Child seat top tether for Cayman 981

[P981Fan]

Hi folks,

I had been living in the UK for 5 years and couldn't help but buy myself a dream car, a Cayman 981 GTS 2014. Happy man!

I'm happily back in Aus now and have my car with me, along with my 1.5 year old baby boy. Before I departed the UK I had the local Porsche dealer fit the air bag deactivation kit along with an ISOFiX bar.

Because the car only has a front seat, I understand, it is legal in Vic for me to put a baby seat in the front if I deactivate the airbag.

... but how do I fit the car seat!?

I don't know where I can fit the top tether, I have the bolt that needs to be fitted but have no idea where or even if my car has a place to fit the bolt.

Please, any suggestions?

Cheers

[Stew F]

The best advice I can offer is to go to a place that fits child restraints and discuss it with them.

We are, after all, talking about the most precious thing in your life. And there's also your son to consider. ?

[P981Fan]

A top call sir! I thank you for replying.

I've since been to Porsche Brighton (Vic) to get advice... and on the same day was involved in a car accident.

All caught on dashcam, fortunately I have all 4 sides of my car recorded even when parked.

I was side-swiped deliberately by a 4wd owner who then decided he'd run, a dope in other words. He disclosed he particularly hates "sports car drivers"!!

The up side (if there is one) is my car is going to a repairer, I desperately hope they can invoice me to have the restraining bolt fitted. 

Still, I would love to hear from an owner of a 981 who has done the fitting somehow...

[Ghost981]

Hi OP

Did you ever find the solution to having a forward facing baby seat in your GT4? I currently have the same problem with my 981 Boxster.  I've purchased the airbag deactivation kit RHD from the UK (has a bow to support isofix), which is recommended for any children under 27kgs. My son is still only 20kg and is turning 4 in a few months.

I'm still missing the deactivation light on the roof console. No Porsche dealership in Melbourne will work on this job, as Australian cars were never meant to come with baby seats, as Oz regulations require a top tether, unlike the UK, which I believe you just need an isofix.

I've called a few inpedepedent porsche specialists, none have completed this job before here in Melb.

[P981Fan]

Thanks @Ghost981, 

I am going to update this thread shortly with the solution.
(I thought I already had done but clearly not)

Still have my 981 GTS, the tether is awesome, safe and legal!!

I’m a very happy man.

[cafe_racer]

I did some work trying to get a passenger airbag deactivated in Melbourne on another brand of car - No one would touch it!  So am interested to hear how you went.

[Ghost981]

On 28/04/2021 at 10:21, P981Fan said:

Thanks @Ghost981, 

I am going to update this thread shortly with the solution.
(I thought I already had done but clearly not)

Still have my 981 GTS, the tether is awesome, safe and legal!!

I’m a very happy man.

Hi OP

 I now have the ISOFIX bar installed, but am now struggling to get instructions to wire the turn key in the glove. 

Also, which company did you use to install your top tether? No one wants to touch my Boxster 981.

 

 

On 28/04/2021 at 10:21, P981Fan said:

Thanks @Ghost981, 

I am going to update this thread shortly with the solution.
(I thought I already had done but clearly not)

Still have my 981 GTS, the tether is awesome, safe and legal!!

I’m a very happy man.

Or more importantly, if you could take a picture of your location of your top tether.

[Ghost981]

On 28/04/2021 at 13:58, cafe_racer said:

I did some work trying to get a passenger airbag deactivated in Melbourne on another brand of car - No one would touch it!  So am interested to hear how you went.

I believe it may be illegal to deactivate an airbag in australia, hence why no one will touch it. Though in the UK, any child under 27 kg , should have the airbag deactivated.

[P981Fan]

Hey all, my previous reply to this has either been my mistake in posting or deleted… maybe because I can’t name the company who did the work? (No idea why it’s gone)

Anyway…

Porsche fitted the kit required which is (no compromise, you have to do it all I was told) the ISOFix bar in the passenger seat, the airbag deactivation key switch in the glove compartment (uses your original key in the fob) and the roof pod which has the “Airbag Deactivated” light. 

My top tether was installed and was done with precision and care and legitimised with engineering cert for VicRoads by the two very skilled gentlemen that “Safe In Motion”… I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them, they were very easy to deal with and I trust the work implicitly (as you need to when safety gear is involved). 
 

So, that’s what my 981 GTS has fitted and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.