5 people in a bidding war on those. Close call due to hesitation.
The only fear I have is the color. My 99 is medium prairie tan, but these limited look a little different. The EB seats appear closer to my stock color. Hard to be sure though with just the pictures.
Let's hope shipping is not too much.
Thanks for all the help and pictures from everyone!!!
I saw the thread about memory modules and stuff. I guess I would have to source out that module to make it all work. Not sure I want to go through that much trouble. I'm pretty good with electrical wiring and such, but the memory module might be more trouble than needed.
Nice picture of those limited seats! Looks real nice in your truck!!!
Thanks,
Ken

 

[Premier]

What did you end up paying for them?

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Not the bargain I was HOPING to get, but I ended up at $250. My bid won by 3 seconds! Another last minute bidder was trying to outbid me, but he ran out of time. Matter of fact, the only reason I won is because my max bid of $250 beat his max bid of $250 by 3 seconds!!!
Now, I will have to start searching for matching rear seats. No rush, but have to be on the lookout. I really hope it won't be too hard to match them up...color and all.
My only worry now is how the color will look.
At least the fretting is over!?!?!?
Ken