Question Nissan Frontier Crew Cab vs. Graco Snugride 32

Brad · Sep 25, 2011

First off let me say hello to everyone - nice forum that you have here.

My wife is due in about a week and we are getting everything finalized. She has already purchased the infant carriers for our vehicles (one for each). Installation of her car seat was no problem. Mine on the other hand is another issue altogether. For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get the infant carrier in my truck. I have a 2005 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SE - the model that has the small flip down seats in the back. It has locations for tethers that I have found, which just looking at the layout would make it friendlier for the convertible models (front facing).

Can anyone offer me some advice on this? A decent picture would even be better.

I've tried Googling and am not having any luck on the matter and Graco's site just doesn't seem to have a whole lot when it comes to trucks neither does the manual that came with the infant carrier.

ketchupqueen · Sep 25, 2011

Hi Brad! Welcome to the forum, I'm glad you found us.

First off, I'd advise you to read your vehicle manual. It may offer you a clue as to how you may best be able to install the infant seat. It's possible that you'll find that there is a switch to turn the front passenger airbag off, in which case you can do that and put it up front.

If not, you may need to look at a smaller convertible seat that fits newborns well. The Coccoro might be a good choice, as it can be more upright but the newborn angle is achieved by the insert for little babies. It isn't often recommended as more than a travel seat around here because it only rear-faces long enough for the average kid to get to 2 or so rear-facing, sometimes not even that for bigger kids, but in this case it may be the best choice. Or, you may be able to install the infant seat without the base; sometimes that can help.

I'm going to PM Judi as well, she has experience with many trucks and may have done a Frontier if I am remembering aright.

Judi · Sep 25, 2011

Looking through my pictures now. Just wondering, you say your wife bought two infant car seats? Or did she buy one and an extra base?

xursusmaritimusx · Sep 25, 2011

if i can chime in, i think one issue you might find with the flip downs in that model is that most car seats wont be able to be used as you need a certain amount of car seat on the seat... and those seats are TINY.

as ketchupqueen said, if the airbag can be turned off, that might be your only safe position

Brad · Sep 25, 2011

Hello Ladies - thanks for the quick replies! I'm going to try and answer both at the same time.

Judi - they are two separate seats with separate bases.

ketchupqueen - I have already been a round with my local Nissan dealership about the airbag issue. Apparently my truck model has a 'pressure switch' in the passenger seat that detects if someone is sitting in it - not the old flip switch. As such there is no way to manually kill it. I've tried asking about getting them to even installing one and was told vehemently "NO!"

The manual points out the tether locations (one on the back bottom of the passenger seat and back wall of the passenger area). I will try to get a photo(s) tomorrow in daylight and see if that could help as well.

Judi · Sep 25, 2011

Does this look like your back seat?

Judi · Sep 25, 2011

The tether really doesn't matter, since it won't be used rear facing. Did she buy both new? They are outgrown so quick, I would return one, and buy just the base, or get a convertible for your truck.

Brad · Sep 25, 2011

Yes, I do believe that is my backseat. :yeahthatlove:

Here is the little monster though that I am fighting with right now to try and make it fit.

Brad · Sep 25, 2011

Judi said:
The tether really doesn't matter, since it won't be used rear facing. Did she buy both new? They are outgrown so quick, I would return one, and buy just the base, or get a convertible for your truck.

You know, technically, I am not sure if she 'bought' both these or if one may have been a gift. I thought that she had bought them. I know they are new and that she has received a ton of stuff that keeps appearing via baby showers but I had not really been keeping track.

Judi · Sep 25, 2011

Yep, Zurich. I know it well.

See how far up your front passenger seat can move up and still lock.

Also, 80% of the car seat must be on the vehicle seat.

I still have hope. If I need to, I will find a frontier close and install myself.

Brad · Sep 25, 2011

I will drop it in tomorrow the best I can and snap a photo for you ladies (a picture is always worth a thousand words) and you can offer suggestions from there, or if need be I will go the convertible route.

ketchupqueen · Sep 25, 2011

Hmmm. Well, if you don't have a switch, the dealer is most certainly not going to install one.

If you have a back seat too small to safely install a rear-facing seat in (and it might be if it looks like what Judi posted), you may be able to get a mobility specialist shop (they specialize in converting vans for people with disabilities and their families, adding mounts for wheelchairs etc.) to take you on and put one in, especially if you can get an exemption from NHTSA. NHTSA has a form for that, let me see if I can find it for you. (Mobility specialist shops are more likely than other mechanics to do it, because they are already used to taking on more "liability" than your everyday mechanic or dealership.)

ETA: here it is! http://www.safercar.gov/staticfiles/DOT/safercar/pdf/ON-OFF_Switch_Request.pdf

Judi · Sep 25, 2011

Just for the fun of it, here is how the tether is set up for forward facing.

Hook through, behind the car seat.

Down to the side of the seat.

Full tether:

So, opposite from the norm. Do tether, then install seat.

Brad · Sep 26, 2011

Hey - thanks for the PDF and for the tether shots.

I put the seat in - the best I could.

Here are my pics. Get ready for some laughs. It is in though - so I am ready for some feedback. Not much room for wifey.

Judi · Sep 26, 2011

80% of the car seat base must be on the vehicle seat. Looks like you are at more like 60%, which means no go. Can you set just the car seat on the vehicle seat and see where we are at?

Brad · Sep 26, 2011

Sorry, do you mean you would like the same photo(s) without the car seat?

luckyclov · Sep 26, 2011

Brad said:
Sorry, do you mean you would like the same photo(s) without the car seat?

Uninstall the base (the part the carseat snaps into that you currently have installed with your truck's seatbelt) and remove it from the truck. Then, place the actual carseat, rear-facing (as baby would ride in it) on the vehicle seat and take a picture.

You can install the carseat without using the base (a little more work, but not impossible!) and if you don't use the base, you've got a little more luck in having at least 80% on the vehicle seat, which is what's required for a proper install. With the base in use, it's definitely not an acceptable install.

ketchupqueen · Sep 26, 2011

Yep. What they said.

It does look to me like you have a case for that airbag switch though.

xursusmaritimusx · Sep 26, 2011

also needs to pull out the lil extension piece under the jump seat... then reinstall.... i think it would then make it 80% but.... still no room for front passenger

canadiangie · Sep 26, 2011

Is this the truck that disallows a front seat occupant if a child seat is installed in the back? Why is my brain telling me it is.

OP, you need to flip the extension down on the vehicle seat. Have you read the truck manual? Child restraint section. There are diagrams, and some restrictions if I recall correctly.

Also, you have a ton of slack in the lap portion of the seatbelt. Or maybe you didn't really install it, just more belted it in to check space issues?

Eta: slide up to post number 6. See that extra vehicle seat piece sitting on little legs? You need to reach under and bring it down, and snap it into place. See your owners manual.

Question Nissan Frontier Crew Cab vs. Graco Snugride 32

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