retrofitting lower anchors?

[bobandjess99]

So, I was at playgroup today and the husband of a friend of mine was there, and said they are getting a complete LATCH system, lower anchors and top tethers, retrofitted into their dodge minivan with the 3rd Gen seatbelts.
:confused:
I thought lower anchors could not be retrofitted? He said he was told the entire set could be retrofitted, so that he can instakkl his carseats with LATCH instead of the seatbelts. they have a regent and apparently, the recline bar keeps hitting the belt buckle and unbuckling it, and so he was told he could get LATCH retrofitted?

Please set me straight, I would hate to be giving out completely wrong information...but I thought only top tethers could be retrofitted, not the entire system?

And if the lower anchors can not be retrofitted...does he have any options for installation?

[LISmama810]

As far as I know, lower anchors cannot be retrofitted. However, if it's a minivan, might it be possible to replace the captains' chairs with new ones that have LATCH?

[Maedze]

As far as I know, lower anchors cannot be retrofitted. However, if it's a minivan, might it be possible to replace the captains' chairs with new ones that have LATCH?



That's what I was thinking...maybe he's swapping out the whole seat?

[stayinhomewithmy4]

As far as I know, lower anchors cannot be retrofitted. However, if it's a minivan, might it be possible to replace the captains' chairs with new ones that have LATCH?

That's what I was thinking too. I don't know of any vehicles that can have the lower anchors retroffited.

[bobandjess99]

That's what I kept asking him , if they were just going to take the entire bench/captains chair out and replace it with a post-2002 one that already has the lower anchors in it. And he said NO, that was not what they said, they said they would drill into his vehicle and put them in. I gently tried to explain that I think terminology was tripping him up, and that they meant they could install top tether anchors, NOt the lower ones....in the end he said he'll call again, and I said I'd ask here.
He said he found out about it online, because people were getting LATCH put in so they wouldnt have to use the 3rd gen seatbelts and could install with LATCH instead...
Anyway..thanks.....

[skaterbabscpst]

It wouldn't surprise me a bit to find some dealer somewhere is installing something they're claiming as lower anchors. Obviously they wouldn't be safe to use of course. :rolleyes:

[bobandjess99]

lol.....and he's getting them so he can install his REGENT...the kid is lke 45? pounds..so wouldn't LATCH limits be exceeded anyway, therefore he would have to use a seatbelt install anyway?

[chimpmandee]

Wow that's nuts. I definitely wouldn't be comfortable relying on them to protect my child in a crash.

Please keep us updated when you find out what changes were actually made to the vehicle. I'm very curious if there really is a dealer claiming they can do that and make it safe.

[azgirl71]

No retro fitting. I acan't recall for sure, but I think Volvo may retrofit lower anchors. I would have to go get my LATCH manual.

If they are just swapping out seats from a newer model I have no problem with that. Now if they truly are installing Lower anchors, they should be reported.

It may also be a misunderstanding on you friends part because the dealer think top tethers are latch.

[Jeanum]

Only certain pre-factory equipped VW and Audi models can be retrofitted with lower LATCH anchors, not Volvos and definitely not Chrysler/Dodge models. :) It's either a misunderstanding of lower LATCH anchor vs. tether anchor terminology, or swapping out the van's original vehicle seats with newer lower LATCH anchor equipped ones, or someone is going way off label so to speak to rig up something inappropriately in the van. :twocents: I hope it's either one of those first two possibilities, and not the latter rigging one.

[azgirl71]

Thanks for looking that up, Jean. My LATCH manual is outside in my bag in my shed. I knew there was at least 2, but possibly 2 who did allow it. As soon as I read your post, it clicked it wasn't Volvo. Thanks again.