Would this A) be possible; B) be safe ?

[Kashi]

Would it
a) be possible;
b) be safe

to take out the rear seat of our '99 Cavalier (or our future '98 Grand AM) and
replace them with the rear seat from a '01 or newer version of the same car ?

[crunchierthanthou]

There have been some threads about doing that in other vehicles to gain l/s belts or headrests. I think the general consesus is that it's fine as long as the mounting hardware matches and it doesn't interfere with the seatbelts.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30332

However, I don't know if it's going to do you any good since I believe the lower anchors in sedans are mounted to the vehicle frame. That's what you're thinking, right? newer seat = lower anchors? You probably won't gain them by switching the seats. It would maybe work in a van where the anchors are part of the seats. Now if the newer versions were compatible and had l/s belts, I still might consider it for when Boo reaches booster age/size.

[BW1426]

I'd think this would be pricey?!?

[Starlight]

I was thinking that one could probably be found at the JunkYard for $100 or less, BW1426.

I wouldn't see it as a problem, so long as it was properly secured, etc.

[scatterbunny]

I am considering this for our 99 Windstar, I want to get at least one captain's chair from a 2000+ Windstar in order to get lower anchors. I worry about getting a seat from a vehicle that is in a junkyard, though (junkyard=wrecked, right?).

[Kashi]

Yes - getting the lower anchors was our idea.

The radians just install *SO* nicely with LATCH compared to with the seatbelt.

[TXAggieTech]

I am considering this for our 99 Windstar, I want to get at least one captain's chair from a 2000+ Windstar in order to get lower anchors. I worry about getting a seat from a vehicle that is in a junkyard, though (junkyard=wrecked, right?).

We have toyed around with this to fix the 3rd row problem on the Excursion. If we buy from a junkyard then we would replace the seat belts, which is cheap and easy.

[beeman]

As long as the mounting hardware is the same, go for it! Your junk yard dealer will know what years are compatible with that model.

[southpawboston]

i'm a little confused... aren't the lower anchors mounted to the cavalier's frame? i thought that lower anchors are always mounted to the car's frame except in cases where it's a bench seat or captain's chair, such as in a minivan or SUV.

otherwise, a 99 and 01 cavalier do share the same chassis and the seats are *probably* interchangeable. the grand am is a different body style altogether and probably won't have the same rear seat as a cavalier.

[crunchierthanthou]

i'm a little confused... aren't the lower anchors mounted to the cavalier's frame? i thought that lower anchors are always mounted to the car's frame except in cases where it's a bench seat or captain's chair, such as in a minivan or SUV.


right. I guess I should have put the caveat at the top of my post. :o

However, I don't know if it's going to do you any good since I believe the lower anchors in sedans are mounted to the vehicle frame. That's what you're thinking, right? newer seat = lower anchors? You probably won't gain them by switching the seats. It would maybe work in a van where the anchors are part of the seats.

[crunchierthanthou]

I'd think this would be pricey?!?

still probably cheaper than a new car- especially if we're talking a difference of 3-4 MYs.

I am considering this for our 99 Windstar, I want to get at least one captain's chair from a 2000+ Windstar in order to get lower anchors. I worry about getting a seat from a vehicle that is in a junkyard, though (junkyard=wrecked, right?).

do they replace lower anchors after a crash? I didn't think they were one time use. I know they replace the seatbelt webbing, but I don't think they do anything with the actual hardware. I know that we got new front seatbelts after our car was wrecked, but the buckles weren't changed (on the female side, anyway).

[TechnoGranola]

Make sure you get the service manual for your vehicle as you'll likely need to torque the bolts to a specific value.

[southpawboston]

right. I guess I should have put the caveat at the top of my post. :o

oops, i didn't see that you had beaten me to it! :thumbsup: