Radians and forward-of-bight buckles - incompatible?

[Raegansmom4]

I have an 04 Chevy Venture I'm fighting w/ b/c of the forward-of-bight buckle on captains seats in the 2nd row. I had to turn my 32 mo ffing in her MR as she is 40 lbs (one of the few kids probably to hit 40 lbs in the MR and still had inches above her head). Anyway, the only seat I could get a passable ff install was the MR - a Regent and GN were no-goes. I'd like to rf her again, but would a ff Radian (she she'd be ff before I'd get a new vehicle for sure) have even more install issues with the forward-of-bight buckle? How about a rfing install w/ the Radian? I had no issues w/ the rfing install w/ the MR - the buckle lined up well w/ the rf belt path. Any thoughts?

 

[Judi]

Seems to always be a problem with the Venture. Are they ridged belt stalks?

 

[Raegansmom4]

Seems to always be a problem with the Venture. Are they ridged belt stalks?

Yes. Uggg. I took it to a dealership, and their idea to fix it would be to take the more-flexible front-seat buckle (order one) and install it on the captain's seat in 2nd row. I haven't ordered it yet - I may check to see if I could get it used as the dealership quoted me $175 for just the flexible buckle. My dh is very much a "car guy," so I need to have him look it over to see if the swap is even possible. I didn't really trust the guy who looked at it at the dealership. Any thoughts on the Radian working at all?

 

[Judi]

Talk to Northmommy. She had hers replaced.

 

[Raegansmom4]

Bump....anyone get a Radian in a Venture both rf and ff?

 

[StPaulMom]

I dont have a Venture, but I have a Radian and a Hyundai Sonata ('09) with belt stalks that are forward of the bight. The ONLY place I cant get a seatbelt install in my vehicle with the Radian is RF in the center with the belt stalk twisted 3 full twists (which is a feat, since it's sewn to the passenger side stalk/buckle :thumbsdown:

I am unable to get a solid seatbelt install in any other seating position or direction. I even have an issue with the RF LATCH install (outboard, of course). FF with LATCH is a dream.

 

[Judi]

Did you PM Northermommy?

 

[Raegansmom4]

Yes. She said they replaced the rigid stalk with the more flexible one that's on the driver's seat, which is what my dealership suggested. I think we'll have to look for a replacement buckle. After getting it replaced, I'll have to test out a Radian, but by then, my chunky kid will probably be 45 lbs.