RF Radian Seatbelt Install Questions- Base issues

[tempestjewel]

I'm trying to install my Radian RF in the passenger outboard position in my 2003 Toyota Corolla. The reason being my oldest (5) just moved into a booster (Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe with EPS) and I'd really like to put her booster in the center position. Unfortunately, I cannot do a LATCH install and have the Radian close enough to the door (and it's a PITA to install period :mad:). So, I'm trying to do a seatbelt install, but here are my problems/questions:

1. How many buckle stalk twists are considered safe? The belts are quite a bit forward of the bite so I run out of seatbelt pretty quick when tightening it (the stalk can't go any further up cause it is right against the belt path).

2. Does it matter if the base of the Radian is below or above the LATCH anchor points? The base hits them whenever I try to do a seatbelt install and the seat slips to one side, above the door side anchor point but below the middle anchor point- if I put the base below the anchor points I have trouble pulling the seatbelt tighter because of the buckle stalk length. My seat cushions are quite compressed from car seat installs so the anchor points really stick out.

I've done a seatbelt install RF with the Radian in the center position but just cannot seem to get it in the side position.

[crunchierthanthou]

You can twist the buckle stalk up to three full twists (360 degrees each). that should solve the problem of it hitting against the beltpath. I would aim for having the base off the anchors because it could seem tight now, but there's a good chance it would slip over time. By not having it rest on the anchors you could probably get it a bit more upright as well- which will help it fit better outboard in your small car. Older babies and toddlers can be as upright as 30 degrees - when measured from vertical.

[tempestjewel]

You can twist the buckle stalk up to three full twists (360 degrees each). that should solve the problem of it hitting against the beltpath. I would aim for having the base off the anchors because it could seem tight now, but there's a good chance it would slip over time. By not having it rest on the anchors you could probably get it a bit more upright as well- which will help it fit better outboard in your small car. Older babies and toddlers can be as upright as 30 degrees - when measured from vertical.

I'll see if I can install it more upright. My DD riding in it is 26 months so I know she's fine more upright. I also thought about trying it drivers side outboard because I could try both buckle stalks, but then I'd have to buckle the booster between the seats which would be a total PITA. I'll try the three full twists and see if I can do it. Our seats are just so compressed and combined with long buckle stalks forward of the seat and the Radians low belt path it is just a very difficult install :(

[Pixels]

Another good reason not to move the Radian to driver's side: The possibility of unbuckling the Radian when unbuckling the booster. Even worse, the possibility of unbuckling the Radian and not realizing it.

[tempestjewel]

I was able to do the seatbelt install with 3 full twists of the stalk on the passenger outboard side. It wasn't rock solid, but it had less then 1" of play.

However, when I put the booster in the middle and put my DD in it, the seatbelt didn't fit her properly :crying: so she has to stay outboard. The middle seatbelt just cut into her neck too much rather then being halfway between her neck and shoulder cap like it is outboard.

So now I'm debating. At least there is EPS in the booster but I wish she had more SIP because our car is so tiny. I wonder if I'd be able to RF my Radian in the middle and FF a Monterey on the side and still be able to buckle it (I can't buckle the current booster if the Radian is in the middle).

:dizzy: