Child Seats

[cjreents]

Wondering about installing rear child seats in my 71 2002. Has anyone done this before? If so, did you add any additional tie downs perhaps in the trunk? Anyone have any safety concerns about toddlers in these cars?

Would like to be able to enjoy the car with the family as well as a daily driver... please let me know your opinions.

Thanks!

[Mike Self]

the package shelf sheet metal, backed by a large diameter washer to spread the load. I imagine it was attached at the bottom with the lap belt. This was many years ago, and with no kids around I don't know how modern child seats attach on older cars, but the package shelf, properly reinforced should be plenty strong.

mike

[RayC911]

I think CJ retrofit a rear parcel shelf from an e36 so he could use the tether function of the child seat. I saw him last week but forgot to check it out but I need to retrofit mine also.

[ibjettin]

I have plans to do this as well. The problem w/ mine is that the rear shelf has been cut for 6x9's - so I may have to look for another location.

[cjreents]

Thanks for the info... please keep me posted as to what you find out. I've been looking for a 2002 for over a year and finally picked one up yesterday - more than I wanted to spend but he had at least double the money into it.

[MichaelP]

Our little guy's first ride home from the hospital was in our '74 02 and he's been riding around in that and our '71 1602 for the past 5 years. Neither cars are DDs, and though 02s aren't the safest cars on the road impactwise, I look at it as a quality of life matter.

The '74 has inertia reel lap belts which aren't adjustable, but if you cross both belts though the child seat (5-point, not booster type) to the opposite latch, it nails the seat down tight, with no real need for LATCH. It also puts the kiddo in the middle of the car, which is safest from a side impact perspective.

Our 1602 has adjustable, non-inertia type lap belts which can work similar to above or with just one belt (off to one side for an extra passenger) if I really push the child seat down hard by getting in it myself while tightening.

Now that our boy is riding in a booster seat that uses regular shoulder belts (no belts associated with the seat), it's problematic. I need to install shoulder belts in back somehow before he can ride in the 02 again.

[eastsidebimmer]

to tighten the car seat or booster seat to the rear bench. The Mighty-Tite is awesome and you can get it a Baby's R Us or at Amazon for under $20.

This takes all the gruntwork out of securing the belts tight and gives you and specifically the spouse some piece of mind.

A word of caution, if you have a little baby in a carrier that snaps into a car seat base, they can pop out especially during a side impact. Using the seatbelt attached directly to the seat is the safest bet.

Ben

[cjreents]

Again, thanks for the info and ideas. I have twin boys that are 18 months, so they would each be riding next to the window - should I consider a roll cage?

Thanks again?

[eastsidebimmer]

No, Don't worry with a roll cage! Just put one on each side and cinch em down tight to the seats. I have a 18month old too. He loves to ride, but I have clear glass all around so it is a little bright on his eyes/head.

Ben

[cjreents]

That's a good point about sun in their eyes. Our main kid carrier is our 2001 allroad that my wife drives - windows are not tinted. We'll have to strap on some sunglasses and baseball caps.