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Child seat questions/options...

Iron Indian

Iron Indian

New member
I have a 1999 GTP and a 2000 GTP. The only complaint I have is hooking up a child seat. The only way i can do it with ours is with a lap belt which I don't really like, doesn't feel that secure to me. Newer cars seem to have those hooks between the seat cushings that you can attach a child seat directly too without the need of a seatbelt. My Trailblazer has this feature and I really like it.

Is there anyway this feature could be added to my GPs? I really want to figure out something different, i'm sure i'm not the only parent whos crossed this road. Just wondering if anyone has done this mod. I'm gonna further research this and post my results. If I can somehow get the hooks and hard mount them directly to the frame or another secure location, i don't see how it would not work and be successful.

In the end, I hope to be able to mount the child seat directly in the middle of the back seat do the passenger or drivers seat doesn't have to be moved forward too. Works great in my Trailblazer, I need to make this work. I posted this once before here and on another forum, I need to solve this puzzle and i'm determined to do it right and safely too.
 


If i remember correctly in '01ish the GP's started getting these hooks in the back seats.

I have the same problem in my gp, no hooks but to get a good fit i put the lap belt through and put my knee in the car seat, or base, and the pull the belt tight. it holds as tight as the hooks i think.
 


Well the only other option is locking clips but you can't usethem on a lap belt only. You could move the child to one of the sides and not in the middle and use a locking clip it will help BIG TIME! If you don't want to do that you can do what I did with my daughter. I put her seat in the middle and pushed both front seats up against it so not only was the lap belt holding her seat down my seats was also. Here is a link to the locking clips http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

EDIT: And what your talking about is called anchors. Here is another link that might help you. http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system_8.html
 
00+ GPs have the anchor hooks on the back package shelf, which my 00 has. Not what i'm talking a bout though. Looking for actual hooks between the cushions that found on newer cars. My TB SS has this feature, so does my dads G8.

Hopefully I'll see soon what an 03 has to offer. If not, I'll see what I can find in some salvage yards. Either way I'm DETERMINED to add this feature to my cars. The child seat ain't secure enough for my liking, even with all 250 pounds in the seat, it doesn't hold nothing like my TB SS does. Hook setup is superior bar none.

I appreciate the help comments and experiances. But after being spoiled with how the TB SS setup works, thats the route I want to go...
 
I have to say that with my '04 Impala with LATCH hooks, and my '00 GP with just the top hook, I find the GP MORE secure. I've got the LATCH strap as tight as I can get it, and the top part pulled tight on my Imp, but that seat still moves more than my GP with a shoulder strap seatbelt with the metal bracket.

Now, let me also add that I think it can be WHERE on the seat the LATCH connector/seat belt goes through, and the overall weight of the seat. I have never lost any sleep over using the seat belt attachment in my Grand Prix or '01 F150, and before that a '00 Imp, '02 Escape, or '94 Mercury Tracer.

If you're really worried, take the car and car seat to a fire station. They'll help secure it. I know a lot of them have a day or so every year to do a "car seat check."
 
I deal with GM cars every day and would trust the lap belt over the "hook type anchoring device" any day. The lap belt is proven to hold back an average adult's weight in a crash. I don't have a clue what that anchoring eye hook thing is designed to hold that is connected to seat back of the rear seat. Do you? I've often wondered wtf those are actually good for. JMO. I wouldn't strap a child to them over the lap belt after taking GM cars apart and seeing what holds it and what its made of.
 


JoelW98GTP said:
I deal with GM cars every day and would trust the lap belt over the "hook type anchoring device" any day. The lap belt is proven to hold back an average adult's weight in a crash. I don't have a clue what that anchoring eye hook thing is designed to hold that is connected to seat back of the rear seat. Do you? I've often wondered wtf those are actually good for. JMO. I wouldn't strap a child to them over the lap belt after taking GM cars apart and seeing what holds it and what its made of.
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I have to disagree. The hook types will always get tighter no doubt. There no comparison between my TB SS or my dads G8 verses the lap belts on my GPs. Not even close.

The fact if the matter is you can get the hook type about as tight as a high school girl virgin on prom night...
 
Deezul_AwT said:
If you're really worried, take the car and car seat to a fire station. They'll help secure it. I know a lot of them have a day or so every year to do a "car seat check."
Click to expand...


LOL, people who have met me here and actully worked with me know how strong I am. I'd be willing to be those firefighters couldn't loosen the seat after i tighten it down. Don't get me wrong, i'm not Arnold from Terminator, but I can take care of business. The hooks can and will be tigher and easier to use than the lap belt any day of the week.

Unless the later w-body hooks just completely suck which I kinda doubt, they should be way superior. Hard to screw up something mounted directly to the frame or seat frame. But, we'll see. All I can say from experiance is that the Trailblazers and G8s have a kick ass hook setup period /thread.
 
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