Question for the dads, which convertible car seat for non-latch installation??

[jamess]

We recently purchased a Graco 4ever All-In-One convertible car seat for our 11 month old. I initially attempted to install it in the 4Runner (1999) on the passenger side rear seat utilizing the shoulder belt. Once installed the seat would not sit level and had too much movement. I know how to install it and did it correctly, but it will not fit well with the shoulder strap installation method. It ended up in my wife's Accord utilizing the LATCH system, and it is rock solid.

So on to the question at hand; which convertible car seat are you using, that fits well using the shoulder belt installation? Middle seat installation is not an option.

Thank you for the insight.

 

[Frdmskr]

We used a Graco until he grew for a bigger car seat. Ironically we got that at SAMs Club. The bigger one is more comfy and rated thru 100 lbs.

The backward facing works best using the latch system. I anchored that in tight. I did have to put a towel under it for leveling occasionally.


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[Frdmskr]

We used this until he could get into a bigger seat: http://m.toysrus.com/product/index....7.2273447.35475976.11614155&parentPage=family

The base locked in great.


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[SpidermanGeek]

We used a Graco until he grew for a bigger car seat. Ironically we got that at SAMs Club. The bigger one is more comfy and rated thru 100 lbs.

The backward facing works best using the latch system. I anchored that in tight. I did have to put a towel under it for leveling occasionally.


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You have a 2001, which did come equipped with CRS.

What OP could do is find 2001-2002 back seat and swap that in.

 

[Frdmskr]

He then got this once he sat up better. Still uses it now. https://www.walmart.com/ip/45651186...75035&wl11=online&wl12=45651186&wl13=&veh=sem

It's comfy for him. He is 39 lbs and 40+ inches at 3 yrs old. Off roading he sways to sleep. Then gets made he missed out lol


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[jamess]

You have a 2001, which did come equipped with CRS.

What OP could do is find 2001-2002 back seat and swap that in.

I saw a thread that had pointed that out. I'm not really interested in tracking down a rear seat and doing the swap. My current back seat is in pristine condition, it would be very hard to find a seat in similar condition, without purchasing new. It is an option to keep in mind though.

 

[SpidermanGeek]

I saw a thread that had pointed that out. I'm not really interested in tracking down a rear seat and doing the swap. My current back seat is in pristine condition, it would be very hard to find a seat in similar condition, without purchasing new. It is an option to keep in mind though.

I think the seats would be the same, you could just swap out the seat back "chassis"? Keep your current upholstery/foam?

 

[4Runnin2000]

We have 2 of these. One for each vehicle.
https://www.google.com/search?q=alp...=0ahUKEwjW7JrjyOnOAhUH82MKHXIAD6QQlKsBCNgEMAA

It sits ok on the edge seat. Not as good as it does in the Subaru using the latches. But it is still solid enough to where I am comfortable putting my 3 year old in it. I wish these came with the car seat latches like all new cars do. Makes it so much easier to take in and out

 

[4Runnin2000]

He then got this once he sat up better. Still uses it now. https://www.walmart.com/ip/45651186...75035&wl11=online&wl12=45651186&wl13=&veh=sem

It's comfy for him. He is 39 lbs and 40+ inches at 3 yrs old. Off roading he sways to sleep. Then gets made he missed out lol


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Didn't look at this post before I posted mine. Looks like we have the same ones. [emoji106]

 

[88toy4x4]

You need to use the locking clip on the back of the carseat headrest to convert your shoulder strap to a "lap belt". By doing that, you get away from having to pull the shoulder strap out all to the way to get it to ratchet which causes the seat to lean.

You use the locking clip to set the buckle at the right length to hold the seat in. I had to use one on the center seat belt in my Pilot since it is not a lap belt like the center one in the 4Runner.

When installed, it will look like this.

It will be a pain to get it adjusted to the right amount of tension, but once it is done, you are good. The good part is, if you need to remove the seat, the clip stays in place so you can re-install the seat easier in the future.

 

[4Runnin2000]

You need to use the locking clip on the back of the carseat headrest to convert your shoulder strap to a "lap belt". By doing that, you get away from having to pull the shoulder strap out all to the way to get it to ratchet which causes the seat to lean.

You use the locking clip to set the buckle at the right length to hold the seat in. I had to use one on the center seat belt in my Pilot since it is not a lap belt like the center one in the 4Runner.

When installed, it will look like this.

It will be a pain to get it adjusted to the right amount of tension, but once it is done, you are good. The good part is, if you need to remove the seat, the clip stays in place so you can re-install the seat easier in the future.

Aahhhhhh. I see now! I didn't read the directions on what that piece was for. I'll have to look for it. Hopefully I still have it. Thanks for the tip!

 

[mountain mike]

With the seat rear-facing I had to put a towel under the car seat towards the rear of the seat so it would sit level. I tried three different car seats and I had to use the towel with all of them. I was not excited about using a towel, but I was able to get the car seat to sit tight and where it wouldn't move. I rolled the towel up very tight and then put a couple of zip ties on it to hold it rolled up.

For what it is worth we use the Recaro Performance Ride in the runner. Daughter likes like the most out of the 3 car seats that we have. It does take up a lot of room though.

Performance RIDE

 

[rallypoint_1]

Aahhhhhh. I see now! I didn't read the directions on what that piece was for. I'll have to look for it. Hopefully I still have it. Thanks for the tip!

You can find that clip attached to back or bottom of car seat.

 

[4Runnin2000]

You can find that clip attached to back or bottom of car seat.

Cool. I will check there. I bought the car seat almost 2 years ago. Hoping I left it there and didn't misplace it. If not, I'm sure I can order it or something.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I think the seats would be the same, you could just swap out the seat back "chassis"? Keep your current upholstery/foam?

Yeah, the rear cargo carpet "unclips" from the back of the seats. That's how when you fold the seats down there's no gap between the rear cargo and the rear seats. What you would do is find the rear carpet from an 01-02 (I have one but it's pretty stained) that has the clips and then just put it in yours. Minimal amount of work needed to remove and install, just take off the bottom trim in the front and unclip from the rear seats and that's it. I can't imaging a junk yard/salvage yard charging much.

You need to use the locking clip on the back of the carseat headrest to convert your shoulder strap to a "lap belt". By doing that, you get away from having to pull the shoulder strap out all to the way to get it to ratchet which causes the seat to lean.

You use the locking clip to set the buckle at the right length to hold the seat in. I had to use one on the center seat belt in my Pilot since it is not a lap belt like the center one in the 4Runner.

When installed, it will look like this.

It will be a pain to get it adjusted to the right amount of tension, but once it is done, you are good. The good part is, if you need to remove the seat, the clip stays in place so you can re-install the seat easier in the future.

This is what I have currently for my daughter's rear facing car seat. We keep the base in my wife's Altima since it uses the latch system and I use the locking clip (every car seat comes with one) to make sure the seat belt doesn't slip in a hard stop or accident. The middle lap belt is by far the easiest to use but would work on the shoulder belt as well. It's very safe and secure.

 

[Brique]

The britax clicktight system is a-ma-zing! Makes installation stupid easy; easier than LATCH, even. Love love love it!

https://us.britax.com/car-seats/convertible-car-seats/

 

[Tylerz71]

I can't remember brands exactly but after nearly not keeping the 4runner due to no latch system, I will say my daughters front facing car seat/booster seat is much more secure in there using just the seatbelt and the rear cargo hook as a tether point, than any other vehicle we have had with no latch system.

 

[jamess]

The britax clicktight system is a-ma-zing! Makes installation stupid easy; easier than LATCH, even. Love love love it!

https://us.britax.com/car-seats/convertible-car-seats/

In the time since I made the original post I finally stumbled across this and the universe of convertible car seats with built-in lockoffs. The built-in lockoffs are a game changer for sure.

CarseatBlog: The Most Trusted Source for Car Seat Reviews, Ratings, Deals & News

I have my list to pick from now. Leaning toward the Recaro Performance Rally convertible car seat.

Thanks for all the information guys.

 

[fblainen11]

My wife and I use the Diono Radian. We really like it.

We both have 3rd gens.

 

[Azn Occassion]

I've installed 3 car seats into my 2000 without a problem 2 forward facing with top tethers installed and one rear facing for my 18 month old. I have my 6 y/o behind the passenger he's in a grace nautilus 3, my 18 month old is in the center he's in a grace my size 65 and my 4 y/o is behind my seat in a diono radian. I only had an issue with the my size 65 with the bottom having such a slope either behind the driver or passenger seat but in the center he is fine because it's being pulled down and not cambered with the shoulder belt. It is always best to put the littlest that is still rear facing in the center. I can take a picture and post the next time I have all three installed or this weekend which ever happens first.


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