I did it! I did it! Or at least I think I did....

[lilliput]

So after getting wholly disheartened yesterday trying to install DS#1's older RN65 (DOM 10/07) FFing in my Sienna, I thought I'd give it one more honest shot RFing. For whatever reason, I was having no luck with the thing yesterday all over the van. I think it or I was in the wrong mood... The RN is still my top choice for a seat for DS#2 and I didn't want to throw in the towel completely. So I dug out the base from the basement and got to work, following some tips on other threads, and I *think* I got it. It is solid, not budging at all in any direction at the belt path, but I am not sure of the angle. Could someone please check that for me? I took pics in our garage, but I was pressed against the wall and am not sure if you can get enough perspective, and then outside, which is not quite flat, but close. If it slopes, it is sloping to the rear of the vehicle.

Also, one other question. The base pushes right up against the latch connector. Is that OK?

I've got a good 2 inches between the top of the seat and the driver's seat in my driving position.

And you'll note the SafeStop is still in place. I honestly wasn't expecting to have any luck with it and planned on putting it straight back into DH's car for DS#1 when he gets home tonight, so I didn't bother adjusting the harness to fit DS#2 yet or remove the SafeStop, let alone consider the top tether. If this install looks good, I'm going to put DS#2 in it to see what kind of extra recline happens (at 35 pounds, about 37") I am sooooo hoping it works because I would looooove to order this seat today and have it here by the end of the week.... Keeping everything crossed!! TIA!!!!!

 

[wendytthomas]

The new ones have a different base which will make the pushing on the LATCH connectors go away.

You want to buy a higher weight Radian for an older child? I'm not certain how old DS#2 is. But for an older child that looks great!

Wendy

 

[lilliput]

You just made my day, Wendy!!! Nope, new RN for DS#2, who is 7.5 months and right on the verge of outgrowing his bucket seat - as in I am checking every time I put him in it. This RN is usually installed FFing for DS#1 in DH's car, and he rides in a Frontier in my car .... Had I found this site before hand, I probably would have gotten him another RN, but now we have the Frontier, and he likes it OK, I guess, but he loves his "brown seat", as he calls it.

 

[wendytthomas]

Your DS#2 is 35 pounds and 37" at 7.5 months?

"I'm going to put DS#2 in it to see what kind of extra recline happens (at 35 pounds, about 37")"

Did you mean DS#1?

Wendy

 

[lilliput]

Holy typos batman!!! So sorry!!! DS#1 is 35 lbs, roundabout 37" and his 3rd birthday is 3 weeks away... DS#2 is 7.5 months, and I'm currently uncertain of his height, but at 6 months he was 27.5 inches. Said DS#2 is just figuring out how to scoot around on his butt and keeps getting into situations he can't get himself out of, making it difficult to think and type at the same time....
and i did it again - yes ds#1 for a recline experiment/check.... Others seem to have over-recline problems with this car/restraint combo when kids get bigger and I wanted to have an idea of what "might" happen in three years or so..... DS#1 won't ride in the seat as it is installed now (RFing in the Sienna) because he's too heavy, and DS#2 won't either because I haven't removed the SafeStop or adjusted the harness.
ETA: my FFing experiments yesterday were also to see what it *might* be like to install a RN FFing in this car when we've reached its limits RFing, not because I want to FF my 7.5 month old in a new RN. He'll be riding backwards to the limit of whatever seat it is we end up with, which will hopefully be a RN, but I wanted to see what kind of installation issues I'd be dealing with down the road when we turn him around.

 

[lilliput]

OK, so I put DS#1 in it just now (he was soooo confused...) and it definitely changes the recline. The top of the RN is two inches from the vehicle headrest without DS#1 in it, and one inch with him in it. Something to watch for down the road, I guess. DH and I just did the paper test, and it looks like we'd be OK with a heavier child in there. It's less than 45 degrees. Sound right?

 

[NannyMom]

That's why I prefered to install my newer Radian, with the old boot outboard in my Sienna. The LATCH helped keep it more upright Not as easy with the new boot (but some say not impossible).

 

[christineka]

I had no problems in an outboard seat with the new boot. You can scoot the car's seat backward so that it won't be so close to the front seat.