Hard top removal with child seat

[smw17gladiator]

Wondering if any of the many innovative folks on here have come up with a creative solution to help with removal of the hard top bolts behind the rear seat with a child car seat locked in. Not the biggest problem, but definitely kind of a pain if I don’t take the child seat out in order to be able to lean the rear seat back forward. I have a flexible socket extension that at least gets the bit down to the bolt while letting the socket wrench stay above the seat back, but it’s kind of flying blind trying to get the bit into the bolt head, and then to get the bolt threaded when putting the top back on and trying not to drop it behind the seat. So far so good, but always an adventure / pain. It’s really just the outer bolt on the rear panel, as I can lay down the seat back on the side without the child seat and access middle bolt on the child seat side. With six total bolts holding the top down I can’t imagine it would need to be crazy tight - so maybe a long spacer with an extra long bolt down through the spacer, and snugged down just enough? Probably already written more than this “issue” deserves, but thought I’d throw it out to the more ingenious problem solvers on here, just in case.

Sponsored

 

[bleda2002]

2 child seats in mine. I went to Britax click tight seats that literally install and uninstall in seconds

 

[BigRed97]

Can't you just use an extension instead of trying to change it....

Sorry just re read it...I see you are using an extension.. . .maybe use a straight extension rather than a flexible one and a magnetic torx socket .....

 

[MHulsey91]

2 child seats in mine. I went to Britax click tight seats that literally install and uninstall in seconds

Rear facing car seat? If so how do those fit behind the front seats? do you have to have the seat forward some? Or can you have the seat all the way back? I am 6'4 and The carrier car seat I have to put behind my wife or in the middle otherwise there's no room? We are looking now at getting a convertible seat so I am at least open to suggestions on brands.

Also glad im not the only one that has a car seat in the back of their Gladiator.

 

[bleda2002]

Rear facing car seat? If so how do those fit behind the front seats? do you have to have the seat forward some? Or can you have the seat all the way back? I am 6'4 and The carrier car seat I have to put behind my wife or in the middle otherwise there's no room? We are looking now at getting a convertible seat so I am at least open to suggestions on brands.

Also glad im not the only one that has a car seat in the back of their Gladiator.

Forward facing for me thankfully at this point. I do highly recommend the Britax click tight solution though when you are able. It's super easy and makes car seat in and out so much easier.

 

[Higher_Ground]

2 child seats in mine. I went to Britax click tight seats that literally install and uninstall in seconds

You had me extremely excited until I read that the top tether is still recommended.

I have no problem with the seatbelt and bottom of the car seat, but getting the top tether loose is a PITA. I have to pretty much get into the truck to get enough leverage to loosen it. Now that I know I have to go that far, it's not so bad but trying to fiddle with it from the ground was nearly impossible. The cam on the rear tether needs to be bent 90 degrees to release and there's just not a lot of room behind the seat.

There is supposed to be a gap between the back of driver's/passenger's seat and the car set it self, just to allow for a little motion in a collision.

That being said I like that they're innovating the system. LATCH works great until you hit 40lbs or you have a rear seat that's really angled.

 

[bleda2002]

You had me extremely excited until I read that the top tether is still recommended.

I have no problem with the seatbelt and bottom of the car seat, but getting the top tether loose is a PITA. I have to pretty much get into the truck to get enough leverage to loosen it. Now that I know I have to go that far, it's not so bad but trying to fiddle with it from the ground was nearly impossible. The cam on the rear tether needs to be bent 90 degrees to release and there's just not a lot of room behind the seat.

There is supposed to be a gap between the back of driver's/passenger's seat and the car set it self, just to allow for a little motion in a collision.

That being said I like that they're innovating the system. LATCH works great until you hit 40lbs or you have a rear seat that's really angled.

I added extensions for the top tether like my ram had. Basically straps that stick out under the head rests.

 

[smw17gladiator]

Thanks for replies. I knew I’d end up feeling a little less than the smartest, but how I didn’t even consider magnetic bit before trying to reengineer something that likely doesn’t need it ??. Magnetic bit it is first, and the notion of a more quickly attached / detached car seat is probably better and safer as well. Guess I don’t have to be the smartest, just make sure to solicit ideas from those who are. One reason I love this forum.

 

[jasonh299]

2 child seats in mine. I went to Britax click tight seats that literally install and uninstall in seconds

I have to second on the Britax click tight. I had a different seat and it was a PAIN to install and get the top tether tight and later loose. The way the Britax does it is much easier and worth the extra cost.

Sponsored