Belt-shortening clip

[scatterbunny]

How does this work and when exactly is it needed?

We're getting a 1994 Mazda MPV (I posted about it, along with a few questions, in the Car Safety Forum) that has only a lapbelt in the middle row. It's a short, two-seater bench with headrests in both spots, but only a lapbelt on the passenger (really in the middle) side. The lapbelt male end comes out forward of the seat bight, and it retracts fully into the seat (only the metal part sticks out of the hole in the seat). I'm assuming this is one of the rare, emergency locking retractor lapbelts? If I understand seatbelts correctly, this is what calls for a belt-shortening clip, correct?

Will I be able to install our Husky in this spot?

[UlrikeDG]

Is it an ALR or ELR (automatic locking retractor or emergency locking retractor)? That is, if you sit in the seat and buckle the belt around you, can you pull slack into the belt after it is buckled, or does it move freely in and out until/unless the vehicle stops suddenly?

[scatterbunny]

I haven't been able to actually test it out; the owner is supposed to call me back tonight to see about a test drive, and I was going to try installing the Husky then, too. But because it's almost 12 years old, and because the lapbelt retracts into a "hole" in the vehicle seat, I figured they must ELR.

[bazanna]

It does sound like ELR. I have to dig out my tether manual for your other questions in the other thread. Anyway, yup, we do use belt-shortening clips in those cases and they have quite a learning curve, moreso than a regular locking clip. It can be done, though (usually LOL!). I'm out in Dayton with the nursery more often these days, I can come take a look and we can play with it if you like. I'll be out there this Saturday, even :)

[scatterbunny]

Where would I get a belt-shortening clip?

I'm out in Dayton with the nursery more often these days, I can come take a look and we can play with it if you like. I'll be out there this Saturday, even

This Saturday, huh? Too cool! I'll probably be in possession of the MPV by then, and I'll have my 14yo cousin with me (she's staying with us for part of summer break) to keep Hayley corralled while we figure it out.

Can you PM me where you'll be so I can get Mapquest driving directions? :)

[bazanna]

I have a clip in my glove box :D Pming you now :)

[bazanna]

I'll bring my latch manual and we can snoop around in there for some possible tether anchors, too :)

[UlrikeDG]

1) Ford has belt shortening clips available for free. The part number is in the CPSP list archives. If you don't have access, I can look it up later (nak).

2) Don't assume that an old vehicle that has lap-only belts has ELR. The vehicle that my dad loaned me to use while waiting for our Pilot to catch up with us is a '79-ish Buick with lap-only belts in the back seat - all ALR. I know the vehicles I rode in when I was a kid (early 80s) all had ALR lap-belts as well.

[scatterbunny]

Thank you both so much! :)

[Judi]

I checked the archives and can't find the part numbers. Help!

[crunchierthanthou]

I checked the archives and can't find the part numbers. Help!

a quick google search yielded this-

Mfr. / Part Number for Belt-Shortening Clips (Part name used by manufacturer may be different)

Ford / F03Z-5461249-A (includes instructions for use as locking clip only; refer to vehicle manual)

GM / 94844571 (no instructions included; refer to vehicle manual)

Toyota / 73119-22010 (includes instructions for belt shortening)

Nissan / H8010-89970 (includes instructions for use as locking clip only; refer to vehicle manual)



from http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/Add-On04/nissan.htm


edit:

and a different Ford one here- http://www.cpsboard.org/pdf/techreport/techreportwinter98_99.pdf (page 4)

Ford: F1VZ-6161248-A (includes instructions for belt shortening)
General Motors: 94844571
Nissan: H8010-89970
Toyota: 73119-22010 (comes with directions that do not include the loop)

[Judi]

I must just suck at google. I tried, i really did.

Thanks so much.

[CDNTech]

I could be wrong, but a '94 seems too new to have an ELR lap belt. My bet is that it's an ALR lapbelt... my parents have one in their '01 F150.

[An Aurora]

I would not assume it's an ELR. I have one just like that in my van, and it's an ALR. ALR lap belts are actually very common in pre-2002 Ford vehicles. I know Ford isn't the only one with ALR lap belts. With a vehicle of that year, I'm willing to bet it's not ELR. Those are usually found in really old vehicles (like 1980s).

[crunchierthanthou]

I could be wrong, but a '94 seems too new to have an ELR lap belt. My bet is that it's an ALR lapbelt... my parents have one in their '01 F150.

this is a 3 year old post about a van Jenny had two vehicles ago. :whistle:

[CDNTech]

this is a 3 year old post about a van Jenny had two vehicles ago. :whistle:

:ROTFLMAO: I didn't even clue in... just hit new posts and replied. :D

Guess I should read dates. :D

[LISmama810]

Out of curiosity, did it turn out to be an ALR? :D (Do you even remember anymore?)

[An Aurora]

Lol, oops!

[Stretchy Glue]

So here I was thinking Jenny is getting another new car! Funny how these old threads can be resurrected.

[scatterbunny]

:ROTFLMAO:

It was ALR, and a total PITA because it was soooo far forward of the bight! The Husky and Regent (and probably the Frontier) and Futura work well there using LBP, but anything with a traditional belt path just sucked. Okay, most infant seat bases I tried were okay, but anything else did not work. It was very frustrating when Britax disallowed the LBP with lapbelt-only on the Husky, we couldn't use it there according to manufacturer's instructions.

My friend has an Expedition with an ALR lapbelt in the middle row, middle seat, and I haven't had issues with getting good installs with that spot, but it isn't so far forward of the bight like my old MPV.

[Defrost]

:ROTFLMAO:

I'm gonna go bump up really old posts just to see if we get more amusing replies. It'll keep us on our toes! ;)

[Judi]

Jenny, did I tell you I tore apart an MPV? Way easy.

[HEVY]

I'm very confused. Lap belts cannot use a locking clip but can use a belt-shortening clip. When I look this up to see what it looks like all I get is the locking clip. What does a BSC look like?

[Judi]

I looks like a hevy duty locking clip, usually silver.

[joolsplus3]

I'm very confused. Lap belts cannot use a locking clip but can use a belt-shortening clip. When I look this up to see what it looks like all I get is the locking clip. What does a BSC look like?

It's a VERY VERY VERY strong locking clip....the hardened steel like your seatbelt latchplate is made of. LC's aren't meant to hold in a crash, they are just basically paperclips to hold your seat in place until the retractor kicks in and does the hard work, while BSC's actually ARE meant to hold in a crash... you pull the belt ALL the way out so it can't get looser, then put it in the BSC (way different from an LC, I think www.cpsafety.com (http://www.cpsafety.com) has pictures of how to do it), and then it will hold that seat in place in a crash.

Fortunately, they are only very rarely needed. (we didn't even have that kind of belt in our tech class, someone had to rig up a regular belt to act like an ELR so we could practice...and I've only had to use one once in an old BMW)

[crunchierthanthou]

I'm very confused. Lap belts cannot use a locking clip but can use a belt-shortening clip. When I look this up to see what it looks like all I get is the locking clip. What does a BSC look like?

locking clip left, BSC right

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z157/crunchierthanthou/lockingclipcomparison.jpg

and from the side to see the thickness difference

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z157/crunchierthanthou/lockingclipthickness.jpg