Astro retrofit?

Karen · Jan 7, 2011

Has anyone ever had a top tether or lap shoulder retrofit done on an Astro? I have a friend who just bought one and will be transporting 5 seat age kids often in it. She really needs a lap shoulder in the middle positions for booster use. Thanks for you help!

Keeanh · Jan 7, 2011

Karen said:
Has anyone ever had a top tether or lap shoulder retrofit done on an Astro? I have a friend who just bought one and will be transporting 5 seat age kids often in it. She really needs a lap shoulder in the middle positions for booster use. Thanks for you help!

What year? How comfortable would you / she be with "unauthorized" retrofits? I have anchors for all my rear positions that I'm comfortable using if necessary. Obviously I use the factory ones normally. But if it's a question of using a retrofit or putting someone in a lap belt, I will use the retrofit.

Mine is a 2000.

Karen · Jan 7, 2011

It is an '05. I'm not really sure how she would feel about that, I haven't asked. So there is not a factory lap/shoulder conversion? There is LATCH in two positions and a tether anchor in three. She feels like the center seats are useless for anything but RFing seats since there is no anchor there, and she can't get her RFing radian to install well there.

Keeanh · Jan 7, 2011

Karen said:
It is an '05. I'm not really sure how she would feel about that, I haven't asked. So there is not a factory lap/shoulder conversion? There is LATCH in two positions and a tether anchor in three. She feels like the center seats are useless for anything but RFing seats since there is no anchor there, and she can't get her RFing radian to install well there.

I have no idea about the shoulder belt thing. I never asked. I thought the rear anchor was in the middle... I guess not? Mine didn't have any anchors in the rear (well, except the cargo hooks, which I know might be controversial). I had 2 very experienced GM mechanics confirm that tether anchors on the bar that anchors the seatbelts would be structurally sound. I have pics if you want.

Defrost · Jan 8, 2011

Karen said:
It is an '05. I'm not really sure how she would feel about that, I haven't asked. So there is not a factory lap/shoulder conversion? There is LATCH in two positions and a tether anchor in three. She feels like the center seats are useless for anything but RFing seats since there is no anchor there, and she can't get her RFing radian to install well there.

The pic in my avatar is of me installing a RF Radian in an Astro. I found it to be fairly easy, but mine was a much older model - a '97. I don't think they've changed much, though. Do you know what kind of trouble she's having? I do think I had to flip the latchplate... thought, that might have been for the FF install. I can't remember very well.

murphydog77 · Jan 8, 2011

Karen said:
It is an '05. I'm not really sure how she would feel about that, I haven't asked. So there is not a factory lap/shoulder conversion? There is LATCH in two positions and a tether anchor in three. She feels like the center seats are useless for anything but RFing seats since there is no anchor there, and she can't get her RFing radian to install well there.

No, there are no shoulder belt retrofits available for any vehicle. Your friend has a great attitude re: tethers (yay! don't we wish all parents were that aware about tether usage?), but remember that tethers aren't required for ff carseats to pass testing so it's still a safe position to install a carseat in. Some HWH seats *do* require top tether usage after a certain weight limit, but researching the carseat before purchase will warn her of that issue.

Karen · Apr 3, 2011

Defrost said:
The pic in my avatar is of me installing a RF Radian in an Astro. I found it to be fairly easy, but mine was a much older model - a '97. I don't think they've changed much, though. Do you know what kind of trouble she's having? I do think I had to flip the latchplate... thought, that might have been for the FF install. I can't remember very well.

Wow, I just saw this reply. Sorry. She can get it in tight, but then it slips down and gets too reclined within a week.

Defrost · Apr 3, 2011

Karen said:
Wow, I just saw this reply. Sorry. She can get it in tight, but then it slips down and gets too reclined within a week.

That's too bad. It actually doesn't surprise me, though - not sure how different her seats are, but the ones in my van are super-cushy. Makes for an easy install, but I can see how a week of compression would make it slip.

Astro retrofit?

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