radian install, 3 acros, subaru, question, lots of pics

jn__ · May 23, 2007

I got 3 rear facing seats in a 2000 subaru legacy wagon (no LATCH - seat belts only.) I'm so happy now that I don't have to turn one of them around (neither are anywhere near 30, much less 33.)

I know this kind of thing is like porn around here so I thought I'd share. Plus I'm all out of breath and feeling accomplished and no one eles would care.

I have a marathon, the radian, and then I can get my snugride OR my roundabout, (or probably another marathon, or a PERSON.) so I'm set for a little bit. I have a car-shaking install with the radian in the center with the seat belt. I couldn't get it as tight forward facing, but I think I need help so I'll try that when the time comes. If not, I'll have kids in rf seats for a bit.. I'm going to keep it because it's allowing me to do this 3-across for now. By the time I need it I'm sure I could turn the marathon, and something better will have come along.

My question, is it okay if the belt sits like this? There's really no way it won't touch it, due to the design of the seat.

all three. The marathon isn't tethered, only because I'm not done yet lol. Also I took the headrests off to take the picture but put them back after.

Not touching the doors anymore! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Finished, with headrests, and a roundabout

Kids are baby not yet born, 26 lb, 34" tall 3yo girl, 25 lb 32" tall 18mo old boy.

Namegirl · May 23, 2007

I can't answer your Radian question, but WOW! Good job!!

Melissa W. · May 23, 2007

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to try something similar either this weekend or next week. I have a Marathon, snugride, and a Radian (on the way, should be here on Friday) and I'm trying to fit all three carseats in my car, a 2004 4-Runner. I also have another Marathon, so I would like to eventually have the Marathon, Radian, and another Marathon in my backseat. You gave me some encouragement that this will work!

Thanks again.

Melissa W.

becca011906 · May 23, 2007

Did you take out the marathon and test the radian to be sure it's actully secured and not just stuck? also have you tried leaving the seat belt stalk untwisted so that the whole thing is in the belt path that might make it a little tighter, i have a pic of what i mean in my siggy line... also how many twists is that in the belt stalk?

jn__ · May 23, 2007

the radian went in first, so the marathon has nothing to do with it. And yes, I am sure the marathon is tight by itself. There's 2 twists in the stalk. If I don't twist it, the bulk of the female buckle will sit on the curve of the seat and it's not as tight (the belt isn't long enough to let the whole thing go in)

I am very happy with the tightness, just that it goes in there like that and wanted to make sure it was ok. It does not move at all, pulling it results in the car rocking back and forth.

becca011906 · May 23, 2007

If it results are that tight would say it's great then, is it just the plastic part of the female stalk hitting? none of the metal right?

stayinhomewithmy6 · May 23, 2007

Yes, as long as it's tight, I think it's fine. I have installed my Radian like that in some vehicles and it's fine with me as long as it's tight. You could twist it one more time if you want to, because it's okay to have up to 3 full twists in the belt stalk.

jen_nah · May 23, 2007

I would give the belt stalk 1 more twist and I think you will be set. It's really close to the stress point that I think 1 more twist would get the belt stalk down toward the seat bit just a bit more.

AWESOME JOB! Getting 3 across in a small vehicle like yours is tricky and you did good.

jn__ · May 23, 2007

Jenny - I thought 2 or 2.5 twists was the max?

It is not touching at the metal - if you look closely there's a sort of bend in the plastic and it sits right on the edge of the seat. Nothing I can do will make it budge either way.

If I can get it tight with the buckle body resting diagonally across the curve of the plastic, is that a better install?

becca011906 · May 23, 2007

You can safely twist the stalk 3 full twists... pulling it down just a hair more might make it even better and farther from the belt path!

jn__ · May 23, 2007

Okay.. it's 90 out there! lol

I twisted it one more time and ... it's a smide further. Here's another pic

jen_nah · May 23, 2007

While it's better my concern is it's still on the belt buckle which is considered a stress point. We rather have it bend on the webbing of the seatbelt or the bulk fully in the belt path but none of the buckle on the bend. What does it look like with no twists at all in the belt stalk?

I know it's hot out there as I live in Texas so I know what you mean when you say it's hot outside.

jn__ · May 23, 2007

This is what it looks like with no twists. I think I like it better with 3 twists. Thoughts? It's now resting diagonally but I feel like force is still pulling sideways by the two parts in the buckle.. does that make sense? The metal and male end is definitely not touching the curve of the belt path.

I can't get anything, even with my husband helping me, that results in the entire thing being in the belt path.

jen_nah · May 23, 2007

It doesn't have to do with the metal being on the bend. It's more the whole buckle system we don't want on the bend. I agree the 3 full twists looks better then none.

It's a hard call.

jn__ · May 23, 2007

I appreciate your help!

I'm in a quandary now because I have this exact problem with a roundabout, a marathon, and now the radian, in all three positions. I can't remember if my snugride does this. I checked and re-did the marathon several times and it still does it.

I can get the radian outboard, but I don't like resting my head on the steering wheel (or passenger/dash) lol. If I do put my seat back, it makes the radian more upright. It's only slightly better outboard though. I can get the marathon in the middle, but still the same problemw ith all my seats, and has been this way all along. I never knew that, if it's in the manual then I must have glossed over it all the times I've read it

I think I'm going to stick with the 3 twists, it's straighter like that.. ?? Lesser of evils?

jn__ · May 23, 2007

I was searching the forums and came across this thread - http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=15845 I believe both of ours are in the exact position. I just thought maybe you guys thought my buckle was bent? (it's not, it just has a.. curve? to it. The belt isn't bent at all

My wrists are so. sore.

scout · May 23, 2007

Wow. I have a Subaru wagon and I am SO impressed!

twokidstwodogs · May 23, 2007

I'm impressed too! Those Subaru buckle stalks can be a huge pain. The ones in my 99 Forester gave me headaches.

jn__ · May 24, 2007

bump!

just curious about that other thread.

twokids- did you do anything special that made it easier?

Ugh it's such a great car in so many other ways, but sometimes I think they deliberately designed it so you couldn't use car seats in it! lol

jn__ · May 24, 2007

Ok, this is my final install, at least for a few days. whew.

I am a goof... I wasn't twisting three FULL revolutions. This is three FULL spins. It was really mentally challenging to do thihs, took a few tries.

I was doing 2.5 and 3 half turns. Doh!

Now it rests flush against the plastic and doesn't really enter the belt path... I think this is better, but I was curious your thoughts. Sorry to be a pain about this eek.

It is still a completely tight install.

radian install, 3 acros, subaru, question, lots of pics

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