Can LATCH be added to a vehicle?

[KirasMommy]

I'm having such an incredibly difficult time getting any of our car seats (Marathon RF, Radian65 FF, and Nautilus) installed successfully in DH's 1993 Ford Explorer. I was wondering if I would be able to take it to the dealer and have them install LATCH anchors? Of course, it would only be a temporary solution until Kira hit 48 lbs, but we may have a new vehicle by then.

[ThreeBeans]

There are a very few cars that can have lower anchors added to them, and that is not one of them (you should have top tether anchors installed though :))

Have you been to see a technician?

[skaterbabscpst]

No, you cannot have LATCH retrofitted into your Explorer. However, LATCH is not safer than the seatbelt, it's only supposed to be easier.

You can have a top tether retrofitted, and that can significantly increase your child's protection.

[Jeanum]

The previous posters are correct about it not being possible to add lower LATCH anchors in the Explorer. Ford does retrofit top tether anchors for free in most 1989 through pre-2000 model year Ford vehicles under Program R7C. Just reference that program at the Ford dealership, and part number F17Z 78613D74-A for adding an top tether anchor to the '93 Explorer's second row center and outboard seating positions, if you intend to continue driving the Explorer. :thumbsup: Every kiddo riding in a FF harnessed seat can benefit potentially from reduced head excursion if the carseat is top tethered.

You can use the Safe Kids locator to find a technician in your area to assist you:
https://ssl13.cyzap.net/dzapps/dbzap.bin/apps/assess/Webmembers/tool?pToolCode=TAB9&pCategory1=TAB9_CERTSEARCH&Webid=SAFEKIDSCERTSQL

[KirasMommy]

However, LATCH is not safer than the seatbelt, it's only supposed to be easier.

In this case, LATCH would be safer than the seatbelt since I can't get a tight install with the seatbelt. ;)

I kinda figured it couldn't be added. Oh well.

We took it in to have the top tethers installed, but the dealership said they couldn't do it because it was too rusted to be safe. My dad and DH looked inside and out and couldn't find a hint of rust or any indication that they even lifted the carpet to look. So we're going to take it to a different dealership and see if they tell us the same thing.

I'll be a tech next month. ;) I think I'll take the Explorer and the Radian with me and see if the instructor can install it. Maybe he can use it for a class demo?