Baby/ Infant Seat in Double Cab

I've searched the forum and Google for images and information, though I've found very little information regarding 1st gen tacos. I have a 1st gen double cab and I'm curious how well a rear facing infant seat fits, and what accommodations need to be made to make it work. With a lil one on the way here shortly, I'm starting to stress about how small the rear seats truly are in the half doors of the double cab.

If anyone has any experience with this, or even pictures, that'd be great! I've even been suggested to get a vehicle that has more rear seat space, though I'm having a hard time thinking about letting my dream truck go. Thanks in advance!

 

You should have no problems but if you are concerned about fitment and access, best thing to do is get the rear-facing seat and test fit it.

Typically on the rear-facing there is a base plate that the actual carrier snaps into. The base plate SHOULD have L.A.T.C.H. straps that clip to "D" rings at the crease of the rear seats. When you tighten the L.A.T.C.H. system, you need to sit on the base plate and then tighten it up. This is the only way to ensure it is not flopping around.

In '03 and above, L.A.T.C.H. system are required by US federal law to be including when vehicle is new.

Also get a baby mirror and attach it to the rear headrest so you can look in the rearview mirror and get a quick view of baby = peace of mind.

There are occasional sheriff or local PD that have child seat fitment crew that will install it for you or show you or even check it for you.

With my first daughter, I went to one of these child seat fitment events and there was a celebrity there: Erik Estrada = Poncherello from C.H.I.P.s

 

A rear facing seat will take a great deal of depth. in a gen 1 it may only fit in the middle allowing it to come between the front seats. Many rear facing seats have bases they clip into and the base stays LATCH connected in the truck. These take even more space. The seat can be belted in without the base and this will save you lots of depth. Good luck, I hope you are not tall.

 

Thank you for the feedback. So I'm assuming you were able to safely and comfortably fit a rear facing seat in your double cab? And yes, I do plan on going the travel system route which would utilize the base, therefore, I've been looking into fitment events and crews.

Did you have to place the seat in the middle or did it fit in behind the seats? Any pictures by chance?

 

I didn't have the DB at that time.
I had an 02 Acura TL-S but the rear doors were strange as it took body contortions to get the baby seat in. Royal P.I.T.A! Traded that car in on an 03 Honda Pilot. More room to toss stuff in and access to the rear facing seat was really good.
The 04 Honda Accord was average.

Something else to try is to go to BabiesRus and have a salesperson take a demo model out to your vehicle for a test fit.

Center placement is less than optimal, IIRC, but at times it is necessary.

Also, the rear facing is only up until 1 to 1.5 year and a certain weight.

 

it will take up some room but its a good deal of space there. Might have to at worse case move the front seat up a little. I have 3 kids btw LOL

 

Thanks again. Looks like I'll try to see if Baby's R Us or some other outfit is willing to let me sample the demo model(s) in my truck to verify fitment. But ya, I did see one picture of the rear facing in the middle- it sucked cuz it really protruded the front cabin space and visibility to passenger..

Any other input or pictures would be greatly appreciated!

 

FWIW -
My DC is the ONLY truck my kids have known (excepting the wife's Landrover Discovery & LX450).
The rear facing seats, kids seats, booster seats and finally the kids fit back there fine.
We've traveled from MO to Arkansas and all the way up into Canada w/o too much problem (those trips were in child seats)
My kids are now 11 & 13.
I think you'll be fine

 

one rear facing in the middle works fine. you can behind the seats on the sides too, but it is a tight fit and may need the front seats to slide forward. you should be fine.

 

Thank you guys for the reassurance. My wife and I are not that tall (5'7"-8") so I'm not that worried about pushing the seats forward, just want to hear from people with first hand experience. You guys don't happen to have any pics by chance, do you?

 

I easily fit a Graco Snugride Classic into my 1st gen Xtra cab in the back on the passenger side so with a double cab you should be fine.

 

My 04 DC is perfect for my boy. He fits no problem behind my seat. I drive daily with him back there. Also, my German Shepherd still has room to keep him company when we are all on the go. When I have two kiddos, now that will be a challenge.

 

Is yours a child seat an infant (rear facing) or a forward facing? Do you happen to have a picture by chance? Thanks!

 

My rear facing child seat fits good in the middle but on each side the seat needs to be in the damn dashboard lol

 

chico keyfit with the base fits fine. I have my kids car seat in the middle. My wife sits in the back passenger side when he's cranky and all his diaper bags and stuff go in the back drivers side for easy access. She's a little cramped, but manages.

 

Oh and congratulations.

For road trips I use the tailgate as a changing table. Works wonders...at least till he starts to roll over.

 

Here's a pic of the base and the seat.
it takes up some space, but having a pickup blows away the "family car" idea. No need to sell your ride.

 

I can get pics, but I have no way of posting them quickly. I can send them to you though.

Edit - Looks like someone beat me to it.

I took my truck out to the alpine loop near Ouray, CO. Had my boy with me, he's 14 mo. Old and he does awesome back there with mom. On the trail we took him out on the easy safe stuff and let him ride up front in moms lap ah la Britney Spears, to see the sights. We could only go 5-10 mph.

Tailgate is wonderful for changing, as well as a high chair for trail meals. I have an awesome pic of a 13,000' diaper change on Engineer Pass.

 

I appreciate the feedback and pics! I was able to swing by Babies R Us and test fit the seat I had in mind and it fit great! Not sure if it's because I'm not tall, but it didn't protrude into the front cabin space at all like a picture I had previously seen. Looks like I should be good to go!
Thanks again!

 

FWIW

I can fit both my twins (3 years old) and my 11 month old in a rear facing seat it the middle of the 2 and they all fit great. The twins are in full seats not boosters, and the baby is in a seat that the base stays in the truck. Been great so far. I'll try to get some more pics today.