Dodge Dakota Club Cabs??

[Sophia]

Hi!
We need to buy a used pick up. We have a Toyota Sienna as our main vehicle and this would be a secondary vehicle. We have a 4.5yo - We've looked at Ford Rangers and Dodge Dakota's - from what I've read about the Ranger, ds could be in the passenger seat if the airbag is disabled (if there is one) and then dh or I would be in the center facing jumpseat which has not been safety tested (not sounding too good to me).... So the next option is a mid-size Dodge Dakota w/club cab. Correct me if I'm wrong - these have a rear bench seat, correct? Would this be a safe place for ds? (he's nearing 40lbs - currently in a Britax Frontier w/harness)
If dh or I sat in the back and the airbag was disabled, he could sit in the front? Safe?

I can deal with which carseat would work later - just need to know if the vehicle would even work - safely.

Thanks!!! :)

[beeman]

A Dodge Dakota with 4 full sized doors will have a bench seat in the back, and would offer safe seating in the rear positions. To get a 'usable' forward facing backseat in the ford, you would have to get a larger F series pickup. If you are planning on passengers riding in the backseat I would only go for a model with forward facing seating in the rear, and if you plan on having passengers regularly riding in the backseat, I would only go for a model with four full sized doors. You may pay extra now, but the added safety, comfort and convenience will be well worth the money.

[emntheboys]

Are you set on a club cab (smaller back seat) or could you spring for a crew cab (4 real doors)? My brother in law has a 2000 Dakota crew cab and the back seat is actually really nice. You wouldn't have any problems with most carseats & there is decent leg room. BIL is very tall and I have no problems with leg room when I have to sit behind him. This would definitely be a better & safer option for your family because your son could be properly restrained in the back seat & you could be up front with the airbag. :twocents:

[zactayaus]

I second the dodge dakato crew cab. We had a 2000 (got rid of it for a bigger truck a couple of years ago) and we had no problems with installing car seats and it was very roomy.