Y’all will probably think I’m crazy here with the “solution” I figured out, but here it goes.
I had already cut the brackets off of the ‘02 Explorer passenger seat in my first attempt to make it work for the swap. I couldn’t return the seat to the JY, but was able to return the drivers seat and get a refund on it.
I figured since I already had the explorer seat that I would tear it apart and see how the manual adjustable lumbar support worked. I’ve always loved disassembling things to see how they work. I’ll post pictures later. I didn’t document very well. Once I get going, I get tunnel vision. I’m not good at patience...
It’s a rather neat setup. I was originally going to try and take off the two back support bars that had broken and replace them with threaded rod. Once I got the upholstery and foam off both seats, I noticed they were similar in construction regarding the seat frame (the explorer one was sturdier). Transplanting the seat back wouldn’t have worked so I went to town modding my Ranger seat to accept the adjustable lumbar setup.
Multiple holes drilled, things measured, things riveted, foam trimmed, zip ties cinched, and super glue slathered on stuff...this Redneck Engineer succeeded in grafting an adjustable lumbar support (which works btw) onto a seat design that never had one (as far as I know). It’s soooooo comfortable now! I messed up with cutting the seat upholstery for the adjustment knob, but who cares!