Please check my install (w/ pics)

[ravekiss]

I did a trial install of the Graco Nautilus in my Jeep Grand Cherokee this afternoon just to make sure it didnt give me trouble to install. I got it in tight enough with way less than an inch of movement at the belt path but I need you guys to check to see if I did everything right. Sorry there are so many pics. I'll ask my questions above the related picture.


I cant get it tight without the seatbelt bunching up like this...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1318.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1319.jpg


There is a space behind the base of the seat and the actual jeep's seat but most of the Nauti's back is flush with the jeep's seat. Is this space ok?
ALso is the locking clip installed correctly?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1328.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1320.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1321.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1322.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1323.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1330.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1331.jpg



Here's a pic of the tether anchored...the tether strap goes under the headrest right? Do I leave the headrest raised or lower it all the way?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1324.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1325.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1326.jpg

[kidrepair]

Techs can correct me if I'm wrong but I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and unless they have changed the seatbelts since I bought mine you should not need a locking clip, those seat belts lock by just pulling tight on the lap portion, you will still be able to pull the shoulder part out but the lap belt will be nice and tight. It is the easiest car so far for me to install seats in....

[Pixels]

The seatbelt bunching is not a problem. The only time it's a problem is if it interferes, like if it was bunching at the latchplate and not letting you tighten the belt enough, or preventing you from closing a lockoff. In this case, it's fine.

The locking clip should be closer to the latchplate. Less than one half inch. Basically put it as close as you can get it without it touching. Those look like lightweight locking latchplates. Does the lap portion of the belt stay tight without the locking clip?

For tether over vs under the headrest, you'll have to check your vehicle owner's manual. Every one is different. If it's supposed to go under, and you can remove the headrest, that's what I would do. (Store it somewhere that it won't be a projectile, and won't get lost.) It looks like if you took the headrest off, you could move the whole carseat back a bit, which should take care of the gap at the bottom. I doubt that you'd be able to lower the headrest. The tether would just pull it up again.

[munchkin]

I cant get it tight without the seatbelt bunching up like this...

There is a space behind the base of the seat and the actual jeep's seat but most of the Nauti's back is flush with the jeep's seat. Is this space ok?

ALso is the locking clip installed correctly?

Here's a pic of the tether anchored...the tether strap goes under the headrest right? Do I leave the headrest raised or lower it all the way?


Your install looks good as long as it doesn't move more than an inch at the belt path. The bunching is fine as long as the belt isn't twisted. Is there a reason you are using the locking clip? From the looks of your pics you seat belt locks at the buckle. The tether anchor looks great. You might have to raise or lower the headrest depending on where the Nautilus' headrest hits it, if it is interfering with a good install.

[NannyMom]

Techs can correct me if I'm wrong but I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee and unless they have changed the seatbelts since I bought mine you should not need a locking clip, those seat belts lock by just pulling tight on the lap portion, you will still be able to pull the shoulder part out but the lap belt will be nice and tight. It is the easiest car so far for me to install seats in....

You're right. The Jeep does have lightweight locking latchplates. It will stay tight without the locking clip. However, sometimes they will loosen. If they do, just twist the latchplate 1/2 turn (180*) and rebuckle.

[An Aurora]

You dont' need that locking clip. We never had a problem with the latchplates in our Jeep, so unless you have a problem I'd take that off.

[Maedze]

:yeahthat:

You don't need the locking clip. Otherwise it looks good :thumbsup:

[ravekiss]

Thanks guys. It was just a trial, I removed the Nauti but I'll try out the seatbelt to see if it does lock the lap portion when I go into the car tomorrow. I'll just sit down and buckle the seatbelt and check...I can check it that way without having to put the seat in the car right? If it does then I'll remember not to use the locking clip when I install it permanently.

Also I checked the manual and the tether straps have to go under the headrest.

One more thing, if I remove the headrest I still cant get rid of the space at the bottom. Is that space a problem or can it stay like that once the seat is tight? Most of the back of the Nauti touches the back of the seat. It definitely installed with less than an inch movement.

Please let me know. Thanks.

[An Aurora]

Definitley take the headrest off :thumbsup:.

[ravekiss]

THis is a picture of the latch plate that will be used...is it the locking type like you guys mentioned? I will still try it out tomorrow.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1333.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/ravekiss/Graco%20Nautilus/IMG_1332.jpg

[Pixels]

Yes, that is a lightweight locking latchplate. Some work better than others. Dodge in particular is known for them slipping over time. Check that the seat is tight before putting him in every time (which you should do, anyway), and if you ever find it loose, try flipping the male part one half turn. That should make it hold. If not, there is no harm in properly using a locking clip.

[Nisha]

As long as the seat is tight, there's no problem with the space between it and the vehicle seat.

[ravekiss]

Can I still use the locking clip just for peace of mind. I'm used to using the lapbelt only in the center position which i know locks but when I install the Nauti will be the first time I'm actually using lap/shoulder belts. Is it wrong to use the lockign clip too even if the seatbelts lock?

[lorismurph]

You can use the locking clip if you want. I had to in my Dodge Neon with the same seatbelts as yours. I did not like having to constantly check to be sure it had not slipped. The space at the bottom is not a problem.

[snowbird25ca]

The space at the bottom isn't a problem, though you may be able to get rid of some of it by reducing the mechanical recline. Did you purposefully recline it, or is it still on the setting it came on out of the box? The Nautilus that I have seen come out of a box have both had the seat reclined, so if you don't need the recline, you'll be able to snug the seat further back without it - which I suspect will also eliminate what little headrest interference you have so that you don't have to worry about taking it off and keeping it safe.

So far as the locking clip, my preference would be to not use one. The seat will be easier to install and they're really not necessary with most of the lightweight locking latchplates. If you're worried about there being some slipping over an extended period of time, I'd just flip the latch plate instead - just make sure you have the seat belt tightened all the way before you unbuckle it and flip it over. If the seat does slip slightly over time, it's not going to go from perfect install to unacceptable instantly... and the shoulder portion of the belt is still going to lock in a collision, so the seat won't loosen further if it had been a smidge loose before hand... You'll have a pretty good sense right away whether or not the latchplate is going to slip, and I'd really only use a locking clip as an absolute last resort with these types of belts.

[mykidsmylife]

I think your Blvd. install might be a bit off. I am suprised it wasn't mentioned. ;)

[ravekiss]

Ooops..I'll have to look into the Blvd installation. :p I was lazy to unhook the tether strap so I unbucked the belts and flipped it over between the front seats to get it out of the way while I tried with the Nautilus. :whistle:

[Patriot201]

I think your Blvd. install might be a bit off. I am suprised it wasn't mentioned. ;)

LOL! I was about to say something about it. :p

[WhatAboutPuppy]

I think your Blvd. install might be a bit off. I am suprised it wasn't mentioned. ;)

LOL! I was about to say something about it. :p

my first thought after reading these comments was... ya know, it might be at a 45 degree angle... it's hard to tell with only seeing the bottom of the base.

Has it been specified how we measure the 45 degree angle?? floor... ceiling...

[NannyMom]

I think your Blvd. install might be a bit off. I am suprised it wasn't mentioned. ;)

I had to look at the pics 3 times to find the BV :p

[snowbird25ca]

I had to look at the pics 3 times to find the BV :p

:ROTFLMAO:

I had to go back and look again too and at first I thought it was posted on the wrong thread... then I caught the base off to the side. :p

[Blondie87]

I dunno if I missed something.... but how come your installing the Nautilus? Your lil guy is still rear facing right?

[ravekiss]

I dunno if I missed something.... but how come your installing the Nautilus? Your lil guy is still rear facing right?

Yes of course he's still RF in his Blvd but I was just doing a trial install to see how it will fit in my car when he turns around. He's already 30lbs and has been gaining at least a lb a month recently. I'm hoping he doesnt reach the blvd's 33lb limit before his birthday in June. I'll feel much safer turning him when he's 2 and not before.

[sunnyflower417]

I have them too, and I hate them. I can never get them to work. I do use a locking clip in that car. However my husbands car also has locking latchplates and they work great!!