Since learning of our newest (& 4th) arrival due in September, I've been looking at ways to reconfigure my truck to allow all 6 of us to ride together.


I have the SLT option w/console & currently fit the 5 of us nicely (3 kids in the rear), but see that many folks have removed the console & added the jump seat as a sixth seat. That's fine & all, but I'm concerned with the front airbags affecting a middle front seat & lack of a three point seatbelt that goes with it, so I called GM to ask them their thoughts.


Obviously for liability issues, they would not recommend replacing the console for a middle seat, nor would they give me anymore information on retrofitting. I then asked them about a new stock SLE truck without the console (with the middle seat) and how the airbags & single seatbelt would affect a child in the middle seat. They said that no seat in the front was acceptable for children in a crew cab configuration. Based on this, what I'm hearing is that there is no way a family of 6 (including 4 little ones) can fit in this truck . . . .


Is anyone else out there having the same issue?? Any thoughts on what can be done to accomodate all 6 of us?? I don't want to compromise the safety of any of us (especially the little guys), but I'd really like to be able to use the truck for family trips, etc. HELP!!!

There is not much you can do besides remove the console in favor of a middle seat. It sounds like you know thats your only option. I have thought about this also but for different reasons. I want the nice 10-way power seats and sunroof in '05 but they'll probably only offer it with bucket seats. I intend on removing the console for a middle seat. As for the airbags, I can see why they are a concern but there is nothing you can do. I believe they are the same for both bench and bucket seat trucks.

I'll say this at the risk of sounding ignorant.....Can you not disable the airbags and just install the seat in the middle?

I suppose I could, but then am I compromising the safety of the adult (mostlikely my wife) riding in the right seat?? Even if I did disable the airbag, the jump seat is only a lap belt without a shoulder belt . . . again, compromising safety for the kids?? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

S U B U R B A N when GM gets their act together and drops a Duramax in one. Meanwhile stop reproducing or buy a Caravan.


Mac http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

you said it Mac. wifey currently drives a ext trailblazer and i told her i would keep it at least 10 years, or untill i can get a dmax suburban.


T.P.N. how old is the child that would get the dunce seat up front. If your talking 3 or 4 then by all means get a van at the rate your going one of those 15 passenger jobs. If your talking 8 or 10 then you would probably be ok. Edited by: chevmeister

Wife already has a Suburban, but it's not as fun to drive, nor as economical, nor as cool. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Working on the reproduction thing, just can't come to grips with the whole vasectomy thing . . . . my whole life I've had nightmares about someone taking a knife to that part of my body, now I supposed to pay for it ?? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Plus, with 4 kids around, sort of acts as birth control in & of itself!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wacko.gif


As for the Caravan, . . . . . . . . NO

T.P.N. how old is the child that would get the dunce seat up front. If your talking 3 or 4 then by all means get a van at the rate your going one of those 15 passenger jobs. If your talking 8 or 10 then you would probably be ok.





Oldest turned 7 last week; then 5, then 3, then -1 month; and that's all she wrote . . . in the infamous words of Roberto Duran, No Mas!!!

Working on the reproduction thing, just can't come to grips with the whole vasectomy thing . . . . my whole life I've had nightmares about someone taking a knife to that part of my body, now I supposed to pay for it ?? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


Awwww.... It's just a pin prick.......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif


Seriously though... I have an SLE with the bench seat just because I have 4 boys and pull a fifth wheel...... Are any of your kids 12 yrs old or a 100lbs? If so they are safe, well per the air bag mfg specs....


I wanted the SLT with the console but didn't "have it done" until it was too late.


I believe I've heard of some guys changing their bucket seats with a bench.....

Wife already has a Suburban, but it's not as fun to drive, nor as economical, nor as cool. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Working on the reproduction thing, just can't come to grips with the whole vasectomy thing . . . . my whole life I've had nightmares about someone taking a knife to that part of my body, now I supposed to pay for it ?? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Plus, with 4 kids around, sort of acts as birth control in & of itself!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wacko.gif


As for the Caravan, . . . . . . . . NO





Solution: rip the pos motor out of the burban and dmax it. Need a new frame and body lift, but its possible.


Solution: tell the delivering doctor send her home broke. If we have a third she not allowed to come home till shes broke.


No solution vans suck!

Wife already has a Suburban, but it's not as fun to drive, nor as economical, nor as cool. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Working on the reproduction thing, just can't come to grips with the whole vasectomy thing . . . . my whole life I've had nightmares about someone taking a knife to that part of my body, now I supposed to pay for it ?? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Plus, with 4 kids around, sort of acts as birth control in & of itself!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wacko.gif


As for the Caravan, . . . . . . . . NO





Just grab a good bottle of whiskey, and throw a pissed of cat in your pants.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Awwww.... It's just a pin prick.......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif


-----------------------------------


You mean a pin in the pr*ck !! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gif No thanks!!

Just grab a good bottle of whiskey, and throw a pissed of cat in your pants.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


---------------------------------------------------------------


Actually, I have been playing baseball without a cup . . . .

Try a set of Vise-Grips...the ones with the curved jaws...

It's not the knife you should be concerned about...it's the 3 days of ELEPHANT BALLS!!! After that it'shttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

TOO MUCH INFORMATION!


Dan

As one of my coworkers said after he found out number 5 was on the way, "jacket or jack it, take your pick".http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif


Maybe you could purchase the wiring harness/key switch to disable the airbag and the panel to install it like they have in the extended and regular cabs. GM says no children in the front seat of the crew because they don't put the switch in there, correct? I understand you are apprehensive about the safety of your wife when disabling the bag, but I am not sure the bags don't contribute to problems in some situations. I think they may help in some situations, but I also think the airbag in my mother's Bonneville was a contributing factor to her passing.

Vasectomy was like falling off a log. Numbed to the max! Sat on Bar Stool with Ice pack afterwords to keep swelling down, back in saddle 3 days later. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Felt as though VERY LARGE WEIGHT WAS LIFTED OFF SHOULDERS. SEX WAS EVEN BETTER WITH NO WORRIES ABOUT REPRODUCTION....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


JUST DO IT!!!

T.P.N.


I have the factory installed bench seat set up and even the GM configuration it does have the shoulder belt as you may already know. I think short of a Suburban you may always feel uncomfortable with the middle front. I routinely have 6 in my truck and with my '01 I do not even have the option of the airbag shut off. I am comfortable knowing that with a BIG truck that I carry the edge with general driving public and feel that we should be safe. I did some research looking for crash data where they run a car/truck into that cement wall. It appears that the BIG 3 do not enter this test with their trucks, Not sure why but trucks seem to have no safety rating applicable. Seems as if the test they conduct is to see what would happen to a car or SUV if they hit US.......http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


On Edit: Not sure how the entire Vasectomy got in here but I will chime in and say Do it!!! It is not a big deal. The best thing is the wife is no longer subjected to having to take birth control type pharmaceuticals which can have long term ramifications later. I plan on a long, fun retirement life with wife after our shorty's move out and go to college.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gifEdited by: Duramax Dually

Working on the reproduction thing, just can't come to grips with the whole vasectomy thing . . . . my whole life I've had nightmares about someone taking a knife to that part of my body, now I supposed to pay for it ?? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif Plus, with 4 kids around, sort of acts as birth control in & of itself!!! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wacko.gif





I have my forth due in Sept. I'll be getting the big V come January. Have to wait so insurance pays 100%. If not I'm sure the internet has a home kit instructions. If you can build an A bomb I bet someone has pics somewhere!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif


I just installed a lockout switch from AOI Electric. http://www.aoielectrical.com/ $159.00 plus $5.00 shipping. It took me an hour only because the wires were hard to find and I couldn't call them on Sunday. Plug-n-play no sweat. I mounted it in the glove box in that little cubby hole on the left.


Unfortunatley I haven't seen an airbag system yet that will protect only the far right passenger and miss the center.

Jeli, does that switch control only the right side airbag, or does it shut off all front airbags?? Also, are you sure that the right side bag also covers the center?? Edited by: T.P.N.

T.P.N.


I was in a Dodge 2500 Heavy Duty quad cab, it had room for six, especially if they are all young children.


Dan

I have the factory installed bench seat set up and even the GM configuration it does have the shoulder belt as you may already know.





From what I've been told, the bench seat configuration is a 40/20/40 configuration, which is essentially 2 bucket seats (makes up 2 of the 40's) with a jump seat (the 20 portion) in the middle . . . is that what you have??


I have seen the jump seats available on ebay, but never with a 3 point seatbelt, only a lap belt . . .


If I were able to turn off the right/middle airbags & get a 3 point seatbelt for the middle seat, think I would be OK . . .

Jeli, does that switch control only the right side airbag, or does it shut off all front airbags?? Also, are you sure that the right side bag also covers the center??


The switch is only the passenger side. I don't know how far it covers but am unwilling to find out the hard way.


BTW, my seat setup is 40/20/40 with a lap belt only in the center.

Jeli, does that switch control only the right side airbag, or does it shut off all front airbags?? Also, are you sure that the right side bag also covers the center??


The switch is only the passenger side. I don't know how far it covers but am unwilling to find out the hard way.


BTW, my seat setup is 40/20/40 with a lap belt only in the center.





How old is the passenger in the front seat???Edited by: T.P.N.

Working on the reproduction thing, just can't come to grips with the whole vasectomy thing . . . . Birth control .... isn't that what your neighbor's wife is for?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

TPN, My kids are 10,8, and 4 with #4 on the way. I want the infant up front so the kids don't bother it and so we can take care of it. I trust the lap belt because it cinches up. If it were a shoulder belt the front seat would need anchors like in back.


Motocopter, the neighbor's wife is my wife's best friend. I'm completely SOL!!!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

TPN, My kids are 10,8, and 4 with #4 on the way. I want the infant up front so the kids don't bother it and so we can take care of it. I trust the lap belt because it cinches up. If it were a shoulder belt the front seat would need anchors like in back.





So you'll put the baby in a rear facing infant seat, secured to the center front seat (which only needs a lap belt) & switch off the right side air bag??? If so, that seems like a viable option . . . Do you know if the drivers side airbag will spread out near or interfere with the center seat?? Only other question is at what age is it safe to put someone in the center front seat with only a lap belt???

TPN, here's my take on the front seat issue. I bought my truck with 40/20/40 front seat with the intention of seating six - and we do. When it is just myself and the two boys (90 +/- #s each) we all sit up front. Quite often we have four adaults and the two boys and each boy gets a middle seat. I figure as drivers of 7k+ pound truck we are not taking many driving risks, don't drive an SUV with Firestones (read roll-over) and the only thing bigger than our trucks is a semi - which their drivers are predictable. Last month a co-worker lost his 8 year old son's life during a roll-over because he wasn't even wearing a seat belt!


In summary, driving a big, heavy truck in a mild manner and wearing at least a lap belt we are oK. Can't do anything about the airbag and since the risk of even having an accident is low, I don't sweat that one. Much like my oiled, pleated gauze air filter letting some dirt through. I worry about punks on top of bridges throwing rocks at cars passing under neath. I worry about drivers turning left in front of me while I'm on my motorcycle. I worry about did I check this and that on preflight. I worry about my wife in her little Lexus SUV. But I feel safe in my 3/4 ton Silverado HD.

[/QUOTE]


So you'll put the baby in a rear facing infant seat, secured to the center front seat (which only needs a lap belt) & switch off the right side air bag??? If so, that seems like a viable option . . .


[/QUOTE]


Yup...just like I did in my last pickup. Except it had a factory switch.

T.P.N.


I was in a Dodge 2500 Heavy Duty quad cab, it had room for six, especially if they are all young children.


Dan





You can only put two child car seats in a 3rd gen Dodge, so you could take 5 adults and a child in a car seat or 4 adults and two children in car seats. The Dodge only has shoulder belts in the rear and they do not have the ratchet feature. It has LATCH but only for two car seats only in the rear. I would never put kids in car seats in the front, sure you are driving a 7K lb vehicle and you may drive cautously but that cannot be said for others on the road. I am not knowingly doing anything that puts my kids at an additional risk, IE putting them in the front in a car seat.

My center seat only has the lap belt as well. Here is a new one on ebay:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7912361250&ssPage Name=STRK:MEWA:IT


The price does seem a little high though.

Here's my two cents worth, I have the '02 crew. I got it just to haul the gang and any relitives around. I removed the center console last winter. Coulndn't find a bench to go into the new silverado so I bought a jumpseat from some guy in Tx off ebay.... $20.00 couldn't go wrong. My wife rides the middle alot (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Tongue.gif), it is easy to convert, got seat belt from race car. only use 4 of the 5 belts. Got her locked in with no escape. works pretty good. added a 1x3 tube to the rails on bottom to raise it up just a tad. works great, now I am trying to get my audio system worked out...... get more complicated day to day.


as for the rest.... I got 2 of 3 left at home (13 & 16) when the last 1 hit the grnd had the dr take care of the issue, (c-section) while she was in there http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ouch.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif. good luck & congratshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pinch.gif.