| Author | Message | ||
     Lawrence Tilly (L_tilly) Member Username: L_tilly Post Number: 129 Registered: 02-2002 |
Hi, DWebbers! My little munchkin has been fantastic (almost 6 weeks old already!!) and the Disco has worked great as a baby-mover. After the suggestions from here and some research on our own, we went with the Britax car seat and it's really as solid and easy to use as we were told. My only issue now is I would like to hook up anchoring points for the teather strap attached to the top of the car seat. I know on newer vehicles this anchor point already exists. Also, our 93 Saturn had a anchor available that the dealership was able to install for us at no charge. I tried calling my local Rover service and they are "investigating" what would be involved in hooking this up in a '96, but tole me "it's not going to be easy." (dealerspeak for "expensive") Does anyone have any experience adding anchor points for rear and/or forward facing child seats in an older Disco? Also, has anyone converted to LATCH-style seat belt in the center spot? I was wondering if it's simply a bolt-in process. advTHANKSance!! Lawrence lnctilly@metrocast.net 96 Disco "Beowulf" NH, USA | ||
| Neil Flanagan (Electriceel) Member Username: Electriceel Post Number: 63 Registered: 02-2002 |
The Britax seats should come with one of these: http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/isakswings/images/dringloop.JPG For forward facing, it can be installed on the rear seatbelt anchor. For rear facing, loop it around the pivot bar just under the front of the cushion. If you still aren't sure, just call your local fire or police station. They should have an active childseat program and will be glad to help. | ||
| Mark Albrecht (Markalbrecht) Member Username: Markalbrecht Post Number: 76 Registered: 11-2002 |
My 01 DII has the center seat tether connection above the rear door (the tether connections for the other seats would be on the back of the respective seat). The non-expensive method is to attach the tether to any frame or cross-member mounted (eye) bolt. So with a drill and some planning you can be in business. Also as suggested by Neil, using the seat belt mounting brackets (at the floor of the truck) can be easy -- just remember to use a mounting bolt for a seat belt that is different than the one holding in the carseat (this will decrease the force on that seat belt). LATCH could be added to your disco -- if you add in 2002+ rear seats. Probably not worth it. Also you'd still need the tether even with LATCH. Finally, last I heard, tether use was only recommended for front facing infants. So you've got almost 10 months to get the tether situation ironed out. | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Senior Member Username: Billb Post Number: 727 Registered: 02-2002 |
I just unbolted a seat belt anchor - added the carseat tether on top and bolt it all back down. The seatbelt anchor bolt was plenty long. Bill | ||
| Chris Merritt (Smokinbro) Member Username: Smokinbro Post Number: 75 Registered: 08-2001 |
on my '98 disco, I had the dealer install two tether points just above the rear door. Take a look at the metal work above the rear, I suspect that you will find a few anchor points | ||
| Lawrence Tilly (L_tilly) Member Username: L_tilly Post Number: 130 Registered: 02-2002 |
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at the points Neil mentioned. I'm also going to pull out my seat owner's manual - I don't remember it saydin that teathers were recommended for forward-facing only, but considering everything else going on the first couple weeks w/ the baby, I might have forgotten that. -Lawrence | ||
| Mark Albrecht (Markalbrecht) Member Username: Markalbrecht Post Number: 77 Registered: 11-2002 |
Lawrence: I may be wrong on using tethers only for forward facing seats. My info comes from the applicable rule at the time (1999), which never seemed to make too much sense. If the top tether limited head movement when forward facing, why wouldn't it when rear facing if mounted correctly? Anyway, when my son was rear facing, the "rule" was no top tether unless forward facing (I think that no studies on rear facing tether use had been done then). | ||
| Milan (Milan) Member Username: Milan Post Number: 170 Registered: 10-2002 |
There should be an anchor point above the rear door. | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2002 |
we did the same setup as neil did. don't spend the money on an additional tether point. for forward facing use a seat belt tether (it's tight but it fits) rear facing use d-sling and loop around seat frame. works good, and has survived 2 fender benders, no worries!! marc | ||
| Neil Flanagan (Electriceel) Member Username: Electriceel Post Number: 64 Registered: 02-2002 |
Having a teather affixed to a poition below the carseat while rear facing will aid in getting the carseat to a 45 degree angle. They also recommend against using rolled towels to prop one end of the seat up to get the seat to the propper angle as the towels can unroll or slide out from under the seat. I use these http://www.pooltoy.com/waternoodle.html They are cheap and you can cut them to fit. Ther should be NO movement in the carseat when you are finished. As I mentioned, don't be afraid to stop at the local police station if you are unsure. They will be glad to help. It's amazing I survived my childhood unbuckled in the back of an LTD stationwagon. | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 47 Registered: 12-2002 |
try the back seat of a 72' sky blue pinto! marc | ||
| Keith Kreutzer (Revor) Member Username: Revor Post Number: 174 Registered: 11-2002 |
We have a Britax.... Nice seat!!! But now that my daugther is three I'm thinkin' the roof rack will work fine;) really tethers forward facing only (i'm told by various experienced Mothers) and they attach well to the rear seatbelt anchor.. The seat is pricey but she's worth every penny! This is cheap compared to college!!!! | ||
| Mike Pelechaty (Tonga) New Member Username: Tonga Post Number: 7 Registered: 03-2003 |
Lawrence, if you're still looking at this thread, I also have a 96 Disco and a 1 yr old. For front facing, I tethered to the seatbelt anchors of the rear seat. The infant seat is in the middle of the rear seat which causes the tether to angle somewhat but not nearly enough to comprimise the proper function of the seat. It has been checked with local Fire Dept. who gave the A OK. | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2002 |
keith, my 2 year old is also ready for the roof rack up grade, he tried to flush dadas digi camera a few weeks back, i wanted to spin his little head off. i never knew how much patience parenthood required!!! marc | ||
| Lawrence Tilly (L_tilly) Member Username: L_tilly Post Number: 131 Registered: 02-2002 |
I'm still reading the thread, Tonga. It's either that or do work. ;-) Thanks for the follow-ups. Pugs, a good friend of mine has a toddler that's been testing his patience too. The munchkin came into his bedroom in the morning a couple weeks ago saying "fix Thomas, fix Thomas!". He was holding the splintered remains of about 1/3 of his Thomas the Train DVD. When my friend investigated he discovered his son had tried pushing the disk into the DVD player similar to how you put one into a slot-fed car CD player. Too bad the DVD player had a tray.  Not to be discouraged by the failure of the Thomas disc to go into the machine (and brake into many pieces in the process), his determinied son tried two other movies and three music CDs before seeking the professional services of his father. -Lawrence | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 50 Registered: 12-2002 |
inquisitive kids rock!!! lawrence, the clock is ticking, relish the infant stage, cause toddler is on its way!!! you'll love the britax seat, we've got three. one for each car and a spare for grandparents/friends. well worth the money. good luck marc | ||
| Tim Ballard (Tballard) New Member Username: Tballard Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2002 |
Let' hear it for toddlers - I've had 2 boys (twins) in the back of my 96 Disco I since they were born 3 1/2 years ago. I'd be interested in any suggestions for booster seats, as they are now outgrowing their combo seats. Here in California, we need seats through 60 lbs! One option (my wife's favorite) is to upgrade to a Disco II, as the D-1 only has two shoulder belts, which leaves no room for my mother, who is a key support member of the twins maintenance effort - especially when camping. I am kind of attached to the D-I though, as it has never let me down in 6 years of off-roading. To do this, I need to find a booster seat with a five point harness that goes over 40 lbs. So far I've only seen the new Britax, which is very wide - two of these monsters will definitely squeeze out my mother. So if you see a 96 Disco I for sale here soon, you will know who prevailed. | ||
| Steve Andrews (Sillybus) Member Username: Sillybus Post Number: 202 Registered: 08-2002 |
FWIW, I am also using Mike's method. I've got two car seats on the rear bench and placed the tether around the headrest on the outward sides and clipped into the rear seat belt anchors. I haven't had a problem with this setup. Tim - Get two Britax seats and get a jump seat for your mom. She'll probably love the extra room sitting in the back and can still easily reach the boys. | ||
| Lawrence Tilly (L_tilly) Member Username: L_tilly Post Number: 133 Registered: 02-2002 |
The suggestions worked great. I double-checked the Britax manual and found that little attachemnt Neil showed earlier. I used that to anchor the strap around the rear seat-mount that is closest to verticle from the center position. What an amazing difference! When I sinched it down it made the seat go from well-mounted to rock-solid. Wife and I are very, very happy with the mounting in the Disco, and we can't say enough about the quality of the Britax. -Lawrence | ||
| laszlo nemeth (Laz) New Member Username: Laz Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2003 |
I just did this today, on a 96 disco. Before you read any further remember, its your kid not mine. This is my first post (here) and i've only had a rover for 4 weeks, so listen to me at your own risk. DISCLAMER. I have deviant instructions that should be taken with a grain of salt/ignored. If you chose to do this get the Land Rover Document 76/12/98/NAS "Child Seat Tether Bracket Installation" and ignore everything i write. Remember its your kid not mine that is depending on this. If in doubt get the dealer to do it. Dealer time should be .5 hours no AC .7 hours AC. I have no rear AC so my notes are based on that. Don't blame me if i'm wrong. Read all of this before starting. What you need before starting: LRN0449 (actually a britax part under the name safe-n-sound with a re-order # of 0038) tech note 76/12/98/NAS leather man, screwdrivers, 17mm & 13mm sockets torque wrench and loctite 242 skinny hands & brain ok here is the scoops (yes 2). the nuts are above the rear door. 2 are ~3 inches in from the plastic edging 1 is dead center middle 1/2 inch up from the tape covered metal sill Land Rover way for install: 1) remove left speaker 2) remove plastic panel that left speaker was in 3) remove 'alpine light interior trim' or the plastic panel right next to the panel you just took out that has the 17mm bolt holding the seatbelt up. here i deviate slight from LR 4) push the head liner up to locate the nuts 5) drill with a undersized bit (it would fit through the nut and is just a starter hole) the headliner where the nuts are 6) push the nut (with the rest of the backet and stuff) through the head liner and tighten and torque. don't forget loctite. according to LR it appears the order is bolt washer bracket spacer. britax has it differently. torque #'s are different between britax and LR you decide which is correct since its your kid not mine. OK SCOOP #2 OR HOW I WOULD DO IT NOW! skip to step 4 and start there. errata check your car seat in the center location. i found it way to hard to set up a britax there so the center thether is a waste for me. tighting the lap belt enough was impossible. on step 3 there are 2 plastic plugs above your head, they are ribbed for more pleasure, they pull straight out (down). on step 3 there are 2 plastic plugs right in front of you that are also ribbed, you can't see them, they are imbedded in the panel, pull the panel to you and it will come off, they are a bitch to line up and put back in, use small hands here. use brain on steps 1-6 remember its your kid not mine. | ||
| Aaron Rumley (Arumley) New Member Username: Arumley Post Number: 8 Registered: 01-2003 |
Hey Laz: You wouldn't happen to have a copy of that Land Rover Document would you? I have a 1996 D1, and I need to add tether anchors to mine as well. I understand the "at my own risk" disclaimer. You can send to my email address: arumley@chartertn.net Thanks, | ||
| Alyssa Brown (Alyssa) Member Username: Alyssa Post Number: 55 Registered: 01-2003 |
Yes, there is an official LR bulletin on how to install tethers in a DI. It is very expensive from the dealer. We waited for 4 months for the part, which was on perpetual backorder. When it finally came in, it looked like it should have cost $6, but I think it was more like $85. What a ripoff... not that your child's safety isn't worth every penny, but that was ridiculous. LATCH cannot be "installed" in a vehicle. The entire seat assemblies are different. While it would be possible (yet extremely expensive) to switch non-LATCH seats with LATCH seats in a DII, there were no LATCH seats made for the DI. Even if you did the swap in a DII, the middle seat position still will not have LATCH. On a side note, I was just at LRU, and I went to the mall with one of my classmates. He stopped into RightStart, and got a Britax for $70, marked down from $280! It was on super-dooper clearance because it wasn't LATCH. He keeps his daughter in the middle of their DII, so he didn't care. What a good deal. | ||
| laszlo nemeth (Laz) New Member Username: Laz Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2003 |
uh i paid $20+ per latch from LR about 2 weeks to get it. and yes it should be a $6 part |
