Seatbelt and kids question

[Stretch]

I have a 3 year old daughter and a 3 month old boy. I want to be able to take them in the charger ('73) from time to time this summer. My question is I can only get the rear center lap belt to hold the car seat correctly. That wasn't a big deal when we just had one kid. Now Shes in a booster seat that they say requires the use of a sholder belt and the babys seat doesn't stay tight with the out side lap belts in the rear. What are my options for taking the kiddos and keeping them safe. What do you guys do or have done?   Any ideas?

[Ghoste]

I think the only option might be to retrofit a shoulder belt.  I ended up not taking my kids in the Charger when they were little for the same reason.

[doctor4766]

Retractable shoulder belts in the rear are on the agenda real soon for my Charger.
Even when the kids are older, like mine, I think I'll feel safer knowing there's a 3 point restraint back there rather than just lap belts.

[Stretch]

I thought of that but my car is all original. I really don't want to modify it. I was hopping for another option. I really hope to be able to take them with. My daughter is a daddys girl, big time! She always askes if we are taking the charger when ever we go someplace. I don't want to have to tell her no on that. But it if I have too to keep them safe I guess thats what I do.

[hemigeno]

I bought a couple of extra car seats for my two youngest - whom I hope to have out in the Charger this spring/summer (one's almost 3 and the other is 1-1/2 yrs old).  These are in addition to the car seats we keep mounted in the wife's daily driver.

While I know your daughter might prefer a booster seat, if the only way she can be safe is to use a "full" car seat that has an integral five point harness, that's the route I'd go.  Keep the booster seat for your vehicles that have shoulder belts, and get a designated car seat for her that works with what you already have.  I also think there are clips that will keep tension on the belts if that's the other problem you're having.

[Stretch]

We have extra car seats. The main issue I'm having is the only belt that holds the seats in tight and stright is the center belt.

[Darkman]

Retractable shoulder belts in the rear are on the agenda real soon for my Charger.
Even when the kids are older, like mine, I think I'll feel safer knowing there's a 3 point restraint back there rather than just lap belts.

That is what I am doing!

[Ghoste]

The other thing about the car I had when my kids were child seat age is also that it was the 67 with the folding rear seats.  It just seemed like the bit of extra free mass being thrown around in a front or rear collision kind of worried me.

[Bob T]

Retractable shoulder belts in the rear are on the agenda real soon for my Charger.
Even when the kids are older, like mine, I think I'll feel safer knowing there's a 3 point restraint back there rather than just lap belts.

That is what I am doing!

In the middle of it at the moment, had some rear diagonals made up locally to go with my re-pop Dodge front set , also did it to my last 68. Could'nt give a hoot about the non stock appearance, more concerned with keeping little people safe in there .
I can get it complied without any rear belts at all though because of the year and the rules here, madness I reckon

[bobs66440]

Why not put fixed (non-retractable) style belts in the other locations in the rear. That's what is required to hold the car seat tight. It would be an easy and easily reversible modification. Unbolt and save the old, bolt in the new. Small price to pay for all those memories I would say. 
A 3 year old is too young for a booster seat. I think 4 years old and/or 40 lbs. is the minimum.

I had my son in a car seat until the very last minute.  Then when he was old enough I retrofitted shoulder harnesses in the front so he could ride up front with dad and be safe. Personally, I worry about their safety first and the car's originality second.

[41husk]

I know here in Illinois the State police will install your car seat properly and show you how to do it.  they may have a suggestion for your application.  I would guess it would probably be installation of more modern restraints in your charger.

[Stretch]

Why not put fixed (non-retractable) style belts in the other locations in the rear. That's what is required to hold the car seat tight. It would be an easy and easily reversible modification. Unbolt and save the old, bolt in the new. Small price to pay for all those memories I would say.  
A 3 year old is too young for a booster seat. I think 4 years old and/or 40 lbs. is the minimum.

I had my son in a car seat until the very last minute.   Then when he was old enough I retrofitted shoulder harnesses in the front so he could ride up front with dad and be safe. Personally, I worry about their safety first and the car's originality second.

Awesome idea! I think I will do that! Thank you.

As for the booster seat. I am 6'6" and my wife is damn near 6 feet tall. My daughter is very tall and to big for the child seat. She needs the booster seat. My wife is an EMT and works for 911 dispatch at the sherrifffs department. It was her thought the she is to big for the childs seat and the officers and EMT's she works with all agreed. Thats why we moved her into the booster.

Thank you for your concerns though. They are very much appreciated as is your idea about the belts.

Looks like a salvage yard trip is in my near future!

Jason

[bobs66440]

Why not put fixed (non-retractable) style belts in the other locations in the rear. That's what is required to hold the car seat tight. It would be an easy and easily reversible modification. Unbolt and save the old, bolt in the new. Small price to pay for all those memories I would say.  
A 3 year old is too young for a booster seat. I think 4 years old and/or 40 lbs. is the minimum.

I had my son in a car seat until the very last minute.   Then when he was old enough I retrofitted shoulder harnesses in the front so he could ride up front with dad and be safe. Personally, I worry about their safety first and the car's originality second.

Awesome idea! I think I will do that! Thank you.

As for the booster seat. I am 6'6" and my wife is damn near 6 feet tall. My daughter is very tall and to big for the child seat. She needs the booster seat. My wife is an EMT and works for 911 dispatch at the sherrifffs department. It was her thought the she is to big for the childs seat and the officers and EMT's she works with all agreed. Thats why we moved her into the booster.

Thank you for your concerns though. They are very much appreciated as is your idea about the belts.

Looks like a salvage yard trip is in my near future!

Jason

Glad to help, but don't use old salvage yard belts. They weaken with age. I got mine at Wesco Performance. They are dirt cheap ($15./set) and NEW and come in virtually all colors. For that (or any) price, it's not worth taking a chance with old worn out belts.

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/lb60.html  

[Stretch]

Even better! Thanks again.

[dodgey68]

Retractable shoulder belts in the rear are on the agenda real soon for my Charger.
Even when the kids are older, like mine, I think I'll feel safer knowing there's a 3 point restraint back there rather than just lap belts.

That is what I am doing!

sorry to hijack

hey dark man, there are holes set up for belts, get the reverse retractables, and they will bolt up under the parcel shelf with no problems, and only drill one hole either side for the bolt,,, let me know if ya need any pics or info

[Stretch]

Retractable shoulder belts in the rear are on the agenda real soon for my Charger.
Even when the kids are older, like mine, I think I'll feel safer knowing there's a 3 point restraint back there rather than just lap belts.

That is what I am doing!

sorry to hijack

hey dark man, there are holes set up for belts, get the reverse retractables, and they will bolt up under the parcel shelf with no problems, and only drill one hole either side for the bolt,,, let me know if ya need any pics or info

I don't think your "Hijack"ing anything. This thread was all about saftey for our kids. To be honest, I would love to see your setup. It my not be what I do, or work with my 3rd gen but it just might help someone else. Post up the pics!

Jason

[Darkman]

Post up as many pics as you can!

[Marck]

Post up as many pics as you can!

I agree, I will be making this swap soon, and any pics and info would be helpfull..

[Tilar]

Hell I used to ride on the speaker shelf for the back window...    Course today they would take away your birthday if you let your kids do that.

[dodgey68]

sorry for the shit pics , there taken  with my phone
i used the slot that was (factorty) already there,  made my own plate with the bolt welded to it on the top side of the plate which is under the parcel shelf, and the parcel shelf is altered to suit,  so it sits flat against the car shelf, it was basic and simple to do, and only one hole either side, no one would notice that and they look factory... and the kids are safe, i have 2 children, one is stillin a child seat,
oh but i didnt put the other fastener (bolt hole) for the top part of the  child seat but if the child seat is fitted tightly it dosnt move, specially if ya add a small block of foam under the rear springs between the floor and springs to firm up the cushion,,,, you will need to remove the rear cushion to do that, if ya need any more pics, info let me know
(i do fit child seats some times its part of my job )

[resq302]

When my 4 yr old was in my charger, I moved the car seat from my truck to it although I did not have the tether anchor in use as there was no place for it, it was securely attached by the use of the lap belt.  The baby (now over a year old) was able to be secured in the back seat with her still being in the carrier and the seat belt going through the carrier and base.   I work for a police dept as a communications officer /  dispatcher an have talked to the officer in the dept. that is certified to install child seats and he said it all depends on the car seat.  Some are for 3 yrs / X amount of lbs.  Others are 4 yrs and 40 lbs.  Same with booster seats.