Adding car seat tie downs, worth it? Car seat users please chime in.

[phattyduck]

Based on this, I don't think it's necessary (or maybe even a good idea) to convert to the '01+ seats with the LATCH tiedowns. The normal seat belt is far superior. I had the Sequoia LATCHed, but I think I'm gonna use the normal seat belt now.

We are talking about the top tethers, which is the second half of LATCH. I would never install lower anchors in a car not meant for them (just use the seatbelt!). Upper tethers, on the other hand are a huge increase in safety for front-facing seats - rear facing do not use them. Heck, I chose the Odyssey over a Sienna mainly for the fact that all of the rear seating positions have upper tethers, even if they don't all have lower anchors...

Funny thing, despite all this talk about how much better seat belts are than LATCH lower anchors, I still have the twins using the lower anchors in our van... just because it allows the seats to be slid and tipped with the seat base in place (Chicco Keyfit 30's also). We will change to using the seatbelts when we swap to forward facing in ~1.5-2 years... (three kids in convertible seats is going to be a huge pain...)

-Charlie

 

[fourfive]

Nope, it is the lower anchor metal bracket on the vehicle that is limited to 65lbs (legally). Don't use both the LATCH lower anchors and seat belts - one only.

We actually paid someone to check our seats (wife set it up) - the guy was real, knowledgeable and certified - and even helped us pick a different seat when the one we had purchased didn't fit right in our car at the time. AND met us at like 7pm after work to do it. After seeing the techniques, etc. I can see why something like 95% of car seat installations are wrong in some way...

-Charlie

Appreciate the clarification. I'll be making the seat belt only correction tonight. Would probably be a good idea to find someone that does this for a living to check everything out. I'm not sure how knowledgeable the guy at the store we bought the seat from was.

 

[la79]

With adjustable blade positions, you can get just the backing without messing with the carpet - watch your fingers! Then cut the carpet 'X' after. Cut under sized to be able to adjust fit.

-Charlie

Thanks for the tips. What type of staple did you use to keep the carpet in place after cutting out the ‘X’?

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I would never modify a Toyota to have LATCH. Many Toyota/Luxus models I have and have had that utilizes LATCH I still prefer the belt.

As others have said - seatbelts are faster and all Toyotas (at least my experience of 1988 and newer) have ratcheting belts.

The problem with LATCH is that the seats vary widely (especially the length of the latching mechanism) as do the placement of the hooks themselves.

I've found in MANY makes/models that the seat and hook combo just cannot physically get the seat tight, whereas the seatbelt theres zero question.

Our oldest is almost 6, youngest is 1.5.

A few of the vehicles we've had them/seats in (rear, forward, and toddler)....

1988 Corolla Alltrac wagon
1988 Landcruiser
1993 Landcruiser
1997 4Runner
2000 Lexus LX470
2001 Lexus LX470
2004 Lexus IS300
2014 Prius C
2017 Prius V

Plus many more.... the only vehicles (and it varies on the seat - I've actually removed the latch belts o at least one of them as they were so useless) that I was able to get some seats satisfactorily tightened were the Prius V and the 01 LX (middle row) with LATCH

 

[phattyduck]

I would never modify a Toyota to have LATCH. Many Toyota/Luxus models I have and have had that utilizes LATCH I still prefer the belt.

We aren't talking about LATCH, just top tethers (a legal requirement before LATCH existed).

I agree about the belts being better in almost all circumstances for safety - but the top tether is an important secondary element once the belt is in place and tight for forward-facing seats.

-Charlie

 

[Pj Benn]

If anyone else plans on doing this to an earlier 4runner the mounting holes to seat back frame are different in 98.

Was trying to just swap bracket for a quick and easy fix to use c meter seat position for now but need frame to make it work

 

[phattyduck]

I swapped rear seatback frames when I did mine (got top tethers in all 3 locations), so that's an issue I wouldn't have seen. Good luck in your search!

-Charlie

 

[Doc3g]

In my 99', I first secure the front-facing seats /w the belts. Then I go through the back of the car seats w/ the belt that is meant for the latch system and ultimately secure it w/ a ratchet strap to the tiedowns in the back. Then I secure the top tether to one of the tie-downs as well. The seats don't move but they are a PITA to get in and out.