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Old 06-12-2012, 11:29 AM   #1
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Seatbelt Question?

I have a 2005 Ford E-350 4x4 with a 50 floor plan.
The van has one shoulder belt for the rear bench seat on the passenger side and two lap belts. Is there any safe way to put in a proper shoulder belt for the drivers side bench seat? I want to be able to attach a forward facing car seat on that side if possible.
Thank you.
TraceyAZ

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Old 06-12-2012, 11:54 AM   #2
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

Could you just add a strap from the top of the child seat over the top of the bench and down to anchor on the floor where the lap belts are attached? It might be even more secure than a standard shoulder strap coming from above.

I have a friend who was badly injured when the retractable shoulder strap in his Toyota failed to engage and lock in an impact.
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Old 06-12-2012, 01:05 PM   #3
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

The car seats that are being used are the kind that the kid uses the shoulder belt. Its a booster/full back child seat, so just securing a normal seat and using the child seat belts won't work for this application.
Thanks for the suggestion Viejo.
TraceyAZ
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Old 06-12-2012, 01:20 PM   #4
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

I'm sure you could add it, but I'd be reticent to trust it as part of a child safety setup. Legally, I believe three-point belts only need to be installed on the outboard areas of a bench seat; i.e., those right next to the van walls. Since your "50" only has a 3/4 bench, only one three-point belt is required.
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Old 06-12-2012, 01:22 PM   #5
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

Ford builds the seatbelt anchors into the body. Check out a stock passenger or cargo van so you can see where those anchors are.
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Old 06-12-2012, 04:53 PM   #6
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

Thanks guys I will look into a stock passenger van and see where it all hooks up. I suspect that if it was an easy task SMB would have made it an option from the start. I was more just curious if anyone has in fact added this to there 50 floor plan. If so how did it turn out?
Thanks again everyone!
TraceyAZ
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Old 06-12-2012, 07:58 PM   #7
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

If you have the room, you could also add a third captain's chair with 3-point belt behind the passenger seat. I just added one of these to my SMB for my 7-year-old. Wasn't cheap, though. I got a good deal on a seat on Craigslist for $125, but spend ~$700 on a removable pedestal and seatbelt and installation. Still, knowing it was done right for my son was worth it.
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Old 06-12-2012, 08:45 PM   #8
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Seatbelt Question?

We added a 3rd chair as well. It's worked really well and is removable if needed.
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Old 06-12-2012, 09:51 PM   #9
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

I just re-read your post, and realized you have an EB-50 layout. The reason there is no seatbelt on the driver side is due to the cabinets. You would have to remove or trim down the cabinet in order to access the perimeter roof structure, which is where the seat belt anchors are mounted.

I think in your case, adding a 3rd captains seat is probably best.
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Old 06-12-2012, 10:00 PM   #10
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Re: Seatbelt Question?

TraceyAZ, there was a discussion like this about 2 years ago. The solution is an aftermarket belting system made for children. I forget the name of the product. If I remember correctly it uses the exisiting seat belts but also loops over both shoulders, not unlike a 4-point harness.

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