Questions about a Sahara HZJ105, change 2nd/3rd row seats to "normal" ones?

[peripatew]

Greetings,

I've found a 98 Sahara HZJ105 that's in really great shape (I'm in SE Asia). I like it for being a 105, but I also like that it's pretty simple being a Sahara. Cloths seats, part-time 4wd (H2, H4, L4). It unfortunately doesn't have lockers, but I can add ARB in one at a time to spread the cost of that modification around. But, I have a few questions:

It has the fold down bench seats that run perpendicular to the front 2 rows. This is cool, but I have kids so I'd want to change the rear seats to the "normal ones". I don't care if the seat fabric matches, but I do want them to fit with factory quality. I can get spare seats easily here, and the selling says it would be easy to do. But "easy" here means a lot of different things. I'd need to swap in the seats and seat belts. Are there factory bolt locations for the seat anchors and seat belts? Or will they have to drill holes and adapt it to fit?

The 2nd row is different as well, as it's a single piece, not 60/40. This isn't a deal breaker, but I could see it being a bit inconvenient at times. We have one full size, forward facing car seat, so it would NOT be fun to take out and fold down for people to get in and out of the back. My older son would be fine to crawl in through the rear barn doors, but I don't know if other passengers would want to. Especially if I needed to put 3 people in the 3rd row. So, if I wanted to switch the 2nd row seats as well, would this be possible?

SO, is it worth pursuing this vehicle? Drives great, though I do believe it has an added turbo which I'm a little weary of. It's in great shape.

 

[bjarnep]

Please see my pictures for seat belt fixing in the rear, here: 3rd row seat missing I really would like to have cloth seat cover instead of the leather !

 

[peripatew]

Please see my pictures for seat belt fixing in the rear, here: 3rd row seat missing I really would like to have cloth seat cover instead of the leather !

Thanks. So I'm guessing you didn't go through with it? I'm going back with my mechanic to see what he thinks. If every thing else checks out, this is the perfect one, other than no lockers.

I also really like the cloth seats, especially here where it is hot hot!

 

[bjarnep]

my car has both second (60/40) and third row - the pictures was for a fellow MUD - who like you, was missing the third row.
Yah - in this heat the leather is no good. Where are you located? (I can see you write SE Asia - but that´s a large area)

 

[LBridges]

bjarnep's pic shows how & where the 3rd row seat belts are anchored. Regarding the 2nd row, I can't tell from your pic, but to use the split seats there would be 4 mounting points on the front sides of the seats (2 each) that match up to the width of the 604/40 split. Then on the rear side of the seat they have a floor fixture the seat hooks into so it can be flipped up/down. I think it would be likely that there are be the appropriate holes under the carpeting and under the side panels for seats and seat belts, but you would have to investigate that and source the mounting hardware. About mid way down the page in this thread on stereo installations (not mine, but has good pics) you can see the floor mounting points I'm trying to explain.

 

[peripatew]

bjarnep's pic shows how & where the 3rd row seat belts are anchored. Regarding the 2nd row, I can't tell from your pic, but to use the split seats there would be 4 mounting points on the front sides of the seats (2 each) that match up to the width of the 604/40 split. Then on the rear side of the seat they have a floor fixture the seat hooks into so it can be flipped up/down. I think it would be likely that there are be the appropriate holes under the carpeting and under the side panels for seats and seat belts, but you would have to investigate that and source the mounting hardware. About mid way down the page in this thread on stereo installations (not mine, but has good pics) you can see the floor mounting points I'm trying to explain.

Thanks for the link to that picture. I'll take it with me when I check the 105 out again. Several people say that can "make it happen", but I'd prefer to have it done the proper way!

 

[peripatew]

my car has both second (60/40) and third row - the pictures was for a fellow MUD - who like you, was missing the third row.
Yah - in this heat the leather is no good. Where are you located? (I can see you write SE Asia - but that´s a large area)

Our family is doing anti-trafficking work in Cambodia. Vehicle hunting is rough here! Hard to find a good one.

 

[peripatew]

Greetings all. Here is a picture of the floor with the carpet pulled:

So, not what I was hoping for. There are some small indentations in the front, but the rear is missing them completely. My mechanic and jungle-trip friend things this is a non-issue, and that it can be "asia-modified". But I'm a bit apprehensive about it. The rest of the vehicle is in GREAT shape though. We looked at 10-15 different land cruisers and this one was by far the best one.

This one has a sub fuel tank, which is right where they will be cutting. So I just don't know what the right call is here. If it had the normal seats, I would have bought it on the spot. But I want it to be safe for my family.

Bonus question: Any idea what that connector is for?

 

[Gunney]

"easy" is a variable term...

From the looks of your pictures this is not something you can easily just bolt in. The 3rd row seats in these cruisers (the VXR spec ones) anchor to the floor at 4 points. 2 next to the wheel well and two in the center of the trunk.

Best case you are going to have to find 2 seats with all 4 mounting brackets and either cut and weld them in or cut and bolt them in. If you want them to look factory make sure you get the plastic surrounds with them.

I have attached some pictures of when I did my first cruiser clean up to show you how they mount in place.

before 1

• Gunney
• Jan 25, 2016

Before 2

• Gunney
• Jan 25, 2016

Before 3

• Gunney
• Jan 25, 2016

Before 4

• Gunney
• Jan 25, 2016

BIts

• Gunney
• Jan 25, 2016

After

• Gunney
• Jan 25, 2016

No clue what the connector is for ???

 

[peripatew]

Thanks @Gunney , though your pictures didn't show up for some reason. I think I'm going to give it a go. Finding all the parts will be easy for my mechanic. Just worried about the floor modification. I've got the diesel sub tank right underneath where they will mod. But I'm hoping they only have one subtank style to match all the floor options

 

[Gunney]

strange... try follow this link Amy

 

[peripatew]

Thanks! Jumped on the computer and they showed up fine. I think the only big changes will be the center most seat mounts on the floor. The others seem to be in the "floor channels". I didn't pull the pillar and wheel well panels, so not sure how they will attach the seat belts. But the panel has slots of the seat belts, but nothing else.

We'll see how it goes! Part of the SE Asia experience. But, I'd rather have a reliable engine/drive train and some slightly ugly seats than the other way around.

 

[OhManChris]

Really interesting thread folks. @peripatew how did you get on with the mods, did you get the regular third row seats fitted in the end?

I'm facing a similar dilema here in the Middle East. There are a load of ex-commercial LC's for sale but they all come with the rear bench style seats which is not what we need.

 

[peripatew]

I was actually able to find some lap seat belts. The mods to install new seats was too much. All I had to do was add one hole per side to install the seat belts.