Upgrade 2005 Ford Excursion to LATCH?

hmmacha · Oct 31, 2007

I am a grandfather and mechanically proficient. I belatedly found out that my 2005 Ford Excursion is not LATCH complete (or compliant). The manufacturer says this vehicle is exempt from LATCH and no upgrade kit is available.

I wish to make this vehicle LATCH compliant. The outboard second row seats have steel loops on the bottom back on each side but no center connector.

I need to find either:
1. Complete LATCH compliant hardware (kit or separate connectors based on engineering specifications ) OR
2. A center LATCH compliant loop and extenders for the sides to connect the current seat hardware to the LATCH side connectors on the car seat.

I am disappointed that Ford chose to opt out of LATCH for this passenger vehicle but I want to make it safer for my grand children.

Any suggestions on LATCH specifications or the actual connectors themselves?

Connor's Mom · Oct 31, 2007

Unfortunatly the lower anchors of the LATCH system can not be retrofitted to any car or truck. Unless your car/truck came with the from the manufacture there is notheing you can do to make the automobile LATCH compatible.
The top tether anchors can be retrofitted in most automobiles though if you do not already have them.
Hope this helps.

azgirl71 · Oct 31, 2007

hmmacha said:
I am a grandfather and mechanically proficient. I belatedly found out that my 2005 Ford Excursion is not LATCH complete (or compliant). The manufacturer says this vehicle is exempt from LATCH and no upgrade kit is available.

I wish to make this vehicle LATCH compliant. The outboard second row seats have steel loops on the bottom back on each side but no center connector.

I need to find either:
1. Complete LATCH compliant hardware (kit or separate connectors based on engineering specifications ) OR
2. A center LATCH compliant loop and extenders for the sides to connect the current seat hardware to the LATCH side connectors on the car seat.

I am disappointed that Ford chose to opt out of LATCH for this passenger vehicle but I want to make it safer for my grand children.

Any suggestions on LATCH specifications or the actual connectors themselves?

Good for you for wanting to keep your grand children safe :thumbsup:

My 2007 LATCH manual says the following.

02-05 Exursion
2nd Row Center: Tether anchor on back of seat on rear leg
2nd Row Outboard: Tether anchor on back of seat on reat leg

3rd Row Center: NONE
3rd Row Outboard: Right hand seat (1) TA near end of seat cushion back frame.

Notes: For manufacturing ease, some 2nd row seating positions are fitted with (2) tether anchors. Either can be used.
Attach 3rd row trther hook opening facing downward.

As you can see according to this you should have Tether Anchors. You do not have Lower Anchors and they cannot be retrofitted. Sorry it was not better news, but maybe this helps.

azgirl71 · Oct 31, 2007

Connor's Mom said:
Unfortunatly the lower anchors of the LATCH system can not be retrofitted to any car or truck. Unless your car/truck came with the from the manufacture there is notheing you can do to make the automobile LATCH compatible.
The top tether anchors can be retrofitted in most automobiles though if you do not already have them.
Hope this helps.

O/T You have a space large space between Cow and Marathon in you sig. Not sure if you knew.

Back to the thread...

UlrikeDG · Oct 31, 2007

The good news is, LATCH isn't safer than seatbelt. It is supposed to be easier, but it's not always. Just install the seats properly using the seatbelt. That's the best option!

azgirl71 · Oct 31, 2007

QUOTE=UlrikeDG;257132]The good news is, LATCH isn't safer than seatbelt. It is supposed to be easier, but it's not always. Just install the seats properly using the seatbelt. That's the best option![/QUOTE]

:yeahthat::2thumbsup:

joolsplus3 · Oct 31, 2007

On the plus side, a seatbelt installation is safe and simple in most cases (all carseats can still be installed with seatbelts, some even fit better with seatbelts than LATCH).
Go ahead and do the seatbelt install and top tether anchorage (for forward all forward facing installed seats, for some rearfacing installed seats, check the seat's manual for guidance), and you will be fine.

joolsplus3 · Oct 31, 2007

Sorry, didn't mean to cross post! At least we are giving the same information! :thumbsup:

sixboys · Oct 31, 2007

Hi, I have an '04 Excursion, and I have the same complaint about my truck! Just because Ford didn't have to install lower latch anchors in the truck, they could have!

For what it's worth, I now have a 9 passenger Excursion (I replaced the center console with a jump seat from an F250) with seven very tightly installed carseats. The only position I had and trouble with was the 2nd row center with the automatically retracting lapbelt. I was able to get a great install of my Britax Boulevard by me shoving downward on the seat, while my husband forced the belt back in as tight as he could. It was pretty much impossible for me to do without a second set of hands.

What seats are you installing?

Connor's Mom · Oct 31, 2007

azgirl71 said:
O/T You have a space large space between Cow and Marathon in you sig. Not sure if you knew.

Actually the "Moo" in CowMoo is typed in white and I am assuming that is the space that you are talking about.

It may not show up that well for you depending what color you have your screen.

azgirl71 · Oct 31, 2007

Connor's Mom said:
Actually the "Moo" in CowMoo is typed in white and I am assuming that is the space that you are talking about.
It may not show up that well for you depending what color you have your screen.

That would explain it. My backgrounds are white.

pawsnfur · Nov 5, 2007

sixboys said:
Hi, I have an '04 Excursion, and I have the same complaint about my truck! Just because Ford didn't have to install lower latch anchors in the truck, they could have!

For what it's worth, I now have a 9 passenger Excursion (I replaced the center console with a jump seat from an F250) with seven very tightly installed carseats. The only position I had and trouble with was the 2nd row center with the automatically retracting lapbelt. I was able to get a great install of my Britax Boulevard by me shoving downward on the seat, while my husband forced the belt back in as tight as he could. It was pretty much impossible for me to do without a second set of hands.

I am interested in learning more about how you got the ninth seat in there. I have an '02 Excursion and would LOVE to be able to get another seat in there. What age child would be best up front? I have a radian, a regent, a roundabout, a parkway and a new triumph advance in the truck now. I have four kids plus changing daycare kids, my best freind has three kids and we like to ride together, but can't with all the kids. My oldest two are too big for seats. Any word on where to get a retro-fit tether for the back seat? I would love to put another tethered seat in the way back rather than the booster. The booster child would benefit from a five point tethered, but I can't get another tether back there. Why would ford only put one tether in the thrid row when the back seat is clearley not designed for adults to ride in, no headrests even back there.

Unregistered · May 27, 2019

Resurrecting this old thread to see if anyone has successfully retrofitted the excursion third row with additional tether anchors?

Upgrade 2005 Ford Excursion to LATCH?

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