To LATCH -less folks (for baby seats). Possible solution

[phsycle]

Frustrating not having the LATCH system for baby seats (for pre-02 vehicles). I just ran across something that might be a possible solution.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showpost.php?p=323896&postcount=14

I am going to check it out further this weekend when I have some time. Not sure how the seat belts are mounted in the second row. If anyone has any insight, please post up.

Thanks.

 

[patrickfinley]

How comfortable are you with a home brew latch system for your children?

You don't need LATCH, the seat belts are just as safe, just not as convenient.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

They're mounted to the seats - notice how there's no belts when you flip everything foward. Good solution, and I don't see using climbing hardware as home brew at all, plenty strong.

 

[phsycle]

The main reason for doing this is not only for convenience, but when my inlaws sometimes take my kids, upon returning them, they try to install the seat themselves. I'm usually not home, so can't supervise this. Even after going over procedures a few times, it is still usually installed incorrectly (ie, too loose, forget to install H clip, etc.). LATCH would simplify this. Hopefully.

But, no, I don't know if I feel as good about doing this myself vs getting an OEM system. But really, any mod you do to your car, be it a lift, wheel spacers, etc., will jepordize everyone's safety to some degree. I'll do some more extensive research before moving forward or scrapping the idea.

EDIT: Thanks, Trunk Monkey. I'll see if I can look in the seats to figure if I can squeeze something like this in there.

 

[Sam Stewart]

IIRC, they had a "kit" that they installed to retrofit some of the Toyotas that were built around the time the latch came around. I'll have to do some research to see if it's still out there.

Edit: N/M it was only on Echo and Avalon apparently.

 

[patrickfinley]

Climbing anchors are quite strong. Using the belt's attachment point would put it in a good location as long as it's between 11"-20" wide. It could be fine.

I guess my only previous hesitation is that LATCH systems are a long bar behind your seat. It's not 2 isolated points. It's two hooks along either end of a bar. The points are a specific standard width from each other.. I'm not sure if this single bar performs a certain function during an accident versus 2 distinct connection points.. I don't specifically remember if this is for all or only certain vehicles. Anyway, just something to look into. There is a big dialog out there that LATCH points must be at least 11" apart and no more than 20". (It has to do with Shear and Twist forces during a side impact). Also that most cars you are not to use LATCH in the center seat if there are no center hooks.

It's all a bit of a grey area because really it hasn't all been tested all that much yet.

 

[SupraTuRD]

I prefer the OEM seatbelt over LATCH. The OEM belts are designed to restrain the weight of an adult and are much beefier than the small LATCH straps. Also, don't forget to fully extend the belt after securing the seat... you'll hear a light ratcheting sound as you retract the remainder of the belt.

 

[hks3sgte]

Frustrating not having the LATCH system for baby seats (for pre-02 vehicles). I just ran across something that might be a possible solution.

http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showpost.php?p=323896&postcount=14

I am going to check it out further this weekend when I have some time. Not sure how the seat belts are mounted in the second row. If anyone has any insight, please post up.

Thanks.

Pretty cool setup. I didn't know pre-'02 didn't have the LATCH system.

 

[hoser]

I prefer the OEM seatbelt over LATCH. The OEM belts are designed to restrain the weight of an adult and are much beefier than the small LATCH straps. Also, don't forget to fully extend the belt after securing the seat... you'll hear a light ratcheting sound as you retract the remainder of the belt.

I can understand this point but I've never seen nor heard of a failed LATCH connector. All the lower LATCH fasteners I have tried have been able to get the car seat more snug than when using a seatbelt.

 

[SupraTuRD]

I can understand this point but I've never seen nor heard of a failed LATCH connector. All the lower LATCH fasteners I have tried have been able to get the car seat more snug than when using a seatbelt.

I've never heard of a LATCH failure either... it's just my personal preference. Another thing that I dislike about the LATCH is the skinny attachment point (1/8" or 3/16" at most?).