Starting down the 80 series path (6 Viewers)

[CrzrGuinevere]

• refreshing carpet - remove the seats and spray it with Dawn and a pressure washer. My carpet went from a possible source of swine flu to 90% new quality carpet.
• new seatbelts - remove and wash in Dawn. If they don't retract, tighten spring, if the hang up random, clean the check ball, if they are slightly shredded, melt the hairs with a lighter.
• new headlights (or just LED bulbs) still deciding. I can't stand the halo look headlight assemblies, so looking to see if there are other options. - I like Depo housings but this only gets you down the eventual path of HID/LED retrofits.
• likely new stereo with back up cam. - Double DIN options and backup cams are everywhere.
• mobile ham radio set up. - I like Baofeng cause they are cheap, portable, and programmable.
• speakers (maybe) - I love these speakers Amazon.com: Infinity Reference 6532EX - EZFit 6-1/2 Shallow Mount Coaxial (Renewed) : Electronics - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09462FR6L

• After the detailing today, the carpet actually looks amazing. So I may be able to hold off for a bit on the carpet refresh. Which is great.
• The driver belt needs new nylon is a bit frayed and uncomfortable so I'll at least get that fixed. The mech is slow too. So I can check the spring
• I'll look into depo housings, I like those and look into the HID. I had HID in my mini cooper; need to figure out wheres if put ballasts and such if I go that route.
• Yep, double din for sure and this should be an "easy" upgrade.
• For ham radio, been looking at brands. I have a Yaesu HT. I've heard good things on baofeng. Last I was looking at was an Alinco.
• I like the price point on those speakers! Seems to have really good reviews too!

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

The LED bulbs in the factory housings are barely any better than halogen. Their focal point is different than halogen and you get a lot of stray light and cold spots in the spread. IMO, there's two ways to go about getting more light in a controlled manner- either a projector retrofit or the quad headlight conversion with Holley RetroBright headlights. I'm personally a fan of the projector retrofit using four Morimoto Mini H1 projectors. You get four low and four high beams, each putting out something like 3200 lumens. Throw 55W ballasts at it and you get another 20% worth of light. It's not an easy or a cheap way to go (neither are cheap, actually), but good lighting is never cheap.



Specter Off Road has foam and upholstery kits.

FJ80 and FZJ80 Upholstery, oak and gray Vinyl Seat Covers - 1991-1/98 - Specter Off-Road

Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...

www.sor.com

I've heard that about LEDs in factory housing. I definitely will have to do some research to figure something out. Like others suggested maybe Depo housings with LEDs or do HID with ballasts? Not sure yet.

I found I can at least find bottom seat foam. I'll see what's involved to swap for new foam and recover

 

[Dindu Nuffin]

If you're retrofitting, Depos are mandatory. You don't want to put projectors behind fresnel lenses that are in the factory housing. Unmodded, Depos put more light out than stock. But putting LED bulbs in them presents the same issues- the focal point of the LED chip isn't where it needs to be and no matter how much marketing wank a manufacturer or reseller throws out there about their LED bulbs, this fact remains. HID bulbs in a Depot housing would be better than LED bulbs, but the shape of the arc isn't the same as the filament in a halogen bulb. It also may not be in the same orientation; some halogen bulbs hold the filament horizontally and the HID arc will mimic the longitudinal orientation of other halogen filaments. As such, an HID bulb in a Depot housing will still put out some stray light and you'll probably get flashed by oncoming traffic.

Here's some pre-retrofitted lights ready to drop in. The price isn't that bad and isn't too far off what you'd spend on just the parts to do it yourself.

Retrofit Headlights / 80 Series Land Cruiser (90-97) / TEQ Customs

Chances are, your 80 Series headlights are due for a refresh. Do it once and do it right with our Retrofit Headlights. Not only will our headlights give a large upgrade in appearance no matter the options, we include our LED Projector standard with every build, giving you a much needed upgrade...

teqcustoms.com

 

[CrzrGuinevere]

If you're retrofitting, Depos are mandatory. You don't want to put projectors behind fresnel lenses that are in the factory housing. Unmodded, Depos put more light out than stock. But putting LED bulbs in them presents the same issues- the focal point of the LED chip isn't where it needs to be and no matter how much marketing wank a manufacturer or reseller throws out there about their LED bulbs, this fact remains. HID bulbs in a Depot housing would be better than LED bulbs, but the shape of the arc isn't the same as the filament in a halogen bulb. It also may not be in the same orientation; some halogen bulbs hold the filament horizontally and the HID arc will mimic the longitudinal orientation of other halogen filaments. As such, an HID bulb in a Depot housing will still put out some stray light and you'll probably get flashed by oncoming traffic.

Here's some pre-retrofitted lights ready to drop in. The price isn't that bad and isn't too far off what you'd spend on just the parts to do it yourself.

Retrofit Headlights / 80 Series Land Cruiser (90-97) / TEQ Customs

Chances are, your 80 Series headlights are due for a refresh. Do it once and do it right with our Retrofit Headlights. Not only will our headlights give a large upgrade in appearance no matter the options, we include our LED Projector standard with every build, giving you a much needed upgrade...

teqcustoms.com

That's all good points you mention. Exactly what I was going to dig into on the focal points and such and just the general design intention of an LED for a modern housing vs retro, what would be needed, etc. I was looking at the TEQ lights originally, but they look so busy with halos and extra lights.
Oh wait. I just noticed I could just opt out of all the busy stuff, so they may be an option
I'll have to noodle those more. Obviously drop-in is appealing