Anyone have a 2002 Jeep Wrangler?

[braedy&kaleighs_mom]

We bought a used 2002 Jeep Wrangler earlier this year. We use it as emergency back up when one of our cars is in the shop. Mostly it's just my husband's "fun" car.

Anyway, I've had to install my daughter's seat forward facing twice in an emergency type situation (only because it wouldn't fit RF with me in the front seat). I read yesterday that the top tether should not be tethered to cargo hooks. Does anyone know if this is true in a Wrangler? There is no where else to hook the top tether so I'm at a loss.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Jeanum]

The '09 LATCH manual lists the '02 Wrangler as actually having 2 top tether anchors located on the cargo area floor. The Jeep's owner's manual probably has a diagram or description narrowing down their exact location in the cargo area more specifically. If you don't have an owner's manual for the Jeep, there might be one available online if you do a google search. :twocents:

FWIW, we do have some members here with Wranglers who have installed RF convertible seats in them and who might be able to give you RF installation pointers if you would post your carseat's brand and model name. An older baby/toddler with good head control can ride in a RF carseat installed at a more upright RF recline angle (no more upright than 30-35 degrees depending on the specific carseat model) compared to the 45 degree recline angle needed by a newborn or young infant. A more upright RF installation could buy you additional room for the front seat occupant. Another possibility might be to ride in the back seat next to the rear facing kiddo instead of in the front passenger seat, although I'm guessing you probably already considered that option. :)

[braedy&kaleighs_mom]

Thanks for your reply! Glad to hear that SOMETHING back there is a tether spot. There are 4 anchor things in the back. We currently have it tethered to the one closer to the seat. Both sets (I'll call them that since there are two behind each back passenger seat) are directly centered behind the passenger seats back there. We do not have the manual. DH ordered one and it seems to be lost in post office twilight zone. It's aggravating to say the least.

We have my daughter in a True Fit. (She rides RF in my van and DH's car.) She's almost 23 months, so head control is not a problem. I did try to install it rear facing, but there are four of us to consider. Me, 5'9" and... um... chunky. So I don't squish well like a little person might. Then my 5.5 year old. The only option in emergent times when we do all have to fit is one of us in the front - and frankly I'm not to keen on him sitting in front, even closer to the dash (even with the airbag off and in a booster). My dh is 6'5" tall and so him sitting in the passenger seat with it moved or tilted up in the slightest is not an option.

Truly this is just not a very "family friendly" vehicle! Honestly I don't feel that uncomfortable with her FF for the very, very short trips that she might have to take in it. The two times she's ridden that way have been less than 5 miles away. I don't actually foresee her having to ride in it again anytime soon, but I wanted to try to find out about the tether spots while it's on my mind.

[Jeanum]

Ah, I see, there are four of you to factor into the seating arrangement equation. :) I poked around some on the Jeep website to check on the free online versions of Jeep owner's manuals for you. The free online manuals seem to be available there only for 2004 and newer models, and the '02 Wrangler may be different from the '04. :o The online manuals for '04 and newer models, FWIW, are available at: http://www.jeep.com/en/owners/manuals/index.html?year=2002&nameplate=Wrangler There's a diagram on the .pdf file's page 35 in the 2004 Wrangler's manual showing the rear seat's tether anchor location. Again I don't know for certain if this is the same for the 2002 model, just trying to narrow down your tether anchor locations a bit more precisely. My hunch would be the anchors closer to the rear seatback are the tether anchors, and the ones farther back are cargo anchors, based on your description and based what I'm seeing in the manual for the 2004 model. :twocents:

If the owner's manual you ordered for yours doesn't turn up soon in the mail, here's a link I found through the Jeep website for ordering an '02 Wrangler manual: https://techauthority.gltghosting.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductSearchResults?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&prodindex=0&itemindex=20&parent_category_rn=80103&productId=null&categoryId=80118&searchheader=Owner%20Manuals:%20%202002%20Owner%20 Manuals

[braedy&kaleighs_mom]

I wanted to thank you! I looked in that 2004 manual and saw the picture of the dedicated tether hooks. I immediately said to myself, "We don't even have anything remotely like that, I suppose I'll have to wait for our manual."

Well, later on I was in the garage and thought I would look closer this time to see if either of the 4 cargo hooks had a little LATCH anchor symbol anywhere. Low and behold, I saw that we DID have those same tether hooks that the 2004 has! They have nothing to do with the 4 cargo hooks, they are in the back by the door, just like the manual showed.

Thank you so much for your help! Of course when (IF!) our manual ever arrives I'll double check it, but I feel confident that it's the right spot now.