Grandad12

[Grandad12]

I have a 1971 almost fully restored FJ40. Apparently when I purchased the 3/4 body Pan Tub it did not come with seat mounting holes. As I position the seat and visualize drilling holes, it looks like I need to go thru two panels of metal, otherwise I am unable to attach required nuts to bolts. Has anyone encountered this same situation and what is your solution?
Much appreciated!

 

[65swb45]

The captured nuts for the back of the seats is indeed inside a boxed section of the tub that is not accessible. If I were in your position, I would cut four rectangular holes in the forward face of the box, two inside the section hidden by the factory toobox, and two that would be hidden by the factory fuel tank. I would drill and tap 1/4" steel plates with the required M8 holes that I could insert through my new access ports and mount the driver's seat hinge brackets. For the passenger side I would probably drill two extra holes so that the plates will stay put since the gas tank has to go back in before the seat.
Then I would make four small access panels to cover the ports, so that they remain accessible should adjustments be needed down the road.
Your custom mounting plates will be way more secure than factory, which is a bonus.