I have leather seats in my SuperCrew GenI and have used a child seat in the middle rear position i.e. using the lap belt. Supposedly, if you pull the belt all the way out and then let it go, you will hear a ratcheting sound (which is the mode to use with child seats). This works with the shoulder belts in the rear, but I can't get the lap belt to ratchet. Has anyone successfully been able to do this?

It is very hard to get these belts really tight around the child seat and the split rear bench seems to make it harder.


------------------
Jono
2001 F150 4x4 Supercrew Lariat. 5.4L, 3.55 LS, Skid Plates, Sliding Rear Window, Class III Towing pkg, Bed Extender, 6-Disc CD, White/Silver, ARE Z Cap, Yakima racks.

 

I've got a child seat installed in the middle (The safest position by the way)of the back of my screw (Leather - Bench). The seatbelt retracts and locks if it is working correctly but it doesn't hold the seat as securely as it should. I did two things: As will all child seats, I put my full weight - using my knee - on the seat when I tighten the seat belt. I also installed a teather - There are teather anchors behind the rear seats if you fold them forward. My car seat didn't come with a teather so I bought a motorcycle tie-down strap with a ratchet adjuster. I hooked one end through the anchor and the other through the top of the seat and tightened it with the ratched....Works like a charm...It's like the seat is cemented in...Hope this helps...

------------------
2001 Screw 4X4
Dk. Highland Green/Arizona Beige
Lariat
Slider
Skid Plates
Trailer Tow
5.4 Liter
Cage Extender
Limited Slip
Black Westin Nerf Bars
Ford Duraliner
Extang Soft Tonneau

 

Ditto what Fisherman said. Pull the belt all the way out to the end, hold with on hand, latch it through with the other. Slowly release the slack. It is ratcheting if you can't pull it back out again. Once all the slack is out, put your knee on the base (or seat if it's one piece) and push down with all your weight while pushing down with your shoulder from the roof to take more slack out. Push as hard as you can on the seat. You also have to have it level. The new ones have a level built in. Check level once it's in. Start over and adjust the level if it's not right. I used a towel underneath to protect the leather of my Grand Prix GTP when I installed the base there. You might consider it. Use the tethers. Infant under 20 lbs. must be rear facing in an infant seat. 20 to 40 lbs. is forward facing in a convertible seat. 40 to 60 lbs. is forward facing in a booster seat. Read the manuals for the truck and the seat. Here's a few links to help too. Don't mean to ramble, but this is really important.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/

http://www.mister.org/babycarseats.htm

------------------
The GO 4D IT SuperCrew '01 SuperCrew XLT 4x2 (Generation II): 5.4L, Limited Slip, Black, 5-Spoke Rims, Dark Cloth, Capt. Chairs, Power Seat, Steps, Extender, Moonroof, 6-disc manual CD changer; Ford/Duraliner, '86 Mustang rear mats as humpmats, K&N Filter, Ford molded rear mudflaps.

(for sale) The GO 4D IT Ranger: '93 Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x2: 65K miles; 4.0L; Limited Slip; Black; Alum. Rims; A.C.; Power windows, mirrors, and locks; CD Player; Hard Tonneau; Running Boards.

If it weren't for trucks, we wouldn't have tailgates.

 

Thanks for the replies - once I saw someone put in a seat right, I was amazed at how much downward force you should apply. The towel under the child seat sounds like a good idea to protect the leather.

Specifically, though, I was wondering why the center belt doesn't ratchet like the shoulder belts i.e. after pulling all the way out and then letting go, you can hear a click, click, click sound (which is the mode Ford says to use for child seats). The center belt just retracts smoothly - it does lock upon being pulled, just no ratcheting sound while retracting.


------------------
Jono
2001 F150 4x4 Supercrew Lariat. 5.4L, 3.55 LS, Skid Plates, Sliding Rear Window, Class III Towing pkg, Bed Extender, 6-Disc CD, White/Silver, ARE Z Cap, Yakima racks.

 

Jono, let me start by saying I'm a certified child seat technician (certified by AAA)and to get certified, I went through a 24 hour training course which goes over several of the car seat mfg's, hands on using the seats, and several types of installs. This includes a written test, and a performance test which is graded by Senior technicians. You don't pass if you don't know what your doing since they are liable for your training. I have installed over 150 car seats, including my two carseats in my Screw for my 10 month old son, and 21/2 year old daughter.

Like some of the responses given, the center is almost always the safest postion unless: the car seat does not fit properly in the middle, and 2) you are not able to get the seat securely fitted.

The responses about using your weight in the seat is correct. You should have to struggle to get your seat in tight. The best way to check to see if your seat is tight is to pull at the belt path side to side. If the seat moves more than 1 inch in either direction, it is to loose.

Here's a hint on holding the seat belt out after getting it into the ratchet mode. Use a binder clip once the seatbelt is in the mode. Then you can use both hands to feed the belt through, and use your weight in the seat. Once in, release the binder clip and take any slack out that you can. This should make it tight.

The best way, and the only way AAA and other car seat schools authorize to cover you leather or cloth seats for protection is to use the thin rubber SHELVING LINING you can buy at your local grocery store. You can get it in several colors, and it works two ways. It protects your seat, and makes the seat more "grip" worthy.

Remember, if you have a leather seat and you use a towel, you are creating a sliding point for your seat to move in a severe crash. Towels, blankets, and even the rubber mats sold in baby stores are not recommended. Use the rubber shelving liner. It's cheaper and it works.

Lastly, even though there is more I could share, If you have child seats over 5 years old, replace them. It is recommended to replace them because the wear and tear on the seat over 5 years can create small cracks in the plastic frames, buckle latches and so forth. Replace the seat, it's easier than looking for possible problems.

Also, do not buy used seats unless you know exactly how old it is, whether it's been in a crash, and if it meets the federal standard for crash testing.

If any car seat is in a crash, with or w/out child, and no matter what speed the crash was, replace the seat. Your insurance company by law must re-imburse you for the cost of the seat, so there is no out of pocket expense in the long run. Plus, it's the safety of your child.

Another point. Do not make modifications to you car seats if they do not come with it. FishermanScrew, your idea is good, but not safe and could cause major harm to your child in the case of a severe crash. Your seat was not made for this modification, and is not reinforced for it. Go buy a seat with a tether on it. I have seen several modification, both in person and in pictures, and they do not make the seat safer. In a severe crash, you modification could cause the seat to crack in two, causing your seat and child to be thrown free inside the cab.

I hate to sound negative, but unless you have seen a crashed car up close, and I have seen plenty in my business (I'm a cop), then you don't realize what kind of forces take place, and you don't want to place your child in that situation if you can prevent it by buying a seat designed with a teather.

If anyone has any questions about car seats, or car seat laws in California, please feel free to ask. I hope this helps.

Az

------------------
white w/harvest gold trim,2001 supercrew 4x4,5.4, w/duraliner and magnaflow exhaust, superchip.
Next: K&N FIPK

 

Sorry to drag this out (esp after the great, definitive response above from az2528), but what I want to know is if anyone has successfully got their middle rear lap belt to go into "Ratchet mode" were upon releasing the fully extended belt, you hear a click, click, click...I can do it with the rear shoulder belts but not the middle lap belt.

 

My middle rear lap belt goes in to ratchet mode automatically. Once the belt starts to go back in you can't pull it out until it goes all the way back in. It does not make a sound. You do not need to pull the belt all the way out for this to work. It will go into the locking mode at any length once you stop pulling the belt out.

Hope this helps.



------------------
Ordered 6/27
Build week 9/6
Delivery 9/20
2001 Supercrew, XLT, 4x2, Silver, 5.4, Power Captains Chairs, Limited Slip, CD Changer, Tow Package, Bed Extender, Moonroof

 

Hey Jono, I guess after my long response I didn't tell you if my center belt automatically goes into lock mode. It does. I took a trip yesterday with a full load of people and the center passanger, an adult, kept complaining everytime she moved the belt would get tighter. So it does work.

I would take the belt to the dealer and have them check it. I have had my passanger rear belt system replaced due to it staying in "switchable" mode (that's the technical term for the type of seatbelts system we have) after removing my car seat.

Good luck
AZ

 

az2528...please don't flame me on this , but I haven't found a specific answer to my question yet.

What about putting a child seat in the front center position (bench seat) of the SuperCrew?

We just had twin girls and our first daughter will be two this month. Currently we have three car seats across the back (it's quite the site!) and we all fit fine.

Everything I've read says not to put children in front of an air bag...which I won't do, but the middle position of the front bench seat does not have an air bag (of course it only has a lap belt).

On trips it would be desireable for my wife to sit in back with the twins and my 2 year old daughter to ride up front with me in a safety seat.

What are you thoughts on this?

Thanks!

------------------
2001 F150 SuperCrew 4x4 XLT, 5.4L, Oxford White w/Silver trim, Dark Graphite cloth, 60/40 bench, 17" 10-spoke wheels, power seat, cab steps, sliding window, tow package, remote key entry, CD changer, limited slip, bed extender
Mods: Line-X bedliner, Lund Trident bug shield, Access Roll tonneau cover
Photopoint.com

 

Just to let you know, even though there is no airbag directly in front of the center position in the front, both the driver and passenger airbags (mostly the larger passenger bag) will encroach on the center position. I have worked a couple accidents involving new F-150's where the bags have deployed, and the airbags are more than larger enough to strike a carseat in this position.

Put the older child's carseat in the front right seat, and turn off the passenger side airbag. Then there is no airbag deployed in front of your child.

Hopefully that helps.


Jono,

If you need help with the carseat after you get those questions asked by the dealer, ask one of the Raleigh PD traffic officers. Or if you can find the SHP Troop station in Wake Co. the troopers have been through the same class as Az and I.

 

ScrewCop...

Thanks for the info...unforntunately, the passenger side air bag in the front seat of the SuperCrews does not have a ON/OFF switch (unless this is a recent change).


------------------
2001 F150 SuperCrew 4x4 XLT, 5.4L, Oxford White w/Silver trim, Dark Graphite cloth, 60/40 bench, 17" 10-spoke wheels, power seat, cab steps, sliding window, tow package, remote key entry, CD changer, limited slip, bed extender
Mods: Line-X bedliner, Lund Trident bug shield, Access Roll tonneau cover
Photopoint.com

 

Where else can you find all this great vehicle specific information?!?

I think my misunderstanding in the "ratcheting" mode of the seat belts was taking it too literally - the shoulder rear side belts need a ratchet mode since they will otherwise not lock under normal circumstances. The rear lap belt doesn't need a separate ratchet mode since it always locks.

The tip on shelf lining was very useful - I've already used it. We are planning a long trip towards the end of the month and I will drop by the Raleigh SHP office to double check my work. The tricky thing is getting everything just right. We were told to use swimming noodles to fill the gap between the child seat and the truck seat. We are still using the rear facing seat for our 11 month old. I've got the child seat really locked down so there is virtually no side to side movement but I worry that it may still be possible under great force for the seat to flip back somewhat toward the truck seat. We'll see what the SHP say...

And this weekend, I've done kid taxi duty, transported my 2 large dogs to the state park twice, carried about 1000 lbs of yard supplies and am ready for the commute tomorrow. Not too many vehicles can do that with comfort!


Jono.




------------------
Jono
2001 F150 4x4 Supercrew Lariat. 5.4L, 3.55 LS, Skid Plates, Sliding Rear Window, Class III Towing pkg, Bed Extender, 6-Disc CD, White/Silver, ARE Z Cap, Yakima racks.

 

Robnbf, you will never get flamed for asking car seat questions, they are confusing and difficult. In the next couple of years all cars will have a universal child seat connection to end this misery.

Screwcop is correct about putting the child seat up front. Even though though there is no airbag for the middle, they expand wide enough to cause a problem. Your best case scenario is to keep all children in the back, using swim noodles to get the 45 degree angle for the under 2month olds, and shelf liner under all the seats.

I know your wife will want to be in back with the younger ones, but it is not safe for the two year old to be up front.

NOW, in case of an emergency and you have to put a child up front, the oldest can go up front, but move the seat all the way back and secure her in like you would in the back. This should only be done when you have no other options to transport her. And as far as I know, you have no "off" option for the passanger side air bag, unless Ford will do it for you.

Jono, your concerns about the seat flipping forward towards the truck's front seat should be of no concern. In the rear facing position, in a crash, the seat is designed to flex down so the car seat can "ride down" the crash impact. If you can't move the seat side to side from the belt path more than an inch, you should be in good shape. But it is still a great idea to have a certified technician check your seat, and possibly give you some hints.

If you want more info on car seats, NHTSA has a web site with more info than you want. Just type in nhtsa in your search engine of choice and it will come up.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask questions about car seats.

Az

 

Glad you got it all figured out. ( I was going to say, if you want the middle belt to ratched, when letting the slack out of the belt, go "Click Click Click" with you mouth!)

My little guy is 15 months (27.5 lbs) now so he is forward facing. We origionally had the kind of car seat that has a base that stays in the car. He was rear-facing in our Jeep Grand Cherokee. Unfortunatly he is a big boy & we had to get a bigger seat B4 he turned 12 months / 22 lbs. We got the Centuary Alpha Omega. (1 in the Jeep & 1 in the Screw). IT stays in the car & can be used rear or forward facing. We really like it. It is equiped to take advantage of the teather straps. It is a little pricy but should be the last car seats we buy (unless we have another child).

With the 60/40 back seat I will have the right side down a lot. This makes a partial shelf to place some of your goodies. In a bad accident I guess anything placed there can fly around, but that goes for anything loose.

The towel on leather seats does help the seat to slide around as the other gentleman has posted. Glad you got that worked out also. We would hate to hear about something bad happening to any of our little ones!

Enjoy!

03-21-01: OOPS, you are correct, it is COSCO. The Century 4-in-1 was our first car seat/stroller combo.

[This message has been edited by JHimes (edited 03-21-2001).]

 

We just got the Cosco Alpha Omega seat too (I think you mean Cosco, not Century)(the 02-531 model) because it is a 3 in 1 seat; infant to convertible to booster. We are at the convertible stage now that "Littlest GO" is close to 20lbs. The infant seat will be out any day now and saved for the next "Little GO", if that happens. For those of you looking at seats, I think this is the one.
http://www.coscoinc.com/products/juv2001/juvcatfm.html And thanks to AZ2528 for the rubber shelf lining tip. I'm using it now, too.

------------------
The GO 4D IT SuperCrew '01 SuperCrew XLT 4x2 (Generation II): 5.4L, Limited Slip, Black, 5-Spoke Rims, Dark Cloth, Capt. Chairs, Power Seat, Steps, Extender, Moonroof; Ford/Duraliner, K&N drop-in filter, Ford molded rear mudflaps, Tinted front windows.

(for sale) The GO 4D IT Ranger: '93 Ranger XLT SuperCab 4x2: 65K miles; 4.0L; Limited Slip; Black; Alum. Rims; A.C.; Power windows, mirrors, and locks; CD Player; Hard Tonneau; Running Boards.


If it weren't for trucks, we wouldn't have tailgates.

[This message has been edited by GO 4D IT (edited 03-20-2001).]