Best location for infant car seat? Your thoughts...

[delicat]

For those of you who have yound children, where do you find the best/safest place to put their car seat? I'm used to put it in a sedan at the back in the middle (safest) but with the Delica is it safer to have it on the rear bench in the middle or on one of the captain chairs? I recall reading a post about a bad accident on the Island where the back of the Delica had collapsed... hence my question! The captain chairs would be more practical but side impact could be a concern. I only have one child (for now anyway).

Also, in regards to a '91 super exceed, do they all have 3 points seat belts for the rear bench (except the center location) as I've read a post where they only had lap belts???

Thanks,
Delicat

[Green1]

can't answer much about the child seat not having any children, but I can help with this part:

Also, in regards to a '91 super exceed, do they all have 3 points seat belts for the rear bench (except the center location) as I've read a post where they only had lap belts???

3 point seatbelts in the rear became standard starting in august 1991, vehicles after that should have 3 point belts on the rear captains chairs (when facing forwards, lap belt only when facing rearward) and the outside 2 seats of the rear bench.
it should also be noted that the seatbelts on the delica use an inertial braking system, so they are slack until the vehicle stops suddenly or is in a collision, this can cause problems for some car seat mounts as they don't tighten to hold things in place until they are actually needed.

[delicat]

Thanks Green1,

Can the early '91 model be retrofitted with the 3 points seat belts for both the captain chairs and the rear bench?

Delicat

[Green1]

Can the early '91 model be retrofitted with the 3 points seat belts for both the captain chairs and the rear bench?

apparently the mounting points are under the plastic if you get the parts.

[delicat]

Is there any clues from the outside (headlights?..) to let me know if it's post-August and the better seatbelts? I only have a couple pics of my van but none from the inside. I'll email my importer to see if he can fwd me the vin#, I guess that would help... Being a super exceed won't help neither?

If mine doesn't have the 3 points seat belts I'm in trouble...that's how I convinced my wife to upgrade to the Delica from my beloved '78 VW Westfalia; more seating room AND 3 points seatbelts...

Delicat

[Green1]

from the outside it's hard to tell... a few tip-offs, after august 91 the centre high mount brake light became standard (at the bottom of the rear window) beyond that it's hard to be certain, chrome bull-bar became standard on the super exceed at that time, however it was still an option before that, so it's no guarantee (and after that I believe you could also still order it without). other differences (that aren't visible from outside the vehicle) include side impact beams (added in august 91) different altimeter (new one has air pressure calibration markings) different dome lights (front reading lights, and added a dome light above the tailgate in the back)
Also the post august '91 vehicles the middle captains chairs don't slide as far back as they did before (there's a bolt through the track to stop them from using the last 6" or so of track) (most likely this is to make them line up properly with the shoulder belt on the wall)

[delicat]

Ok, Thanks Green1.

Unfortunately I can't tell from the pics if I have a 3rd brake light as the only 2 pics I've got aren't that great and I've got a ladder that obstruct the "hopefully" 3rd brake light. I'll wait for a reply from Terra2 to see if they have the production date and vin available.

Here's the link to my "not soon enough to arrive" Delica:
http://www.terra2imports.ca/import-japa ... 860782.htm
With that thing on the roof I'll never fit into any underground parking!

And Green1, you'll be happy, it's another white one!!!

Delicat

[delicat]

I think I'm off the hook with my wife, the dog house will have to wait for my next big mistake. Just been told that my Delica was manufactured Oct 1 '91 which means it should have the 3 points seatbelts, Ouf!

Anyone can confirm this from my VIN#? It's P35W-0204786

Thanks for everyone's info, especially Green1

Cheers,
Delicat

[bunny]

Hi Delicat, we have our infant car seat in the captain chair behind the driver. It seems to be the safest option, the most protected and the most convenient. The captain chair is pushed all the way to the front position on it's track & the car seat faces the rear of the car. These are supposed to be all the little things that keep your kid safest in this vehicle as we were told anyway. I hope that's somewhat helpful Tori

[delicat]

Thanks Tori,

Good to have everyones input on this. 39Ronin was kind enough to confirm that my Delica is post Aug. '91 and should have the 3 points seatbelts so I should be all set up when it arrives.

Thanks again to all,
Delicat