retrofit shoulder belts - what about the panels?

[torchard]

I don't think this wesco product would solve the problem. As I understand it, there is a mounting location behind the panels for retrofit. The issue is the lack of reinforcement/gusseting of these mounts.

For myself, I've decided let it go for now as it helps to build the case for the next van...

--T

[Gyaku]

I suspect that if these were mounted behind the existing mounting holes and welded it would be very difficult to pull the 1x2.5" plate through the posts in a crash.

I have finally found kid seats good to 80lbs with the build in 5 point harness. They work with lap belts and anchor into the floor.

I'm still thinking about the refit and I'll take a closer look at the mounting points when I fix the power blinds this summer.

David

[torchard]

Good point. And like you, I have a blind repair due so good time to look. Which make/model of child seat did you go with? I'll have two kids on the back bench in child seats for a few years yet, so the should harnesses may be less an issue.

[Gyaku]

I found a listing for the Britax seat at Baby's R Us. It's pricey at $299.99, but it has an A++ crash rating. I will have to change the captain chair lap belts to the locking type. These seats will only require an achour point in the floor and will give the kids a guaranteed solution up to 80lbs. I can hide the anchour points under a carpet flap.

The only problem is that with two kids this will cost about $900.00 for the seats and the seatbelts.

If I put in shoulder belts and use our current boosters, the cost would only be around $300.00. Minus of course the hours of fun invovled in installation.

I have until the end of summer (when my daughter moves to a booster) to figure this out...... As it is my son is enjoying riding up front.

David

[torchard]

Yup it only takes money. I changed the captain's chairs to locking type via Wesco performance units a few months back. i've since removed one seat. I'll have the two youngest on the rear bench and the ten year old sans booster in the remaining captain seat. If I went with boosters similar to yours then the shoulder belts for rear bench would be a non-issue but would be desirable for the captain seat though.

You could probably locate a lap belt from an older rabbit or something if you wanted to save some money. I assume they would fit in the current spot and under the trim pretty easily. I didn't have time to root around the wrecking yards so ordered them online instead.

thanks though - I'll have a look at that booster seat.

--T

[Gyaku]

Update,

I finally got around to doing something with the middle seats. I took a piece of 1/8" x 1" steel drilled three holes in it. I bolted the steel to the floor using the rear holes for the captain seat tracks. The middle hole on the bar has a seat anchor bolted to it (after market) and holds down the top of the booster seat. I had an old UAS belt from the kids first car seat and I hooked it through the chair and to the two additional seat anchors bolted to the floor using the middle bolts of the captain seat tracks. Add the lap belt and the kids seats are not going anywhere. I'll post some picks this weekend.

Now all I have to do is "pretty it up" and order the Britax chair from Vancouver for the older kid.

As for the blinds..... I need to get 3 new(working) ones for the van.... any idea where?

David

[Green1]

As for the blinds..... I need to get 3 new(working) ones for the van.... any idea where?

depends what is wrong with them of course, but those blinds are next to impossible to get out, if it is at all possible, try to repair them in place instead (the most common problem is broken clips which I have posted a fix for on this site previously) if it truly is the motors or something more major then you can try sourcing spares from mardydelica or ccautos. but be warned, near as I can tell, mitsubishi started with a set of blinds and built a delica around them, they are a PAIN to get at!