Thread: Baby Seat in Defender

Originally Posted by alan48

Hi,
a few threads on this topic and I have recently been through all this in NSW re two pumas, a 110 and a 130 CC and both have been done exactly the same way with a bracket added to the rear of the seat back as per recent photos in this thread. The problem with some of the other options mentioned here is insurance and rego as I was told by RMS--everything is fine until an accident. In addition you should receive an engineering approval certificate and it will be recorded on your rego as a modification--also a help in advertising the car when you sell.

I got a number of quotes through LR dealer recommended fitters, and others who specialise in this job and was annoyed at the seemingly high cost, some insisted I must have all three seats done and cost varied from about $1K to $1500--even when I said I only wanted one they would not listen--three or X!

In the end my local RMS approved engineer in Sth Windsor did one attachment point in both cars for a total of $900--most of which was for the paperwork. They (RMS and insurance) will not accept tie downs, etc --only CRAB bars--difficult if a cargo guard fitted, a single post to the floor, or proper attachments in the seats.

I know from my rally days you can not have a seat belt go over the back of the seat and down to the floor--reasoning being a huge shunt may cause the harness to bend your back and snap and that is why they run maybe at an angle rearwards to an anchor point but not the floor.

It all depends if you want to run the risk re alternatives even though some of them would certainly seem strong enough--it is just the way the law operates.

Hi, would you by chance have the approved rms engineers contact details in sth windsor?. Much appreciated, chris.

Just to bump this. I have had a CRAB since I bought my 2015 Puma. The other day whilst stripping the car to fit sound deadening I noticed when you pull the crappy 2nd row seat backs there's plenty of options for fitting your anchor point complete with ;large washer and spacer etc. there are two little cuts in a bit of metal plate so you can get fingers or tools through the side to hold the nut whilst you screw the bolt in. Just cut/drill big enough hole in the plastic seat backing. It won't be spot on in the centre at the top rather slightly ofset by 5 to 10 mmleft/right of centre.

Pull the seat cover off, easy to do it, would pass muster with ADR/standards etc. I have the modification sticker on the floor for the CRAB bar anyway, I figure it doesn't give enough info to determine exactly what the install method was. I want the space back as I'm having a custom draw built and installed.