I have 2001 with latch. works great! i had a friend visit last weekend, he brought a non-latch seat for his kid, and i will say that my latch seat is much easier to install/remove, and is also much more secure, than the system he brought. i do not know about other systems.
LATCH was required on all vehicles in 2003. In true Land Cruiser fashion, leading the industry it was evidently present a few years before then, sweet! I stand corrected. Thanks bkgee.
Rear side curtain air bags also became an option on Cruisers in 2003. Many other Toyota's didn't have that as an option till 2007.
I would imagine used would be hard to find. Plus the bad side of finding a salvaged seat is that you'd be using a potentially stressed seat to protect your children.
Perhaps CDan in Albuqueurque could help you find a replacement 2001-2002 2nd row. Ask for Beno if Dan isn't in. I can't imagine it would be cost effective.
I just purchased a 100 as a transport for my 2 infants. I've done a bit of research into this. Unless you have an 03 or newer you will not get the LATCH or IsoFix points in the crack of the seat. As far as I know there is no way to retrofit a vehicle with them. I spoke with TLC in California about mounting Rear Tethers in an 80 series which would be much simpler than installing LATCH. They didn't want the liability, not when dealing with babies.
Retrofit rear tethers are/were available from Toyota for even the 80 series, IIRC, so I'm surprised TLC wouldn't install them. I certainly wouldn't be afraid to do so, just looks like a small piece of channel underneath the sheetmetal.
I'm sure I could have spoken with someone else at TLC about installing the tethers, I kind of dropped the issue. That would solve one of cackalak han's issues but still wouldn't address the LATCH points, that's a tougher nut to crack.
Actually the 2000 LC may have had rear tethers already or at least holes for a tether, so perhaps tethers are a non issue.
Perhaps CDan in Albuqueurque could help you find a replacement 2001-2002 2nd row. Ask for Beno if Dan isn't in. I can't imagine it would be cost effective.
I am looking at going from an 06 Tacoma acc off road to an LC. Since I have a 5mo old, and plan on having at least one more kid, I really need the latch system. Sorry to dig up an oldie, but I have an additional question....
How many LATCH points are there in the 01+ LC's? Not individual anchors, but how many car seats will it accommodate?
I really like the layout of the LATCH in the 03-04's. I imagine it's the same for the 01-02. Middle and behind the driver. We have the little one in the middle, safest spot in the car. What's nice is the right side seat can still fold down in case you need to access the 3rd row. Also plenty of room for Mom in the 2nd row to pass out bottles and snacks on road trips. Currently we have Britax Boulevard, which are fairly big and they fit.
So 2 sets of latch, but 3 car seats will fit in the 3rd if needed. There are 3 rear tether anchors behind the seats. Also, you don't need LATCH, belts are just as safe if installed properly. However the LATCH just gives me more peace of mind.
Only the Sequoia in the Toyota SUV line-up has 3 rows of LATCH.
This is not LC specific, but it sounds like it's for the weight of the child only.
"LATCH Weight Limits
Lower Anchors:
There is no agreement between vehicle and child safety seat manufacturers as to the weight limit for lower anchors. If the child safety seat manufacturer's instructions, the vehicle owners manual, or this table do not discuss the issue, it is best to stop using the lower anchors after the child is 40 pounds. In this case, you should use the vehicle safety belt instead of the lower anchors to secure the child safety seat to the vehicle."
regardless of safety comparability, the latch systems are much faster and easier to install/remove. click, click, pull tightening strap. probably 10 seconds.
Get some stainless steel 1/4" thick "triangular-shaped" threaded chain quick-links. Typically rated for over 5000-lbs. The triangular one labeled "S7360" is rated for 39kN or about 8767 lb-F when closed. I used the oval ones, but they bunched up the seatbelts. Not an issue, but not 100% desirable either.
Open link, slip through the seat belt webbing loop where it attaches to the truck at both the latch (side with the red button) and the point of attachment to the truck for the lower belt.
Use the lateral LATCH belt to attach to the existing seat belt anchors. Puts no more load on the system than it was designed for since it was designed for an adult and the kiddos weight WAY less and therefore have WAY less inertia to restrian in an impact.
Use the over-seat restraint to connect to the D-rind in the rear cargo floor and you're good.
We have a 2004. LATCH system is on DS and middle. I have a 4 y.o. and 3 y.o twins. When we do "family wheeling" (read Colorado dirt roads and easy trails) I put all 3 kids in car seats in the second row. We use BRITAX seats (well worth the $$!) and they really fit so well and so tight that the rear anchor probably isn't even needed. However, the PS 2nd row seat does not have LATCH and I use the belt and rear anchor in that position. My son is almost 5 and he'll be moving to a booster in the 3rd row soon. A car seat fits fine in the 3rd row jump seats, I just prefer using the 2nd row for entry/exit and leave the cargo area open for gear. We move the car seats between the Honda Odyssey and the Land Cruiser depending on need so I am WELL versed in the placement/fitting of car seats! PM if you need anything.
