Installation of Child's Car Seat into R33 GTR

[Steve85]

Installation of Child's Car Seat into R33 GTR

How to install a child's car seat into your R33.

***Firstly, let me say, if you don't understand what you're doing or what might effect the installation of child seat, please seek expert advice (no this nor any other internet article counts). If you crash and the car seat is not fitted to your vehicle correctly it may not be safe for you or your child. I take no responsibility for the well-being of your child or your installation quality.

This DIY document is for a non ISO-FIX seat only. 

 

Step 1: Remove the back seat (both the bottom and back cushions). Please see the attached links. 

Step 2: With the seat out you should have a clear view to the boot of the car. 

This is the passenger side of the back seat (as opposed to behind the driver).

Step 3: 

With your child seat, you should have purchased a bolt and anchor for the strap. (if its a new seat it should be included).

The anchor holds the straps for the seat and the bolt holds the anchor to the car. It is important that you understand where the forces will be applied in an accident as this anchor holds your seat (and child) in an upright position.

The Anchor should be bolted at close to the middle of the rear passenger seat as possible to remove any chance of the seat swinging left or right when the car is moving. Select a suitable place for the bolt to be placed.

I chose this position:

 

The bolt location was as close to the centre of the rear passenger position as I could make it. This should mean that the straps are almost exactly straight (which is preferable).

Step 4:

Mount the bolt to the car. Keep in mind the forces of an accident will most likely be rear to front (imagine not stopping your car in time and rear ending someone). That is the seat will need more help staying in position for the forces trying to push it forward toward the engine of the car than it will being pushed back into the boot. 

With this detail in mind i placed the large oversized washer in the boot section of the car. 

Please note the over-sized gold washer is not visible in this picture.

Step 5:

Place the child seat in the car and connect the straps (without twisting the straps) to the anchor. The child sear should be in the car before the Skyline seat cushions are put back into the car. 

It should look somewhat like this by now:

 

Step 6:

Reinstall the rear seats (please see the link above). The rear cushion should be slid under the straps so that the straps run over the top of the cushion.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. The straps must attempt to push the rear cushion down in an accident or high force. If they run under the rear cushion the straps may dislodge the rear cushion and it may end up loose in the car (ie, flying out the front).

 

Step 7: 
With the car seat in refer back to your installation instructions for your seat. Follow them exactly and make sure the seat is completely secure before placing your little one in the seat.
Here's the instructions for mine:
https://www.britax.com.au/service-support/instructional-videos-and-user-manuals/?id=17599

There's also a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftDugB3n058

If you are in any doubt at this point, contact one of the car seat installers and get their assistance. (They are cheap as anything as well, I think $30 is pretty standard).

 

Step 8:

With the child seat installed and the rear seat cushions back in place, you should test fit the child and make sure it is secure before you drive anywhere.

After that. Enjoy having your little one in the car with you.

 

*Also consider investing in beanies with ears... they make children adorable.

 

[PranK]

Sweet! I've added it to the tutorials list. 

[Duncan]

It is worth saying that every car should have had child seat anchors installed when it was complied before first registration. Sadly a lot of workshops seem to skip that step

[Robzilla32]

Yeah but do they have to drill through the speaker cover and install the mount so the rear speakers are ruined?

[Steve85]

Yeah but do they have to drill through the speaker cover and install the mount so the rear speakers are ruined?

Not if they complete it like this. Which I should think is the best way.
It utilised an existing bolt hole and requires nothing more than a socket set.

[drunken0elf]

Props to you my man, that's some good stuff. Your daughter's hat is awesome btw.

 

I'd never bother doing this in my skyline because no way I'd ever drive my kid in a car with no airbags lol. Not that I have a kid or want one, but that's besides the point.

 

Cheers!

[niZmO_Man]

Your kid is strapped in a seat, what will an airbag do?

[Robzilla32]

[Steve85]

@drunken0elf, i hear you, but if I can't take my daughter with me, this car would go almost completely unused, that doesn't seem right!

@niZmO_Man I think you are spot on here. A child in their correctly fitted car seat are probably safer than the other occupants. Of course, a mid-90s GTR will crumple like a soda can given the opportunity, so I think it would be best not to crash... This is certainly my plan.  I drive it quite sedately with her on board and anyone else really. When its just me, sure, then some fun can be had! 

[niZmO_Man]

Yeah, the thin a-pillars are a giveaway of how fragile the cabin would be compared to a modern car. Also 25+ years of metal fatigue :S

[drunken0elf]

10 hours ago, Steve85 said:

@drunken0elf, i hear you, but if I can't take my daughter with me, this car would go almost completely unused, that doesn't seem right!

Oops, forgot to mention in my r32.

I thought the R33 had airbags? Not judging you lol, I genuingly believed the r33 had airbag.

But now that I think about it, you do have a solid point that she would be the safest in such an event. *touches wood** let's all make sure it doesn't happen tho.

[Steve85]

@drunken0elf, my car has a driver and passenger airbag (I might have to check the passenger). It certainly doesn't have curtain or knee bags in the back like our family wagon!

Yeah car seats are pretty good for kids. I just wish Australia would wake the f**k up regarding ISO-Fix. Way safer/better according to crash tests...

All good on the judgement side, the plan here; don't crash the car!