2001 Ford Windstar

[MommyofBoogieBear]

We will FINALLY have our minivan on Thursday! It's a 2001 Ford Windstar. I have only seen it once, and I remember that the seatbelts didn't lock (like I am used to with our car now). But after posting on here about it, I was told that I would need to use the lock offs.

So I just wanted to confirm. I have a MA, Radian and a Snugride. I can only find two at the moment...but I hope to find another lock off around the house before Thursday.

Also, I have never used tethers before since our cars are so old. Does anyone know if I will be able to use a tether with this car?

Oh, and while I am at it :rolleyes: any suggestions on the set up in the car! I'm a bit nervous to have DS so far away from me in the back. I have always been able to reach the kids in our Montero Sport. Would you put DD back there with DS...and the baby in the middle? Or the baby and DD (2 1/2) next to each other and DS in the back by himself??

thanks!!!

[An Aurora]

It has locking latchplates, so no lockoffs required :)

[MommyofBoogieBear]

oh boy. i'm going to show my ignorance. :( what are locking latchplates? i just remember when i went to pull the seatbelt...i didn't lock. :( sorry for my ignorance :(

[Nisha]

Which trim package is it?
I have a 2000 SEL and LOVE it. (I know, I say it all the time ;) )

As far as the seatbelts go, mine has locking latchplates. They are VERY easy to tighten and very secure for holding car seats! It will also have LATCH so if you choose, you won't have to use the seatbelts at all!

The middle row (whether it's the bench seat or the 2 capitan seats) will have LATCH in both seats, including top tethers on the back of the seats. The 3rd row will have LATCH that you can either use in both outboard positions OR the center position. (just not all 3 at the same time.)
The 3rd row will have top tether anchors in all 3 positions.
If your front passenger seat is NOT power, it will have a tether anchor, if it is a power seat, you will have to use the D-ring to tether a RF marathon.

Here is my setup right now....
DS (17 mos) RF in MA passenger side capitan seat
DD (3 1/2) FF in MA 3rd row drivers side
Daycare baby (3 mos) RF in infant carrier drivers side capitan seat.
This way, when daycare baby isn't with us, the drivers side capitan seat can be folded down for easier access to DD. It's really pretty easy to buckle her in back there since there's easy access with the sliding door.

[Nisha]

oh boy. i'm going to show my ignorance. :( what are locking latchplates? i just remember when i went to pull the seatbelt...i didn't lock. :( sorry for my ignorance :(

Don't worry about it!!!
With locking latch plates, you buckle the seat belt (lap/shoulder), pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten it. Then pull up on the lap part. It doesn't move, and the shoulder portion remains "free sliding" but locks in the event of sudden motion. The lap portion of the belt locking will hold your car seats secure.

[MommyofBoogieBear]

ok, that is SUPER helpful! I remember pulling on the seatbelts....and they were "free sliding" as you say...and I thought ...oh no! how are we going to get a solid install with the carseats! i didn't know the lap belt doesn't move. you have calmed my fears. thanks! now i will have to get out the manuals to try to figure out how to use LATCH. it has never been an option before...so this is a first.

thanks for your help! however, knowing me...on Thursday I am sure to post again with doubts!

thanks for letting me know of your set up. trying to figure out where to put my 2 1/2 yr old is the hardest. i don't quite trust her with the baby yet...but do i really want her with her brother in teh back where they can cause havock also?!

oh....you know....i have no idea what model it is. isn't that horrible?! i know the car is originally coming from Mexico (we live in Central America)....but beyond that I don't know. I'm not even sure it will come with an owner's manual. most cars down here don't have them...sad huh?

thanks for your help!

[Nisha]

oh....you know....i have no idea what model it is. isn't that horrible?! i know the car is originally coming from Mexico (we live in Central America)....but beyond that I don't know. I'm not even sure it will come with an owner's manual. most cars down here don't have them...sad huh?

thanks for your help!

I don't think the model really matters - I'm pretty sure things such as the seatbelt style, LATCH and all are standard no matter what trim package it is.

If it has the 2 capitan seats in the middle row, the kids will have a hard time "messing" with each other - when I put DD in the middle row with DS, she can hand things to him but can't really irritate him!

[Nisha]

Since I was cleaning the van out the other day, and had the seats out anyway, I decided to take pictures of the tether locations to help others find them!

Middle row capitan seat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/nisha_ru/Car%20Seats/IMG_9859.jpg

3rd row seat, pushed up to see underneath
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/nisha_ru/Car%20Seats/IMG_9862.jpg

3rd row seat normal - you can't see the tether anchors. - you have to crouch down and look under!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/nisha_ru/Car%20Seats/IMG_9864.jpg

Power front passenger seat = no tether anchor, D-ring around outside seat leg. (I moved it from the location pictured to the location cicrled so it doesn't get caught if the seat moves on the track.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/nisha_ru/Car%20Seats/IMG_5612.jpg

[crunchierthanthou]

just a note on the windstar tether anchors- you tether down/backward. There's a diagram in your vehicle owner's manual, and Keri posted pictures here- http://car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=468971&postcount=3