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Radian Successful Install Thread
- Thread starter Simplysomething
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MissAllyLou
New member
2003 Nissan Altima
RFing center seat, lap/shoulder belt
HARD!!! Twisted female stalk 3 full twists. No LATCH in center.
RFing center seat, lap/shoulder belt
HARD!!! Twisted female stalk 3 full twists. No LATCH in center.
2boys3girls
New member
HELLO, I'M QUESTIONING THE STATEMENT REGARDING *UNSUCCESSFUL RADIAN INSTALL IN ANY FF POSITION IN THE 3RD ROW OF A 2003 8 PASSENGER MONTANA. I HAVE MY RADIAN 80 *ROCK SOLID* IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 3rd ROW OF MY 03 8p. mONTANA.... LAP BELT ONLY, TETHERED.
IS THAT WRONG? thanks!
I've never had my installations inspected.
2007 Honda Osyssey EX-L (leather)
Have done four:
FF captains chairs (both) with seat belt (just had to get the seat back angle correct but it was solid after that)
FF center second row with seat belt (my van is an 8 passenger. Install was not nearly as solid as I prefer but acceptable)
FF with LATCH (easy as could be, never have trouble getting that tight in less than 3 minutes)
FF with seatbelt outboard third row (this was the pain in the butt install. Took a good 5-10 minutes WITH DH's help and I usually don't need him! Finally got it solid by reclining the seat, me sitting in it and tightening the belt as far as I could and putting the seat back up again.)
2005 Chrysler Town and Country with leather
Have done four:
RF third row with rear anchor and seat belt (easy to get solid)
FF third row center and outboard (VERY hard to install and never got it solid even with locking clips)
FF LATCH on captains chair (solid)
RF LATCH with anchor on captains chair (also nicely solid)
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, cloth
Two types of install:
RF center (easy once I figured out the locking seat belt thing)
FF outboard, both sides (also easy but with three across it's hard to NOT have a solid install)
2008 Honda Accord Coupe, cloth
Only done this once, will probably never do it again since it's REALLY hard to get back there to install a seat properly!
FF in both center and outboard. Not nearly as solid as I prefer due to lack of room for ME trying to install them all.
2007 Honda Osyssey EX-L (leather)
Have done four:
FF captains chairs (both) with seat belt (just had to get the seat back angle correct but it was solid after that)
FF center second row with seat belt (my van is an 8 passenger. Install was not nearly as solid as I prefer but acceptable)
FF with LATCH (easy as could be, never have trouble getting that tight in less than 3 minutes)
FF with seatbelt outboard third row (this was the pain in the butt install. Took a good 5-10 minutes WITH DH's help and I usually don't need him! Finally got it solid by reclining the seat, me sitting in it and tightening the belt as far as I could and putting the seat back up again.)
2005 Chrysler Town and Country with leather
Have done four:
RF third row with rear anchor and seat belt (easy to get solid)
FF third row center and outboard (VERY hard to install and never got it solid even with locking clips)
FF LATCH on captains chair (solid)
RF LATCH with anchor on captains chair (also nicely solid)
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, cloth
Two types of install:
RF center (easy once I figured out the locking seat belt thing
)FF outboard, both sides (also easy but with three across it's hard to NOT have a solid install)
2008 Honda Accord Coupe, cloth
Only done this once, will probably never do it again since it's REALLY hard to get back there to install a seat properly!
FF in both center and outboard. Not nearly as solid as I prefer due to lack of room for ME trying to install them all.
Judi
CPST/Firefighter
HELLO, I'M QUESTIONING THE STATEMENT REGARDING *UNSUCCESSFUL RADIAN INSTALL IN ANY FF POSITION IN THE 3RD ROW OF A 2003 8 PASSENGER MONTANA. I HAVE MY RADIAN 80 *ROCK SOLID* IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 3rd ROW OF MY 03 8p. mONTANA.... LAP BELT ONLY, TETHERED.
IS THAT WRONG? thanks!
This thread is for successful installs. If you have a question, it would probably be better to PM the person, or start a new thread.
No inspected installations.
2003 Toyota Corolla LE
Fit 3-across in this configuration.
FF driver's side, LATCH, fairly easy rock-solid install
FF center, seatbelt and top tether, rock-solid but a bit difficult; twisted female part of buckle 3 1/2 turns (1 1/2 full turns.) Make sure correct buckle stalk is used and do not lock the belt until it is tight; will require tightening the tether and belt a few times before it's tight enough.
RF passenger side, LATCH with top tether RF tethered. Rock solid, easy install. Tethered to inside leg of front seat. Front passenger has limited leg room; make sure front seat is fully upright in order to get maximum leg room.
1988 Toyota Corolla
Center seat FF with lap-only manual-adjusting belt. Fairly easy very good install but not quite rock-solid.
FF passenger side with ALR lap-only belt. Very good install, but not rock solid, very difficult.
2003 Toyota Corolla LE
Fit 3-across in this configuration.
FF driver's side, LATCH, fairly easy rock-solid install
FF center, seatbelt and top tether, rock-solid but a bit difficult; twisted female part of buckle 3 1/2 turns (1 1/2 full turns.) Make sure correct buckle stalk is used and do not lock the belt until it is tight; will require tightening the tether and belt a few times before it's tight enough.
RF passenger side, LATCH with top tether RF tethered. Rock solid, easy install. Tethered to inside leg of front seat. Front passenger has limited leg room; make sure front seat is fully upright in order to get maximum leg room.
1988 Toyota Corolla
Center seat FF with lap-only manual-adjusting belt. Fairly easy very good install but not quite rock-solid.
FF passenger side with ALR lap-only belt. Very good install, but not rock solid, very difficult.
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Ooops, forgot a few!
Also not inspected:
2008 Ford E350 LX 12-passenger
FF 2nd row driver's side, seatbelt and tether, easy and rock-solid
RF 2nd row center, LATCH anchors, easy and very good (note: this is the ONLY place in this van that the seat fits RF at all)
FF 3rd row driver's side, seatbelt and tether, easy and rock-solid
FF 3rd row passenger side, seatbelt and tether, easy and rock-solid
Also was able to install solidly in back seat but did not drive with it installed this way because it is against Ford's rules (in manual.) Waiting on an answer as to whether it's okay or not. FF radian installs BEAUTIFULLY in this van! Fit 3 across in each of first 2 back rows easily using 2 Radians and one other seat in each row. (And the rental people thought I was nuts.) Please note that the tether anchors for outboard seats (only 2 center seats have LATCH anchors) are holes in the legs of the seat. A bit difficult to find but have been tested as anchors and once you find them are very easy to use.
Also not inspected:
2008 Ford E350 LX 12-passenger
FF 2nd row driver's side, seatbelt and tether, easy and rock-solid
RF 2nd row center, LATCH anchors, easy and very good (note: this is the ONLY place in this van that the seat fits RF at all)
FF 3rd row driver's side, seatbelt and tether, easy and rock-solid
FF 3rd row passenger side, seatbelt and tether, easy and rock-solid
Also was able to install solidly in back seat but did not drive with it installed this way because it is against Ford's rules (in manual.) Waiting on an answer as to whether it's okay or not. FF radian installs BEAUTIFULLY in this van! Fit 3 across in each of first 2 back rows easily using 2 Radians and one other seat in each row. (And the rental people thought I was nuts.) Please note that the tether anchors for outboard seats (only 2 center seats have LATCH anchors) are holes in the legs of the seat. A bit difficult to find but have been tested as anchors and once you find them are very easy to use.
U
Unregistered
Guest
Successful install FF, outboard position 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. CPST Installed and Inspected. No twists in seat belt.
(would not install FF in center position)
(would not install FF in center position)
No inspections on these installs. Made sure to get them tight though, with less than 1" of wiggle at the base side to side (I aim for none).
1998 Saturn SL2 wagon
Radian FF driver's side outboard and passenger side outboard.
Solid installs. Used lap/shoulder belt with rear tether, seat base not lowered.
LOVE the SL2 for this seat! It's actually (dare I say it) easy (at least compared to other vehicles I've tried it in)
ETA: This is tricky unless the seat is pulled out an inch or two, due to the buckles being out from the seat bight. I find a locking clip CAN be helpful if you find the buckle is slipping while you try to adjust, but it is fine without and stops slipping once it's buckled.
And recent success, FFing Radian center position in the SL2. This required that the base be reclined and the Radian be pulled out about three inches at the seat crease, and the buckle stalk twisted 2x. Seat belt install with top tether. Nice and reclined, and it turned out to be great for DD sleeping in the car because her head doesn't flop forward anymore with the bit of extra recline.
2006 Saturn Ion 2door.
Got it in FF passenger side outboard, but it was a serious workout and took forever. Lowered the base for this install and used lap/shoulder belt and tether. Really annoying and hard in this car.
1990 Honda Civic Wagon.
FFing driver and passenger side outboard
Used lap/shoulder belt with locking clip and top tether (doesn't come with the car of course)
A little bit of tilting to one side due to curvature of seat (ie angled in by about an inch toward center of car), but very minor.
Locking clip is a serious PITA but other than that, no complaints.
1998 Subaru Forrester
I hate this car!
FFing in center position with seat base lowered. Lap belt and rear tether. Female buckle twisted 360 twice.
Got it in solid but it took absolutely forever (more than 2 hours) and I was covered in bruises afterward. I DO NOT recommend it. It's no fun at all!
ETA I frequently twist female buckle stalks but can't remember with all of these. Chances are they're all twisted once anyway.
1998 Saturn SL2 wagon
Radian FF driver's side outboard and passenger side outboard.
Solid installs. Used lap/shoulder belt with rear tether, seat base not lowered.
LOVE the SL2 for this seat! It's actually (dare I say it) easy (at least compared to other vehicles I've tried it in)
ETA: This is tricky unless the seat is pulled out an inch or two, due to the buckles being out from the seat bight. I find a locking clip CAN be helpful if you find the buckle is slipping while you try to adjust, but it is fine without and stops slipping once it's buckled.
And recent success, FFing Radian center position in the SL2. This required that the base be reclined and the Radian be pulled out about three inches at the seat crease, and the buckle stalk twisted 2x. Seat belt install with top tether. Nice and reclined, and it turned out to be great for DD sleeping in the car because her head doesn't flop forward anymore with the bit of extra recline.
2006 Saturn Ion 2door.
Got it in FF passenger side outboard, but it was a serious workout and took forever. Lowered the base for this install and used lap/shoulder belt and tether. Really annoying and hard in this car.
1990 Honda Civic Wagon.
FFing driver and passenger side outboard
Used lap/shoulder belt with locking clip and top tether (doesn't come with the car of course)
A little bit of tilting to one side due to curvature of seat (ie angled in by about an inch toward center of car), but very minor.
Locking clip is a serious PITA but other than that, no complaints.
1998 Subaru Forrester
I hate this car!
FFing in center position with seat base lowered. Lap belt and rear tether. Female buckle twisted 360 twice.
Got it in solid but it took absolutely forever (more than 2 hours) and I was covered in bruises afterward. I DO NOT recommend it. It's no fun at all!
ETA I frequently twist female buckle stalks but can't remember with all of these. Chances are they're all twisted once anyway.
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how did you guys get the Radian to fit snugly using the LATCH and tether strap? It seems that the radian80 slides around quite easily even when the straps are tight. I think it has to do with the LATCH straps because it's a continuous strap from the right and left. I only have the Britax Marathon to compare with and that carseat isn't budging even 1 cm. The right and left LATCH mechanism are separate from each other.
I like it a lot, but just couldn't get the carseat to stay still. Am I doing something wrong?
I like it a lot, but just couldn't get the carseat to stay still. Am I doing something wrong?
You might get more answers in a new thread, this is for successful Radian installs. I have some thoughts on this but don't want to derail.
2009 Honda Civic Si
Outboard passenger side, FFing, seatbelt, no tether
2005 Honda Civic
Outboard passenger side, ffing, seatbelt, no tether.
Unknown year Mercury Grand Marquis/Ford Crown Vic (taxi cab)
Outboard passenger side, FFing, seatbelt, no tether
Outboard passenger side, FFing, seatbelt, no tether
2005 Honda Civic
Outboard passenger side, ffing, seatbelt, no tether.
Unknown year Mercury Grand Marquis/Ford Crown Vic (taxi cab)
Outboard passenger side, FFing, seatbelt, no tether
Simplysomething
New member
bump
MissAllyLou
New member
2003 GMC Envoy XL
FFing l/s belt in center, must use recline foot on Radian and recline the car seat before installation.
RFing l/s belt in center, no tricks needed. Nice and tight. Seat fits perfectly between two front seats.
FFing l/s belt in center, must use recline foot on Radian and recline the car seat before installation.
RFing l/s belt in center, no tricks needed. Nice and tight. Seat fits perfectly between two front seats.
unityco
Ambassador - CPS Technician
Hmm... I'm surprised I've not contributed to this thread yet. (For some reason I thought I had.) Many of these vehicle models have been, or are similar to, ones mentioned before.
None of these installs have been inspected by a tech.
All installs are FF with tether.
means the details of the install are fuzzy.
2006 Ford Focus Wagon
Centre w/seatbelt - Great, solid install. Does impede driver's side belt receptacle somewhat.
Driver's Outboard w/LATCH - Great, solid install.
1999 Dodge Caravan
2nd Row Bench Centre-ish w/seatbelt - Great install. Seatbelt does slip over time. This vehicle has post-manufacture tethers.
2000 Chevy Venture
2nd Row Bench Centre-ish w/seatbelt - Tough but acceptable install.
3rd Row Bench Driver's side w/seatbelt - Okay install. This position has both locking latch plates and retractors.
1996 & '97 GM Suburban
2nd Row Centre w/seatbelt (lap belt) - Tough and okay install. Requires twisting on the female end, and flipping on the male end. Tethered to third row seatbelt.
2002 Chevy Malibu
Centre w/seatbelt (lap belt) - Great install. Three full twists of female end makes it easiest. Top tether can be made just short enough.
2002 GM Trailblazer
Centre w/seatbelt - Good install.
2004 GM Envoy
Passenger side w/LATCH - Great install.
1993 Audi Quattro
Passenger side w/seatbelt - Tough and marginal. Immovable headrests cause large gap behind seat. Locking clip required.
2004 GMC Sierra Extended Cab Pickup
Centre rear - I think I used LATCH. Either way the install was good.
(For some reason I thought I had.) Many of these vehicle models have been, or are similar to, ones mentioned before.None of these installs have been inspected by a tech.
All installs are FF with tether.
means the details of the install are fuzzy. 2006 Ford Focus Wagon
Centre w/seatbelt - Great, solid install. Does impede driver's side belt receptacle somewhat.
Driver's Outboard w/LATCH - Great, solid install.
1999 Dodge Caravan
2nd Row Bench Centre-ish w/seatbelt - Great install. Seatbelt does slip over time. This vehicle has post-manufacture tethers.
2000 Chevy Venture
2nd Row Bench Centre-ish w/seatbelt - Tough but acceptable install.
3rd Row Bench Driver's side w/seatbelt
- Okay install. This position has both locking latch plates and retractors.1996 & '97 GM Suburban
2nd Row Centre w/seatbelt (lap belt) - Tough and okay install. Requires twisting on the female end, and flipping on the male end. Tethered to third row seatbelt.
2002 Chevy Malibu
Centre w/seatbelt (lap belt) - Great install. Three full twists of female end makes it easiest. Top tether can be made just short enough.
2002 GM Trailblazer
Centre w/seatbelt - Good install.
2004 GM Envoy
Passenger side w/LATCH - Great install.
1993 Audi Quattro
Passenger side w/seatbelt - Tough and marginal. Immovable headrests cause large gap behind seat. Locking clip required.
2004 GMC Sierra Extended Cab Pickup
Centre rear - I think I used LATCH. Either way the install was good.
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mommycat
Well-known member
Yeah, these are probably all repeats of someone else:
2001 Honda Civic
FF center rear, ALR seatbelt and top tether, reclined setting
FF outboard driver's side, ALR seatbelt and top tether, reclined setting
* don't remember if I needed to twist the beltstalk or not
2007 Honda Civic
FF outboard passenger's side, UAS and top tether, reclined setting
2004 Chev Silverado extended cab
FF center, UAS and top tether, reclined setting
2007(?) Hyundai Santa Fe
FF outboard driver's side, UAS and top tether, reclined setting - we reclined the vehicle seat a bit, tightened up, and shoved the vehicle seat back up, that really made it rock solid, totally wedged in there.
2001 Honda Civic
FF center rear, ALR seatbelt and top tether, reclined setting
FF outboard driver's side, ALR seatbelt and top tether, reclined setting
* don't remember if I needed to twist the beltstalk or not
2007 Honda Civic
FF outboard passenger's side, UAS and top tether, reclined setting
2004 Chev Silverado extended cab
FF center, UAS and top tether, reclined setting
2007(?) Hyundai Santa Fe
FF outboard driver's side, UAS and top tether, reclined setting - we reclined the vehicle seat a bit, tightened up, and shoved the vehicle seat back up, that really made it rock solid, totally wedged in there.
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