Rear seats and roll bars

[2manykids4a7]

I wasn't using the disco for comparison but the defender (although I realise that again I am making a correlation and that is all).

Sliders is a good idea, and I'm already there with the car seats when buying those we just went with the highest rated, seemed like a good idea whatever vehicle you put them in.

I agree that a cage that doesn't tie into the frame isn't smart. I wonder if it is possible to somehow combine the cage ,the brackets for the seats, and harness points for seat belts all in one, to make a sort of "pod" (can't think of a better word) that surrounds the seating area?

P.S. To those who have admitted (that like me) they put kids in similar vehicles thanks for not making me feel so bad! I'm not planning any long trips at all, but like you say they love it even just to tool around the neighbourhood, the girls were so excited when I bought the Land Rover home although they at first called it a Jeep (they now know the difference!).

[Alaska Mike]

I don't think you're a bad parent at all. I have no problems letting my kids ride in the back of the Rover- buckled in properly and supported according to their age. On longer distance (80+ miles) highway trips to the trailhead, I usually have the wife take the family car so the kids are comfortable and entertained (DVD) and we have a backup if the Rover has mechanical difficulties that I can't fix. I never wheel alone, so the second bit is less important than the first, but it is an option in case of a medical emergency or contingency.

Would I use the Rover as a daily driver with the kids for around town? Probably not, since I have cars that are better suited for that purpose that get far better gas mileage, are safer, and are more comfortable. I imagine there will be days that I will use it for that purpose though, but we don't have a lot of traffic up here. Bad drivers we have. Tough driving conditions we have. Traffic? Not so much.

[scott]

all of these comments sound like that of great parents. makes me rethink that wrapping mine in duct tape and bubble wrap and just toss'n in the tub was not such a good idea. when we were a young family of just three with our daughter under a y/o my daily driver was the spitfire. i installed a lap belt with overkill mentality in the middle of that small space behind our seat and secured a quality baby seat that did not extend above the plane of the boot lid. i felt she was secure but was never really happy with putting her in such a small car that would surely lose in any contact with the average size vehicle on our roads

[2manykids4a7]

all of these comments sound like that of great parents. makes me rethink that wrapping mine in duct tape and bubble wrap and just toss'n in the tub was not such a good idea.

Lol, nice!

Thanks guys. I do think I am going to press forwards and will keep posting thoughts and progress, so please chime in with any comments advice, warnings etc. Right now it is in the shop getting everything taken care of to pass inspection, but as soon as it is out I'll be visiting the local 4x4 shop, to talk cages.

[S11A]

Hi,

This thread may have some relevant info on seat choices, belts, etc.:

http://www.roversnorth.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3382

[S11A]

Here is another thread that may help. It includes a link to some Exmoor trim seats that are fairly pricey but would be approved for children including those in car seats:

http://www.roversnorth.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2790

[2manykids4a7]

SIIA,

Thanks for the links.

I am looking into putting 2 jeep bench seats (with headrests) back there. I don't know exactly where I am going to put my anchor points for the seat belts. I am wondering whether I can somehow combine this with the roll bar, similar to how the Jeep scrambler does it in the cab.

I may even end up with one roll bar for up front and then a roll bar/seat bracket combo that fits as a single unit in the bed and can be bolted down onto the frame. Once I have the vehicle back from the shop I'll have to look at the dimensions and different possibilities.

Steve..