Alternative seat configurations to accomodate two car seats, plus kids in the back

[ozarkmud]

We have a FJ80 and a a FZJ80. Both have the split-down-the-middle second row, which gives you a kind of useless 1.5 seats if one is folded down.

The 3rd row is the same, where each has 1.5 seats and you have to have both deployed to get 3 seats, otherwise you have 1.

We have a fourth child on the way and we're wondering if we can still fit into the 80 series. We'll need to have two car seats. We get lots of snow and mud here, so having a child climb to the 3rd row is not ideal.

Our ideal configuration would probably be a split 2nd row bench with the split at 2 seats to 1, so we can have two car seats mounted, fold back the third chair for access to the 3rd row. That, or a "captain's chair" second row with the outside seats in place, and an aisle down the middle. Can't fold the 2nd row seat with two car seats there.

For the third row, it'd be nice to have the option to have one seat width or two seats width, so that 1/3 or 2/3 or the trunk remains, basically.

Are there any aftermarket or somewhat straightforward modifications to attain this? I think a lot of Ford Expeditions have this type of configuration.

We're thinking we'd probably have to have a car seat in the 3rd row and 2nd row to be functional. Which gives us very little trunk space and is kind of awkward to work with. If the 2nd row could be open in the middle or have two to one side, that'd be much better.

Thank you!

 

[ZackR]

In your case I'd put a car seat in the middle row on the passenger side (new baby - rear facing) and another one directly behind that on the 3rd row. Access would require folding up the driver side middle row seat to access the 3rd row.

To haul extra gear you might end up with a Yakima top box (or two) on a roof rack.

 

[60 toy ota]

Most I've seen done is to put in a 100 series 2nd row, which is 2/3 split. It doesn't bolt right in and requires a cust6 mounting plate to be made and a thing or 2 switched for seat belt compatibility, but it's been done and documented here

 

[Rusty Marlin]

You might want to think about a Sequoia as the daily kid hauler.
But don't sell the 80, some day they'll be big enough to not need car seats.

 

[60 toy ota]

Found em, Give these a read:

I'll be following along as we have #3 on the way and they'll all be in car seats. Incidentally, the most utilized our 80 has been was this summer, 8 passengers with 5 being in car seats, with a kayak on the roof rack and trailer in tow. Shoulda put it in low and locked the diffs Haha

Thread '100 Series Rear Seats in an 80'

Jul 6, 2018

WTF you may ask???

Thought I would part with some knowledge.

So the family wanted to go offroading, yet the wife wanted a full 3point belt in the middle rear. Did a bit of research and there were no real off-the-shelf options, so I made my own.

Sourced some 100 series rear seats which has a full center belt integrated.
Lazer cut out of 10mm plate steel a supporting frame that bolts into the existing 80 series seat bolt holes with additional subframe bolting. The 100 series mounts bolt straight to that and BINGO!

Enjoy...

• fullthrottle
• Replies: 43
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

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Thread '80 series minivan style 2nd row seats'

Oct 26, 2022

I know it could be considered sacrilege mentioning minivan and 80 series together, especially when trying to make the 80 more minivan like, but curious if anyone has changed out the second row seats for a captain chair set up to provide an open passage in the center row to get to the 3rd row seats. I haven't explored the world of minivan seating, so I don't know how much customization it would be to make something work or if there could potentially be a direct bolt on option out there or if there would even be enough room to have this idea be functional. I couldn't find anyone having...

• cahill
• Replies: 20
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

 

[jpoole]

When we were still using them I used to put the car seats in the third row from time to time and get the kids in/out through the sliding windows. It's not as sketchy as it may sound if you are good at paying attention so that they don't get bonked on the way. I don't recall but this may have worked better when they were a touch older and less floppy but still not overly large

The car seat phase really isn't very long, sure did seem long while we were in it but only lasts a handful of years then seating/loading gets way easier.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

You will have 4 children, two of which need car seats if I recall correctly. Put the youngest behind the driver and the older behind them in the third row. That leaves access for 4 others.

 

[BILT4ME]

I think remove all seats other than the front row, throw in some bean bag chairs, let the kiddos roll around in the middle!
You could place them in a car seat and let them play bumper cars with each other!

All us old people survived without seat belts and so many of the folks I see on the Hwy that don't buckle in their kids anyway, why should you be any different?

Helicopter parent......

 

[ozarkmud]

Thank you all for your replies! Good to know about the 100 series seats, though looks like quite the endeavor. Most of the captain's chairs seem to end up with a tiny aisle, if any at all, but there's probably a narrow enough seat to pull it off with.

One car seat behind the other is a possibility.