Installing kid seats?

[SRVLIVES]

Anyone installed kid seats/restraints in their sedans?

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

I have just installed them in my wagon, started on them in the FE sedan and have in the past installed them in my '66 Galaxie   .
I called Dept of Transport SA to find out what was required, basically they are not legally required so it doesn't matter how I fit them was the response. A little irresponsible for a Govt Dept, but anyway.
If you love your kid(s) as much as I do you'll want to do the job right.
Seatbelts can be purchased new from auto stores and some motor trimmers.
Baby/Child restraints and seats can be had at any department store like Target.
In the rear seats, I have fitted two lap-sash belts on each side and a lap belt in the middle with a restraint bolt in the parcel shelf. This will get the baby capsule in the middle. You can also buy a harness that clips onto the mount on the parcel shelf, then the lap belt threads through to get a four point harness for the older kids. I would never put my kid in a lap only belt, these can cause back injuries as they are folded over the belt in an accident.
Mounting kits for the belts are available or get yourself some thick metal plate squares and weld the nuts to them. The premade ones I got from a trimmer and were legal fit for late model cars were about a 2mm plate 25mm by 75 mm. Try to keep mounting holes away from weak spots, corners, panel overlaps or welds. Basically use your common sense, look at it this way, would you feel safe in the seatbelts you just installed if you were in the car with it on and a crane grabbed the towbar and dropped the car from 5 metres in the air?
Always use proper booster seats for young kids too, as these place the child correctly in relation to the seatbelt.
My wife and I found the best boosters for toddlers are the moulded polystyrene type with large sides like a racing seat. Smaller kids are more likely to fall asleep in the car and the deep sides gives them something to lean on and stops them flopping out from the seatbelt.
Don't think injuries can only occur in an accident, an emergency braking situation can throw kids around the cabin like toy dolls even at low (walking pace) speeds.

[RET]

I think the authorities/engineers also like to see round backing plates or if square/rectangular, with rounded off corners to avoid the "old-style can-opener" effect of the plate tearing through the parcel tray or floor in an accident.

cheers
RET

[SRVLIVES]

I have just installed them in my wagon, started on them in the FE sedan and have in the past installed them in my '66 Galaxie   .
I called Dept of Transport SA to find out what was required, basically they are not legally required so it doesn't matter how I fit them was the response. A little irresponsible for a Govt Dept, but anyway.

I can't believe that...especially when I've seen what they make T Bucket owners use as guards over there!

If you love your kid(s) as much as I do you'll want to do the job right.
Seatbelts can be purchased new from auto stores and some motor trimmers.
Baby/Child restraints and seats can be had at any department store like Target.

Got all that, simply swapping outta the family taxi.

In the rear seats, I have fitted two lap-sash belts on each side and a lap belt in the middle with a restraint bolt in the parcel shelf. This will get the baby capsule in the middle. I would never put my kid in a lap only belt, these can cause back injuries as they are folded over the belt in an accident.

Good points

Mounting kits for the belts are available or get yourself some thick metal plate squares and weld the nuts to them. The premade ones I got from a trimmer and were legal fit for late model cars were about a 2mm plate 25mm by 75 mm. Try to keep mounting holes away from weak spots, corners, panel overlaps or welds.

ok

Basically use your common sense, look at it this way, would you feel safe in the seatbelts you just installed if you were in the car with it on and a crane grabbed the towbar and dropped the car from 5 metres in the air?
Always use proper booster seats for young kids too, as these place the child correctly in relation to the seatbelt.
My wife and I found the best boosters for toddlers are the moulded polystyrene type with large sides like a racing seat. Smaller kids are more likely to fall asleep in the car and the deep sides gives them something to lean on and stops them flopping out from the seatbelt.
Don't think injuries can only occur in an accident, an emergency braking situation can throw kids around the cabin like toy dolls even at low (walking pace) speeds.

Thanks stinks, just wanted to get it all fabbed while it's at the shop as I don't have welding appariti here.

How cool are my kids gonna be!