Child seat tether TSB

[EaZyE426]

Chrysler lists a TSB to install the top anchor for child seat tethers. It applies to J Body (Convertible/Coupe) according to the TSB, but there isn't a diagram listed in AllData on the installation for the convertible, only Coupe. Does anyone else have a resource that would show this?

TSB #: 232288

Models
1989 AA-, AC-, AG-, AH-, AJ-, AK-, AL-, AM-, AP-, & BB-Body Passenger Car
AB- & AS-Body Truck (See Body Code Legend)
Subject
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation
Index
BODY
Date
December 30, 1988
No.
23-22-88
P-5444 (C23-11)
BODY CODE LEGENDPassenger Cars
AA - Spirit Acclaim AC - Dynasty/New Yorker/Landau AG - Daytona AH - Lancer/LeBaron GTS AJ - LeBaron (2-Door Coupe/Convertible) AK - Aries/Reliant AL - Omni/Horizon AM - Diplomat/Newport/Fifth Avenue AP - Shadow/Sundance BB - Premier
Trucks
AB - Dodge Ram Van/Wagon (Rear-Wheel-Drive) AS - Caravan/Voyager
Due to increased customer interest, child seat tether anchor packages have been made available. Upon customer request, the appropriate vehicle package and install according to attached instructions.
POLICY:
Information Only - These packages to be installed at the customer's expense.

[dwh4784]

That would be nice, I can't secure my son's seat in my back seat no matter what I do with the lap belt. Kind of sucks because he always wants to ride in it.

[EaZyE426]

Yeah, I'm hoping there was a diagram for the mounting location, and it's just missing from Alldata. I wonder if Gary has first hand knowledge on installing these??

[Ondonti]

I wish they had the click in things in AA bodies between the backrest and the seat pad.

Why exactly can't your seats be installed? My kids sit in convertible seats and youngest just turned 2 so he can now FWD face in WA state.

[EaZyE426]

Without the top strap, the seat only has the lap belt to hold it in, and I don't like how much it rocks forward when I apply the brakes.

[dwh4784]

And mine is leather so the seat slides all over the place. I just won't risk it, we've got other cars and the child seat is rock solid in them.

92+ had an improved seat belt with a shoulder strap I've thought about trying to use. It seems like the shape of the seat is part of the issue also though, when tightening the lap belt the child seat always wants to spin to the inside.

[Rrider]

In a lot of childseat/carseat combos you need to put a rolled up towel or something behind them or under them, in order to get the chair at a safe angle. That makes the fit even worse if you're just running a lap belt. A lot of parents ignore the level markings on the child seats and run them as they fit. I totally get why too.. its such a pain in some cars. I've done it.

Those seats shouldn't be run without that top strap though.. In seats without headrests I would run steel-frame full-height child-seats, and strap the top strap around back to the seat base. I'd find or make a hole to run the top strap around top to clip down to something.

[EaZyE426]

Everything except for the convertible has a TSB to install an anchor for the top strap, it tells you exactly where to look for the recess to drill out. Just trying to figure out if anyone knows of a place to mount the anchor on the convertible.

[cordes]

I'm not following what you'd add in a P body for a child seat. FWIW, I put my kid in the NYer with only the lap belt all the time.

[Rrider]

Ah damn I skipped over the original post entirely... Do you have a link to the diagrams you were able to find?

[RattFink]

The top tether was mandated by law around 2000-2001 model year. I believe a lot of manufactures came up with TSB's to retrofit older cars for free or low cost, they wanted to look good since it was a safety issue. The actual law states convertibles are exempt hence Chrysler not showing them in the TSB. Not sure how old your children are but you could rear face them and then not worry about it. We have carseats that can rear face up to 45 pounds, my 2.5 year old still rear faces.

[RattFink]

http://us.diono.com/convertible-to-booster/radianrxt

http://www.carseat.org/Legal/622_Latch.htm

[dwh4784]

I can't imagine rear facing in a two door. At least with a convertible I could drop the top to get him in and out though.

The text of the TSB the OP posted does include the convertibles, so it's an intriguing question.

[EaZyE426]

As an example, the hook placement for the Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance


If someone would like the writeup for their specific vehicle, let me know. I can take screenshots and post them.

[cordes]

That looks wholly unnecessary.

[RattFink]

I can check Mitchell on demand and see if it's the same or has more info.

[RattFink]

Mitchell shows a bulletin issued April 23 2015 which supercedes the bulletin from Oct. 24 2008. This current bulletin only lists the 89 GTS and 89-93 coupes.

[Rrider]

Plus.. if you get rear ended hard, it could allow a lot of slack.. when that mounting point gets pushed forward. Could you post the minivan one?

[EaZyE426]

[Ondonti]

Not sure how you guys fail to get your seats stable with just a lap belt. We were using the wrong location for the straps when that was the case. I also don't see how the seating angle rules make sense unless they are trying to cause kids wiplash