Date:         Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:02:18 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Convertible car seat for Vanagon - Canadian Safety Standards
In-Reply-To:  <a06240800c4140e2c3c6d@[192.168.0.86]>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

It's there on my '88 CDN model Westy, and I have installed shoulder belts from a '90 model
on the right side. I plan to do the left side once I get around to pulling the cabinets. Our kids
are 9 and 10, so I've been through all this, and the only way I was happy with the front facing
seat was to make a rear anchor by running a piece of chain between the two seat mounting
bolts*, then clipping the seat's rear mount belt clip into the chain link. This would allow me to
make both seats very secure, by adjusting the rear strap tight enough so when the lap belt
was clipped in, the seat was wedged very tightly into the foam.

*the seat mounting "bolts" I mean are the large philips head machine screws visible on the
rear deck just behind the seat at each corner. I removed them, and installed a standard metal
car seat anchor hook, then a washer, then a longer bolt. I then linked the chain using
threaded quick links at each side, and left the chain loose enough that it would reach about
1/2 way up the seat when attached to the car seat strap. The chain was chosen large enough
that the car seat clips fit into the links, and has a breaking strength of at least 600lbs IIRC.
I've used the same stuff to lift engines with... :-)

All that said, since you will eventually want shoulder belts anyway, you may be able to devise
a system using the rear should belt that works well also, and just do that. I got my belts and
all the pieces for about $100 from a wrecker, and pulled them myself, so I could see exactly
how they installed, and got the plastic trim piece for the side panels, etc.

On 29 Mar 2008 at 8:21, Paul Guzyk <paullist08@GUZYK.COM> wrote:

> According to GoWesty there is a threaded anchor behind the rear side panel.
>
> "The reel mounts into a factory threaded hole - no drilling or
> welding is required"
>
> Perhaps see if the threaded hole exists on your Cdn van then use it
> to hold your existing seat securely?
>
> http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3218&search_phrase=child%20seat%20anch
> or&start=60
>
> item kt-122
>
> >I'm hoping the list can help me purchase the appropriate car seat for my
> >toddler who has outgrown her rear facing infant seat.  I drive a 86 Westy


Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA