Legroom in 1980 FJ40

[jgres356]

Hi, I'm wondering if there's a way to increase legroom in a 1980 Land Cruiser. Apparently, some of the aftermarket guys make a rail extension kit for up to model year 1978, but the only advice I've seen so far for increasing legroom in my particular model year is to drill out the seat stops, slide the seat to the end and thru bold it to the frame. This of course would gain me 2.5" of legroom (probably sufficient), but would not allow for any movement forward for shorter drivers. Are there any more options that can be explored?
Additionally, since this is my first Land Cruiser acquisition (at age 70) I wanted to enquire about the possibility of a smaller diameter steering wheel that would fit the existing steering column without modification and be a relatively simple modification for my mechanic or myself.
Thank you,
jgres356

 

[Kmehr]

Not sure about the specific kits of the 80 rail extension, but I’ve done bucket seats in both of mine. Pretty easy and gains both legroom and comfort.

Landcruisers used the same spline count and size from 1970ish on, so you have a ton of options on swapping wheels. Your horn situation may be the most difficult part to make work, depending on what you chose. Also plenty of aftermarket options as well.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Hi, I'm wondering if there's a way to increase legroom in a 1980 Land Cruiser. Apparently, some of the aftermarket guys make a rail extension kit for up to model year 1978, but the only advice I've seen so far for increasing legroom in my particular model year is to drill out the seat stops, slide the seat to the end and thru bold it to the frame. This of course would gain me 2.5" of legroom (probably sufficient), but would not allow for any movement forward for shorter drivers. Are there any more options that can be explored?
Additionally, since this is my first Land Cruiser acquisition (at age 70) I wanted to enquire about the possibility of a smaller diameter steering wheel that would fit the existing steering column without modification and be a relatively simple modification for my mechanic or myself.
Thank you,
jgres356

You might want to post this up in the 40/55 series tech section to get more viewers and responses. 40- / 55-Series Tech - https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/40-55-series-tech.8/

Good luck! After owning a '76 for a few years I decided the 40 series just wouldn't work for my long legs at 6'5".

 

[1911]

Hi, I'm wondering if there's a way to increase legroom in a 1980 Land Cruiser. Apparently, some of the aftermarket guys make a rail extension kit for up to model year 1978, but the only advice I've seen so far for increasing legroom in my particular model year is to drill out the seat stops, slide the seat to the end and thru bold it to the frame. This of course would gain me 2.5" of legroom (probably sufficient), but would not allow for any movement forward for shorter drivers. Are there any more options that can be explored?
Additionally, since this is my first Land Cruiser acquisition (at age 70) I wanted to enquire about the possibility of a smaller diameter steering wheel that would fit the existing steering column without modification and be a relatively simple modification for my mechanic or myself.
Thank you,
jgres356

You can use unistrut. Bolt the unistrut to the seat mounts, then bolt the seat sliders on to the top of the unistrut but a few inches back. I did this on my 1980, before I replaced the stock seats with ProCar 90 seats. I may have some photos of it on my computer that I can post later.

 

[jgres356]

You can use unistrut. Bolt the unistrut to the seat mounts, then bolt the seat sliders on to the top of the unistrut but a few inches back. I did this on my 1980, before I replaced the stock seats with ProCar 90 seats. I may have some photos of it on my computer that I can post later.

I've looked at the Unistrut website. Is there a specific size or type of Unistrut that I should request.? Thank you. J.

 

[1911]

I've looked at the Unistrut website. Is there a specific size or type of Unistrut that I should request.? Thank you. J.

I just bought whatever they had at Home Depot, either 12 or 14 gauge. - don't remember which.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electri...istrut?NCNI-5&sortby=bestmatch&sortorder=none

Here is a photo of mine installed, if that helps:

 

[LDowney]

I just bought whatever they had at Home Depot, either 12 or 14 gauge. - don't remember which.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electri...istrut?NCNI-5&sortby=bestmatch&sortorder=none

Here is a photo of mine installed, if that helps:

View attachment 4125649

Looks very similar to what I made for my 40 (1981) except I used solid bar stock, which is overkill and costs more than this approach. Thanks for sharing your approach