What do do with back seats...jump or bench (1 Viewer)

[flaa1a]

I have read a lot and understand that a front facing seat is the safest for my kids. Here is the low down on what I have.

12 71 40 with a OEM rollbar from a later year. I bought the SOR bracket extension kit to install the long jumpseats thinking it would be easy and ....its not going to work. not with the set up I have anyway.

I also was able to pick up a Besttop seat that i could install between the wheel wells so i can go that route.

Situation A- Remove Roll Bar (doesnt have the fender "braces" anyway and I have read and been told that it is a false sense of security. Install long jump seats in existing OEM holes and all will work well.....and sell my brand new SOR brackets Not the safest for the kids, but I am not wheeling and rarely travel with them. Maybe to Lowes or something...

Situation B- Install the Bestop bench seat and drill 6 or more holes in the tub.

My kids safety is obviously the most imortatnt to me, but as I said before they do not ride with me often...but I am a worrier by nature...

please let me know what you would recommend.

Randy

 

[Roboosfj40s]

the problem I had with jump seats was first I could not find any. The convenience of having them fold up for hauling and having the open space between them when down was a plus in my mind. I found a fold and tumble out of a Prado that fit perfectly and at times my inlaws or other family members do ride and the fold and tumble gave me the hauling space anyway so I went with that. With the OEM Roll bar. Something is better than nothing and I have seen the oem roll bar keep a head or two from being crushed at a low speed roll. Metal Tech of course is one of the best but not available here and my rig is not a racer anyway. Mostly DD and occasional off roader.

 

[Pighead]

I had an FJ40 with one kidseat...I traded to the FJ55 when I had two kidseats...just sayin'

 

[camcruiser13]

throw in a bench seat and be done

 

[flaa1a]

I had an FJ40 with one kidseat...I traded to the FJ55 when I had two kidseats...just sayin'

Yeah...dont think my wife doesnt give me crap about selling the 55 I had and buying a 40!!:whoops:

 

[Fast Eddy]

The OEM roll bar installed in the stock fashion will provide some protection in a roll-over or side impact crash, like getting t-boned in an intersection. People have survived freeway roll-overs with just the stock roll bar in place. Without it that would be fatal, for sure.

I love my jump seats and we use them all the time, but not daily. I wouldn't do any tough wheeling with people back there. They are a big part of the 'look' of a 40, IMO.

If you sold all the seats you had you would have enough to get the short jump seats. They come up for sale.

 

[Blueegg]

Been in the same situation myself and thought I could be really careful
and not have any problems with my 6-8 y/o kid riding in a jump
seat. It did not take long before his head was bumped on the
role bar bracket by a sudden stop going 20mph.

There was no real injury, but it was clear how easily it could have
been. The classic cruiser jump seats went to the shed, and the
bench seat was installed. With seat belts the forward facing bench
appears much safer, and at least a minor sudden stop is hardly noticed.

If its an easy choice would go with the bench seat!

 

[tylerflynn]

I fought this for a couple of months and finally ended up installing a Trail Max I got from Summit Racing. I made some brackets because I didn't like the way the brackets that came with it sat. I also elimated two holes making the brackets with only one hole, they aren't any more unsafe. I like it and my kids dig it. Folds up easy.

 

[msapers]

I grew up in the jumpseat of my dad's 'cruiser. I cannot tell you how many tomes I cracked the back of my head on the rollbar. That being said, I think I turned out fine, though others may disagree...On second thought, Dude, go with the bench!

 

[coleman2347]

Bench for kids, IMHO the jump seats are dangerous for them, get a fold and tumble and you keep storage space. In the States it should be easy to find one...I hear J**P seats work...Some mini-vans....

 

[AZMoonshadow]

Years ago, when I ran a bikini top in the summer, we had all kinds of issues with the kids riding in the back on the jumpseats. 1. The padding is poor, 2. The standard bikini top straps came right across their heads 3. etc... My wife and I "created" a family bar and made our own family cover (before you could buy them). We also changed the seating to a bench (old Scout II rear seat with custom brackets and shoulder/lap belts - hey, it's what we had available) I love the look of the jumpseats, but they're just not real practical (try riding back there some time... )

 

[MicahMan]

I just upgraded to the tracker bench and love it. Fold and tumble seat for under 40 bucks. another 5 in hardware and my grandpa helping me install and we are good! Baby sits much safer and now I can go topless once I get a roll bar in.

 

[cryoguy6075]

I pulled the jump seats and put in a samurai bench in. It bolted in nice and it is foldable. Best part was it was free!

 

[skully3]

I think most of us with kids has debated this. The jump seats are cool tho. Thats usually the first thing ppl notice in your cruiser. But then your kids safety is more important. Put in the bench and store the jumps, when your kids get older put the jumps back in. I wouldn't worry about putting extra holes in your tub its nothing that can't be fixed down the road.

 

[AlexJet]

For the kids, I'd go with the bench. Just make sure you get good seat belts.

 

[jmdaniel]

Jump seats for me. Of course, this is the license plate I had on my Corvette:

 

[cjgoode]

A rear bench seat will be safer for kids as well as anyone who rides in them. Plus you can get them with a headrest to make them even a little safer. Most likely accident is going to throw your head toward the front or rear of the vehcile, and anyone sitting in a jump seat is at a serious disadvantage.

 

[Chuch]

I was in the same situation when I bought my 40 a few months back. Went to a trailmax fold and tumble with a 4 point harness for my daughter and never looked back. You lose the novelty of the jump seats, but it looks pretty decent to be honest.

 

[MicahMan]

I may kick myself but I sold my jump seats for $200 to make room for more parts!

 

[kling-on]

throw in a bench seat and be done

2x I have 2 car seats in mine right now