Installing Radian in old Toyota Corollas

[Meir]

Hi,
We're thinking about buying the Radian (either 65 or 80) for our two cars, '92 and '93 Toyota Corollas and I'm looking for advice about whether they're compatible. Please excuse my imprecise language - we've been using the Britax Roundabout that even someone of my limited intelligence can figure out.

The cars have no LATCH or anything to attach a top tether to (this is before they were required in cars). I've been told by a couple of authoritative sounding people that the bottom tethers can just buckle onto the bar under the back seat which the seat belts attach to, but in these cars it's not a bar, it's individual handles for each strap. So,
1. Is there a way in these cars to attach the bottom tether?
2. If not, is this a safe car seat to install using only the seat belt?

It would have to be installed in one of the side seats since we'll still need one Roundabout and the two don't fit well next to each other in our car.

Thank you very much in advance for any advice.

[joolsplus3]

The bottom anchors can't be added, but the TOP anchors can and should be easy to add (one of us can look up part numbers if your local toyota dealer is clueless, and it's usually quite inexpensive or even 'do it yourself' once you get the right part).

As for the Radian... it might fit... I think... It's got quite a different shape from the Roundabout...much more slippery on the back and bottom, that stops it from gripping into the seat like the Roundabout does. I think a few people here have Corollas and have tried Radians, you might want to try a search (google box at the bottom of the page). If it turns out to be a major no-go, then the Marathon is basically a giant roundabout and it will fit easily.

[musicmaj]

I have a radian in my 1990 corolla. You will need to use the seatbelts to install this seat. You can not use lower anchors because there not any in the car. It installs well forward facing in the center with just the lapbelt. I do have to twist the seatbelt buckle stalk 2 times though. The stalk that I twist is the female end. You can add an upper tether anchor (not lower latch bars) to both of your cars. They are approximately $10. Check your owners manual to see where the welded nuts are on the back dash. This is where the tether anchor is installed. I have three welded nuts in my car. One center and two on each side. I am actually installing a tether anchor in my car today.

You can also install the radian forward facing outboard, but the install is much more difficult. You will need to use the seatbelt and a locking clip. (the H shaped clip that comes with the seatbelt.) It is easier to install the seat here with help - but not impossible to do it yourself. You can see the radian installed outboard in my corolla in my signature picture.

I have never tried the radian rearfacing in this car.

If you have any specific questions on installation, please ask!

[tiggercat]

I have a '94 Corolla, and spent hours and hours fighting to try to get an acceptable install FF with the Radian. I am a canadian tech. In the end, I admitted defeat. I was able to get a decent install in the centre with the lap belt, but then I couldn't fit my son's booster on the side. I was unable to achieve an acceptable install outboard with the lap/shoulder belt. The outboard anchorage point of the seatbelts was simply too far forward, so no matter how tight I got the seat in (using a locking clip on the lap/shoulder belt to fix it's length) the seat as always able to slide forward a couple of inches, loosening the install to an inacceptable one.
My mechanic was able to order and install top tether anchors for me at a minimal cost.

[singingpond]

I'm not sure what years the model designs changed on the Corolla. So far, posters have told you about successful installs in a '90 and unsuccessful in a '94 (I think). I have a '96 Corolla (station wagon, although I don't think that makes a difference). I have a Radian solidly installed RF in the center. It was a difficult install, requiring lots of pushing and maneuvering, 3 full twists of the buckle stalk, plus a 180 degree flip to keep the latchplate secure. I also tried a FF install in the center and that worked OK. RF outboard may install securely, but the carseat is so long front-to-back (with the obligatory rear-facing boot on the Radian) that the front vehicle seats can't even go forward far enough to make room for the Radian. FF outboard is the one option I have not yet been able to get a secure-feeling install with -- even with twisting the buckle stalk as much as I can, the carseat still moves more than I'm comfortable with. I still plan to try again, but my experience so far is not encouraging for FF outboard install.

The '96 has the weld nuts in place, so we can install the top tether anchors ourselves (got them from a Toyota dealer for about $12 each, IIRC). I'm not sure when the weld nuts became standard, but you may have them on '92 and '93 vehicles. Our 1990 Ford, for example, already has the weld nuts for installing anchors.

We have a Parkway booster on one side of the RF Radian (tight, but manageable to buckle the seatbelt on the booster), and Britax Wizard (predecessor of the Boulevard) on the other side. The Britax seat puzzles beautifully next to the Radian when they are both facing the same way, and still fits acceptably (but barely, in this vehicle) when they face in opposite directions.

Katrin