Can ANYTHING fit in the 2002 Suburban center third row seat?

I am going nuts trying to replace the vehicle and seats we lost in a crash. I know what I'd like to have if money was no object, but it is and so I am freaking out trying to "make do" with what we can afford. We've purchased a 2002 Suburban but I'm not sure if we'll keep it. I can't seem to get carseats in it tight at all. Well, my husband and I, together, putting all our muscle and weight into it, got a Marathon installed well RF in the passenger captains seat. So there's one at least... for now...

What have people had success with in the center third row position? Because since it has no headrest and no shoulder belt, I need to keep my tall torsoed 2yo harnessed there as long as possible to make this vehicle work for us because I need to fill the other positions with boosters and preteens and such who need shoulder belts. So a seat with a high shoulder strap height and weight limit is a must. But frankly, I'll take anything right now because nothing I currently own works there (Nautilus and Marathon). If you've successfully gotten either a Nautilus or Marathon installed in that position, I'd love to hear how. But I can buy a new seat too - the insurance is paying for new seats. But what is going to be compatible? I hear the Radian isn't compatible with that seat - is that right? What about the Frontier? Prosport? Something else?

I believe that you could get a Radian FF back there...http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=107975 That would also give you more room for others to sit back there.

My aunt and uncle have a 2001 (don't know how that compares to a 2002, they have the bench in the 2nd row not captain's chairs...) and I've gotten a Nautilus in the 3rd row center position fairly easily. I don't think any other seats would fit next to it for 3 across (except for Bubblebums... and maybe Literiders), but the non-boostered, skinny 11 & 14 y/os can sit on either side just fine.

ETA- we have a Maestro for him as well and that fits in both rows' center positions, too. And it's narrower than the Nauti.

I didn't know it was okay to twist the buckle stem - I'll try that with my Nautilus and I'm going to BRU today so I'll also try that with a Radian when I test out seats there.

I find in my mom's 98 suburban you have to twist the buckels or you can't really get anything installed.

Radian FFing, Nautilus, Frontier 85, Marathon, Boulevard....

Those are the ones I've tried. I'm sure others fit there as well. It does require twisting the buckle.

For the record, Radian requires 100% contact with the seat, so a Radian should NOT be FF in the third center position with no headrest. The seat isn't tall enough and the Radian sticks up above the top of the seatback which according to Radian (who we called and spoke with to confirm) that's a big no-no for them. Britax is okay with not having 100% so it looks like maybe a Frontier 85 will work for us.

BogFlower said:

For the record, Radian requires 100% contact with the seat, so a Radian should NOT be FF in the third center position with no headrest. The seat isn't tall enough and the Radian sticks up above the top of the seatback which according to Radian (who we called and spoke with to confirm) that's a big no-no for them. Britax is okay with not having 100% so it looks like maybe a Frontier 85 will work for us.

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That's the first I've heard of this.

Also if anyone was wondering, for future reference, the Clek Foonf will NOT in any way shape or form fit back there with the buckles as they are, even with twisting.

BogFlower said:

Also if anyone was wondering, for future reference, the Clek Foonf will NOT in any way shape or form fit back there with the buckles as they are, even with twisting.

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Why is that? My first thought is that a high beltpath would make things easier. Tell us what you experienced.