The Baby-Proofing Begins!

Brian757

Brian757

New member
So I found out two weeks ago that my girlfriend of 4 years is pregnant. I am nervous, excited, anxious, & basically the whole nine yards. I am in a good place in my life, so it doesn't hit me as hard as it could. However, my truck will need to go through changes if it wants to stay in my life, and be part of my childs life.

This will be my reminder and checklist for the changes I'm going to make in preparation of the child.

  • QUIET the truck down (Add muffler or attempt to reinstall factory muffler)
  • Install Sliders Sooner Than Later (Girlfriend getting bigger, harder to hop into the truck) (I already have them, just haven't welded them yet.)
  • Remove Subwoofers and Sub Amp and Install 4-Channel Amp under front seats (Sell Subwoofers and Mono Amp)
  • Baby Seat (Obviously)
 
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MONTYMTB said:
Congrats! If you have cloth seats don't forget to add Scotchgard to that list!
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Haha, I hear ya! I can only imagine. I converted to leather seats about 2 weeks ago.

And ANY more suggestions from experienced T4R parents out there, it would be greatly appreciated. And thanks for the input Monty!
 
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Tint is a good idea (probably already have). Remote start, anything that makes your life easier and makes the baby comfortable. That prevents crying, sometimes...

Congrats!
 
tre9er said:
Tint is a good idea (probably already have). Remote start, anything that makes your life easier and makes the baby comfortable. That prevents crying, sometimes...

Congrats!
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Haha! I know, and one of my friends mentioned that my loud tires might be helpful in the fact that it is a soothing humming sound, hoping it helps sooth the baby.

In terms of tint, I have 5% on the upper windshield, above the AS1 line, 35% on the front windows, and 5% on all rear windows.
I have a Viper security system with remote start. But very good suggestions!
Keep them coming! And I thank everyone for the kind words.

I can't wait to teach my boy how to wrench on the runner, or teach my girl that guys in 4Runners are the bomb!
 
Baby seat which you already said. But just make sure it's installed correctly and are using the correct ones for the age. It's one of my pet peeves with people and how they put their kids in car seats incorrectly. I know here in California, our highway patrol and fire departments will help you with installing car seats the right way. It's not too difficult, you just want the least movement possible and center being the best spot for the seat. With the center seat belt you would want to put all your weight on the seat and tighten as much possible. If you do put it on the side you would pull the seat belt all the way out and then put all your weight on the seat and let it retract and pull the slack tight and the seat belt would be locked in place.
 
Congratulations. I've got a 4 year old and a 1 year old. Both are in car seats. My '99 does not have the car seat bars/anchors inside the seats like newer vehicles have. The bars are hidden in the fold of the seat part and the back part. As such I have to use the seat belts, no biggie.

The other thing my 3rg gen doesn't have is the seat anchor. In our Subaru the anchors are in the ceiling of the cargo area. In other cars they are on the back of the seat. I just use the cargo tie down ring which is in the proper place and beefy enough for the job.

One thing to consider is the size of car seats. They start in an infant one, rear facing. As time progresses and they gain weight they will be forward facing and then in a convertible/toddler seat. We have two seats in each car, 4 total ($$$$) and 2 more seats that get used for the grandparents. The seats are a bit of a pain to take in and out so we just bought/acquired them as we knew we'd need them. Check expiration dates and recall lists if you're not buying new. If they have been in an accident they are no good.

Every kid is different but I'd resist sitting back there with them except for the first couple of months. If you sit back there to calm them they will always want/expect this. If you drive any distance you're going to screw yourself over, especially if you end up with two seats back there. The 3rd gens are narrow and the 30 pound seats take up most of the rear seat.

I've got cloth seats and both car seats are on top of a draped towel. Food and liquid (of all types including but not limited to food and body fluids/sludge) will make it's way out of the seat. The towel acts as a good filter.

I've got the factory tint. After market tint will get scratched once they are able to reach the window from the seat. They will touch the windows, wipe stuff on the windows as well as test the durability of the window with whatever toy is within reach.

A factory muffler is a good choice. So are happy and sleepy music play lists for the ipod. If you have a stiff suspension your baby will look like a bobble head in your rear view. It's kind of funny but not when you want them to sleep and you just want/need to drive.

In the beginning I wouldn't sweat it. Every kid is different as well as their parents. I know kids that could sleep through the Baja 1000, others that just don't sleep or cannot be calmed. They all try every scenario and you'll just have to roll with it (until they move out).
 
when the kid gets older. rear mount head rest dvd player are the best for keeping kids distracted on long distance trips.

ALSO. to help cool down the interior and keep the kids in the back cool (i know it takes a long time to cool down the trunk area witht he ac on) is to crack the rear window and force the hot air out the back with the AC vents on full blast. works like a charm.
 
Not 4Runner specific, didn't have mine when the kids were young, but here is my 2cents.

4x4Mike is correct. Don't plan on you or their mother sitting in the back with them. Just like he said, it creates expectations. I would not go out of your way to create a "quiet" environment. In the car or at home, there is value in raising a child that can fall asleep with ambient noise. That same child will also sleep through a little noise throughout their life. That way a little thunder, company or ... will not wake the sleeping child.

All effort should be spent on safety and comfort. Correct car seats and temp control.

In the end - - - Congrats ! ! !

It's quite a journey and it goes soooooooo fast.

Two more bits of extreme wisdom:
When they wake up at night, just get the job done. Whether it be for food or a diaper, get in, get out. Don't turn on lights, don't hold a "conversation". This is not play time. This way they will only call for you when needed, not for affection or playtime. This will be hard at first, but will pay HUGE dividends as you go forward.

Go easy and go used for clothing. They grow so fast that they will not wear anything out. Your favorite summer outfit WILL NOT fit them next summer. This is true for the first decade plus.

Enjoy!
 
Hell ya congrats brother!! My son hasnt arrived yet but he should be here in a week or so. I have no input on baby proofing. Im def subscribing here!! Hahaha my gf and i both own 4runners. Mines lifted and hers is not. She extremely small only 4'10". Her belly is sooo big she can no longer drive and is sooo uncomfortable that she cant get into the runner. So I carry around a little step stool for her to help with getting in/out. Im sooo excited to meet my little man.

By the way the bigger they get wheeling trips with her is a no goo
 
Spend as much time with them. They grow so fast. Talk to them not at them. Positive reinforcement.tell them everyday you love them.most important thing have fun and enjoy them.because they are mericales...just my two cents....
 
shootmymime said:
when the kid gets older. rear mount head rest dvd player are the best for keeping kids distracted on long distance trips.

ALSO. to help cool down the interior and keep the kids in the back cool (i know it takes a long time to cool down the trunk area witht he ac on) is to crack the rear window and force the hot air out the back with the AC vents on full blast. works like a charm.
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x2

i dont hear a peep out of my kids or any when i have the headrest dvd player going. Its like magic.
 
My 15 months son loves the sub woofers and Magnaflow exhaust! It helps lull him to sleep, don't demod your truck just because you're having a child.
 
Congrats!!

And I agree with ARKRWLR you're going to need something way better than sliders for a full on prego to get in your truck. Better do something sooner rather than later before she's complaining on a daily basis for you to sell it and get something she can get into.
 
Brian,

Congratulation man. :rockon:

Coming from a guy who had two at once it is the small stuff that makes a big difference. Pretty much everything has been touched on above. We used the car seats that snapped into the stroller so they could go back and forth. They were BA. Made live every easy. Snap and go. Try and find something like that for your self if you can. Your girlfriend will like them also.

Other than that, just enjoy it. Try and to get mad at her because she is going to be *****y at some point. It happens because there hormones are all out of wack.



Blue
 
Congrats!!! As a new father myself, my son was born 3 months ago, I gotta tell ya... your life is about to change forever!! :rockon: I have some advice for you, on a wide range of things not just 4R related, but I'll stick to that at first. Car seats, strollers, etc. go Graco! Do your research on models, features, etc., but Graco is the best, imo. As for mounting it, rear-facing in the center. In my runner, the center seatbelt wouldnt stay tight, so i used the tether strap that came with the seat, clipped into the seatbelt mounts under the rear seat then tightened down. Works like a charm, and local PD inspection officer said it was stronger and tighter than most he'd seen, even in cars equipped with anchors! I'll post up some pics if you want, but it wasnt hard. My little man loves my truck. Cant wait to get back on track with mods so i can actually wheel the thing, and teach him!! As for kids and birth/preggo girl, etc.... She'll want to take classes, and you'll go. Trust me, it's awkward as all hell, but SO worth it in the end!! My gf ended up emergency c-section, and brother if we hadnt taken any of the classes we did, neither of us would have been able to handle it. She's gonna need ALOT before, during and after the baby gets here. Give it. Youre going to be worn out, pissed off, exhausted, stressed... and thats only the beginning. lol. But when your son/daughter opens his/her eyes, looks at you and smiles for the first time? When they start to recognize the sound of your voice, and smile at just the sound? It makes it all worth while!!! Get used to being tired, ALL the time. Pick your pediatrician VERY carefully!! Find one who will listen, and i mean REALLY listen to you and your lady and take the time to answer ALL your questions, and satisfy all your concerns. When people offer to help? TAKE IT!!!! You WILL need time away from it all. Both of you will. And you need to make sure to make time for yourself, away from them. So does she. You will fight. She will have all KINDS of ideas about how to take care of him, that you'll think are crazy. Kids are tough. As long as they eat, poop, and breathe, youre pretty much doing it right. She will be crazy until little one comes, and after? Forget it. Shes gonna be a wreck for a while. But she cant help it. REMEMBER THAT!! It's NOT her fault. Anywho, that's my input. Strap in, and enjoy the ride, brother. I was so scared, nervous, confused, not sure if I wanted this at this point in life... but now? wouldnt change it for anything in the world!!
 
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