scatterbunny
New member
Because of the new Regent requirement to use short belt path for heavier kids, I decided to try the Husky with the short belt path in my 1999 Windstar.
I've tried the short belt path before, in a 1991 Honda Accord, a 1994 Mazda MPV and a 1993 Ford F150 truck. The only time it worked was in the truck.
Normally the Husky is in the Windstar's middle row, driver's side captain's chair, using the long belt path, recline bar and top tether.
The short belt path+recline bar did not work in that spot. The plastic-encased rigid buckle stalk was part of the problem, I think, and also the big latchplate. The buckle stalk and big latchplate kept me from being able to tighten it down enough; the latchplate would hit the side of the seat shell and stop. Because I couldn't twist the buckle stalk there was no fixing it.
Next I tried the middle of the third row. That's a lapbelt-only spot. Short belt path+recline bar again did not work, this time due to the forward-of-the-bight buckle and big latchplate.
Lap/shoulderbelt, short belt path+recline bar did work outboard in the third row, though. Not rock-solid to my liking, but less than an inch of movement at the belt path and rock-solid at the top of the seat shell.
So now I have to decide if I feel comfy using long belt path like always, in which case I can install it in the middle row driver's side captain's chair like I want, OR if I should keep it outboard in the third row and use short belt path.
I know, I know, only the Regents after 6/18 require short belt path for heavier kids, but since the seats are virtually identical I can't help but worry about long belt path with the Husky.
I've tried the short belt path before, in a 1991 Honda Accord, a 1994 Mazda MPV and a 1993 Ford F150 truck. The only time it worked was in the truck.
Normally the Husky is in the Windstar's middle row, driver's side captain's chair, using the long belt path, recline bar and top tether.
The short belt path+recline bar did not work in that spot. The plastic-encased rigid buckle stalk was part of the problem, I think, and also the big latchplate. The buckle stalk and big latchplate kept me from being able to tighten it down enough; the latchplate would hit the side of the seat shell and stop. Because I couldn't twist the buckle stalk there was no fixing it.
Next I tried the middle of the third row. That's a lapbelt-only spot. Short belt path+recline bar again did not work, this time due to the forward-of-the-bight buckle and big latchplate.
Lap/shoulderbelt, short belt path+recline bar did work outboard in the third row, though. Not rock-solid to my liking, but less than an inch of movement at the belt path and rock-solid at the top of the seat shell.
So now I have to decide if I feel comfy using long belt path like always, in which case I can install it in the middle row driver's side captain's chair like I want, OR if I should keep it outboard in the third row and use short belt path.
I know, I know, only the Regents after 6/18 require short belt path for heavier kids, but since the seats are virtually identical I can't help but worry about long belt path with the Husky.