why I hate a 1997 GMC Sierra

[MJHY27]

Anyone ever tried installing a convertable car seat rfing in this type of truck before and had success??
My daughter went with my mom today on a short ride to town and back so I was going to install her true fit but it just would not work!! So I tried the marathon and had a little better luck but still not a good install AT ALL, I couldnt close the belt latches on either car seat b/c of the way the seat belt is made. so I HAD to flip it around ffing (she is 2.5 yo) and then discovered there was no place to tether the seat!! All the while getting the usually bashing for being so anal about my car seats :(
So has anyone ever tried an install in this truck before before? is it even possible?

[zeo2ski]

I had an infant seat in a 1990 Sierra no problem (extended cab) but they could be way different by 97.

What do you mean when you say you couldn't close the lock offs because of the way the belt is? There are many install tricks that people can offer you if you could describe what exactly wasn't working. Is this a vehicle you will be going in again/often? She can have a tether anchor retrofitted for free, just call your dealer or GM/Chevy customer assistance and they'll set you up. Aside from the tether, were you able to get a good install forward facing?

Are there headrests behind the seat the carseat is in? If not, and it's just the back window above the seat, I'd probably skip rear facing if it's not tethered. I'd be much more comfortable forward facing withOUT a tether than rear facing without a tether in that case.

[pippi2077]

If you can't close the lock-off on the side you buckle, you can use the other lock-off. Is it an extended cab or regular cab? We owned a 1995 gmc extended and I had no problem with the ra, so the ma should work great also.

[MJHY27]

it is extended cab but the seats wont fit in the back so I always put them up front (airbag shut off of course)
Here is a pic of the seat belts in the truck (this isnt her truck but the part in this picture that the seat belt clicks into is just like the one in her truck)
http://www.carsdirect.com/research/factsheet_photos?make=GM&modelid=103&acode=USA70GMT171A0&image=U7GMGIM5
the part sticks way up and when I push the seat (MA or TF) down into the trucks seat to get a tight enough install this belt part then gets right in the way of the latch off for that side. I tried installing both seats w/out the latch offs and it is no where near tight enough so the latch offs are a must.
This probably isnt a very clear explanation but maybe someone can decipher and offer some input :)
oh and the car seats wont fit in the middle of the bench either, i tried :/
and yes the install ffing minus the tether felt like a good tight fit :thumbsup:

[BookMama]

Keep in mind that if the seat belt locks, you don't need to use the Marathon's lockoffs. And all passenger vehicles manufactured after 9/96 are required to have seat belts that lock, so your mom's truck probably has seat belts that lock.

We may be able to help you get it tighter with just the seat belt. Can you twist the belt stalk? (The piece of webbing that the "female" part of the seat belt is on.) If so, that might help, and you can twist it up to three full turns before buckling.

[pastrygirl]

I have a '96 Sierra and haven't had any problems. I've never been able to use the Britax lockoffs, though, even in my other car. I just lock the seat belt (in my truck, it's only the lap portion that locks). I always climb into my Britax seats to get them tight while installing. I don't necessarily have to do that with other brands.

I had two top tether anchors retrofitted into my truck once my son had to go FF. The first one was free, the second one was around $60.

[MJHY27]

I tried not using the lock offs but the tight wasnt tight at all. On her seatbelts only the lap part locks. Also I can't twist the female part b/c it is made of plastic which is what is the biggest problem