I am purchasing a 96 80 series landcruiser and plan on adding the third row. Just wanting to see who has done this and what all this involves. Any help would be appreciated , I have searched online but not much has been mentioned about doing this project
Adding 3rd row
- Thread starter 4Runner87
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So this is one that didn't have a third row fitted from factory? Or was it originally built with third row seats, but they've been removed? Huge difference between the two.
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- #3
Sorry for the bad explanation. This is a diesel import so no original 3rd row
Big tip-off is if you have a triangle of captured nuts under the carpet in the RR wheelwell facing the RR.
If not, then prob no captured nuts for the outboard 3-point seatbelts in the RR pillars.
If you don’t have those to start in the cabin, this is going to get involved compared to Lego-style bolt-n-go.
If not, then prob no captured nuts for the outboard 3-point seatbelts in the RR pillars.
If you don’t have those to start in the cabin, this is going to get involved compared to Lego-style bolt-n-go.
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- #5
Yeah this definitely never had the 3rd row so I know I’m gonna be piecing it together, just hoping someone would have some tips or tricks
OK, so I've looked into adding a third row to my HZJ80. Quickly decided against it. It's possible to do, but to get the same result as factory, you'd have to cut holes into the body for the "wells" that hold the bars the seats lock into in the floor. You'd also need to cut those wells out of a rig with them and weld them into your vehicle. You'll need to cut the brackets off the wheel arches for the third row seats too, and weld them in as well. Then as @LINUS mentioned there'll be no captured nuts in the pillars for the seatbelts, so you'd need to drill them and fit mounting points for the seatbelts. Doable, but a PITA.
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- #7
Yeah it’s definitely gonna be a PITA but I have 4 kids so I’m gonna make it happen just have to come up with the best solution. Personally don’t care if it’s landcruiser seats, so I might look into other options as far as seats go
Pull up the carpet over the RR wheelwells facing the RR - if you see the captured nuts it’s possibly a quick plug / play deal.
A ‘96 cab might have them where the older they get the less I’d bet on it - but ‘96 is new in the big picture of 80’s.
Triangle pattern about 3” in between the holes.
Just start w/ that.
A ‘96 cab might have them where the older they get the less I’d bet on it - but ‘96 is new in the big picture of 80’s.
Triangle pattern about 3” in between the holes.
Just start w/ that.
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- #9
I definitely check, thanks
I've also got four kids, and I went with the front bench seat option. Makes the vehicle a six seater, and leaves the back free for gear when camping. Depending on the ages/spacing of your kids, that might be a good way to go.
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- #11
Tell me more about this, I haven’t thought of doing that
Sure, so one option which was common on the base models in Australia, was a front bench seat on the passenger side instead of the single seat with a centre console. When my fourth child was born, I took the centre console out of my HZJ80 and swapped in the bench seat so I could fit everyone in. It looks like this (ignore the mess):
This gives you three seats in the front and three in the middle. That centre front seat is best for a child under 14 though. The main issue is legroom. In that seat, your legs have to lean to the left due to the transmission. And adult could fit there, but it wouldn't be the most comfortable.
If you were looking to source this, the good news is it just bolts right in. You just need the seat, the combined lap belt and passenger side belt stalk, and the belt stalk for the centre lap belt. The holes should all be sitting there in the body.
This gives you three seats in the front and three in the middle. That centre front seat is best for a child under 14 though. The main issue is legroom. In that seat, your legs have to lean to the left due to the transmission. And adult could fit there, but it wouldn't be the most comfortable.
If you were looking to source this, the good news is it just bolts right in. You just need the seat, the combined lap belt and passenger side belt stalk, and the belt stalk for the centre lap belt. The holes should all be sitting there in the body.
Does that exist for RHD?
The parts catalog says yes, a LHD version exists. Absolutely no idea where you'd find one though.
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- #18
Nice, well thanks for the great idea. I will have to start looking for that seat now
This reminds me of a guy here who did this to his rig. @SteveJackson did it. He had to do some welding but this guy knows his stuff with cruisers. Search his build thread or he can chime in if he can.