Hello,
I recently saw a few posts about replacing the seat belts for the FJ60. For a while I wanted to change mine, because they did not retract well, they did not work at times, and were always hanging to the point I couldn't close the door because they will hang that low. (Plus I was afraid to have my kids ride the cruiser).
I wanted to share MY experience replacing the ones on my 84.
The first dilema I was facing was: new vs refurbished. I saw a post about several places that you can send your old ones in, and they service and rewebb them. I called around and found that what they do (and for the price they do it, seemed to me not worth the hassle) to have old ones.
My recommendation: if you have one that was like eaten by a dog or a dinosaur, then it could be worth sedding it to get new webbing and they do it for like $70+ or so (as of 2021) each.
If you think something is wrong with the mechanism, then I dont think is worth going that route.
So, I decided to go the NEW route.
The second dilemma was: is it easy enough for me to do, or do I have to pay someone? It is easy. If I can do it, you can do it.
My recommendation: do it yourself and save some money in labor.
The final dilemma was: which one should I buy?? there are several options out there. I did some research and went with seatbelt planet's front package. I called them and those guys do a great job making sure you get what you need.
Here is the link to the ones I got:
1981-Early 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60, Driver & Passenger Seat Belt Kit - https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/i-30498848-1981-early-1984-toyota-land-cruiser-fj60-driver-passenger-seat-belt-kit.html?ref=category:1389634
________________________
1- Removal:
Here is a picture of the old ones being taken out:
Old ones:
Note: the "lead ball" is the old gravity system, the new ones do not have that.
Note: there is a plastic dust cover that you need to take out and reinstall with the new ones. I took mine out cleaned it up of 30 plus years of dust and crap, and reinstalled them.
This is the screw that holds the dust cover in place.
For the female receivers:
Note: the new ones do not have the seatbelt light switch inside them. (no after market does). So, in order for the light to be off (instead of on all the time) you need to cut the wires and ground them to the frame (that is what the engineer at seatbelt [planet told me). I did that and there is no light anymore. I am actually happy about that, because the light and noise was annoying as hell.
2nd note: I had to remove the center console to be able to access the bolt for the female receiver for the passenger seat.
____________________
2- Install:
It only took me like a few hrs to replaced them.
Here is a picture of the new ones. (I have a side y side picture) My 84 is a late model, they come with that bracket. Some models the bracket is different. If you are not sure what t buy, CALL THEM. They do a pretty good job in helping you find the right fit.
They DO come with ALL the hardware (screws, washers, covers, etc.) you do not need anything else to install them except the old dust covers.
Finally, after the dust cover is cleaned up, the old ones out, installing the new ones was a breeze. They take 3 screws total (3!!).
1 screw goes to the lower door frame of the car that secures it in place. Note: make sure you center it when you are tightening the bolt and hold it on the center, so the webbing is not rubbing against the frame).
1 screw goes to the upper door frame (the new ones come with all black plastic trim not brown).
1 screw goes to the floor frame to secure the other end of the 3 point belt. For the lower connection you need to install an "L" shaped bracket that attaches to the floor under the console.
Note: There is a plastic piece that holds the webbing in place, it comes with a warning that states not to remove it until the seat belts are installed. So, make sure you do that.
I have a couple of DIY videos for the entire process, but I have not uploaded them to youtube yet. (coming soon) and then I will upload the link here.
Anyway, hope this helps some people at least to get started.
_________
PROS:
*Level of difficulty: Low
*Price point: About $300 for new ones for both front ones (they have rear 3 point conversion ones as well) I am doing that next when time and money permits. (I understand for some people this price point could be a CON, kind is for me as well to be honest). I get it, BUT I want to be able to have my kids ride with me, and I wanted new ones. PERIOD. I wont compromise with the little ones. So, I saved a bit for them.
*Availability: they are made to order, I paid an extra $30 for expedited shipping and I got them in about a week.
*They have any color you want for the webbing. Some colors are more expensive.
*The system is not "gravity" mechanism like the old ones.
CONS:
* Color of the plastic trims is black (does not look bad, but I would had preferred brown).
* There are no instructions! (and I mean, nothing!) I think some instructions can go a long way. (Some of the reason for this post).
* Price
There it is folks. Hope this help some start the process.
Thanks,
Jonathan
(I will post more pictures later).
I recently saw a few posts about replacing the seat belts for the FJ60. For a while I wanted to change mine, because they did not retract well, they did not work at times, and were always hanging to the point I couldn't close the door because they will hang that low. (Plus I was afraid to have my kids ride the cruiser).
I wanted to share MY experience replacing the ones on my 84.
The first dilema I was facing was: new vs refurbished. I saw a post about several places that you can send your old ones in, and they service and rewebb them. I called around and found that what they do (and for the price they do it, seemed to me not worth the hassle) to have old ones.
My recommendation: if you have one that was like eaten by a dog or a dinosaur, then it could be worth sedding it to get new webbing and they do it for like $70+ or so (as of 2021) each.
If you think something is wrong with the mechanism, then I dont think is worth going that route.
So, I decided to go the NEW route.
The second dilemma was: is it easy enough for me to do, or do I have to pay someone? It is easy. If I can do it, you can do it.
My recommendation: do it yourself and save some money in labor.
The final dilemma was: which one should I buy?? there are several options out there. I did some research and went with seatbelt planet's front package. I called them and those guys do a great job making sure you get what you need.
Here is the link to the ones I got:
1981-Early 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ60, Driver & Passenger Seat Belt Kit - https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/i-30498848-1981-early-1984-toyota-land-cruiser-fj60-driver-passenger-seat-belt-kit.html?ref=category:1389634
________________________
1- Removal:
Here is a picture of the old ones being taken out:
Old ones:
Note: the "lead ball" is the old gravity system, the new ones do not have that.
Note: there is a plastic dust cover that you need to take out and reinstall with the new ones. I took mine out cleaned it up of 30 plus years of dust and crap, and reinstalled them.
This is the screw that holds the dust cover in place.
For the female receivers:
Note: the new ones do not have the seatbelt light switch inside them. (no after market does). So, in order for the light to be off (instead of on all the time) you need to cut the wires and ground them to the frame (that is what the engineer at seatbelt [planet told me). I did that and there is no light anymore. I am actually happy about that, because the light and noise was annoying as hell.
2nd note: I had to remove the center console to be able to access the bolt for the female receiver for the passenger seat.
____________________
2- Install:
It only took me like a few hrs to replaced them.
Here is a picture of the new ones. (I have a side y side picture) My 84 is a late model, they come with that bracket. Some models the bracket is different. If you are not sure what t buy, CALL THEM. They do a pretty good job in helping you find the right fit.
They DO come with ALL the hardware (screws, washers, covers, etc.) you do not need anything else to install them except the old dust covers.
Finally, after the dust cover is cleaned up, the old ones out, installing the new ones was a breeze. They take 3 screws total (3!!).
1 screw goes to the lower door frame of the car that secures it in place. Note: make sure you center it when you are tightening the bolt and hold it on the center, so the webbing is not rubbing against the frame).
1 screw goes to the upper door frame (the new ones come with all black plastic trim not brown).
1 screw goes to the floor frame to secure the other end of the 3 point belt. For the lower connection you need to install an "L" shaped bracket that attaches to the floor under the console.
Note: There is a plastic piece that holds the webbing in place, it comes with a warning that states not to remove it until the seat belts are installed. So, make sure you do that.
I have a couple of DIY videos for the entire process, but I have not uploaded them to youtube yet. (coming soon) and then I will upload the link here.
Anyway, hope this helps some people at least to get started.
_________
PROS:
*Level of difficulty: Low
*Price point: About $300 for new ones for both front ones (they have rear 3 point conversion ones as well) I am doing that next when time and money permits. (I understand for some people this price point could be a CON, kind is for me as well to be honest). I get it, BUT I want to be able to have my kids ride with me, and I wanted new ones. PERIOD. I wont compromise with the little ones. So, I saved a bit for them.
*Availability: they are made to order, I paid an extra $30 for expedited shipping and I got them in about a week.
*They have any color you want for the webbing. Some colors are more expensive.
*The system is not "gravity" mechanism like the old ones.
CONS:
* Color of the plastic trims is black (does not look bad, but I would had preferred brown).
* There are no instructions! (and I mean, nothing!) I think some instructions can go a long way. (Some of the reason for this post).
* Price
There it is folks. Hope this help some start the process.
Thanks,
Jonathan
(I will post more pictures later).