'01-'02 pic request of child tether anchors in back

[Mgyver1]

I have a 2000 which did not come with rear tether anchors in the back. I know you can bolt some in per the owner's manual using this method Toyota 4Runner Highlander Top Tether Bracket Child Restraint System

However I don't like the idea of those anchors being in the middle of the cargo area. Also they're only for the 2 outboard seats and there's nothing for the middle. On '01 & '02 4Runners they had rear tether points for all 3 seating positions. The two outboard were on the back of the seat like this:
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f400/yeahitsgotak20/cargobox006-4_zpsa79e8249.jpg But the middle tether point was down at the base. I've searched online but I can't find how they did the top tether mount for the middle seat. I know it's there because I looked it up in the '01 owner's manual but it's just a drawn picture of where the attachment points are located.

If someone has an '01 or '02 and could take some pics and maybe explain how it's done I would appreciate it. I've ordered some '01 upper rear seats off ebay to swap in my '00 but I'd still like a tether point for the middle. Thanks!

 

[Brique]

I've got an 01, I'd be happy to post a couple pics. Hanging out with the wife right now but I'll post later if no-one beats me to it.

 

[Millerad1651]

I have a '98, so it may not be the answer you're looking for, but I used the shoulder belt, then used the "anchor" strap to connect to the outermost cargo bolt latch. Its pretty solid, and doesnlt move back and forth like it would with just the shoulder strap. I'm pretty confident in this setup with my little girl.

 

[Mgyver1]

Brique, thank you so much. And if posting them is an issue i can PM you my email. Mostly what I'm trying to figure out is if it's integrated in to something, part of the hinge brackets, bolted to the floor, etc.

Millerad, that's what I've currently done when transporting my kiddo. I'm one of those OCD people who want it perfect :der: and since those parts I'm looking for were made specifically for car seats that's what I would prefer to use. I'm not an engineer so I'm not sure if the cargo loop is made of the same material or thickness as the tether anchor so I don't know if it would be weaker or stronger. I recently went through a car seat installation course (yes, believe it or not there are certifications for that) and they stressed the importance of using only approved things or items designed for car seats. They don't even approve using those mats under the seat unless they are made by the car seat manufacturer of the car seat it's being used for, as other things have not been crash tested with it. So if I can get it perfect then I'm gonna give it my best shot

 

[jgue467]

The middle seat child seat anchor is at the bottom where the 2 back seats meet each other and the back area flooring.

 

[Taylor20]

I have a 99, and added on the rear seat tether anchor to mine. It is shown in my build thread. Link in my signature.

 

[Millerad1651]

Millerad, that's what I've currently done when transporting my kiddo. I'm one of those OCD people who want it perfect :der: and since those parts I'm looking for were made specifically for car seats that's what I would prefer to use. I'm not an engineer so I'm not sure if the cargo loop is made of the same material or thickness as the tether anchor so I don't know if it would be weaker or stronger. I recently went through a car seat installation course (yes, believe it or not there are certifications for that) and they stressed the importance of using only approved things or items designed for car seats. They don't even approve using those mats under the seat unless they are made by the car seat manufacturer of the car seat it's being used for, as other things have not been crash tested with it. So if I can get it perfect then I'm gonna give it my best shot

I totally understand man. FWIW, the "way" that is suggested is to just use the regular shoulder seat belt with the base. That's what they did prior to installing actual latches. That said, I ran the install using the rear latch past the police on campus where I work, who are certified in this kind of thing...I also took the course you mentioned last month with my wife. They said the rear cargo holds I used are just as strong, if not stronger then the ones you can buy and bolt in.

The base for our seat doesn't budge. IMO its just as strong and secure as using two latches in a newer vehicle.
My wife's a nurse, and she wouldn't let me get away with anything less than 100% safe.

 

[Mgyver1]

I totally understand man. FWIW, the "way" that is suggested is to just use the regular shoulder seat belt with the base. That's what they did prior to installing actual latches. That said, I ran the install using the rear latch past the police on campus where I work, who are certified in this kind of thing...I also took the course you mentioned last month with my wife. They said the rear cargo holds I used are just as strong, if not stronger then the ones you can buy and bolt in.

Here's the info from my manual which talks about the rear tether. And yeah I know about the seatbelt which is factoring in which car seat I buy since these don't have LATCH in our rides. They didn't start installing LATCH anchors until later so seatbelt is the only option. I'm just concerned with the rear tether, not the LATCH anchors since that would be next to impossible to integrate those.

End of page 24 and beginning of 25 (technically 58 & 59) and page 39 (technically 73) http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35762U/pdf/omsource/2000om/004runom/13.pdf#page23

 

[Mgyver1]

The middle seat child seat anchor is at the bottom where the 2 back seats meet each other and the back area flooring.

Can you tell how the anchor is mounted? Is it welded/integrated in to the seat bracket, or is it a bracket that's bolted on top of the seat mounts. Is there a way to pull the carpet back a little to see it? Sorry for asking. If anyone's in Vegas I can just look at it in person instead of buggin y'all.

 

[Millerad1651]

I know it's not the tether system, but here is my setup. I have to use a rear facing seat, so a tether wouldn't even work for me right now.





Strap goes under the seat on the outer edge


And latches to the cargo hold. Which is solid...



Using both methods keeps the base from moving at all. Without using the latch to the cargo hold, the base would move a bit.

 

[Brique]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYGK_mq-yro&feature=youtube_gdata_player I took this video of the center hook. Hope it helps.

 

[KimIsAGuy]

Does the 2001+ have baby mounts in between the back rest and bottom of the seat? My sister's sequoia has that. Its convenient, has anyone tried that mod if there isn't a mount there?