- Thread starter
- #21
Thanks 2fpower! My son is our FIRST priority over styling, trends, etc. He is our future and our pride an joy!!
80 Series Safety
- Thread starter brianweis
- Start date
-
- Tags
- 1989 fzj80 land cruiser safety
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Congrats! Parenthood is the hardest journey you'll ever love. Just buy all of your toys now, while you still have the money and time.
DocuDude
Took me 10 years to find this space
I was right there with you.
I put the baby seat in the 2nd row middle. The lap belt works fine.
Learn to put in the seats yourself.
I will repeat this again--- most people install their seats half-ass.
LEARN TO PUT IN THE SEATS YOURSELF.
Put your knees down on the base, and pull and tighten the belt until the seat doesn't budge.
At all.
If you aren't sure, start again.
On the 80 I twist the seat belt receiver several times to make it an even tighter fit (learned this from police dept. installer)
As a matter of fact, go to your local FD/PD watch how they do it.
In speeds around town, not much is safer than our large hunk of metal at 35mph.
At 80mph on the highway, is there really a safe car?
You are not 21 anymore, don't do 80 on the highway.
Take your time at 65mph.
Also, unless you father in law is paying for the car, you are the Patriarch now.
Your decision on what car to buy.
I put the baby seat in the 2nd row middle. The lap belt works fine.
Learn to put in the seats yourself.
I will repeat this again--- most people install their seats half-ass.
LEARN TO PUT IN THE SEATS YOURSELF.
Put your knees down on the base, and pull and tighten the belt until the seat doesn't budge.
At all.
If you aren't sure, start again.
On the 80 I twist the seat belt receiver several times to make it an even tighter fit (learned this from police dept. installer)
As a matter of fact, go to your local FD/PD watch how they do it.
In speeds around town, not much is safer than our large hunk of metal at 35mph.
At 80mph on the highway, is there really a safe car?
You are not 21 anymore, don't do 80 on the highway.
Take your time at 65mph.
Also, unless you father in law is paying for the car, you are the Patriarch now.
Your decision on what car to buy.
To keep Brian 100% correct with LC models, it's an FJ62.
@brianweis that first link you posted was an 1989 Land Cruiser. That is by no means an 80 series Land Cruiser. I would not buy that for my family vehicle if the 100 series you posted were an option. Not only will they be much safer they will be much, much, much more comfortable and the driving experience will be vastly more enjoyable.
Whoever said that the newest vehicle you can buy is the safest is probably the most correct. Having been to a couple hundred accidents the opinion I have formed is very similar to that. It still amazes me the impacts some of these cars are taking, not to mention roll overs, etc with the only extrication required being to open up the door, pop on a c-collar, and let the person step out.
Whoever said that the newest vehicle you can buy is the safest is probably the most correct. Having been to a couple hundred accidents the opinion I have formed is very similar to that. It still amazes me the impacts some of these cars are taking, not to mention roll overs, etc with the only extrication required being to open up the door, pop on a c-collar, and let the person step out.
I agree with a lot of what the rest of the guys have said on here but your experience in the field is definitely very real world and can mean a lot. These 80s can take a lickin' impressively enough but I want to hear your thoughts on the 80 specifically (especially if you've ever responded to one) and how you think the bumpers we put on hold up... Are they better/worse than factory?
- Thread starter
- #27
- Thread starter
- #28
Thank you to everyone who has responded to my concerns. I have a lot to think about.
As much as I really like that older body style, I feel like the more practical vehicle choice may be the '00 or '06. I have one friend whose opinion was to not buy anything before '06 as a family daily driver.
As much as I really like that older body style, I feel like the more practical vehicle choice may be the '00 or '06. I have one friend whose opinion was to not buy anything before '06 as a family daily driver.
There is no LATCH system on any 80. So no, not a good choice for a child in a car seat.
High center of gravity, easy rollover.
Very poor brakes compared to newer cars.
High center of gravity, easy rollover.
Very poor brakes compared to newer cars.
surfpig
The Anti-Tech
I have never responded to an 80 series, or any series cruiser for that matter. I Have seen several other Toyota products, all newer, that have done admirably in wrecks. As far as the bumpers, the OEM stuff on the 80 doesn't really have any crumple zones or provisions to de-energize impacts. Even my old 92 Honda has some honeycomb in the rear bumper. The aftermarket stuff adds a lot more rigidity and weight but still no crumple/de-energizing affect. That being said, if I hit a Prius with my shortbus bumper, i'm going to smash the hell out of that Prius. Most likely it will be totaled due to shear volume of damage and mine will be totaled due to a bent frame (energy transfer). It will certainly look like my vehicle came out ahead, and it may have, however, short of my truck over riding the cab of the Prius, I'm probably the more likely to be injured in a head on. There are so many factors that play into it that I find it really difficult to say one way is right all the time. However, almost all the time, the occupants of the newer vehicle seem to come out ahead.
The factory seat belts are more than adequate as long as they are in proper working order. The latch is simply a redundant feature in case one of your other kids undoes the seat belt going to the car seat.
Hey bud, I've got an 80 Series I'm trying to sell. They are great vehicles! I wish I had more time to spend with mine.
890man
SILVER Star
So was your father in law driving his kids around with the latch system, endless crumple zones and side curtain airbags? I dont think so. Seems like his child survived. Just get a good seat, install it properly and dont text or do other stupid stuff behind the wheel that so many others do. A teenager would probably fare worse than a small child in a good seat for many reasons.
My 8yo has been in my 80 since she was born. You want them safe, yes, but driving around in a older vehicle does not make you an irresponsible parrent. If you want an 80, get one. If you want a 100, 200 or Subaru, get one. Just remain focused behind the wheel. You would have to do this in any car you chose.
FWIW
I rolled my 80 series on a snowy Mtn in Vermont with pregnant wife riding shotgun and 3yo, 1yo nephew properly restrained in the third row. Not a scratch on anybody. Our daughter was born just fine 4 months later and we travel with her in the 80 a lot for over a year now. Middle row center position.
X2 learn how to install your seat. Join the Facebook group Car Seats for the Littles. Those women (mostly) know wtf they're talking about and will give research based advice on your install. I also second that air bags are for the front seat passengers anyway.
Learn how to properly install your seat and position the chest clip and be a stickler about it to reluctant family ( back in my day...) and you've done your job, Dad. Good luck!
Edit: just noticed your son is 3, so I'm sure some of this soapbox isn't new to you, but I'll let it stand anyway.
I rolled my 80 series on a snowy Mtn in Vermont with pregnant wife riding shotgun and 3yo, 1yo nephew properly restrained in the third row. Not a scratch on anybody. Our daughter was born just fine 4 months later and we travel with her in the 80 a lot for over a year now. Middle row center position.
X2 learn how to install your seat. Join the Facebook group Car Seats for the Littles. Those women (mostly) know wtf they're talking about and will give research based advice on your install. I also second that air bags are for the front seat passengers anyway.
Learn how to properly install your seat and position the chest clip and be a stickler about it to reluctant family ( back in my day...) and you've done your job, Dad. Good luck!
Edit: just noticed your son is 3, so I'm sure some of this soapbox isn't new to you, but I'll let it stand anyway.
Back when men were men you just set junior on the bench seat next to you and used your arm like the drop bar on a roller coaster !
- Thread starter
- #36
@AaronM33 & @DocuDude, thank you for the tips. When our son was born, the hospital actually wouldn't let us leave until I could install the seat myself according to their standards (set by guys fro the local FD/PD). I then had to teach my parents and in-laws how to do it correctly. I am a big stickler when it comes to his safety.
Since the lease on my wife's vehicle isn't up until August we have some time before we need to make a decision and even after the weekend I remain pretty torn between which way to go. @duncanhill1866, can you post some pics of your rig as well as the details?
Also, for those of you who have corrected my misunderstanding about what is and is not an 80 series, thank you.
Since the lease on my wife's vehicle isn't up until August we have some time before we need to make a decision and even after the weekend I remain pretty torn between which way to go. @duncanhill1866, can you post some pics of your rig as well as the details?
Also, for those of you who have corrected my misunderstanding about what is and is not an 80 series, thank you.
- Thread starter
- #37
What do you guys think of this 2000 LC: 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser Granite 4wd Third Seat Heated Seat/As New. I'm always a little wary working with small dealers.
high price for the mileage, but might be in cherry condition...
also, you're posting in the 80 series forums and you've been looking at 60s and 100s... that's messed up, man...
The 80 doesn't require a locking clip for child car seats. If you read your manual it will tell you how to properly install a seat. I do know how and when to use them, I have had vehicles that needed them and have some on hand.
We have an 14 Prius with LATCH and had a 2004 IS300 WITH LATCH and we can never get those as tight as I can get them in the 80. The shoulder belts in the 80 are still 3 points, just like a LATCH. LATCH is made for the masses since it was the masses who improperly installed their seats to be tight enough (or didn't know how or when to use a lock).
As for safety.... this goes without saying, but the most important safety factor in any vehicle is the person driving it. Yes there are unavoidable accidents, but most can be avoided. Even if you are in one and not at fault doesn't mean if you were paying better attention or understood driving dynamics that it couldn't have been avoided.
In many ways the 80 is far safer than the 2014 Prius, because it's basically like driving a fishbowl, you are high enough and have enough windows with less mass in the way of watching traffic. Newer cars have the worst field of views.... it might have better crumple zones, but f you could have seen it coming and avoided - that would be safer.
All of the autonomous safety features mentioned earlier aren't going to help or fix what other drivers are doing, it's to fix what the driver of THAT car isn't paying attention to.
I take our son, dogs, and fiance in our 80 with confidence.
We have an 14 Prius with LATCH and had a 2004 IS300 WITH LATCH and we can never get those as tight as I can get them in the 80. The shoulder belts in the 80 are still 3 points, just like a LATCH. LATCH is made for the masses since it was the masses who improperly installed their seats to be tight enough (or didn't know how or when to use a lock).
As for safety.... this goes without saying, but the most important safety factor in any vehicle is the person driving it. Yes there are unavoidable accidents, but most can be avoided. Even if you are in one and not at fault doesn't mean if you were paying better attention or understood driving dynamics that it couldn't have been avoided.
In many ways the 80 is far safer than the 2014 Prius, because it's basically like driving a fishbowl, you are high enough and have enough windows with less mass in the way of watching traffic. Newer cars have the worst field of views.... it might have better crumple zones, but f you could have seen it coming and avoided - that would be safer.
All of the autonomous safety features mentioned earlier aren't going to help or fix what other drivers are doing, it's to fix what the driver of THAT car isn't paying attention to.
I take our son, dogs, and fiance in our 80 with confidence.
