Back seat has only lap belts, Car is 1974

We make plans, and the gods laugh. Or so I've heard. And now it turns out that the impractical car I purchased for the love of it, must (for a while anyway) now carry my six year old and soon to be new baby.

The back seat has two lap belts, all belts were replaced 4 years ago. It MAY be possible to retrofit the back with non retracting lap and shoulder belt combos. The back seats are low back with no headrests.

Right now I have a six year old, and in a few months will have an infant.

Any practical advice, and suggestions on specific seats to look into purchasing is appreciated. For the baby I'd prefer a convertible, as I'd hate to have to buy something twice if I don't have to.

(And don't get divorced folks, the ex will get the brand new car. But my other car is a bicycle! lol)

So the baby is easy. All you need to install a rear facing convertible is a lap belt, and you have that. So any convertible that fits newborns well is fine. Here's a reference for that:https://carseatblog.com/23359/small...tible-carseats-for-newborns-compact-vehicles/

Note that it's a few years old. Off the top of my head, the only new ones not listed there are the Graco Extend2Fit line (base model plus the 3-in-1 and 4Ever versions.)

How much does the 6 year old weigh?

Will the children be the only passengers at all times? And what does the 6 year old usually ride in? Does the front seat have lap shoulder belts?

Sorry, I had to wait to hear back from the ex, asked to pop him on a scale for me.

He's 75 pounds.

The front does have lap and shoulder belts, and sometimes the seventeen year old rides along. Teen prefers his own bike,however and avoids any car trip that might turn into "shopping" like the plague.

The six year old usually rides in what's now the ex's car (my name's still on the loan, but that's another story) That car is a Kia Soul, and I think ex has got him in just a booster now. With me it's been the back of my cargo bike. School is three blocks from my house, and summer "camp" is only about ten blocks. So far we've made that work, but it's not a long term or winter time solution.

So only 4 seating positions in the car, and up to 4 people who need to ride?

Do you have a good high back booster that he fits in? If so, I'd put him in the front seat when it's available.

When it's not...any chance a Britax Frontier is in the budget?

I've put out a call to friends and family who I trust to be honest about seat crash history. So far an unexpired Cosco high back booster has been offered, but that seat only goes to 80 pounds as a belt positioning booster, a short term fix but better than nothing. I've got one more person to ask about gently loved hand-me-downs, otherwise it looks like I'm in the market for two seats.

The Cosco is likely already outgrown by height, and will only work in the front seat if it's not.

What's a comfortable budget for you?

At his current height, he's got 3 inches left to fit in the cosco, but I'd have to have him sit in it to double check where his ears are relative to the top of the seat, just in case. I'll have him for the evening Friday, so I'll check that then.

*sigh* my brain hurts. Just to make sure I'm following this right: He can't be in the back seat with the current lap only belts without a harness and a back high enough to support his head. Even with a shoulder belt installed, I still have the height of the back seat vs the height of his head to consider.

He could be in the front with a belt positioning booster (would high backed or backless matter here?), but the world would see him in the front seat and think I'm crazy. But people with single cab or tiny backseat pickups must do this?

Am I missing anything?

As for budget, I hate to say it but as low as is feasible, every penny counts right now. The price of that Frontier was the top end of what i was hoping to spend on one for the new baby, and if I'm buying two seats instead of one that lowers the money I have for each.

I can find a $50 kit for retrofitting lap/shoulder belt combo in the back seat. The belts would just be the adjust-them-yourself variety, as there's nowhere to place a retracting mechanism. How would this kind of belt affect use with a booster?

I think you could get all your kids safe for about $200. Get a Cosco Scenera Next for the baby. It is about $50 at Walmart and will rearface the baby until age 2-4, depending on how baby grows. Then retrofit the back seat with lap shoulder belts for $50. Once those are set, look at the Britax Parkway booster which I've seen on sale for about $100. It doesn't require head support from the vehicle and goes pretty tall. This should get you trough the next few years until the middle kiddo outgrows the booster back.

I would consult with a trusted mechanic on the shoulder belt. If he doesn't think that's a great idea you can look at adding an Ez-On 86-Y if there's a place to install the heavy duty tether anchor that comes included. It can be used with a high backed booster and goes to 168 lbs.

Where are you located? There may be resources nearby to help with the booster at least.

You'll also want to have the belts inspected and think about replacing them. At their age it wouldn't surprise me if they're brittle or worn.

(She said in the initial post that all seat belts were 4 years old. Newer than either of my vehicles [emoji12])

lgenne said:

(She said in the initial post that all seat belts were 4 years old. Newer than either of my vehicles [emoji12])

Click to expand...

Thanks, I missed that part on the first 3 reads. Mornings suck lol

Thank you everyone who's given thoughts and advice and purchasing suggestions!

I'll have the same mechanic who updated the belts the first time install the shoulder ones. On this model year there is a confirmed third anchor point built in but just not used with the factory belts, so he should be able to do that easily.

I've gotten another paycheck, some unexpected financial help to go towards one seat, and good advice. I feel so much more well prepared!