2001 Ford Explorer tether strap issues

[bretnsabrina]

My wife and I just recently purchased a Graco Passage Convenience Travel System and when I went to install the base of the car seat into our 2001 Ford Explorer the tether straps would not reach the tether anchors in the cargo area. Also, when the back seat of the truck is up-right there is a carpeted piece that stands up and presses against the rear seat. The carpeted piece is the flap that covers any gaps when the seat is folded down. So with this piece there it seems impossible to run the tether straps through the seat to the back of the truck. Has anyone run into this problem with a Ford Explorer? Any info would be much appreciated.:)

[crunchierthanthou]

Your 2001 Ford Explorer does not have lower anchors. LATCH did not become mandatory until the 2002 model year. The cargo rings in the back can be used at tether anchors for the top tether in foward facing seats only.

You need to install your snugride base using the seatbelt. The seatbelt is no less safe, although a locking shoulder belt can sometimes make rear facing seats (including infant seat bases) tip. Make sure you store the LATCH belts so the metal hooks are not flying free in a crash.

Are you trying to install in the center or outboard?

[bretnsabrina]

I am trying to install it behind the passenger seat. In the owner's manual it calls the rear hooks tether hooks. It shows digrams on running the tether straps through the seat to the anchors like where the seat belts come out. Only problem with that is the carpeted flap behind the seat and the straps are not long enough to reach the anchors. I have tried searching for graco tether extensions also with no luck. I sent Graco's Customer service a question about finding extensions but haven't received a response yet.

[bretnsabrina]

The owners manual calls the hooks in the cargo area tether anchors and also gives diagrams to install car seats using these tether anchors. The only problem with the instructions is it says nothing about the carpeted flap being in the way. If you run the tether straps trough the seat where the seatbelts come out the carpeted flap is right there and it can't be folded back. Also, the tether straps that came with the snug ride base are not long enough to reach the anchors. We are installing behind the passenger side seat with the shoulder strap. Is there a safer way? This is our first baby and first time installing a car seat.:)

[Jeanum]

You're going to need to install your infant seat base using the vehicle seatbelt, following the seatbelt installation instructions in the carseat manual. :) If you want a visual aid to help you achieve a proper installation, there are helpful infant seat installation videos at www.carseatsite.com.

Here's a mini-primer on LATCH to help explain why you need to use the seatbelt to install:

The LATCH acronym stands for Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren. Your Graco infant seat base is equipped with lower anchor connector straps which may be used to install in a vehicle equipped with lower anchors. Lower anchors are small metal bars located in the vehicle seat crease (called the bight) where the seatback and seat cushion meet. However, your 2001 Explorer is not equipped with lower anchors, only top tether anchors. Ford didn't include factory equipped lower anchors in the Explorer until the 2003 model year. Top tether anchors became mandatory factory equipment in U.S. vehicles by the 2000 model year, while lower anchors became mandatory in at least 2 rear seating positions in most vehicles by the 2003 model year. Your Explorer was made in between the phasing in of full LATCH by Ford.

Those anchors in your 2001 Explorer's rear cargo area are top tether anchors, which are to be used only for top tethering forward facing harnessed carseats, once your little one has maxed out rear facing in the infant seat and a rear facing convertible carseat way down the road from now. :) Infant seats and their bases would not use those top tether anchors in your vehicle at all.

(sorry to overlap Crunchier's post so much, it took me forever to type this up :o)

[bretnsabrina]

I have read some posts that talked about having anchors installed at no charge at Ford dealerships. Would this fall into this category since I have top anchors and would just need lower anchors? Thanks to both of you for the time and knowledge.

[Jeanum]

No, sorry, lower anchors cannot be retrofitted in your vehicle. Only a few VW models can have that done and even VW has been phasing out that program as I understand it. Generally the only retrofits that can be done are equipping older pre-LATCH vehicles with top tether anchors if they weren't factory equipped with top tether anchors. The LATCH system was intended to standardize or simplify installations, but it hasn't really accomplished that for the most part. Seatbelt installations are fine when done properly. :)

[bretnsabrina]

Are locking clips required for all seatbelt installations or just for vehicles without auto-lock seatbelts?

[bensmom]

Your vehicle does not require a locking clip because you can switch the vehicle seatblets to automatic locking mode. It may be helpful to prevent the base from "tipping" if you are installing with a lap/shoulder belt.

If your center seat has a lap belt, that's a great place to install an infant seat :)

[crunchierthanthou]

Your vehicle will have locking seatbelts- either at the retractor for the shoulder belt or the latchplate of the buckle.

A locking clip is not required. However, you may want to use it if you have a locking shoulder belt and find that it causes your base to tilt. A way to avoid that is to get the lap portion as tight as you can and acheive a proper install before you lock the shoulder belt. A proper install is one with less than 1" of movement in any direction (back and forth or front to back) at the beltpath.

Just a note- even with the base in tight, the part of the base toward the front of the vehicle will lift off the vehicle seat. That's okay. :)