Belt Shortening Clips- would this work?

[Polola0628]

Hey everyone. Our vehicle is a 1995 Ford Explorer. We're needing to install our infant car seat in the center seat. The seatbelt in that position is a locking retracting lap belt- so usually, when you pull a little webbing out, it locks, and you have to feed it back in to unlock it again.

While trying to install the base of our infant seat (Britax B-Safe) a week ago, I discovered that the locking mechanism in the retractor is broken. Someone told me about Belt Shortening Clips (BSCs) and said that I should talk to a tech and get someone experienced to place one.

We were initially going to go and get a new seatbelt from Ford for around $400, but after hearing about this I want to see if it's cheaper (the part + paying a tech). We're pretty low income so I need all of the help I can get!

Anyways- does anyone have any photos of BSC installs, or can you explain the install to me? I'm finding it hard to wrap my head around.

 

[crunchierthanthou]

Yes, it would work. The general idea is that you pull the entire length of the lapbelt out, then use a special heavy duty locking clip (NOT the kind that come with seats) to shorten it to the length required to install your seat tightly. I'm not going to try to explain how to route through the clip over the internet, though. It's not the same as a locking clip, which is only for lap/shoulder belts.

I'd find a tech who is comfortable with them- perhaps an instructor who deals with them on a regular basis, or a fitting station geared toward families in need. I know where I used to live, the techs from the health department fitting station were much more familiar with them, just because they were more often installing seats in older vehicles that didn't have locking belts.

One of those two groups is probably more likely to have them on hand, too. Otherwise, Ford is one of the suppliers of BSCs. You can get one through them. Even if you get one on your own, I'd meet up with someone for hands on training.

 

[Brianna]

Just because I was curious about the difference between a locking clip and belt shortening clip- it looks like there's a pretty significant difference! http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=489632&postcount=26

Not that I would suggest using a BSC without a tech who is familiar with them, but here is how they work http://www.car-seat.org/album.php?albumid=75

 

[EmmaCPST]

What Crunchy said - I would absolutely find a tech or instructor who is very familiar with with a BSC installation. The majority of us have only done an install once or twice, and it was probably in a classroom environment. I wouldn't do one without having a more experienced tech or CPST-I help me.

Alternatively though, is there a reason you can't just put the seat outboard? The B-Safe has a lockoff on the base, so you could just put it behind the passenger or driver with the lap/shoulder belt and the lockoff.

 

[Brianna]

Alternatively though, is there a reason you can't just put the seat outboard? The B-Safe has a lockoff on the base, so you could just put it behind the passenger or driver with the lap/shoulder belt and the lockoff.

OP's sig indicates she has 2 other children.

 

[EmmaCPST]

OP's sig indicates she has 2 other children.

It'd be awesome if I read these things, eh? I don't even have the excuse of being mobile for once!

 

[lorismurph]

Yep, find someone that knows how to use one. I had a vehicle that needed one for a while. It was a PITA but I did it (multiple times). Where are you located? Can we help you find someone that knows how to use one? (maybe that has one even, I have some in my tech kit).

 

[Brigala]

I have only used a BSC in a classroom environment, as mentioned above, but I take it out and practice with it from time to time... I'd be fairly comfortable helping someone with it but they'd have to understand it might take me 3 or 4 tries and referencing my class notes.

 

[caritas]

I have only used a BSC in a classroom environment, as mentioned above, but I take it out and practice with it from time to time... I'd be fairly comfortable helping someone with it but they'd have to understand it might take me 3 or 4 tries and referencing my class notes.

Sometimes it takes 3 or 4 (or 5!) times just to get the perfect tightness! lol




I did one for a friend in her Expedition before I became a tech. Probably took me 20 minutes, but it was pretty hot outside and wrestling with an AOE adds on time anyway.


Where are you located, OP?

 

[trippsmom]

Where are you located? Maybe we can help you find a tech?

I'd feel comfortable doing it, but I just practiced during a class last week. I'm in a place where I serve rural communities and will be training techs in those areas. I could probably film it, but it'd be on a simulator. :/

 

[Polola0628]

Hey everyone! I'm in Chicago. Not sure if there are any techs near me that would know how to do it.. If not I'm content buying the clip from Ford and posting videos of my install and clip routing.

I'm not sure how much the Ford clip is, I know that the GM one is around $30 and the Toyota one is around $16. If Ford's is too expensive (can't find it online and would need to order direct from the dealer) would it be acceptable to use a BSC from GM or Toyota?

 

[EmmaCPST]

Hey everyone! I'm in Chicago. Not sure if there are any techs near me that would know how to do it.. If not I'm content buying the clip from Ford and posting videos of my install and clip routing.

I'm not sure how much the Ford clip is, I know that the GM one is around $30 and the Toyota one is around $16. If Ford's is too expensive (can't find it online and would need to order direct from the dealer) would it be acceptable to use a BSC from GM or Toyota?

You can use any, it doesn't have to be from Ford. Darren is in the Chicago area, wouldn't surprise me if he had a BSC. Let one of us know if you need the OEM part numbers to check pricing from another dealer though, saves you from trying to explain it to a dealership parts guy.

 

[caritas]

Ford's are free.

Part number: F03Z-5461249-A

 

[murphydog77]

Ford's are free.

Part number: F03Z-5461249-A

Are you sure it's not for a regular locking clip? It's always been my understanding they're not free. It'd be great if they are!

 

[Pixelated]

Are you sure it's not for a regular locking clip? It's always been my understanding they're not free. It'd be great if they are!

The one I got from Ford a few months ago (in Canada) was free, but it was called a 'child locking clip'. It most definitely is a BSC though.

 

[BookMama]

The one I got from Ford a few months ago (in Canada) was free, but it was called a 'child locking clip'. It most definitely is a BSC though.

I was always under the impression that what Ford refers to as a locking clip is actually a belt-shortening clip (i.e. they don't distribute a regular, non-load-bearig locking clip). Of course, I've never gotten one from them directly, but all the Ford ones I've seen in our Safe Kids seat check boxes are BSCs.

 

[caritas]

Are you sure it's not for a regular locking clip? It's always been my understanding they're not free. It'd be great if they are!

I educated myself from here that that was a BSC before I went to get one (for a friend). I found various other sites that listed that part number for a BSC. It's definitely not a typical locking clip when you get it. It's definitely the sturdiness of a BSC. But it does come with locking clip directions.....

Also, when I took the cpst course last month, we all got handed out BSC's that were identical to that and were from Ford and told they were BSC's. So if they are not, there are a heck of a lot of people who are incorrectly informed.

 

[EmmaCPST]

Every Ford BSC I've seen has the part # stamped into it too, so that's an easy way to tell too.

 

[carseatcoach]

We have always gotten BSCs free from Ford, but we usually have a uniformed officer make the request.

 

[safeinthecar]

The Ford ones are BSCs and yes they are free. I get them 200 at a time from the local dealer, but I have to talk them around to giving me that many.

Here is a step by photo shoot I posted awhile back in my album.

http://www.car-seat.org/album.php?albumid=75