Classic Jeep Lap belt Only

L

LoriFitz5

Guest
My family has always been in to Jeeps. We just bought a 1980 with a bench seat and lap belts only in the back. Our plan is to drive around the neighborhood but no hwy. We would like to take the kids to school which is only 2 miles but passes over 2 larger roads. We will use it for some trail rides and back country camping but will likely tow it to our local destination.

I’m willing to modify the structure and purchase good seats to make it safer. It did come with 5 pt harness attachments but I’m not sure how those work.

My kids are 8 and 5 (smaller sized). I’m usually really safety conscious but this is also a toy for us. I figure it’s at least safer on trails than an ATV or dirt bike and we love being outside.

Can I use my Frontier as a 5 pt harness with just the lap or add a modification? What’s the best thing to do for my 8 year old (who is ridiculously excited about the Jeep)?

Thanks for your help!
 
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wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
You can use the Jeep with a five point harness.

Sadly, you can't put the kids back there with just a lap belt. The backseat is quite low, so there's no upper body support behind them, unless that's been modified from standard. And without pictures, I'm not sure what kind of five point harness modification you have, and of course none of us can be sure how awesome the modifications are without running it by someone who you trust. Without upper body support behind the kids, though (and this goes for adults as well), even with moderate or worse crashes, there's nothing behind their spines or heads to protect them from whiplash. "Whiplash" as an injury ranges from you putting your hand at your neck and going, "ugh," to death from internal decapitation, so we really want support to the tops of the ears. We all need something behind us. The five point harness modification may be awesome, but unless the back is taller, it's only half of the puzzle.

Wendy
 

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