Program Code R7C (Ford tether retrofit)

aggiemom

New member
Hi there! I know this thread is old, but I believe it is still relevant.

I was given info on this program by a carseat safety tech on Facebook. I contacted my local Ford dealer about getting this done. He had no idea what I was talking about so he said he would research it & get back with me. I faxed him my FB convo with the safety tech giving the program code, LATCH instuctions & part #. I followed up today with the service guy. He said the dealership is unwilling to take on the responsibility of making changes to a vehicle if my daughter were to be injured as a result of the work they did to the vehicle. So he told me I had to call Ford's Customer Relations at 1-800-392-3673 & get approval. If they say ok, the dealership will do the work. I guess he still doesn't understand that this in an actual program, not something a bunch of parents made up! Ugh! Hopefully my new membership to this forum will be approved soon so I can access the PDF document.
 
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tiggermnch

New member
I will be handing this document to my local dealership who told me it would be a minimum of 6 hours of labor to determine where they need to add a top tether anchor in my 98 mustang convertible. The only thing is the part is MIA so I am not sure what to do about that.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Unfortunately if the part is not available, it's not available. You might need to contact Corporate for info on whether it is out of stock and where it WOULD go if available, if you choose to put in an aftermarket anchor made by a child restraint manufacturer instead.
 

Jeanum

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus
Staff member
I will be handing this document to my local dealership who told me it would be a minimum of 6 hours of labor to determine where they need to add a top tether anchor in my 98 mustang convertible. The only thing is the part is MIA so I am not sure what to do about that.


Welcome to car-seat.org. By MIA, do you mean the specific Ford top tether anchor retrofit part isn't available anymore according to the Ford dealership to retrofit your '98 Mustang convertible, or is it that the retrofit part number and/or any other details about retrofitting the car are still needed for the Ford dealership to proceed with acquiring the necessary parts and installing them? If it's the former, then like KQ posted, try getting Ford corporate involved to verify retrofit part availability/nudge the dealership into honoring Ford's top tether anchor retrofit policy. If it's the latter and you're needing the tether anchor retrofit part number/any available install details, the LATCH manual lists Ford top tether anchor retrofit part number F4ZZ 63613D74-A for retrofitting each of the two rear seating positions in 1994-1999 Ford Mustang convertible models. The LATCH manual also notes there are two drilled holes in the 1994-1999 Mustang convertible rear cargo area, the retrofit kit consists of an 8mm bolt and plate, and these additional retrofit installation details are listed:

"Top Tether Anchor Points: To access, remove carpet from cargo area floor and push trim panel forward. Convertible top must be closed to attach hook to installed tether anchor."
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
tiggermnch,

I just googled the part # that Jeanum shared & all the parts stores list it as discontinued. We have a 2000 F-250, our dealer had a hard time finding the part for our truck, but finally did find one. With that said, I did the same thing & google our part # & I was able to find it at the online parts stores for a penny! I'm afraid you're probably out of luck. I have spoke to corporate & our dealership & it seems that are phasing out this program.
 

tiggermnch

New member
The dealership gave us three dealerships to call that they showed had to part in three different states. I am calling FORD tomorrow because I assume my dealership can order it from the other dealership but I am don't know for sure so I want to know. So if that does not work, I am not sure what my options are, buying another car is out of the question and my toddler needs a seat.
 

lgenne

New member
How big is your toddler? How old? Probably the most straightforward thing to do is to rear face the toddler. The only hardware necessary for that is a seat belt.
 

tiggermnch

New member
He just turned 2 and his new car seat has a top tether, I can't just not use it especially in the mustang. He is also grown out of the rear facing one in height and very soon in weight
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
tiggermnch,

I just googled the part # that Jeanum shared & all the parts stores list it as discontinued. We have a 2000 F-250, our dealer had a hard time finding the part for our truck, but finally did find one. With that said, I did the same thing & google our part # & I was able to find it at the online parts stores for a penny! I'm afraid you're probably out of luck. I have spoke to corporate & our dealership & it seems that are phasing out this program.
They are not phasing out the installation program; they have simply stopped making the parts.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
He just turned 2 and his new car seat has a top tether, I can't just not use it especially in the mustang. He is also grown out of the rear facing one in height and very soon in weight

There are other car seats that may fit him rear facing if you can't find the part.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Legs bent are not a way rear facing is outgrown. Children put legs up, dangle them over, cross them or sit frog-legged. :)

If you give us stats we can give you some recommendations.
 

tiggermnch

New member
well at 2 he is 3ft tall right now and weights 30 pounds. I need something that will be under $100 since I have already bought two car seats and will grow with him, I can't afford to continue to buy car seats due to having an old car.

Any recommendations are welcome
 

lgenne

New member
What rear facing car seat do you have? I don't know of any with a 36" height limit.

How new is the new car seat? Is it returnable?

The most budget friendly car seat that could rear face him is the Cosco Scenera NEXT. It's $45. It's outgrown at 40 inches, though, so it would probably last 12-18 months, maybe 2 years tops.

If you want something that will last longer, the Graco Contender has a much taller height limit. It can sometimes be found as low as $99, but I'm not seeing any great deals on it right now.

If you can return one of the car seats you have and stretch your budget, and you're anticipating sticking with this car for a long time, the Graco Extend2Fit can rear face kids a LONG time, easily to booster age for most kids. It's $199 unless you can catch a sale. There have been a couple already, down as low as $120, and it just came out last month.
 

tiggermnch

New member
What rear facing car seat do you have? I don't know of any with a 36" height limit.

(Graco click connect and he will hit the weight limit soon)

How new is the new car seat? Is it returnable?

( I have already bought two for two cars and the mustang will make the third)


The most budget friendly car seat that could rear face him is the Cosco Scenera NEXT. It's $45. It's outgrown at 40 inches, though, so it would probably last 12-18 months, maybe 2 years tops.

(nope need this one to last)

If you want something that will last longer, the Graco Contender has a much taller height limit. It can sometimes be found as low as $99, but I'm not seeing any great deals on it right now.

If you can return one of the car seats you have and stretch your budget, and you're anticipating sticking with this car for a long time, the Graco Extend2Fit can rear face kids a LONG time, easily to booster age for most kids. It's $199 unless you can catch a sale. There have been a couple already, down as low as $120, and it just came out last month.
($200 is way over budget when I have already got two but I can check it out, the
 

lgenne

New member
Ah, you're outfitting 3 vehicles. I thought you were counting the outgrown car seat, the forward facing only car seat, and the potential 3rd car seat.

I take it this isn't a primary vehicle? How much time do you have to get a car seat for it? The best price I'm seeing on the Contender right now is $119 on the Piedmont color at Target, but once a month or so, someone will post a link to it on sale for $99 somewhere, usually Walmart.com I think.
 

tiggermnch

New member
yea three cars, my car is the main one, mustang is hubbys and then the third is my parents who watch the boy two days a week. All the ones I see only go up to 65 lbs though, the seat I have goes up to 110 and it's the best bet for safety which of course I like. My car is 2013 so I have latch, it's just the mustang I need to worry about. I am going to call Ford tomorrow and see what I can get done. Is anyone aware of another piece that might fit? It was also suggested to look at pick your part places but I have no idea what the piece even looks like...
 

lgenne

New member
What car seat do you have? Few seats harness past 65 pounds, and many of them are outgrown by height first anyway. The ones you have are probably combination seats that may or may not really last to 110 pounds in booster mode. The "best bet" terminology is the IIHS booster fit rating, correct? Which doesn't apply to the safety of a seat in harness mode. Generally speaking, dedicated belt positioning boosters are cheap (or at least can be) and are easier to use than combination seats in booster mode. The "last car seat you'll ever need" marketing is really effective, but often not really true.
 

tiggermnch

New member
Evenflo chase. Which max weight is 110 lbs for usage. I get the feeling the only option you are telling me I have is to get an expensive rear facing seat that I will only be able to use for two years before buying another one.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
The chase has a 40 lb weight limit on the harness. After that it is booster only. (And no. Most kids won't get to 110 in it as a booster.)

There are several alternatives that have been mentioned- including a tether anchor from a car seat manufacturer instead.
 

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