Latch system for car seats in 3rd gen?

[ASquareAway]

I'm new to the forum and I'm looking to buy a 3rd gen 4Runner in the next few months. Do any of the 3rd gen have the latch system for a car seat? I have read that the 2002 comes with it but I've also read that it doesn't. Thanks!

 

[criera]

cant speak for an 02, though i do believe ive seen pics of them in the back of the seats on newer 3rd gens. i have a 2000 that doesnt have those but it does have the readily accessible recess to add a device to the floor of the cargo area for that purpose. i did it myself, the part from toyota was like $6 i believe and the threaded insert was already there, just had to locate it. here is a link you might find helpful:

Toyota 4Runner Highlander Top Tether Bracket Child Restraint System

 

[SCRunner12]

I just put my daughters car seat in a couple of days ago for the first time in my 2000 and they don't have the latch system between the seats. I may go to a parts yard and pull them from another car and try to retrofit them in my 2000. The belt is pretty snug, but I like those latches.

 

[J.A.]

2001 and up have the latch system.

From the 4Runner History page, year 2001.

11. Seat
CRS (Child Restraint System) anchor brackets for outer rear seat have been provided on the back surface of the rear seat. CRS anchor bracket for center rear seat has been provided on the center hinge between the rear seat back.

Using the link above you can see the top tether bracket I added to my 99. I really feel this helps alot in further securing forward facing seats.

 

[the great him]

i just use the cargo tie downs in the floor behind the rear seats accompanied by the seat belt. works fine.

 

[SCRunner12]

Yeah I plan on using those when my daughter moves up to a forward facing, but for the rear facing the cargo latch won't work. I might try to work on it this weekend and I can post pictures.

 

[jsmithjr732]

i just use the cargo tie downs in the floor behind the rear seats accompanied by the seat belt. works fine.

Same here. Is there a write-up for the actual latch hooks (not the top tether)?

 

[fenrisx]

Nice long writeup here:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=1939.0

 

[ASquareAway]

Thanks to all for the info. Not having the latch system isn't a deal breaker but it makes llife so much easier.

 

[KellyJ]

You could probably just swap in an 01-02 rear seat back? Is the LATCH system just those little plastic flaps on the rear of the back seats?

 

[NorcalChris]

2001 and up have the latch system.

From the 4Runner History page, year 2001.

11. Seat
CRS (Child Restraint System) anchor brackets for outer rear seat have been provided on the back surface of the rear seat. CRS anchor bracket for center rear seat has been provided on the center hinge between the rear seat back.

Using the link above you can see the top tether bracket I added to my 99. I really feel this helps alot in further securing forward facing seats.

It seems like thats a pretty wanky LATCH system. The anchor brackets give me little confidence.. In my '01, i use the anchors on the back of the seat, the cargo tiedowns and the seat belt. We're almost to the booster seat stage, and those dont have the option of using the seat belt.... Seems like the cargo tie downs work well though. Think they're strong enough?

 

[kzak]

You are all clearly wonderful parents... bestowing the values of the magnificent 4Runner to your children. :bravo:

 

[SCRunner12]

You are all clearly wonderful parents... bestowing the values of the magnificent 4Runner to your children. :bravo:

Yeah it has already been decided my little girls first car will be a 4runner. Now that is 16 years from now, so we'll see what gen she gets, but any car I buy my daughter will be a 4runner no matter what. :guitar3:

 

[cmc4130]

So, we just had a baby boy, and I'm still driving a 285K 1997 4Runner SR5! The middle lap belt is too long to get the Britax car seat snug--even with it adjusted all the way tight. Using the shoulder + lap strap, I don't see how to make it stay tight. Any advice?

 

[I_bRAD]

So, we just had a baby boy, and I'm still driving a 285K 1997 4Runner SR5! The middle lap belt is too long to get the Britax car seat snug--even with it adjusted all the way tight. Using the shoulder + lap strap, I don't see how to make it stay tight. Any advice?

Congratulations!

Never tried the middle seatbelt, but I used britax seats in the outboard positions and it worked fine with the belt.

 

[phattyduck]

No LATCH on the 3rd gen 4Runner. The '01/'02's have upper tethers for front-facing seats.

Seat belts are likely to be safer than LATCH anchors when used CORRECTLY. That's the issue. LATCH is just easier to use.

The center seat belt is quite easy to use with a rear-facing seat (been doing it for a few months). You do need some muscle to get it tight enough...

I will probably be retrofitting the '01/'02 upper anchors when we switch to front facing in a while.

-Charlie

 

[phattyduck]

So, we just had a baby boy, and I'm still driving a 285K 1997 4Runner SR5! The middle lap belt is too long to get the Britax car seat snug--even with it adjusted all the way tight. Using the shoulder + lap strap, I don't see how to make it stay tight. Any advice?

I'm very confused on this one. The center lap belt for rear-facing works better and is easier to install than the shoulder belts!

For the outer belts, get the belt path correct, and use the built-in lock-down (if equipped) or pull the shoulder belt all the way out to engage the locking mode. You will hear it ratchet back when released. Make sure you use the correct seat-belt lock-off method for your particular seat - it will be clearly stated in the instructions.

-Charlie

 

[criera]

So, we just had a baby boy, and I'm still driving a 285K 1997 4Runner SR5! The middle lap belt is too long to get the Britax car seat snug--even with it adjusted all the way tight. Using the shoulder + lap strap, I don't see how to make it stay tight. Any advice?

Go here to search for a certified carseat inspection
station:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats
The certification is important.

 

[Xntrik7]

I used the left seat belt and attached the lower anchor connectors to the hooks in the hatch floor. This helped secure my baby niece's car seat very well.