Question No headrests...best high back booster for older kids??

[TXmomof6]

I'm pregnant with my 7th child and we have outgrown our excursion.
We were GIVEN a 2002 E-350 Econoline 15 passenger van. After reading all the safety ratings, I'm now scared to put my kids in it.

It does not have headrests in any of the rear bench seats. From what I have read, retrofitting is not an option.

So I'm wondering if the safest option is to put my 11, 10, and 8 year old back into a high back booster seat. They are all about 53" high. We will be driving this van for a while, so which booster seat is geared more to an older/taller child?

How long can I safely keep them in the booster? Is that option safer than letting them ride with no headrest?

Thank you for your advice!!
Sara

 

[ketchupqueen]

The tallest booster that doesn't need a headrest behind it is the Kiddy World Plus. At some point kids physically won't fit, or the belt fit is worse with than without a booster. You might, long-term, consider retrofitting headrests. I'll find a thread about that for you.

 

[ketchupqueen]

Here's a thread on retrofitting headrests, which is really the only long term solution other than getting a newer vehicle: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=257226

 

[Athena]

They don't sell them anymore, but with that many kids you might already have some Frontier 85s. If so, those make a very tall booster that does not require vehicle head rest support. My over 55" tall 8 yo fits it comfortably with room to grow. Or the Frontier 80 is even taller.

 

[Keeanh]

I'm the one who put headrests in. It really wasn't a big deal. I can help walk you through it

Congrats on #7!