Install infant car seat to 4Runner

[4RunnerOU]

Hello,
I am not sure it is appropriate to post this topic here. I am having difficulty installing my infant car seat at the back roll of my 4Runner. I wanted to know if anyone here has the experience.

1. Do you locate the car seat at the center or at the left/right?
2. I was given a fairly infant car seat made by Evenflo Discovery without any instructions. It is a removable car seat with a base. I am confused how to run a belt though the base and make it secured.

Can you give some input here? THanks in advance.

 

[03RoadRunner]

4RunnerOU,

Don't even bother trying to hook it into your backseat.

You can just drive by any FireStation and they will install it and even level it out with noodles (Those styro-foam tubes you use in your pool or lake to float on).

The Firefighters here in town installed mine with so much force, that damn thing doesn't move a centimeter in any direction.

There is no charge and it only takes about 5-10 minutes.

Plus, if your lucky, they let you pull your ride into the firestation with all the big boy trucks!!! Take your kid with you...they might get a kick out of it all!!!

Take care.
03RR =)

 

[gonzo]

because the backseat has an armrest in the middle, the best position for the car seat is behind the passenger seat (the middle is dangerous for rear-facing carseats as the armrest can cause damage to your child). you will notice that there are two metal brackets hidden in the seat, one near the seatbelt receiver and one on the other side. new car seats clasp directly on to these clamps.

that being said, here is a little more advice . . .

buy a new car seat, one that comes with instructions, never take a used one unless there is no other option.

as previously posted, get your seat installed at a firestation. make sure you get them to explain to you how to install it. ask as many questions as you can.

good luck

 

[boston_kevin]

Fire Stations will do this

Every fire station has someone certified for car seat installation/inspections. Call them and find out if that person is available and when. It takes about 5 minutes, and they're really nice. They should give you stickers for the seats with the child's name, address, and phone in case there is an accident and the driver can't talk.

Until the car seat is in... Don't take the kid with you...

You should also be able to download the installation instructions for the car seat and base from the manufacturers web site.

 

[Pinuz]

I just installed yesterday my seat .
Since I'm Italian, I bought an italian infant car seat, the make is Peg Perego and the model is Primo Viaggio (means first trip).

I didn't go to fire station (I will just for doubble check).

Anyway with this model isn't possible to install to the centre back seat due to the Shoulder belt and missing latch on the centre).

I put in the side and attached with the very easy latch system.

Buy a mat car seat or your leather will be scratched!

 

[G3 Trout Runner]

I put mine in the middle. The latch system is really not that different from a regular belt strap. The isofix is another game. I put a towel down so the leather is safe and rolled one end so the angle of the chair is correct.

I agree with going to the fire station to either be sure or to let them put it in. The key is for it to be tight and at the appropriate angle. I have never seen and doubt that the armrest is a liability in the center seat. Can't be more of a liability than sitting in the side seats and getting smacked in that door.

If your putting in two seats then I recommend putting the seats on either side. I was unable to see if the T4R latch brackets are made to withstand two seats or just one. Single seat in the middle uses one bracket from each side. Two seats you should not double up the latches on a bracket unless the owners manual says you can.

G3

 

[Pinuz]

According to government regulations, two sets of anchors are required in the rear seat of vehicles made after September 1, 2002. These anchors are required to be a certain distance apart to keep children safe in a crash. Most vehicle seats are not wide enough to put anchors in all three seating positions and still meet safety regulations. Most rear centre seats are equipped with the tether anchor, even if the lower anchors are not available so that you can install a car seat in this position using the seat belts and tether if required.

(the 4Runner isn't wide enought for the centre latch)
-------------------------------------------
We can't install LATCH car seat in the rear centre seating position using the 2 LATCH anchors closest to the centre of the back seat , unless toyota and car seat manufacturer say that this is safe.

 

[MAC4Runner]

My Britax was installed in the center of my T4R by Mary Bridge, a local children's hospital, free of charge. The armrest is not an issue. In addition, they recommended not using the latch system if placing your car seat in the center. Mine is installed using the center belt. The middle of the seat is the safest location, with or without latch, period. I second gonzo's comments, buy a new seat. You should NEVER use a second hand car seat. Why compromise the safety of your child for a $100??

YMMV

 

[slyangel9]

Sorry, but I currently do not use an infant car seat. Personally, I don't recommend a borrowed car seat since seats are made better year after year. Right now I have a Britax Roundabout and I use the latch. Since I use the middle position, it is impossible for the arm rest to come out, not that it matters. In addition, I use the passenger chair railing (towards the middle) to anchor the third part (attached to the strap towards the top of the seat). I know it's really hard to make tight, so I usually have to put my weight on the seat to make the connection tight. Hope this helps.

 

[Pinuz]

wait wait, I'm using an child seat 0 - 3 months and is not possible to use the centre belt on this seat.

probably you guy are using a bigger car seat, in that case you can use the centre shoulder belt and the upper anchor if you want.

 

[MAC4Runner]

wait wait, I'm using an child seat 0 - 3 months and is not possible to use the centre belt on this seat.

Sounds like it's time to try a different seat. My wife and I both tried to fit the Peg in our cars, a 2004 T4R and a 2000 Outback, and could not get a good fit. FYI - My Britax and her Combi both fit in the middle using the center belt and they're both infant seats.

YMMV

 

[Gryphon]

I may have missed it, but I didn't see what year your T4R is...mine is a '90 and my infant seat fits fine. It is tight when the front seat is all the way back, but the angle is still good.

I use an Graco seat with a base. It works fine with or without the base...fits better without it.

We took it to our local municipal fire station (my dept does not do seat installs..Cheif says to let the municipal dept do it) and had it installed before the kid was born. It is in the center with our toddler's seat to one side.

 

[GalacticRunner]

I am a child safety seat technician and figured I'd add my 2 cents.

Slyangel9 is right with putting weight in the seat and tightening up the belts, whether it be the seatbelt or the latch system belts. I would not recommend putting a seat in with the latch anchor points if its not a latch position, in the center the seatbelt will work just fine.
As far as a seatbelt not working in the center position but working on the outboard positions, I have never seen this, it should work in any position. The seat is another story, if there's a hump in the center or an armrest that prevents it from going there, yes by all means use the outboard positions.
The only thing I can think of with a seatbelt appearing to not work would be if you have an older model Peg Pereggo infant seat. This seats base was a horror to install. It could be done but was not user friendly to most parents. This has since been redesigned, which falls back to the previous statement, A $60.00 investment in a new seat is a small price to pay for you child. I practice what I preach, 3 children and never used the seat for more than 1 child. Improvements to newer seats each time outweighed the savings.
Another little trick for people with leather seats is to buy some drawer line, the stuff you put in kitchen drawers under utensil's. Match your color, cut to size, and it saves the seat and helps with the slippery nature of leather seats.
One other thing to keep in mind, once you get a good seat installation. The install is only as good as how well you secure the child in the seat. Try to avoid bulky jackets under the belts. Only 1 finger should fit between your child and the belt, just below their shoulders, when tightened correctly.
Out on Long Island in N.Y. its the police agencies that do most installations. Give your local police a call and hopefully they'll install it or guide you to a location to hhave it done.
These 2 web sites also offer some good information when you follow the child seat links:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.c1a4b135ea7fc398d33a431046108a0c/

http://safeny.org/sesa-un.htm

Hope this helps,
Pete

 

[Pinuz]

In your 90' is fine since you don't have a shoulder centre belt but the regular one (just the fixed horizontal belt).

On the manual of Peg Perego Primo Viaggio is wrote "don't install using the shoulder centre belt"

I may have missed it, but I didn't see what year your T4R is...mine is a '90 and my infant seat fits fine. It is tight when the front seat is all the way back, but the angle is still good.

I use an Graco seat with a base. It works fine with or without the base...fits better without it.

We took it to our local municipal fire station (my dept does not do seat installs..Cheif says to let the municipal dept do it) and had it installed before the kid was born. It is in the center with our toddler's seat to one side.

 

[Pinuz]

Thanks for the infos.
I have the latest model and it can be installed on the centre only with latch or old style centre belt.

New generation 4 runner has only latch on the side seats and has the centre seatbelt in shoulder style (just like the other on the side) so I had to install on the side.

I am a child safety seat technician and figured I'd add my 2 cents.

Slyangel9 is right with putting weight in the seat and tightening up the belts, whether it be the seatbelt or the latch system belts. I would not recommend putting a seat in with the latch anchor points if its not a latch position, in the center the seatbelt will work just fine.
As far as a seatbelt not working in the center position but working on the outboard positions, I have never seen this, it should work in any position. The seat is another story, if there's a hump in the center or an armrest that prevents it from going there, yes by all means use the outboard positions.
The only thing I can think of with a seatbelt appearing to not work would be if you have an older model Peg Pereggo infant seat. This seats base was a horror to install. It could be done but was not user friendly to most parents. This has since been redesigned, which falls back to the previous statement, A $60.00 investment in a new seat is a small price to pay for you child. I practice what I preach, 3 children and never used the seat for more than 1 child. Improvements to newer seats each time outweighed the savings.
Another little trick for people with leather seats is to buy some drawer line, the stuff you put in kitchen drawers under utensil's. Match your color, cut to size, and it saves the seat and helps with the slippery nature of leather seats.
One other thing to keep in mind, once you get a good seat installation. The install is only as good as how well you secure the child in the seat. Try to avoid bulky jackets under the belts. Only 1 finger should fit between your child and the belt, just below their shoulders, when tightened correctly.
Out on Long Island in N.Y. its the police agencies that do most installations. Give your local police a call and hopefully they'll install it or guide you to a location to hhave it done.
These 2 web sites also offer some good information when you follow the child seat links:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.c1a4b135ea7fc398d33a431046108a0c/

http://safeny.org/sesa-un.htm

Hope this helps,
Pete

 

[Cavalryscout]

Firestations

Hello,

Picking my 4runner up next week. .....As for stopping by firestations, not all will do it. It is not that they don't want to help but in Omaha we refer them to the our local Health and Safety Council. We (I am a Firefighter/Paramedic with OFD) used to do it but the Council would rather us refer people to them as they are trained technicians (like GalacticRunner) who are up to speed on the latest research/technology. Plus the Council is a one stop shop for learning CPR, AEDs and other related issues. If you do not know who might do the installs in your locale then please stop by a firestation and they will have the information on where to go (if they don't do them).