User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 6 votes, 1.67 average. Display Modes
Old 06-27-2018, 07:46 PM #1
1996_Valencia_Owen 1996_Valencia_Owen is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Valencia, CA
Posts: 311
1996_Valencia_Owen is on a distinguished road
1996_Valencia_Owen 1996_Valencia_Owen is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Valencia, CA
Posts: 311
1996_Valencia_Owen is on a distinguished road
safe to put a baby seat in the 2nd row, middle seat?

Is there a safe way to put a child or infant car seat in the middle of the 2nd row?

Searched a lot, and got barely any youtube vids, and a lot of random related but not quite the same questions.

Thanks!
1996_Valencia_Owen is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 08:02 PM #2
BobsTrail's Avatar
BobsTrail BobsTrail is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 1,838
Real Name: BobH
BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all
BobsTrail BobsTrail is offline
Senior Member
BobsTrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 1,838
Real Name: BobH
BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all
Usually the 2nd row middle is the preferred place for a child seat, offers best crash protection . Use the seat belts and shoulder harness following the guide for the child seat.

With the kid in the middle, when they drop/throw stuff, it may stay on the seat instead of falling out when you open a door.
__________________
2013 Shoreline Blue Trail, n-Fab steps, Bilstein 5100's, Toyo AT2s, Scuba Mod, Air Lift 1000, Yaesu FTM-3200DR (KI7IKX), Husky Liners
BobsTrail is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 08:43 PM #3
anomalous's Avatar
anomalous anomalous is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 224
anomalous will become famous soon enough anomalous will become famous soon enough
anomalous anomalous is offline
Member
anomalous's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 224
anomalous will become famous soon enough anomalous will become famous soon enough
I have mine installed in the middle seat on the 2nd row. It's definitely harder to get it installed securely compared to using the latches. Make sure your infant carrier\seat allows for the option to be installed using just the seat belt. I was told to make it as tight as possible, and if you were to grab the seat, or base and tried to move it left to right, it shouldn't move more than an inch
__________________
∙ Toyota Racing Development ∙ Magnuson Superchargers ∙ Underdog Racing Development ∙ Baja Designs ∙ King Off-Road Racing Shocks ∙ Dirt King Fabrication ∙ Eibach ∙ Victory4x4 ∙ Hefty Fabworks ∙ Lil B Fabrication ∙ FN Wheels ∙ DuroBumps ∙ Toyo Tires ∙ Jomax Customs ∙ FJToyman ∙ UpTop Overland ∙
anomalous is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 09:41 PM #4
mustangr2 mustangr2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 266
mustangr2 will become famous soon enough
mustangr2 mustangr2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 266
mustangr2 will become famous soon enough
My daughters seat is in the middle now. It much bigger pain this way because of the way of the anchors are for the base. They didn’t provide anchors for the middle seat direct so you have to use the inside anchors for the from the side positions. So it makes it pain to actually buckle the seat in with the seat belt. I don’t love it there but all the family always wants to be near the baby when they visit so my wife can be on one side and some one else on the other. It is was way easier if you have it directly behind the seat. I don’t know if anyone else has found a easier solution for the middle seat and car seat. If anyone has please chime in. I am interested.
mustangr2 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 10:02 PM #5
479NWA5thGEN 479NWA5thGEN is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Centerton, AR
Posts: 41
479NWA5thGEN is on a distinguished road
479NWA5thGEN 479NWA5thGEN is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Centerton, AR
Posts: 41
479NWA5thGEN is on a distinguished road
Just have another one and you will not need to worry about using the middle!!
479NWA5thGEN is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 11:01 PM #6
MossJenks's Avatar
MossJenks MossJenks is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Lakewood, Colorado
Posts: 660
Real Name: KE0OIC
MossJenks has a spectacular aura about MossJenks has a spectacular aura about MossJenks has a spectacular aura about
MossJenks MossJenks is offline
Member
MossJenks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Lakewood, Colorado
Posts: 660
Real Name: KE0OIC
MossJenks has a spectacular aura about MossJenks has a spectacular aura about MossJenks has a spectacular aura about
My kids are teenagers now so o don't have to worry about it but don't be afraid to get in there and make sure it's super secure. I used to climb in and kneel in the seat while I was cinching it down. Not going anywhere with 170lb man in it = not going anywhere with a 30lb kid in it.
__________________
2011 4Runner SR5 Premium
Past:
1988 4Runner 22re, 1992 4Runner SR5 3.slow, 1998 4Runner SR5 5VZ-FE
MossJenks is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 11:12 PM #7
JoshuaHufford JoshuaHufford is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Jefferson City, Mo
Posts: 67
JoshuaHufford is on a distinguished road
JoshuaHufford JoshuaHufford is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Jefferson City, Mo
Posts: 67
JoshuaHufford is on a distinguished road
I have mine in the middle and I use the two inside anchor points to secure it. It doesn't seem any more difficult than putting the seat on either side, you just have to extend the belt a little more. There is also the hook for the top strap of the car seat in the middle position also so obviously they made that option available from the factory.
JoshuaHufford is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 11:31 PM #8
FirefighterMTN FirefighterMTN is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 63
FirefighterMTN is on a distinguished road
FirefighterMTN FirefighterMTN is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 63
FirefighterMTN is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by MossJenks View Post
My kids are teenagers now so o don't have to worry about it but don't be afraid to get in there and make sure it's super secure. I used to climb in and kneel in the seat while I was cinching it down. Not going anywhere with 170lb man in it = not going anywhere with a 30lb kid in it.

^^Agreed^^

When my kids were little, I'd put a knee straight in that sucker and pull the latch straps at the same time. Wouldn't be satisfied until it barely had any play from side to side!

Fyi, the safest spot in a vehicle is in the back and middle, facing towards the rear!
__________________
Subaru.....for now!
FirefighterMTN is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-27-2018, 11:48 PM #9
JeremyB JeremyB is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: The United States of SPACE
Posts: 308
JeremyB is on a distinguished road
JeremyB JeremyB is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: The United States of SPACE
Posts: 308
JeremyB is on a distinguished road
Just use the seat belts. The center seat doesn't have LATCH. The manual doesn't say you can use LATCH for the middle seats. My car seat (Chicco Ketfit 30) requires the standard 11" spacing, so it can't be used in the center.

So yeah, center car seat = don't use LATCH.

5th gen LATCH/tether info
Center LATCH FAQ

Last edited by JeremyB; 06-27-2018 at 11:51 PM.
JeremyB is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 09:35 AM #10
KP Texan KP Texan is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 550
KP Texan has a spectacular aura about KP Texan has a spectacular aura about
KP Texan KP Texan is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 550
KP Texan has a spectacular aura about KP Texan has a spectacular aura about
Yep, before we had our second son, we put the infant carrier in the middle using the seat belt. As others have said, it was plenty secure once properly cinched down. Latch in the 4Runner is only designed for the outside seats, so don't use those.
__________________
2012 Limited, 4WD, Classic Silver Metallic
2018 TRD ORP - Sold
2006 Sport Edition - Sold
KP Texan is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-28-2018, 10:14 AM #11
2012sr5's Avatar
2012sr5 2012sr5 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: nashville
Posts: 309
2012sr5 will become famous soon enough 2012sr5 will become famous soon enough
2012sr5 2012sr5 is offline
Member
2012sr5's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: nashville
Posts: 309
2012sr5 will become famous soon enough 2012sr5 will become famous soon enough
Car seats that are intended for use with seatbelts come with a seat belt clip for coupling the shoulder and lap belts. Use that clip, and when you pull on the shoulder belt to snug the carseat down, do it with your knee in the carseat so you get it nice and snug.

Your kid's carseat should also have a strap that goes over the top of the 4Runner's seat. The middle of the back row might not have the LATCH system in the seat bottom, but it does have a latch on the back for the carseat's top strap. Tighten that one down, too. There's no reason that middle spot should be any less safe than the window seats for your kids.
__________________
2012 SR5 4WD 3rd Row
Build/Adventure thread
Nitto TG G2 LT265/70R17 review thread
2012sr5 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-29-2018, 08:53 AM #12
jk24runner's Avatar
jk24runner jk24runner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Berthoud, CO
Posts: 96
Real Name: Nick
jk24runner is on a distinguished road
jk24runner jk24runner is offline
Member
jk24runner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Berthoud, CO
Posts: 96
Real Name: Nick
jk24runner is on a distinguished road
If you want your seat in the middle you MUST use the seatbelt! Using the inside latch from each side will leave way to much play in the car seat. If you have done it this way you have put your child at serious risk in the event of an accident. Your seat should have no more than an inch of side to side movement while secured. I find it very hard to believe you can get that with latch points that are probably 20" apart. There is a reason the patches are I think 13" apart on each side
jk24runner is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-29-2018, 12:11 PM #13
BobsTrail's Avatar
BobsTrail BobsTrail is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 1,838
Real Name: BobH
BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all
BobsTrail BobsTrail is offline
Senior Member
BobsTrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Salem, Oregon
Posts: 1,838
Real Name: BobH
BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all BobsTrail is a name known to all
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2012sr5 View Post

Your kid's car seat should also have a strap that goes over the top of the 4Runner's seat. The middle of the back row might not have the LATCH system in the seat bottom, but it does have a latch on the back for the car seat's top strap. Tighten that one down, too.
I forgot the top strap one time and the seat belts may not have been tight enough. After a turn, I heard a small voice saying "Oh Oh" and could not see him in the mirror. The car seat had tipped to one side. All was OK after I stopped and set it up correctly. He was too young to tell anyone.
__________________
2013 Shoreline Blue Trail, n-Fab steps, Bilstein 5100's, Toyo AT2s, Scuba Mod, Air Lift 1000, Yaesu FTM-3200DR (KI7IKX), Husky Liners
BobsTrail is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-29-2018, 12:57 PM #14
WabdaQ's Avatar
WabdaQ WabdaQ is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Phoenix AZ
Age: 38
Posts: 114
WabdaQ is on a distinguished road
WabdaQ WabdaQ is offline
Member
WabdaQ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Phoenix AZ
Age: 38
Posts: 114
WabdaQ is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobsTrail View Post
I forgot the top strap one time and the seat belts may not have been tight enough. After a turn, I heard a small voice saying "Oh Oh" and could not see him in the mirror. The car seat had tipped to one side. All was OK after I stopped and set it up correctly. He was too young to tell anyone.
HAHA. This had me LOL. I've only driven with the little guy in the 4runner once and he was in the middle using the two clips.. super secure IMO. Guess I'll add the seat belt next time to make sure though..
__________________
2012 Silver TE, KDSS, Firestik AM/FM Mod.
WabdaQ is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Old 06-29-2018, 02:21 PM #15
Toffees's Avatar
Toffees Toffees is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 994
Real Name: Micah
Toffees will become famous soon enough Toffees will become famous soon enough
Toffees Toffees is offline
Member
Toffees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 994
Real Name: Micah
Toffees will become famous soon enough Toffees will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by jk24runner View Post
If you want your seat in the middle you MUST use the seatbelt! Using the inside latch from each side will leave way to much play in the car seat. If you have done it this way you have put your child at serious risk in the event of an accident. Your seat should have no more than an inch of side to side movement while secured. I find it very hard to believe you can get that with latch points that are probably 20" apart. There is a reason the patches are I think 13" apart on each side
If the latch ratchets tight/down, doesn't that solve the "wiggle" problem? Not that I've ever tried, all of my seats seem to have the opposite issue--latch systems with so little strap I have trouble fitting some seats.
Toffees is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Having trouble folding my middle seat in my 3 row seat 4runner insaniak 4th Gen T4Rs 3 06-08-2016 11:33 PM
5th gen T4R - middle row seat belt fix wallyply 5th gen T4Rs 2 01-28-2015 02:58 PM
Baby seat Mod and some pics ! calcrc 5th gen T4Rs 17 06-27-2013 09:49 PM
Toddler Car Seat For 2nd Row Middle ct221933 5th gen T4Rs 1 01-12-2011 05:35 PM
Baby Seat in a 99' Snookster 3rd gen T4Rs 7 01-08-2008 02:58 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.2

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:54 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
***This site is an unofficial Toyota site, and is not officially endorsed, supported, authorized by or affiliated with Toyota. All company, product, or service names references in this web site are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Toyota name, marks, designs and logos, as well as Toyota model names, are registered trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation***Ad Management plugin by RedTyger
 
Copyright © 2020