Child Seat Restraints in a Sierra

[built4thrashing]

Now that the weather is getting better and the kids are getting a bit older (youngest is 20months) we want to be able to take the suzuki out on weekend drives without the roof on. Now ive had a good look and i know where i can put the restraints but is it legal to have young kids in the back of a zook.

I know some wont like the idea but thats not what im asking as i rekon the suzi is alot safer than some smaller cars. Ive got a rollbar and there is a steel brace that is just inside the rear door and this is bloted through floor at the seatbelt mounts.


Anyone have any pics of the propper mounting points?

Thanx

[patzuki]

Hire a tandem and tow it!
What price for your childs life?

I have two boys and would love to drive the suzi on road with them, but the thought of being tboned scares the crap out of me!

Off road is no problem.

[Gwagensteve]

but is it legal to have young kids in the back of a zook.

I know some wont like the idea but thats not what im asking as i rekon the suzi is alot safer than some smaller cars.

Anyone have any pics of the propper mounting points?

Thanx

I am sure there are provision for anchorages on the floor behind the rear seats, if fact I think I have actually seen them on a sierra.

Yes it is legal if you use those anchorages.... but is the rest of the car?

If you think you sierra is safer than a small car you are totally mistaken. It's just not. I'm not having a go, but you asked the question. The risks I take I would not be happy to force on someone who could not make a descision if they want to share them or not.

I know I don't have to tell you this but if your kids were injured in a rollover because you were driving a modified sierra with poorer handling and roadholding and a higher COG than standard because it was "fun" you will have to live with that descision for the rest of your life.

Steve.

[noelb1]

IF there is anchorage in the back it will only take the thread of the child restraint bolt , after a certain year they had to be compulsory in any passenger vehicle. but if it is classed as a commercial there won't be one . go to your local child restraint station they will tell you if there is one ( it will also be in the owners manual ) if there isn't one there are a couple of systems available. they need to be fitted by a licensed restraint fitter to be legal( you get given a cert) , don't play with it your self, one of the biggest causes of infant death in motor vehicle accidents is a poorly fitted child restraint.

Noel

[Gwagensteve]

Geez, poor b4t's copping an earful on this thread

Steve.

[DSzuke]

I had a child seat in the back of my soft-top many years ago (when I didn't know better )

I had what they called a CRAB bar installed. Can't remember what that stands for but it was mounted across the back from the corners and sat just inside the door.

At the time it was a legal restraint point (not sure now... things change).

I've got to add though that I'd have to agree with the other opinions and looking back I wouldn't do it again (sorry b4t.... don't want to add to the earful )

[built4thrashing]

i dont mind the comments as i do understand the sierra isnot as safe as some other cars. ive seen what can happen to a small car in a rear end accident and i rekon my zook would come out better.

Before the kids get a ride ill be replacing the rear bumper with a steel tube bar that i can mount a swing away tyre carrier as at the moment it is in the back. Once that is sorted im gonna make a rear hoop for the roll bar and prob incorporate a rear intrusion bar behind the seats.



Another question i had was; in a 2 seater ute or van you are allowed to take young children in the front. would this be possible in a zook? There is spot in the floor just behind the passenger seat where a anchor point screws into. Definately alot safer than in the rear.

[mr green]

just to scar you. you don't legally need a child restraint for a kid over 12 months old. ( i work with a restraint fitter) not that i would let a 12 month old bounce around in a zuk

[4be]

hey bit of info bout the crab bar. I had a troop carrier.(not quite a zook) the 11 seater kind. 3 seat forward and the rest in the back face each other. For my 4 month old child (now 4yr) it was legal for a crab bar to be fitted. so ye they are allowed in the front seat of a ute provide the anchorage is suffiecient. Same with your zook us long as you are using the proper anchorge points, the will be ok. By the mods you are making with tube bar/swing away etc it will prob make it a bit safer.
Although i do agree with the other view points as well i still suggest you take your truck to a specialised child restraint installer and talk to them.
In my 86 hilux ute when we installed a child restraint piont, it needed a 100mm x 100mm plate on the outside as added strength.

[cj]

Another question i had was; in a 2 seater ute or van you are allowed to take young children in the front. would this be possible in a zook?

As already mentioned after 12 months there is no requirement for restraints or though there $%@*& well should be. The issue here becomes whether you have passenger airbags or not and can they be deactivated. In your case it is not an issue. By the way my little loves it when I have let her ride up front in the soft top Vit as it was only fitted with a lap belt in the rear although I am remedying that but then the problem becomes trying to get them to sit in the back of a car again

[noelb1]

just to scar you. you don't legally need a child restraint for a kid over 12 months old. ( i work with a restraint fitter) not that i would let a 12 month old bounce around in a zuk

that only applies if the child is going to sit in a seat , If they are in a child restraint it still has to be fitted to an adr compliant anchorage.


A crab Bar is still (prob the best option in a zook as long as you can get the sandwich plates behind the panel) a legal device uasually around $150-200 fitted. T