upgrading 100 series seats to take LATCH for kid seats

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J

jeffsols

Joined
Jan 6, 2006
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15
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Hi - we've got a 2001 100 series, but it was the year (or months) before the LATCH tie down points were added. I'd like to have them because oldest kid is keen on un-buckling the seat belt holding in youngest's seat. Anyway, I imagine I can just swap in a later year (but same model) seat set into my second row. If anyone has experience w/ this (or a line on a source!), I'd be grateful. Thanks!

Jeff.

recovering owner 1989 FJ 62
current: 2001 100 stock
 
I would try something like this:
x435ESS9iRB-f.jpeg


Followed by a statement like "kids who don't unbuckle their sister's car seat get to watch movies." hth! :) :meh:
 
nice! alas, they are obsessed with IPAD angry birds....am thinking two ipads are cheaper than seat rest movies! :-)
 
Someone else on this forum was interested in doing the same thing. Unfortunately it's not that cost effective. It would probably run you about $1500 or more for the seats plus the install.

You could try finding a wrecked truck that was selling the seats, however good luck finding the same color. Plus do you want to put your kids in a seat that's integrity may be compromised due to an accident.
http://www.cruiserparts.net/parts/uzj100.htm
Here's a 2nd row set from an LC, probably a wreck. It runs $1200, you'd have to find out if they had them with Latch
http://www.cruiserparts.net/parts/100/2ndseattan.jpg

Selling your rig and buying another may be an option, or trading with someone who doesn't care about Latch on their vehicle. Perhaps you can find a 'mud member with a few more miles on their rig than yours that would be willing to trade.
 
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IIRC, the Latch system just bolts through the floor behind the 2nd row seats. The hard points are there for all years, they just didn't install them until 2001. I didn't re-read all of this, but here's the link:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/78165-01-latch-98-00-a.html

I've used both and find that I can get a much more secure seatbase by using the seatbelt. You just can't get as much leverage on the latch straps as you can by pulling hard on the belt. YMMV.
 
OregonLC said:
IIRC, the Latch system just bolts through the floor behind the 2nd row seats. The hard points are there for all years, they just didn't install them until 2001.
.
Click to expand...

I think the Latch is connected to the seats and not bolted to the floor. If it was bolted to the floor we wouldn't be able to roll the seat forward, correct? The rear tether anchor however is bolted behind the rear seats.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge there is no way to buy the Latch bar and install it yourself. Nor will a dealership put one in for you.
 
thanks, good suggestions. i tried cruiserparts, will see if they have the gray color i need. so i have the rear tether tie-down points...but for the life of me (admitedly, on a quick inspection) can't find the seat-side LATCH connections. our bmw wagon has them clearly visible; i know some other toyotas are burried, so i'll dig around more. maybe the rear tether connections are a sign of LATCH points on the seat and i'm just an idiot and haven't found them yet!
 
jeffsols said:
thanks, good suggestions. i tried cruiserparts, will see if they have the gray color i need. so i have the rear tether tie-down points...but for the life of me (admitedly, on a quick inspection) can't find the seat-side LATCH connections. our bmw wagon has them clearly visible; i know some other toyotas are burried, so i'll dig around more. maybe the rear tether connections are a sign of LATCH points on the seat and i'm just an idiot and haven't found them yet!
Click to expand...

It's possible to have the rear tethers without the LATCH. I think the rear tethers where there in 2000. The easiest way to tell if your LC has the LATCH is by the flaps that cover them. There is a leather flap that covers the crease in the seat. The LATCH is on the center and driver side, not passenger.
 
bummer. i don't have them an my car is an early 2001 model year, so the info elsewhere here about when they were avail is either inaccurate or at somepoint in its previous two owners, the rear seat was replaced which is weird because there are no other signs of accident or other issues necessitating a seat replacement.

Then again, there is also the option (not outside realm of possibility) that i'm an idiot and have now twice over-looked the front latch clip locations!

thx for the input all.
 
KlausVanWinkle said:
All cars had to come with LATCH systems after 09/2002 So I think the 2001 model was the first year to have them. I also remember reading that in the year to year changes article when figuring out what year to buy.

they look like this
attachment.php


check out this thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/78165-01-latch-98-00-a.html
Click to expand...

Actually that is the Rear Tether Anchor, not the LATCH. You can even see the Anchor icon on it. The LATCH is in the crack of the seats.

By law all vehicles in the US had both Anchor and LATCH in 2003, Toyota started to comply much earlier but perhaps not in all 2001 models. Perhaps your vehicle is stated as a 2001, but it was made in 2000 and thus does not have the LATCH? Just making a guess.
 
Here is where the LATCH is, see the flaps coving the seat crevice. Also notice the plastic round dots at the bottom of the seat back. They mark about where the latch is located.
LC_latch.webp
 
so i triple checked an my early 2001 (build date 8.00) has no "lower anchors"--the loops built into the seat base. it does have rear anchors in the third row floor area, for use w/ second row. kind of a bummer as we bought the car on the hope it would have them. oh well, those on here who suggested a trade are onto the real solution! i'll post a photo of my seats so others can see them. guess we'll use the tried and true seatbelt method! btw, great call on the buckle guards, thx for that suggestion.
 
jeffsols said:
so i triple checked an my early 2001 (build date 8.00) has no "lower anchors"--the loops built into the seat base. it does have rear anchors in the third row floor area, for use w/ second row. kind of a bummer as we bought the car on the hope it would have them. oh well, those on here who suggested a trade are onto the real solution! i'll post a photo of my seats so others can see them. guess we'll use the tried and true seatbelt method! btw, great call on the buckle guards, thx for that suggestion.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't let this bother you. The LATCH is only good for the child up to 40lbs anyway so before you know it you'll be switching over to seatbelts. The LATCH isn't any safer than the seatbelt, it's just easier to install if you frequently swap car seats. Get a full set of Britax car seats for both your cars and leave it. Then get that seat belt lock that was posted above.

Besides not having the LATCH you've got yourself a fantastic vehicle as a child transport. It's amazingly safe and you couldn't have a better vehicle in the event of a collision. It also has plenty of room for your road trips and the ability to hit your destinations on your off road trips.
 
patrick-you know that and i know that, but (and maybe this is the case w/ many of you) this cruiser is "her" daily driver, and so we often tilt at windmills to satisfy spousal preferences :-)
 
^^ Boy Howdy! So true, so true!
 
I was interested in doing this, but the cost is $1000+. I wanted it mainly for convenience when taking car seats in and out. Those H clips are a pain. I found a cheaper solution--seat belt extenders. Allows me to keep the H clips on and install is now a breeze.

Adjustable 11-26" Car Seat Belt Extender - Grey - Type A (7/8" wide metal tongue) - Click & Go!:Amazon:Everything Else

This doesn't address the OP's issue (actually compounds it ), but if anyone else was looking for a solution, this may help.
 
Old thread, but incase Google brought you here...

I get the terms anchors/tethers mixed up. It's okay if you do too.

The tether anchor can be installed according to this: You are being redirected...

Seems like a cheap enough part, I think you could call around and have it done for you.

The lower anchor aren't always better than a seat belt. Depending on the vehicle and the car seat I'll use one versus the other. The seatbelt is sufficient and just as good as using a lower tether. Mythbusting: LATCH vs Seatbelt Installation

The benefit of the lower anchor is they are in many cases easier to use, and easier to validate that your seat is in correct.

Hope this helps.
 
I didn't have a vehicle new enough to come with LATCH until my kids were big enough to not need to sit in car seats. Kids were born in 2001 and 2003. So I am quite familiar with the concept, although a little foggy now that the youngest is 13. After doing some research on LATCH I realized it is just a convenience thing and you cannot use it once the kid is heavier than 40 lbs.

Seatbelt installation with a top tether anchor is equally as secure and will continue to work long after that kid has exceeded the LATCH weight limit. Do what someone else suggested above. Invest in some Britax seats that will accommodate kids that weigh up to 80 - 100 lbs in a 5 pt harness and they will be extremely safe. Don't rush into using a booster seat because the 5 pt harness is way better than a belt-positioning booster. We specifically used the Britax Regent which was huge and heavy. I don't think they make it anymore. My wife was in a wreck. She was messed up. The kids were perfectly fine. The cops told us they were fine because we had invested in the best car seats you could buy, and they had seen a lot of kids and a lot of car seats. But if you're driving a Land Cruiser, you understand the value of paying a little more for the best.
 
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