2003 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab-Need advice for forward facing seat

[amie815]

Okay so I just tried DD's Britax Marathon in the FF position too see if it would fit for when she needs to be turned. It doesn't fit in the center rear....well it does but the top is tightly against the back window and I don't like that at all. In an accident the force of the seat going forward and then back would shatter the window.

It doesn't fit outboard in the rear either because of it being and extended cab pick up and not a crew cab. She would have no room and the seat would literally be an inch from the front seat....not gonna happen.

So I need recommendations and would love pics of what seats people have used in this vehicle. I would love something like the Frontier or Nauti so that she would have a seat to keep her harnessed as long as possible and then go to a booster but if there are better options I am 100% open to them. Money is not an object at all. The only thing that matters to me is the safety of my little girl.

 

[bobandjess99]

well...if she is inly 2.5 years old, and 28 pounds, then you have a good 1.5 years that she will still be rearfacing, right? I mean, I assume your plan is to RF the full 4 years, since you seem so passionate about her safety? So much can change in that time...we have new seats coming down the line all the time.
But yes, I d say any seat which is not up on a base, but sits flush with the seat in a fairly straight up and down manner, so that it does not angle against the glass is going to be a decent choice. The maestro or frontier would probably work...not sure about the nauti, since I'm not certain the entire base can fit on the seat.

 

[KaysKidz]

Hey Amie!!! Our big Britax seats didn't fit in Jeff's truck FF either. I get an AWESOME install with our Maestro's. I haven't tried the Frontier in there yet.

The Maestro's will get both boys until at least 5yrs old...if not 6. I'd be OK with boostering them at that point.

 

[morninglori]

The Nautilus does will probably not work in your truck due to the vehicle seat being shallow and the nauti overhanging.

 

[amie815]

Hey Kay!

Yes I do plan to keep her rear facing as long as possible. She is pretty tall but I am hopeful that she will slow down on her torso growth and will stay rear facing for a lot longer. I was just covering my bases just in case she has a HUGE growth spurt. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[stenmarks]

My DD has a Nautilus in my husband's 2008 Sierra (the GMC version of the Silverado), and it fits entirely on the seat, though I am not completely sure that the seats are the same as in the 2003 model. Our Marathon, though, definitely did not work. So that might be an option when you turn her FF?

 

[npauli]

silly question: are you attached to the truck? A crew cab makes things a lot easier.

Even if funds are limited, there's a lot of used trucks going for cheap - probably cheaper once gas goes up this summer.

That might sound extreme, but the kids won't be getting any smaller

 

[bp2002]

I got awesome installs with a FF radian and GN.. I have pics.. it is a.. 04 chevy ext cab i think? (it was my ex's truck.. I met him in 05 and he already had it.. so im thinking it was an 04. but not 100%).. I will look for the pics, but not sure if i have them anymore..

of the 2, the radian was easier bc of the low profile, so C could get in it easier.. but the GN fit well also. He prefered the GN for the cup holder and "spot to put his men" lol.

hopefully i'll be posting the pics soon...

 

[bp2002]

OK, trying this, but ive never linked to old posts before.. not sure it if will work..

http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=343492#post343492

this is where I posted pics of the GN in the ext cab (and i was right, its an 04)

Hope it helps.

 

[amie815]

OK, trying this, but ive never linked to old posts before.. not sure it if will work..

http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?p=343492#post343492

this is where I posted pics of the GN in the ext cab (and i was right, its an 04)

Hope it helps.

Question...did the seat hit the window? It looks like it did but I can't really tell. That was one of the issues I had with the Marathon.

 

[amie815]

silly question: are you attached to the truck? A crew cab makes things a lot easier.

Even if funds are limited, there's a lot of used trucks going for cheap - probably cheaper once gas goes up this summer.

That might sound extreme, but the kids won't be getting any smaller

Ya, um that's not happening. LOL We have this one just about paid off and there is no way I am adding another car payment. Fortunately we are only having one kiddo so she has the whole back seat to herself.