1969 Mustang + 43lb 6yr old = WHAT ??

Lea_Ontario · Jun 29, 2009

I'm a Canadian, and the person who asked me this is in the USA, so I'm trying to feel out more answers for her.

Her Dad owns a 1969 Mustang (ie - NOT her car, therefore retrofits and new seatbelts are unlikely).
Her son is 6yrs old and weighs 43 lbs. Height was not mentioned.

Mustang only has lap belts in the back.

Currently - they put son in a booster in the back using only the lapbelt. Mom knows that this is not recommended and is looking for a safe(r) option.

Pixels · Jun 29, 2009

Depending on his torso height, my first thought is a Radian. It doesn't require top tether at any weight, so they don't have to worry about that.

If that won't work, then the other options are another HWH seat, and using it against manufacturer's instructions when he goes over the weight limit to use it without the top tether. Or switch to lap belt only (with no booster) when he gets to that weight.

For the immediate, he needs to be out of the booster. Without the booster, there is increased risk of abdominal injuries from an ill-fitting lap belt. With the booster, there is increased risk of head, neck, and spine injuries.

Lea_Ontario · Jun 29, 2009

pixels99 said:
Depending on his torso height, my first thought is a Radian. It doesn't require top tether at any weight, so they don't have to worry about that.

If that won't work, then the other options are another HWH seat, and using it against manufacturer's instructions when he goes over the weight limit to use it without the top tether. Or switch to lap belt only (with no booster) when he gets to that weight.

For the immediate, he needs to be out of the booster. Without the booster, there is increased risk of abdominal injuries from an ill-fitting lap belt. With the booster, there is increased risk of head, neck, and spine injuries.

I did let her know that the Radian / Radian XT would be an option, and that continued use of a booster was not a safe option.

I mentioned travel vests, but told her I wasn't sure if they were a real option, or if a tether was required.

And I did mention the option of having lap/shoulder belts retrofitted.

Pixels · Jun 29, 2009

The vest needs either lap/shoulder belt or top tether. Something to hold the top of the torso back.

Lea_Ontario · Jun 29, 2009

pixels99 said:
The vest needs either lap/shoulder belt or top tether. Something to hold the top of the torso back.

I wasn't sure - they are not (to the best of my knowledge) available in Canada, so I've never seen one.

BookMama · Jun 29, 2009

Well, if she's in the US, then she has the option (depending on what he fits into) of the Radian, Nautilus, Frontier or the SafeGuard Child Seat. Maybe the True Fit. I think those are the only harnessed seats he's likely to fit for long. (Regent would require a tether with a lap-only belt.)

Any of the vests would require a tether or a lap/shoulder belt, right?

Gypsy · Jun 29, 2009

Would her dad be willing to install a heavy duty tether anchor? if so, I'd get an 86Y and use it with the booster in his car. It's the longest lasting option - he should be able to use it for at least the next 4-5 years (when it expires), then replace it with another to use until he outgrows it. With the included heavy duty tether anchor, the 86Y can be used up until 168 pounds, and MUST be used with a booster from 40-65 pounds.

mylittlet · Jun 29, 2009

BookMama said:
Well, if she's in the US, then she has the option (depending on what he fits into) of the Radian, Nautilus, Frontier or the SafeGuard Child Seat. Maybe the True Fit. I think those are the only harnessed seats he's likely to fit for long. (Regent would require a tether with a lap-only belt.)

Any of the vests would require a tether or a lap/shoulder belt, right?

The frontier also requires a tether after a certain weight like the regent.

All vest require lap/shoulder or tether.

BookMama · Jun 29, 2009

pippi2077 said:
The frontier also requires a tether after a certain weight like the regent.

Yes, the Frontier requires tether use after 65 lbs. That would give this particular child 22 lbs. until he must use the tether with the Frontier. :thumbsup:

southpawboston · Jun 29, 2009

it would probably be hard or historically damaging to retrofit a lap/sholder belt, and/or a heavy duty tether anchor in that particular car, depending on how original and valuable it is.

my recommendation would be to just replace the lap belt with a NEW one (would YOU trust a 40-year old belt) and install a radian w/o tether. this way the car is not getting modified at all, the new belt would use existing threaded holes.

1969 Mustang + 43lb 6yr old = WHAT ??

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