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View Full Version : Has anybody replaced seatbelts? Is this safe?

Unregistered
07-09-2006, 03:47 PM
I really really want switchable or cinching lap/shoulder belts in my car. The two lap/shoulder belt combos I have are not. Would replacing them with belts from a more recent model year be unsafe? The dealership won't do it since they're not the ones that belong in my car.
CPSDarren
07-09-2006, 03:55 PM
Hard to say. I'd find it unlikely for anyone to attempt this, given the liability issues. Assuming you could find a belt and retractor system that fit correctly and was installed properly, it could be safe. There's really no way to know.
Unregistered
07-09-2006, 04:05 PM
I just really want the option of installing my MA outboard, yk? Britax said I can't even use the locking clip that came with my car to install seats with the seatbelts. It's just so disappointing.
skaterbabscpst
07-09-2006, 04:28 PM
How do your current belts lock? What kind of car do you have?
Unregistered
07-09-2006, 04:47 PM
They lock with a locking clip. The front belt needs a shortening clip to be used with car seats, the back two lap/shoulder belts need locking clips. The center lap belt is fine. The car came with one shortening/locking clip. It's a 93 escort.
scatterbunny
07-09-2006, 04:58 PM
Do you have issues with the Britax lockoffs?
Unregistered
07-09-2006, 05:38 PM
They don't work rearfacing. Front facing it goes in like a charm. If I ever needed to, I could turn him to put him outboard, but I don't want to. The belts just don't hit them right. Now if they closed on the opposite side, they'd probably work. Mine don't even click closed empty though. Britax is sending me replacements. Unless they're different I'm just going to save them for if/when we get a new car. I'm going to play with it more, if I could get it in super upright, it might pull the belt back just enough, but I doubt it.
scatterbunny
07-09-2006, 05:49 PM
It sounds like your lockoffs are defective, so I hope the new ones work. You can use the lockoff on either side. Fingers crossed you'll be able to get it to work!
Unregistered
07-09-2006, 05:56 PM
Yeah, I think they were to begin with, but the way my belts hit them, they put pressure on the release. I don't think new ones would work unless I put them on backwards. I don't think I can do that.

Thankfully, I doubt I'll have reason to put outboard for a long time. It just bugs me that I can't.