Rear-facing child seat in the back of the '84

[Rick K]

Hey gang, question for those that have hopefully been there/done that. I've tried to read every thread here and on pelican, but can't find any good suggestions about fitting a rear-facing car seat in the back of the '84. Not sure its even possible in the back (front seat is no problem, but then the whole family can't go for a ride).

Now that the baby is almost 6 mos, mom gave me the green light to take him for a ride in the pcar if I can figure out how to safely do it - but he has to remain rear-facing for a number of months still.

I just tried to measure out his Even-flo seat, and its going to be tough fitting the base into the rear seat.

-Any suggestions for how to do this successfully and which brand to use?
-Have other folks used eyebolts (there for my harnesses) for LATCH or should I just try to use the lap belt?

Just getting started here, so I'd appreciate any suggestions. Will swing by the fire dept after all is said and done to make sure I've got the OK for safety. Thanks, Rick

[Chakka]

I never came up with anything I thought looked safe(or even fit those crazy deep seats) in my 85' targa. Really not made to have anyone in the back(let alone a car seat) IMO. Safety wise, I just wasn't comfortable. Plenty of years ahead when he can sport the front seat.

[smdubovsky]

I would think eyebolts for racing would be plenty strong for a LATCH seat.

[Vicegrip]

its not the mounts it is the seat shape. there does not seem to be enough room side to side for most baby seats.

[ovfd911]

I waited till my daughter could fit into a later model PORSCHE booster seat which fit well into the rear of the 964. The stock front seats allowed for a great viewing height of the DVD machine.

[Rick K]

Yeah, from what I've read my only choice for rear-facing is to put him in the front w/ the seat pushed all the way back. For him to go in the back of the 911 looks like I'll have to wait until he's ready for forward-facing.

There have been a few folks that have mentioned there is a mount for the three-point rear belt under the rear shelf - do any of you know if my '84 would have this before I start digging into it (folks that have an '85 and '86 said they had it, not sure if its the case for '84).

Thanks gang.

[racer]

1) Install rollbar in back seat

2) put child in front seat for father/kid drives

3) wife gets to do "her thing" that day.


That said, the next best thing is to wait till kid is old enough for front facing seat.

[kaefer]

I made up a LATCH system to use with a rear facing seat (no separate base) using the stock rear seatbelt mounting points.

Yes the passenger front seat needs to be pretty far forward. We barely had enough room for the 3 of us to go on rides with the rear facing seat...but we did...and they were fun! Thinking back to last year I remember it was a pain getting the car seat in and out. There wasn't enough room for a car seat base system and a passenger up front. Not to mention my wife had to sit more upright than she would normally like. But again...the rides were a fun family thing to do.

Once my son could go forward facing I got a new seat and mounted it using the same LATCH system. Now there's plenty of room (relatively speaking) for my son and wife on the passenger side.

Here's a pic from a recent event. If you look close you can see my son's car seat in the back!

http://shn.pca.org/images/BP100814gb.jpg

[Fritz]

That said, the next best thing is to wait till kid is old enough for front facing seat.

x2. I've strapped the car seat into the front of the track car and used the cage and harness attachment points. Safest kid on the road. :D

[bobesser]

Rear facing 'convertible' seat is very doable - but, it will render the front seat unusable. The hard part is finding a seat that is narrow enough to fit in the rear facing configuration.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/993-forum/479890-rear-facing-child-seat-done.html