Need to buy my wife a new vehicle and would love to buy a Land Cruiser or LX470. Only problem is I need to get 3 car seats in it. Is there a factory option or are there aftermarket products out there to get captain's chairs in the second row? Need to easily get to the third row with 2 car seats in second row, so I can't fold them up or flip forward... Any ideas?
2nd Row Seat Options
- Thread starter Cliftonite
- Start date
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I run with two full size car seats and one booster seat all in the middle row all the time. For long trips, we put one or two of the kids in the 3rd row. No sweat.
All the other features, i.e. value, safety, performance, reliability, etc will more than make up for any inconvenience in dealing with the seating arrangements.
BTW, I also have a booster seat and the base to a car seat in the second row, the oldest of my kids just climbs in the back when needed. She loves riding back there anyway
BTW, I also have a booster seat and the base to a car seat in the second row, the oldest of my kids just climbs in the back when needed. She loves riding back there anyway
Also, you could install a car seat in the third row, but leave the other side of the third row folded up. Then you could access from the rear tail gate. Not a great option, but it is an option.
- Thread starter
- #6
I'm going to have one kid in a booster (presumably in the back), a toddler in a car seat (second row) and an infant in the second row. Not quite old enough for the climbing over the seat option, I'm also concerned about safety in case I needed to get them out quickly. I know I'm probably the only parent who does it, but sometimes I drive my kids around in the car to get them to fall asleep... I wouldn't want to have to crawl over the seats to get the little one out of the back. We have a full size conversion van and an Escalade ESV with 2nd row captains chairs and I've gotten a little spoiled. My wife's RX300 needs a replacement and she really likes the LC and LX470. Is anyone aware of aftermarket seats (2nd row captains) that are designed for the LC or LX?
I don't know of any captains chairs that are a direct replacement. But, if you went to a van/rv conversion place, I bet they could fit some aftermarket captains chairs to the LC/LX. That's basically what they do with a lot of van conversions. Its quite common for them to take out bench seats and replace with captains chairs. It might be pricey, but may turn out to be the way to go considering they could probably match up to the existing seats/leather surfaces already in the LC/LX.
Safety
I would honestly avoid the conversion van route if safety is a priority- Those companies are decent fabricators, and they could probably make something fit, but how can they assure the crashworthiness of the final product?
I would honestly avoid the conversion van route if safety is a priority- Those companies are decent fabricators, and they could probably make something fit, but how can they assure the crashworthiness of the final product?
With a car seat behind the driver and one in the middle you can still fold the right split seat forward, or just remove it altogether. Plenty of room
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7030554/91094964.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7030554/91094908.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7030554/91094861.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7030554/91094964.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7030554/91094908.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7030554/91094861.jpg
gopriest31 said:
I don't see how this is any different safety wise? If its a reputable conversion company it should be plenty safe. There are millions of conversion vans out there and I've never heard of them being any less safe than what was in there from the factory. Have you seen any instances where this proved to be unsafe?
I would love to see how they would rig the seatbelt for that conversion.
Remember, conversion vans are being modified by the thousands and this is not a full custom job like the Cruiser would be.
Besides, there is room for what he wants to do.
Remember, conversion vans are being modified by the thousands and this is not a full custom job like the Cruiser would be.
Besides, there is room for what he wants to do.
conversion vans
Huh, I just reviewed the 2005 NHTSA crash test results for vans, and whaddaya know, no conversion vans are listed... wonder why ....could it bet that they are not crash tested??
hhhmmm
I have past career experience in automotive safety systems- I dont want to get into too much detail, but I can tell you from experience that seemingly miniscule changes to parts and systems can have a major impact to test results and occupant safety
There are alot of conversion vans on the road, that doesnt mean that theyre neccesarily as safe as the unaltered models sold by the OEM manufacturers-
Huh, I just reviewed the 2005 NHTSA crash test results for vans, and whaddaya know, no conversion vans are listed... wonder why ....could it bet that they are not crash tested??
hhhmmm
I have past career experience in automotive safety systems- I dont want to get into too much detail, but I can tell you from experience that seemingly miniscule changes to parts and systems can have a major impact to test results and occupant safety
There are alot of conversion vans on the road, that doesnt mean that theyre neccesarily as safe as the unaltered models sold by the OEM manufacturers-
Don't get the wrong idea here. I'm not pushing the conversion route, only offered as an alternative. I have no stake in this whatsoever. Priest, there's no reason to be condescending. I don't have any data either way on the safety aspect of conversions. However, I also am a very skeptical person and there's a lot of people on the net that have opinions or "experience" with nothing to back them up. So far, that's all I see that you have. So, with that said, if you have any data of any kind that says conversions are unsafe please share with the group.
calamaridog said:
I agree with you, there is definitely room for what he wants to do without going the conversion route. And you're right, the van thing is by the thousands, but I do think that if one wanted to, they could definitely have a nice conversion done that could be done safely. It would probably just be really expensive.
Greg- I have no stake whatsoever in this either, just trying to offer some information. I apologize if I came off as condascending, that was not my intent. I have no beef with anyone here, and dont want to start anything
Regarding conversion safety data, I dont have any showing good or bad results, because testing is not done, which is my point. My intent is only to raise awareness about that point. it has been my experience that most people don't realize that. The same regulations that apply to OE manufacturers do not apply to accesory manufacturers or conversion companies- I just think people should be aware of that when they make their decisions. FYI- Buyer beware!
Regarding conversion safety data, I dont have any showing good or bad results, because testing is not done, which is my point. My intent is only to raise awareness about that point. it has been my experience that most people don't realize that. The same regulations that apply to OE manufacturers do not apply to accesory manufacturers or conversion companies- I just think people should be aware of that when they make their decisions. FYI- Buyer beware!
gopriest31,
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate you explaining in more detail what you were trying to say. I have to agree with you on the aspect of regulations and how the manufacturers are held to higher standards. That makes sense to me and I could see how that should weigh into someone's decision.
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate you explaining in more detail what you were trying to say. I have to agree with you on the aspect of regulations and how the manufacturers are held to higher standards. That makes sense to me and I could see how that should weigh into someone's decision.
