What the first year to have the Lower Latch Bars for child safety seats? They were not required by law until 2003, but some manufacturers started earlier. Anyone? Thanks in advance..
Can anyone tell me...
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Okay, Nevermind...
Okay,
It looks like Chris Slee answered my question in his newbie guide. Thaks Chris for putting that together, very helpfull! IT appears from his write up that the lower Latch system was added to the 2001 Cruisers.
Okay,
It looks like Chris Slee answered my question in his newbie guide. Thaks Chris for putting that together, very helpfull! IT appears from his write up that the lower Latch system was added to the 2001 Cruisers.
Well actually it's Christo, not Chris, but that's ok...
As for those lower latch system child seat things, you can easily add them to any Cruiser in about 5 minutes. I put them on my '97 and my sister put them on her '99. Just buy a 3/16" steel screw-close carabiner from a hardware store, in the $1 each range or less. Put the carabiner through the same metal slot the seatbelt goes through, it'll fit, ideally have it slightly off to the side of the seatbelt, so the seatbelt portion isn't sandwiched between the metal you're adding and the factory bracket. It works perfect, easy to clip into, solid, etc. I can take a pic of my setup if you want.
Adding these anchors was a requirement on my son's new seat, it (like alot of new seats) are only really designed for the LATCH system, since the seatbelt runs right behind the kid's back, no space there at all, just the 1/4" of padding. If using the Cruiser seatbelt the buckle ends up right in the child's back...most older carseats had a actual open area the seatbelt went which could easily handle a buckle or something, but the newer style usually doesn't have that..
Good Luck..
As for those lower latch system child seat things, you can easily add them to any Cruiser in about 5 minutes. I put them on my '97 and my sister put them on her '99. Just buy a 3/16" steel screw-close carabiner from a hardware store, in the $1 each range or less. Put the carabiner through the same metal slot the seatbelt goes through, it'll fit, ideally have it slightly off to the side of the seatbelt, so the seatbelt portion isn't sandwiched between the metal you're adding and the factory bracket. It works perfect, easy to clip into, solid, etc. I can take a pic of my setup if you want.
Adding these anchors was a requirement on my son's new seat, it (like alot of new seats) are only really designed for the LATCH system, since the seatbelt runs right behind the kid's back, no space there at all, just the 1/4" of padding. If using the Cruiser seatbelt the buckle ends up right in the child's back...most older carseats had a actual open area the seatbelt went which could easily handle a buckle or something, but the newer style usually doesn't have that..
Good Luck..
Please take a picture. I would much prefer to use the method you have mentioned vs the dag gone seatbelt. Way to think outside the box. I wonder why the childseat people have not started selling such a thing. I am imagining what you are talking about but would much prefer a picture. I will go to the hardware store this weekend. Thanks again for the great idea.
uzj100
uzj100
I second the request for a pic...too dang tired of twisting like a contortionist over the monster car seat my wife bought to string the seat belt thru the thing...only to end up fighting the stupid buckle 'cause it hits the wrong spot on the car seat. Makes me sweat just thinking about it.
Big help...thanks for the pics
Mark, that is brilliant. Do you put thread lock on the threads so they don't work loose?
nice job mark
now go clean your seats!
now go clean your seats!
Has anyone actually tried this on a 100? When I look, there doesn't appear to be enough room on one side, and the other side has a plastic protector hindering access (trying to install seat in center position)...I'd prefer to do the latch, just not sure its possible.
Input?
Input?
Seat belt tighteners...
Some controversy since they are not "crash tested"...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-5557594-5633560?v=glance&s=baby&n=542454
Some controversy since they are not "crash tested"...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t.../104-5557594-5633560?v=glance&s=baby&n=542454
Thanks, but I was specifically interested in trying to "retrofit" a LATCH-type set-up...
Not to throw a wrench in this, but I use to cave/climb with TAG and I would have NEVER EVER trusted a 1.00 carabiner to save my life if I fell from a rock. All carabiners are NOT the same and the ones that I have used have very different load limits. Now I do not know the figures on the hardware store carabiners but I know that they are NOT approved for climbing and as such I would never use them on a child seat.
Not knocking your idea man but just want to tell some facts regarding that type of hardware.
Not knocking your idea man but just want to tell some facts regarding that type of hardware.
OK, so I'll buy the carabiner at REI...now can anyone help?
hoser
SILVER Star
Just an FYI, most seatbelt webbing have a tensile strength of at least 6,000lbs. Try to get a carabiner that is rated at least that much.
I don't think a retrofit is possible, but I have not looked at a 2001 & up model that has the anchor points.
Here was my quick fix. Mini shackles (Home Depot) rated to either 1800 or 2400 lbs. They allow quick removal / install of the child seat and I am confident of their safety. Ran the top strap back to one of the 3rd seat floor mounts, but can also run it back to the DS 3rd seat belt latch. Center (safest) position w/ my child seat allows passenger side 2nd seat to fold & tumble and allow an easy 6th passenger access to 3rd seat. This works well for my '99 100, but having just a lap belt in the center seat can't be beat. It takes me 20 minutes to work that special clip that is used to modify a shoulder belt, and I would still not be confident that it is as safe as it should be.
-Mark
Here was my quick fix. Mini shackles (Home Depot) rated to either 1800 or 2400 lbs. They allow quick removal / install of the child seat and I am confident of their safety. Ran the top strap back to one of the 3rd seat floor mounts, but can also run it back to the DS 3rd seat belt latch. Center (safest) position w/ my child seat allows passenger side 2nd seat to fold & tumble and allow an easy 6th passenger access to 3rd seat. This works well for my '99 100, but having just a lap belt in the center seat can't be beat. It takes me 20 minutes to work that special clip that is used to modify a shoulder belt, and I would still not be confident that it is as safe as it should be.
-Mark
Pic 2
Pic 3
I knew somebody would know! Thanks Mark, looks like that will work.
The 95 and up LCs also have the type of seatbelt retractors you can switch to ratchet mode - ALR/ELR for curious types. This means that when installing a rear child seat in any retractor seatbelt except the driver's (safety issue), you can really crank the seat down tightly. Here's how:
Install the shoulder belt as the seat instructs, clip the belt to the buckle as though you're all done. Then pull the shoulder belt slack out all the way to the end of the belt. Now let the belt feed back in - you'll notice it's making a different sound and you're in ratchet mode. Get in the truck and jam a knee in the child seat with a folded towel under it (to avoid mashing the special foam some expensive models have under the child that deforms in a crash like a bike helmet), pressing the child seat down into the seat. Grab the belt and pull as hard as you can to get every little bit of slack out of it. Let go of the seat and it is now pinned down tightly by the ratchet mode.
DougM
Install the shoulder belt as the seat instructs, clip the belt to the buckle as though you're all done. Then pull the shoulder belt slack out all the way to the end of the belt. Now let the belt feed back in - you'll notice it's making a different sound and you're in ratchet mode. Get in the truck and jam a knee in the child seat with a folded towel under it (to avoid mashing the special foam some expensive models have under the child that deforms in a crash like a bike helmet), pressing the child seat down into the seat. Grab the belt and pull as hard as you can to get every little bit of slack out of it. Let go of the seat and it is now pinned down tightly by the ratchet mode.
DougM
