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Topic: LATCH System retrofit.  (Read 1087 times) previous topic - next topic

LATCH System retrofit.

So my 16 month old is WAY out of her Recaro docking infant carrier, and into a convertible seat.  We put that seat rear facing in my wife's Fusion with no difficulty whatsoever, BUT, to be usable at all in the TBird, she has to ride front facing.  The recommendation from anybody thinking themselves any kind of authority at all, is 2 years/40lbs for front facing, but in Michigan, 1yr/20 lbs is legal. And besides that, a fullsize car seat in a rear facing orientation is just not workable in my car.

1. not crazy about center mounting to use the manual seat belt
2. not above some fabrication to modernize the seating

Does anybody know of, or has used any means of installing LATCH system mounts?  That would include the upper anchor as well.  Some of you guys have to have been through this before me, what did you do?

Re: LATCH System retrofit.

Reply #1
I believe Canadian cars had the LATCH system from the factory. It was mandatory here. The holes in your rear package tray may already be there
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: LATCH System retrofit.

Reply #2
If you pull the rear seat, there are holes marked as "T". In the factory manual, there was a number for a part to order for a "rear car seat teather kit" which included straps to be attached at rear behind the seat.

Not sure how much that helps, but every time I've had the trunk carpet stuff out I've seen it and wondered what it was for and then stumbled into it in the owner's manual.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

 

Re: LATCH System retrofit.

Reply #3
/JohnnyCarson Weird stuff, I did not know that!

Is the kit just for the lower attach points or for the tether anchor?