Smallest rearfacing car seats?

So I finally picked up my 2020 TRD OR DCSB today after putting my deposit down on Labor Day. I've spent the last 3 weeks listing out and pricing out all the stuff I want to do, but overlooked one of the more important aspects - car seats!

We have a just under 2 year old and an almost 5 year old. Our current RF seat fits fine in my wife's car behind the driver's seat regardless who's driving. I stuck it behind the driver's seat in the taco and had to slide the seat so far forward I felt like my knees were in my chest. So for now we put RF seat behind the passenger seat (I forgot to see how uncomfortable I'll be if I'm sitting there sometime) with the older kids FF seat behind the driver and it works pretty well.

I know there's two obvious options would be
1. put the RF seat in the middle (since this is the ideal place anyhow) but I hate having the two boys next to each other because the older one won't stop pestering the little one.
2. Only transport them in the wife's car. We've racked up some decent mileage on her car and we'd like to split the load between the two, plus the taco is newer with fancier gadgets and is more fun to drive.

I measured and it looks like in the ideal seat position there's about 29 inches from the back of the driver's seat headrest to the back of the rear seat. I think that one of the Diono Radian models with the angle adjuster might work. Anyone have experience with cramming an RF seat behind the driver's seat? If so, which one(s)?

 

Welcome aboard new member

 

How tall are you?

 

5'9"

 

What age do you plan to put the little one front facing? I ask because similarly aged kids, and flipping the 2 year old forward at about 26 months made a world of difference.

 

Probably sometime in the 26-30 month timeframe. It's one of those things that for a while I was pretty sure 2 years would be when, but then I did more reading and a lot of people recommend until they no longer fit in their RF seats, so idk. I figure it's something I'll chat with the pediatrician about at his 2 year check up and see their thoughts (although I'm sure they'll recommend keeping him RF "as long as possible").

 

I'm 5'11 and this car seat fits just right. I still have plenty of room in the driver's seat.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/safety-first-everfit-3-in-1-car-seat/prod20362301?xid=plp_product_4

 

Yea, that’s common. First one made it 2 1/2, 2nd kid is just bigger and and didn’t fit, doc said he’s big enough to turn. I didn’t find anything rear facing behind driver that was comfortable. But survived behind the passenger for 2 years. Good luck in your search, and enjoy the truck

 

Awesome, thanks! That looks great and reminds me I need to add the dome/map light mods to my list.

 

Welcome to TW!