Latch System Alternatives? (1 Viewer)

[sleepycruiser]

I searched and found a few old threads but it seems the fixes were never done thoroughly.

I have a 2000 LC that does not have the latch system. It has a d-ring on the floor on each side behind the middle row of seats, but the latch will not attach to it. If I use the seat belt the car seat is fine as far as front to back movement, but side to side movement is definitely not as tight as it should be.

Any ideas??

 

[ibrahim83]

I'm in the same boat as you. I have them but they're blocked. Subscribed.

I found that the Diono Radian rxt can be used without the tether, but it's not recommended.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I searched and found a few old threads but it seems the fixes were never done thoroughly.

I have a 2000 LC that does not have the latch system. It has a d-ring on the floor on each side behind the middle row of seats, but the latch will not attach to it. If I use the seat belt the car seat is fine as far as front to back movement, but side to side movement is definitely not as tight as it should be.

Any ideas??

Put your knee into the child seat, and pull the seatbelt tighter (after locking it).

I've commented on many threads about this - I've used LATCH in many cars and can NEVER get them ad tight as I want (2004 IS300, 2010 Corolla, 2014 Prius C, 2017 Prius V, 2015 F150). I always just lock the seatbelt, put my weight into the childseat, and pull the belt tighter. I did the same thing in our 80 series, and kinda deformed the padding I had them so tight. I don't use the LATCH in our 2017 Prius V.

 

[sleepycruiser]

Thanks for the info. The problem is that the way the shoulder belts are in the 100...it doesn’t allow them to be very tight when it comes to side to side motion. Front to back motion it barely moves.

 

[mmbirtcher]

Interesting. In my other life I am also a car seat technician (believe it or not). It’s my understanding that you should be able to purchase and add-on the latch system on a 2000 MY car if it doesn’t have it. They were required from sometime in 2000 and later. Also, some local FD’s and PD’s have car seat techs that can assist you in fine tuning the seat, not to mention supplies to get it fit real tight. Have a friend put a knee in it while you pull the belt tight, and make sure the belt has been pulled out to “ratchet” mode. If it doesn’t do that you’ll also need a seat belt clip that should be mounted to the back of the car seat. If you were in STL, I’d say swing on by...

 

[toyotaspeed90]

Thanks for the info. The problem is that the way the shoulder belts are in the 100...it doesn’t allow them to be very tight when it comes to side to side motion. Front to back motion it barely moves.

Pull the belt, from the shoulder side, all the way out - it will begin to ratchet (and lock) as it retracts.

 

[reznunt]

Thanks for the info. The problem is that the way the shoulder belts are in the 100...it doesn’t allow them to be very tight when it comes to side to side motion. Front to back motion it barely moves.

You have to use the metal clip that locks the lap belt and the shoulder belt portions together so they cannot slide. I can get my kids seats squished so tight there is zero play side to side. It does mess up the leather but that isn't important to me.

 

[sleepycruiser]

You have to use the metal clip that locks the lap belt and the shoulder belt portions together so they cannot slide. I can get my kids seats squished so tight there is zero play side to side. It does mess up the leather but that isn't important to me.

Hmm...I don’t recall seeing one of those. I will double check. Thanks.

 

[mr111]

I had the same issue in my 99 but found that by using the seat belts along with a belt tightener worked very well. I used a diono mighty tight. Works a lot like a ratchet strap. You can get ge seat very tight but it is a bit of a PITA to remove.

 

[sleepycruiser]

You have to use the metal clip that locks the lap belt and the shoulder belt portions together so they cannot slide. I can get my kids seats squished so tight there is zero play side to side. It does mess up the leather but that isn't important to me.

Does that typicllay come with the seat or I need to order it?

 

[jLB]

Does that typicllay come with the seat or I need to order it?

Prior to LATCH, they were typically included with the seat. 20 years ago, Toys R Us used to also stock the clips separately on the child seat aisle.

 

[camino70]

I searched and found a few old threads but it seems the fixes were never done thoroughly.

I have a 2000 LC that does not have the latch system. It has a d-ring on the floor on each side behind the middle row of seats, but the latch will not attach to it. If I use the seat belt the car seat is fine as far as front to back movement, but side to side movement is definitely not as tight as it should be.

Any ideas??

I've added a Toyota rear tether anchor, but would probably buy something in post 10:
Rear Seat Tether Anchor

If I were to do it again, I'd probably just use a cargo tie down.

Some advice on getting the seat tight, with latch or belt (I think I got here, sorry for no credits), lean the seat back a notch or two when tightening, then lean it back up. No need to brace your back on the ceiling and put all you got into pressing on the seat.

If your traveling through Atlanta for Easter, stop by.

 

[sleepycruiser]

If I were to do it again, I'd probably just use a cargo tie down.

I thought about this also....I might try that. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[06 flstfise]

I used to install car seats, and still keep up one most the info for work (Full time FF). If installed correctly the seat belt will be just as tight as the Latch system. Latch was created to make it easier and less likely for improper installs and was required in all new vehicles from 2001 on. As stated above make sure you put your knee into the seat and pull the belt tight. What I would do is make sure the seat belt is converted (pull all the way out so when retracted it clicks and won't pull forward anymore if this applies to your belt) then pull "shoulder" part of belt causing seat to pull down into the seat. Now don't let up on tension you have and feed it back into the holder. I have also pulled down onto the belt while feeding it into spool to get a couple extra "clicks".

I also recommend if you check out this website and find a location close to you to have your install double checked. They will walk you through the install as well.

When I was installing on a regular basis I would walk them through the install then undo it and have the individual install it making they did it correct and offer tips along the way.

Safe Kids North Carolina

Feel free to shoot me a pm if you have more questions or need any other info.

 

[reznunt]

Does that typicllay come with the seat or I need to order it?

Each of my Graco seats included one, and I bought an extra one for another car to save time when moving seats around.

 

[reznunt]

Here's how I do it...

Recline the 2nd row seatback as far back as possible. Install the clip in place on the shoulder/lap belt. Put my knee in the child seat and get all my weight on top of it while I get the belt clicked in. Bring the 2nd row seatback to the forward-most position. Super tight!

It usually takes a few tries to get the clip in the ideal spot. If you do all of the above and there is still more than an inch of side to side movement in the seat then remove some slack from the belt, reinstall the clip, and do it all again. If I remove the seats I leave the clip on the belt (unless someone needs the seatbelt of course).

 

[toyotaspeed90]

Our 2001 LX470 has ratcheting seatbelts. I'm able to get seats just as tight in it as the other cars, extremely stable....

 

[KFunk740]

I assume you're talking about tether anchors, and not the LATCH system that newer cars have in place of the seatbelt. The seatbelt will work fine in place of the LATCH thing, just make sure you pull it all the way out until it won't go anymore, which forces it to only retract.
For the tether anchors, you have three holes in your floor for that. You can order the Toyota anchors for them, but they won't come with a nut or a washer to really hold it in there. I just found some nuts and washers that worked.
A couple months ago I ordered the last three factory LC tether anchors that were in the US, sorry bout that, hah. I have one installed, been meaning to do the other two so I have several options for when kid #2 comes in August.
They really don't seem that LC specific or strong though, but don't think they need to be even.

Oh, and yeah the D cargo rings aren't supposed to be made for that. Not sure what they can handle, but every site I found said they shouldn't be trusted for that purpose.

 

[KFunk740]

 

[RyanStl]

I had my wife read through this because she knows a ton about this since I was once looking very closely at at 2000, but ended up with a 2002 that was compliant. She actually reads and is a member of a car set forum like we read Land Cruiser forums; I know weird. No dealer would install the tether due to liability. However, my wife said everyone here has given good advice, you just need help installing a carseat in the traditional way with a seat belt in a car that doesn't have tether.