Does a car seat fit in a 1st gen Access Cab (Asking for a friend)

Yes, middle seat like you have yours

 

Those are ultimately CYOA (cover your own ass) numbers from Grayco. The reality is, as long as you have more than 60% contact, it's not moving.

This is also what we used, and that style of click-in is a lifesaver. But I think we used the Chicco brand, and the base was pretty compact overall.

 

We discussed this style but aren't they only used for infants and grow out of them quickly? These things aren't cheap. The Grayco car seat we bought has gone up $60 this year because of tariffs. Most car seats are made in China.

We didn't want to have to buy new car seats after a few months which is why we went through convertible route.

 

I'm pretty sure we used the same seat for at least the first 12 months, I don't remember upgrading a ton. Our doc told us everything on when to think about upgrading, dunno if stuff changed since. By the time we were ready to upgrade, 2nd baby was 3mos on the way; sadly lost that kid a few days after the 4mo mark, but got lucky 3mos later, so ultimately kept the bases and refreshed the fabrics on the seat.

But the reason we liked the snap-in base system that Chicco used is simple:

• We have two cars, we bought an extra base and installed one in both cars.
• They had a ton of options, like a bassinet you could snap in, and the basinet was also able to snap-in to a stroller frame, very convenient.
• Snapping the kid in and out was a breeze, just tilt and push to click them in, press a button and pull up to pop them out, no stuggling with straps and other bullshit.

I would be shocked if someone didn't have size-uppable seats that work with the same base as the kids grow at this point.

It's better if you stick with one system though, and think bigger picture. Honestly, this may sound stupid, but we went to a local baby store. Those MFers know everyfuckingthing there is to know, and what products are on the market. If you drive there with your 1GT, you may even be able to set the seat bases in, and test fitment if the people at the store are cool like that. The place we went to was called New Baby Products, on Cheshire Bridge here in Atlanta. I don't think it's a chain, but may give you an idea of what to look for locally (Looks like someone built apartments where their building was)

 

I have a 360 seat in mine. The baby has been in the truck once, but next week I start dropping off at daycare.

I will say the 360 is nice considering I don’t normally worry about strollers and whatnot.

 

Yes they grow out of it, but we used it for the first year plus. Everything @shifty` listed as reasons for that type of infant seat are the same for me.
I get that all this stuff is expensive. I know this isn’t necessarily “kosher” but check thrift shops or hit up any people you know with young kids that may be getting rid of an infant car seat. Just google the serial number to check for recalls before putting the kiddo in it.

 

I wanted to add to this thread. We are just fitting stuff but will be using in a few months. We got a nuna peepa infant seat with base, and a diono radian that a friend gave us. The diono is a convertible and takes up a lot more space, but the base fits the seat better. The nuna can be installed as the carrier only, baseless, but the seatbelt in the middle of the truck is a few inches too short to make it work. I think the truck actually has more useable space than my wife's subaru impreza, since it's wider and you can put the seat in the middle. But we'll see which we use. Subaru is definitely newer/safer/better mileage for those first months where we aren't driving as much.

Anyway, nuna:




Diono radian:




The diono definitey juts up into space there, but it just touches my shoulder and isn't too uncomfortable. I'm 6 foot with the seat fairly far back for reference.

 

my wife and I had a rear facing car seat in my ‘05 AC for about a year but she was suffering as the passenger lol we scooted her seat all the way forward and the seat barely fit. I just upgraded to a DC for this reason. So glad I did.

 

That sounds like my same story. I made it about a year and a half and then traded to a DC. It's been another year in the DC and my wife no longer finds excuses to not take the truck. Haha.

 

Welp, I can say I am happy to see this thread is still actually active. Lucky me. My partner and I have a baby boy on the way and have begun our search for a rear-facing seat that fits these legendary ACs. We REALLY want a seat that works with a "travel system"? What I mean is a seat that can easily be removed from the back and attached to a stroller. It hasn't been brought up yet, so I am guessing not, but I thought I'd do my due diligence and check to see if anyone has ran anything similar that works? I love my Tundie, but with a baby on the way, a need for more room, and the fact that I don't see myself taking many solo travels out of the back anytime soon, a 4th gen 4Runner with the 4.7L has been catching my eye lately...

 

Congrats, dude!

 

Congratulations!
When I had my access cab and our son was under a year we had the Graco Modes Nest travel system. We had one base in my truck and one in my wifes car. We could just click the carrier in easily without having to worry about moving the base between vehicles. It also had the stroller and some other optional attachments. That's just one suggestion but I would suggest looking at the size of them in person to see what would fit your truck.
I'll add that it's a tight fit in the AC with the whole family, which is why after about 1.5 years I sold my truck and replaced with a double cab. No more complaints about space.

 

Thank you and thank you! We will be checking out some in person tomorrow, and they have quite the collection of Graco products so I’ll keep my eye out. I’d rather find something in person that works vs having to order 4 different things to see what will fit. Fingers crossed. Also, don’t get me stressing about having to sell my first baby(Tundie) just yet…

 

Good. In person will be the most helpful. I hear you on the truck. I hope your other vehicle is a good family hauler. That'll help protect the truck from needing to be replaced. I certainly loved my 2003 AC and love/hate seeing it in town. But the DC is so much roomier and the extra ponies from the VVTI are nice too.

 

Ended up going with this travel system. M partner had health complications and was induced this past week. We welcomed our son into the world on America's Birthday lol! Both her and him 100% good. Left the hospital in the old tundie looking fly as could be. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

That's so awesome! I'm happy to hear the good news!

 

Congrats!

 

Congratulations to your family. I'm glad to hear both your partner and son are healthy and out of the hospital. Born on the 4th of July! Please tell me you named him Sam

 

Putting a front facing car seat is a pain lol

 

I remember reading this thread years ago thinking haha suckers. Well now I’m having to figure out the car seat situation. Kinda on the fence about keeping the AC or getting the double.

 

As a convert I think the DC is king… Actaully; no I regret giving up my AC. But with a family the DC is better for us. Figure out what is going to work best for your family.
Otherwise you’ll only make two years too before you switch.

 

Agreed, think I’ll keep an eye open for one and see what happens.

 

But regardless, congratulations and you have an intense but exciting time coming up. Focus more on that, or your wife/partner will hurt you.

 

Lol appreciate that! I’m in no rush she’s got the mommy rig and I do love my pickup.

 

Yea I have a double cab and had to figure out how latch the top tether anchors which i believe is under the seat.

 

I know a DC would be so much better for hauling a child but the thought of selling my truck seems insane. I have no idea how many hundreds of hours I've spent working on this thing plus untold $$$$.

My AC is also in better condition than at least 95% of First Gens out there. Interior, exterior and frame.

If I sold it to buy I double cab I'd likely have to spend a ton of time fixing it up just due to their age at this point.

Part of me would rather keep the truck and then buy something more kid friendly like a 4Runner that my wife would drive. Our 2012 RAV4 isn't aging nearly as well as my truck. Toyota quality seemed to peak around 2006.

My truck will need a new timing belt next spring so that is weighing on me.

 

In that case I would hold onto it for as long as you can.

I get it. I loved my AC and have a little sellers remorse every time I see it driving around town. Your situation sounds a little different than mine. I needed to be able to have the whole family in the car and don't have a spot for a 3rd vehicle. The DC made sense for me. I've definitely had to put more work than I anticipated into it, but I also am expecting a 20 year old truck to run perfectly. It's getting close, but at this point I don't enjoy working on my truck like I used to. I have many other things I would rather do with my free time.
If you can, I would totally hang on to your truck and get a good family car, or a third family car and keep the truck as "the family truck."

Timing belt will be no sweat. When is your baby due? It might be worth doing the timing belt early.

 

I missed that window. My daughter arrived Sunday. All is good though. I'll worry about the belt later.

 

Congratulations buddy! I hope everyone is doing alright.
Ya, you got more important things to worry about right now.