How do I....

[pepsichic9115]

How do I go about getting a tether anchor installed in my 96 Ford Aerostar?? I went to the local Ford dealership today and they looked at me like I have 2 heads. The guy I talked to said he looked and that there is no such part for my van, but he could "make something that would work basically the same." Im not so sure how comfortable I am with that statement. When I asked him if that would qualify for free install, he again looked at me strangely and said he had no idea what I was talking about. Please someone help me figure out how to go about this!!!

Thanks
Nichole

[UlrikeDG]

There are four Tether Anchor (TA) positions for the '92-'97 Aerostar: front passenger seat and all three center seating positions, none for the 3rd row. The part number is the same for all of them (F17Z 78613D74-A). Here is what the notes say.

Front seat: "Use drill dimple under 2nd row pass. side."
Second row, center: "For 2nd row, use center drill dimple under 3rd row seat."
Second row, outboard: "For 2nd row, use one of (2) outboard drill dimples under 3rd row seat."
Notes: "For tether installation, third-row vehicle seat must be removed (quick-release). CSS Tether Strap Anchor Kit: 8mm bolt, plate, weld nut bracket, thread lock."

And, here are the details for the free installation: Dealership Installation Program: For 1989 and later models, Ford will pay their dealers to install tether anchors (Program R7C).

Hope that helps!

[pepsichic9115]

Thank you so much for your help!! I had managed to find the Program # after reading on here alot!! I had a Part number--but I was only part of what you gave me!! I will be contacting the dealership again tomorrow to share this information and to make sure things get done!!!

[benjason]

I just got tether anchors installed in my 95 Ford Taurus last week. The first one was free (including the install) but I did have to pay to install the second one ($60 including the parts).

[singingpond]

It's also worth talking to more than one dealership -- some are less clueless than others (sometimes by virtue of having an 'old-timer' on staff who actually remembers the days when more people were having anchors installed, before new vehicles started having them installed at the factory). Also, how many they are willing to do for free seems to vary by dealership; I have no idea why, since I believe they are reimbursed by the corporate entity. We found a dealership that installed 3 free anchors in our 1990 Crown Vic; other dealers we talked to were willing to do only one anchor for free. Being armed with part numbers and bulletin numbers definitely helps.

Katrin