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View Full Version : lap only belt ??


dd9736
09-07-2007, 03:10 PM
I've read quite a few things on here about the lap only belt installs, I have a radian rfing in both an 06 F-350 supercrew cab, and a 96 chev cavalier 2dr. in the center of both seats is the lap belt that you pull one end to tighten, and 90% of the time the locking latchplate works just fine, but we're moving the seat back and forth, depending on which vehicle DH brings home on Friday nights, not only that, but 90% isn't good enough for me, as if we are in a crash, there is always the chance that what I thought was in the 90% of my installs where it works is actually in the 10% when I didn't get it just perfect.
So my question is, what can I do to make sure that the seatbelt will lock 100% of the time. In the truck there is the option of putting the seat outboard, which I do most of the time, unless we're transporting extra people and need the extra shoulder belt, but in the car it will only fit in the middle, an outboard install would have me (the passenger) dangerously close to the airbag (as good as sitting on the thing) and absolutely no way of getting DS into the seat comfortably (for me as I'm 7.5 months preggo)

crunchierthanthou
09-07-2007, 03:22 PM
If you flip the latchplate 180 degrees before you buckle it (just turn it backward) it will help it to lock even if the seatbelt isn't exactly parallel.

dd9736
09-07-2007, 11:02 PM
thanks, I'm getting more and more paranoid everytime I'm on here, but it's a good paranoid, because it means my kids will be safer.

snowbird25ca
09-07-2007, 11:36 PM
You can also twist your buckle stalk to help move the latchplate lower.

Getting your seats checked by a tech might go a long ways towards putting your mind at ease too. :)

dd9736
09-08-2007, 10:00 AM
If I were to twist the buckle stalk 3 times say, and then flip the latchplate (had to do that in one car I installed in) is that still safe, or should I have stopped at 2.5 twists to the buckle stalk. (never have to install in that car again, as it had a complete breakdown on the way home, but it may come up again.)

crunchierthanthou
09-08-2007, 10:40 AM
both are fine.

There are some pictures in another thread (http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=24370) showing both.

papooses
09-08-2007, 11:57 AM
The only way I could possibly fit a carseat in our 1997 Civic HX 2 door with deep seats + center bump + buckle stalks forward of the bight ... was to both twist the buckle stalk three full 360 degree turns & flip the lap only belt over.

(our only other option being long/reverse belt path Husky outboard, which renders the center seat unusable)