Paging Lightning Daddy's and Mommy's
 

Well, with my wife being 6 months pregnant we've been talking about what we're going to do about our "car" situation, as the Lightning is our only car. I, of course want to keep the L, ONLY if its possible or ideal to have our baby ride in the front in a car seat.

Is it ok to have our infant ride in the front (of course in a car seat)? Do you guys and gals recommend it? If so, what brand carseat is the best?

I really don't want to give up the L, but if its not a good idea to have an infant up front then without a doubt I will put her up for sale. TIA. :help:

isnt it illegal to have a car seat in a single cab pickup????

im not sure, just read something about it today browseing through some site

I have no idea thats why I was asking, because if it is then that would mean no more lightning. :(
Im gonna have to look into floridas laws on that.

You can have one in the front if you turn the pass side airbag off.

Congrats. I have one coming in December and don't have one grown up vehicle either. I have an 82 Jeep CJ that I am going to put the back seat back in and also use the L. My Corvette will just get even less use. I can't find anything on the market I like enough to get rid of the L.

Oh, well if it was on the internet, then you should believe it without question...

No, carseats are not illegal in a single cab. That's the reason for the keyed airbag switch on the dash.
You do have to use a shoulder belt, which means the wife rides in the middle.

I think the L is probably much safer than most other vehicles on the road, actually, since its a full frame vehicle weighing 5000 lbs and all.

By the way, do what I did - keep an eye out for a 4-door beater. I bought a 94 Altima for $2000 - 4 years ago, and have put 50,000 miles on it, instead of the L. Not a fan of fwd cars, but the Altima has turned out to be a really nice car, and the 4-door comes in handy with the baby. (might just save you some gas, too...)

thanks captain obvious

My son's been driving in the front since he was 6, of course thats a big diff than a 1 day old, but as said if you only have a front seat then of course the child is allowed to be there. Believe me the L was much easier with JR than the Cobra, at least you can lug everything in the back. He was is the Cobra from almost birth and that was a real PITA.

Or just do what I did, take the kid from the wife and throw her ass out :lol: I did that when he was 8 months old :D
But just incase you do dig her, ok keep the wife and the Lightning :thumbsup:

Infant seat in Lightning
 

Like Her2001 said: Turn off passenger side airbag. Infant seat is rear facing so you can strap it in on passenger seat. Get an infant seat that detaches from the base so you don't have to keep playing with the seat belts. Your wife can belt into the middle seat, but it is going to be pretty cramped for the driver. I have been putting my 6 and 8 year old sons in the L with both in car seats for a couple of years now. If the wife wants to come along we use the Explorer, but her dislike of all things racing related lets me take the boys and still enjoy the Lightning!!!

I would think the Lightning would be a totally unpractical vehicle to have with an infant. Lets say you have to go somewhere with the kid and your wife. All three of you would be crammed up front. Then throw in all the stuff you need to have on hand for the child. Just doesnt seem logical. Sorry. Good luck.

my lightning sees so much duty, mulch,couple trees,tows a bass boat,and the family,has seen the strip a couple times. WHAT ELSE IS THERE :thumbsup:

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but our trucks are incredibly unsafe in crash tests. Something to think about if you're hauling your family around on a regular basis in your daily driver L.

http://www.hwysafety.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=7

I vote for buying a 4-door mid 90's car. Something that is reliable of course. Spend maybe around $3,000 or so>??? You can pick up a 96 or so Dodge Stratus for cheap(stay away from a 95). Will probably LOWER your insurance costs as well. -Mat-

I had to do extensive research on this because I was in a similiar situation.

I know that there maybe others drivers wondering so I will post what I have found.

The local police told me that it becomes a problem when you have a pass/side Airbag and there is no way to disengage it. my truck is not equipped with a pass/side airbag.
heres what I read from my manual (Evenflo)
** what would it hurt to call your local police and ask them for info, you might find they are very helpful.

1) first, decide if your seat must be installed forward or backward facing.

*backward installation if - child weighs between 5-30 lbs AND is atleast 19" tall AND the top of the childs head is atleast 1" below the child restraint back.

** either backward or forward facing is exceptable if - the child is between 20-30lbs AND atleast 1 yr of age.

*** if your Child is 30-40 lbs and less than 40" and atleast 1 yrs of age you MUST install seat facing forward.

1) connecting the Locking clip is pretty straight and forward.
To really secure it, once the childseat is in place. I slide the pass seat all the way back, then install the Safety clip locking the seat in place.
once its done and clip is installed. I manually move the seat one click forward and its really tight.

2) The problem comes in when you try to connect the tether, our Highback seats do not allow for this. I check using the evenflo manual and it is required when you have the old style lap belts, which we dont have AND if your 2002 or newer vehicle has a tether support.

***You do however need to ensure that the Locking clip is 1/2 from the buckle when installed.
* you can read the label on the lower portion of your seatbelt strap and it will also tell you about the locking clip.

You can download much of the information on evenflo website.
* keep in mind, each seat has its own requirements. Evenflo seems to be most popular and most are about $60-120

hope it helps you.
http://www.nloc.net/gallery/images/f...2-383-4380.jpg

I guess the best way to resolve this is to buy a beater 4-door. I dont have the money to go out and buy one but if I can save enough money by the time the baby is born then thats what Ill do. If I cant then we'll try it on the L and see how it works out.
I dont think my wife will have any probs. riding in the middle.
Run351, thanks for the info I guess I have a lot of research to do. Ill keep this post updated with what I find in case somebody is the same boat as me. Thanks everyone.