I have a 2000 4Runner. As you know, the rear seat has two shoulder belts for the end seats and a lap belt for the center seat. I've read some posts about installing a baby/child seat in the center, but what do you do when your child no longer needs a booster? I have three kids and soon all will be out of booster seats. I don't think it's very safe to just have a lap belt around a child...any thoughts or solutions?
Rear Center Seat - Safe for Child?
- Thread starter Ruben555
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Nelsonmd
New member
Well, my family (3 kids) used just the lap belt in the center seat all growing up... but we were never in an accident.
There are alot of resources for seat belt safety, just be sure it is from a reputable source (car manufacturers, government agencies, etc.), not groups that profit by scaring you.
The fact is that the center seat is not a real safe place to be in a high speed crash with just a lap belt. There may be some retrofit kit out there, but likely not for the 4runner as there is no anchor point for the shoulder strap (the seat back is not an anchor point). If you find one, I would scrutinize it heavily to make sure it is actually connecting to secure anchor points.
You might look into rear facing seats you could add. I am not sure of the safety of them, and a quick search didn't turn anything up. I know there are a couple threads on here about them for 4runner. They aren't going to be comfortable for a big kid or an adult.
Anyone know about the safety of a rear facing back seat?
There are alot of resources for seat belt safety, just be sure it is from a reputable source (car manufacturers, government agencies, etc.), not groups that profit by scaring you.
The fact is that the center seat is not a real safe place to be in a high speed crash with just a lap belt. There may be some retrofit kit out there, but likely not for the 4runner as there is no anchor point for the shoulder strap (the seat back is not an anchor point). If you find one, I would scrutinize it heavily to make sure it is actually connecting to secure anchor points.
You might look into rear facing seats you could add. I am not sure of the safety of them, and a quick search didn't turn anything up. I know there are a couple threads on here about them for 4runner. They aren't going to be comfortable for a big kid or an adult.
Anyone know about the safety of a rear facing back seat?
SCRunner12
New member
That would just be mean. My friend wasn't 100 lbs till he was in the seventh grade.
Nelsonmd
New member
lol
Is there a frame member in the roof behind the back seat? If there is, then maybe he can attach a shoulder strap to that.
Unless we are thinking of very different things, a booster seat won't make a difference in the middle seat, there is still just a lap belt. Even for adults, the lap belt really only protects against ejection.
The lap belt is only good for full child seats (rear or forward facing kind, not the sit on kind)
Nelsonmd
New member
Hey Ruben, I just saw this product. I know it isn't for exactly what you are looking for, but it could be an option, if not an official one. You would just have to make sure that it is bolted to something sturdy, and not just the floor pan.
Toyota 4Runner Highlander Top Tether Bracket Child Restraint System
Wouldn't be ideal, but it might be better than nothing.
Toyota 4Runner Highlander Top Tether Bracket Child Restraint System
Wouldn't be ideal, but it might be better than nothing.
