Safety for kids in old jeep

[unregistered]

I have a 1962 Willys Wagon and I want to make my kids (4 and 6) safe inside. What's the best way? Lap belts are easy to install. I think I can install 5 point harnesses (may have to install new seats). How can I be assured that my efforts will keep them safe inside the car?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

[crunchierthanthou]

Does it have any seatbelts now? If they are original, they should be replaced for sure. The webbing can break down over time.

Lapbelts are great for installing carseats, but passengers should never ride in them alone and they are incompatible with boosters. You should consider at least 3 point lap/shoulder belts for when your children have outgrown harnessed carseats.

Also, I expect that the rear seatback is low and provides very little head support. After harnessed seats, you'll want your children in high back boosters for as long as possible.

There are harnesses that make lapbelts suitable for passengers and can be used with boosters, but they will require that you install heavy duty tether anchors (the 86 Y (http://www.ezonpro.com/products/familyVehicle/86yHarness.shtml) is one example). As long as you are retrofitting hardware, I think it makes more sense to add lap/shoulder belts.

[Defrost]

Adding lap/shoulder belts to older vehicles may not be an option, due to the fact that they don't have a reinforced location for the shoulder belt. The only thing I can think of, since you're talking about retro-fitting belts anyway, is to look at racing harnesses. They make these bars for the harness to attach to that might work for you. You'll have to contact the company about compatibility of the harnesses with children; they're designed for adults and may not fit small children who would otherwise be in carseats.

I think for now I would suggest installing lap-only belts and keep both the 4 and 6 year old in harnessed carseats, like the Graco Nautilus or the Britax Regent. You'll also need to install tether anchors for the top tethers; those can be purchased through EZ-O (http://www.ezonpro.com/index.shtml)n, and they include installation instructions. When those are outgrown, you can pursue the harnesses, as they'll be more likely to fit properly.

BTW, good for you for thinking ahead on this and keeping your kids safe! :thumbsup:

[skipspin]

Are you driving this around town, or just on trails? Do you anticipate having it for a long time and needing to transport the kids in it till they are adult-sized?

Probably the best (cheapest and easiest) bet for now would be to install lapbelts and get some TAs added and use some HWH seats like the Graco Nautilus, Radian, Frontier, Regent, etc. Then, when the oldest outgrows that option look into a "racing" harness and/or shoulderbelts with a HBB like the Monterey, Frontier, or Monarch that will work for larger kids.