Car Seat In Front Seat

m.mcrae · January 25, 2011

Hi,

we have a 2003 GMC sierra 2500 ext cab. We just had our 4th child and now we unfortunately need to put our 7 year old daughter in the front with us. We have a 60/40 bench seat in the front.

Question 1,

Would like to know why our manual states that there shouldn't be any child seat in thr front middle posistion. Is it becuase it is a folding seat, or does the airbag impinge on the middle section.

Question 2,

I would like to replace the front middle section of our seat with a bucket seat that has a shoulder belt or 5-point harness. Where could i buy this, and what brand of aftermarket seat is reccomended, and does it pass the crash-test criteria.

Thanks,

Mike

Wingnut · January 25, 2011

1) Yeah, it's because of the airbag.

2) That's not available to my knowledge.

3) I wouldn't want a 7 year old sitting next to me either. They smell.

tyhuck · January 26, 2011

Time for a Tahoe

old-chevy-dude · January 26, 2011

wow that's tough one.

I know here in CA it is illegal and a $340 fine for having a child in the front seat under the age of 12, my mom got a ticket for it couple years ago with my neice in the front seat when she was 10..

and at 7 she shouldn't need a child seat, most states have laws for up to 6 years or 60 pounds, though I wouldn't feel safe with my 6 year old in the jump seat with a lep belt only either, like stated above, might be time to move up to an SUV/Tahoe.

m.mcrae · January 28, 2011

Yeah, we kicked around the SUV idea but then we would have to re evaluate how we would get all our toys around. Right now we can take our snowmobiles or quad in the truck, and tow our 28' trailer as well. We could look at an SUV, but then would have to look at buying a whole new trailer! I wouldn't get a ticket for having our 7 year old in the front, i just don't understand why GM would sell a truck advertized as a 6 seater, then only put 4 shoulder belts in it? Any other advice would be appreciated. I found this seat: http://www.discountvantruck.com/truckjumps...enterseat-b.htm

that replaces the middle jump seat, but it doesn't have a shoulder belt either.

Mike

old-chevy-dude · January 28, 2011

how about one of these:

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/newsite/howto.php

it is designed to be used with lap or shoulder belts, but it looks like you need to use the tether system for the lap belt only. you might then consider having the tether hooks welded to the floor behind the jump seat.. I would caution however that you consult with someone in the know about selt belt systems, like someone that customizes vehicles with 4/5 point racing harnesses. this way you have it welded in correctly and it won't sheer apart on impact.

http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/ver3/pdf/SmallEng.pdf

from what I read they have a 50 state approval as a child booster seat product.