Kids up front?

Elltom · 01-06-2012, 09:36 AM

I put a seat between the two fronts, in the center. It's a little higher than the two others, and set back about a foot. Plenty of room for legs, even grown ups. Can anyone chime in on how sketchy this might be? I don't think the seat is going anywhere, it's bolted down well, and shoulder belt is working nice. Worried about launching son through the windshield, or the airbag hitting too hard. He is 8 years old. Again, third seat is behind the doghouse, and a little higher than the others. Hope to keep him there until he is closer to 100lbs/ 13 years. Thanks for any advise, and have a great weekend! ET.

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-06-2012, 11:02 AM

I'd have to know a little more about how the seat is bolted down and about the shoulder belt.

Factory seatbelt anchors have large pads under them to spread the load of an impact and prevent the anchors from pulling through the floor. Did you install similar pieces? Are they welded to the body?

Where is the shoulder belt anchored?

I wouldn't worry about the airbag hitting him too hard. I'd worry more about no airbag to protect him. The airbags are in front of the two front seats without any intent to protect the middle area. Of course, there is no 3rd seat with an airbag anywhere in our vans.

We had a 3rd captains chair installed by the side doors and it has proper anchors and a factory shoulder belt support. Then our grandson and my wife swapped it and the front passenger seat. Both could see out the side and the front passenger had a better view out the front.

Mike

**BroncoHauler** · 01-06-2012, 11:34 AM

A lot can depend on your location as well. California has a new, very specific law about when kids can ride in the front seats.

Herb

Elltom · 01-06-2012, 12:39 PM

Very thoughtful responses. No engine in the lap? The seat is in the design stage.

Viejo · 01-06-2012, 03:36 PM

Reading this thread makes me feel lucky to have survived the era of bias-ply tires, drum brakes, steel dashboards and ZERO seat belts not to mention no DUI laws.

bratworst · 01-06-2012, 04:21 PM

Yeah, we had a lot of fun back then!

**BroncoHauler** · 01-06-2012, 04:57 PM

My brothers and I spent many weeks each summer riding around in the back of the family station wagon as we camped all over the West. Great fun, though I do remember my brothers and I each getting car sick back there once or twice while on the twisty mountain roads. Facing forward in a seat does have its advantages.

Herb

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-06-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viejo

Reading this thread makes me feel lucky to have survived the era of bias-ply tires, drum brakes, steel dashboards and ZERO seat belts not to mention no DUI laws.

Yep, we survived - but a lot kids didn't come through cleanly, or at all. And, somehow we have to take more care when it is the grandkids we are carting around.

Mike

larrie · 01-06-2012, 05:43 PM

ET
Where did you get the seat that you installed? Is the seatbelt integral to the seat? Or did you mount it yourself? Photos would help.

Larrie
89 Ford 2WD penthouse

Elltom · 01-06-2012, 06:29 PM

Well, the seat is from another van, but it's DOT. My lawyer suggested connecting it to the stock bases, which appear to be a slam dunk. Slide in place, drill, bolt, done. This may stress the seat bases in a crash, but the added seat won't go forward without the other two. Luckily not repetitious stress, but one and done.
The good old days are one thing, and I loved 'em. This set up is solid, and I am pleased with how it panned out.
BTW, I replaced some body mount bushing bolts, and used an anchor type washer ( that were holdng a seat belt down in another vehicle ) which provided a sweet tie down spot under the two front seats. FYI.