Seating Question

[Red Herring]

I am a little giddy as I write this, because the wifey has decided that she really likes the look of the 80's...and wouldn't mind me getting her one as her DD. That would be an HDJ80... 1990-1993.


Question and only concern is... what is the jump seating like in the back of the 80? I need seating for 7... and I am wondering how useful those fold up seats really are? For those who have them, do you use them, or are they a PITA?


tia.

 

[KliersLC]

They are very useful......as long as the occupants are under 5 ft tall.

One problem is the 50/50 bench in the middle row. If you have carseats, you can only have one kid in the middle row and still fold down the other side.

Also, infant carriers w/bases only fit in the middle on the second row. If you have one, you can't fold down either side of the second row. Infant carriers without bases work fine in all positions.

 

[IronYuppy]

I am a little giddy as I write this, because the wifey has decided that she really likes the look of the 80's...and wouldn't mind me getting her one as her DD. That would be an HDJ80... 1990-1993.


Question and only concern is... what is the jump seating like in the back of the 80? I need seating for 7... and I am wondering how useful those fold up seats really are? For those who have them, do you use them, or are they a PITA?


tia.

Steve, they are very useful. You cn also access them from the rear hatch (there's an inside latch on the rear tailgate. I sold mine, but they were useful when I had them.

One caveat is that most HDJ81s don't come with the third row, and the third row is very difficult to retrofit. You need to replace the cargo floor with one that has pockets for the third row latches to lock into. It's a PITA.

But you might luck out and find a diesel 81 with a third row... maybe.

And I'll be all jealous.

 

[mot]

Some of you know this, but I've been meaning to complete putting in the 3rd-row seats into my HDJ.

Yuppy is correct that it is fairly a time consuming task to put them in because you'll have to get the fenderwell pieces from the wagon/F(Z)J, take off the brackets, weld them at the same spots (tricky), cut out holes on the floor for the latches to click into, and there are no existing 3rd-row occupants' seatbelt holes in the pillar in the same manner like the 2nd-row, so you'll have to drill a hole and perhaps put nuts or whatever into the pillar for the seatbelt bolt to go into and be secured, etc, etc, etc...

I've done as far as welding the brackets and putting the seats in.
But I still have to deal with the floor and the seatbelts (I've got all the hardware already, but just have not found the time to do it. Maybe before the winter hits hard).

And as IY has already mentioned, you better not hold your breath finding HDJ's with 3rd-row seats. They are almost non-existent(sp). You're better off looking for a 5spd or part-time than to look for one with the 3rd-row option.

GOOD LUCK!

Mot

 

[stayalert]

I find the seats to be very useful. our ids and their friends climb over the back from the hatch usually to scamper in. Adults acan do this as well. A couple of weeks ago my wife and I met 2 other couple at a resteraunt before going to a concert after. 3 cars cAme to the resteraunt and one left to<>from the concert. 6 adults was no problem. The downside of the seats from my experience is how heavy they are. Its easy enought to remove and install them but they are heavy and abit akward.

 

[GXO]

I have a full set of grey leather with brackets in Georgia

 

[Red Herring]

But you might luck out and find a diesel 81 with a third row... maybe.

And I'll be all jealous.

And as IY has already mentioned, you better not hold your breath finding HDJ's with 3rd-row seats. They are almost non-existent(sp). You're better off looking for a 5spd or part-time than to look for one with the 3rd-row option.

GOOD LUCK!

Mot

Ya. I know they are hard to come by, but that's the only way I could realistically get into one. We need that seating. Besides, the search is half the fun, up to a point

Oddly enough, I had a rather detailed dream last night about doing big end bearings!

 

[MoGas]

We use ours and even though there are three seat belts in the third row (mine is a '93) we rarely seat 3 back there. Typically on a long trip, one of our twins (11) will sit all the way in the back with another in the middle row and the youngest in her booster seat in the second row. That way everyone has wiggle room.

 

[cruiserjoe]

When I bought my 80, the rear seats were in the cargo area, but not mounted. I tried to mount them in place, and must have been doing something wrong. Should the bracket that goes over the wheel well support bar actually lock to that bar?

 

[Red Herring]

So, was there a year where the third row seating became more common?

 

[MoGas]

In the US, it is quite rare to find one without the third row from the factory. They have a different cargo pan and wheel wells along with non sliding glass in the rear side windows.

 

[KliersLC]

You could always buy two and swap the drivetrain into the US model, and sell the RHD gasser......

 

[on the rocks]

My kid liked the rear seat so much I ditched both the middle row seats and one of the rear. He likes to open his window and wave to people. Kind of his own space. It feels like a 3 seat minivan conversion now with lots of room inside. Not sure I would get one for 7 people seating though, seems like it would be a little cramped unless it is for 7 little people.

 

[podiev]

On my HDJ81, PO added 3rd row seats from a 70 series. He fabricated custom brackets and added custom latches on the floor. It can be done - if you're not anal about the factory look. Mine even folds up along the rear window. I added 3rd row handles so I can sling the seat handles. Works great and my kids love them.

Am in the process of adding 3rd row seatbelts. MOT's write-up on the 2nd row seatbelt mod for HDJs was my inspiration and really helped a lot. Mine now has 2nd row 3-point seatbelts. For the 3rd row, it's correct - there is no factory nut/holes for the seat belt bolts to go through. I'm having mine worked on tomorrow - I'll be welding nuts to rear pillars.

It can be done for HDJs to have 3rd row seat complete with seatbelts. You just need some time to source the parts and the assembly. Can't post pics right now as my digicam went south.

hope this helps.

 

[MJADDICTION]

I use my third row a lot. Kids sit back there most of the time. A couple of weeks ago I had two adults with baby in infant seat in second row, and my two daughters and a friend in the third row. The third row had two booster seats and my 9 y/o in the middle without booster. Only problem with the middle seats are the lack of shoulder harnesses. My kids Love to sit in the third row. Access is easy using the rear hatch. The early model FJ's have the sliding rear windows too.

 

[IronYuppy]

...
Oddly enough, I had a rather detailed dream last night about doing big end bearings!

If you have ever doubted for a moment that you are married, there's your proof.