idosubaru Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 1996 Legacy Sedan AWD LSi EJ25 vehicle with leather seats. Do they have anchors or kits to install them available? Or is this a seat belt only vehicle for installing car seats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 If you are talking about the LATCH system for child seats, you don't have them. They didn't show up until around 2000 in the Legacy and Outback, not sure about the other models. Not sure if there is a kit, maybe there is something in a junk yard you can use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 yep, that's it. thanks! i wonder if there's a kit, guess i could call subaru. or if there's a way to attach the 2000+ latch system to my Legacy? anyone know how the latch system is fitted to the vehicle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSRBIKER Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 Look at the bottom of this page, I doubt there are predrilled anchor points though. I thought about welding anchors in a long time ago but i just use the seatbelts in my Outback. I am fanatical about my kids safety and I feel this was the best option even considering my welding abilities. If you find a Subaru kit please let us all know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickb21 Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 I found this a few weeks ago when I was checking to see if my 02 OBW had LATCH. http://www.subaru.com/common/faq/index.jsp 2. How can I find out more about child safety seat anchorage systems? Since offering our 1985 models, Subaru has equipped our vehicles with tether anchor points. To inquire about ordering a tether anchor kit for your Subaru, contact your Subaru dealer. With all new 2000 model year Subaru vehicles, tether anchors were included with the car. Our 2001 Legacy and Outback models include the new LATCH system. All 2002 Impreza models include the LATCH system, as well as all 2003 Forester and Baja models include the LATCH system. Unfortunately, there is no retro-fit kit available for vehicles prior to these model years. So that tells me you can at least get the tethers to strap a seat into the car, even though it won't be "LATCH"... Wonder how much they charge for the kit. --Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share Posted June 24, 2008 okay i'm a goober - what's the difference between tether and LATCH? i don't really know, haven't even tried to install the seat yet. thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSRBIKER Posted June 24, 2008 Share Posted June 24, 2008 The tether is the strap that comes off the upper back part of the child seat(it's part of the child seat), it is another attachment point for the seat to the vehicle. In my Legacy Outback I attach these to the anchor points in my cargo area. On sedans they are located on the rear shelf near the speakers if so equipped, usually hidden under a plastic cap. FYI: Booster seats do not have tethers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankosolder2 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Gary, I don't know if this is a consideration for you, but I'm pretty sure that the LATCH system is only rated up to a certain weight (of the child.) I'm not sure if the limitation is the anchors themselves or the seat...I do know our child seat is rated for a much higher weight when fastened with a seatbelt versus LATCH. (This also implies that the seatbelt method might be stronger in general.) It might not be worth the effort to fabricate LATCH style anchors for an older vehicle for the relatively short time period you might be able to use them for. If memory serves, our child exceeded the max LATCH weight at one year old.... Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted June 25, 2008 Author Share Posted June 25, 2008 (This also implies that the seatbelt method might be stronger in general.) It might not be worth the effort to fabricate LATCH style anchors for an older vehicle for the relatively short time period you might be able to use them for. If memory serves, our child exceeded the max LATCH weight at one year old.... Nathan Nathan - awesome, thanks for the information. i was looking at buying a newer wagon for no reason! still looking, but sounds like i might not worry as much about it having LATCH or not. ill check into that. i guess it's just a convenience thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSRBIKER Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html Good info, they basically say it's easier to install a child seat with the Latch system. I think the third point down is interesting about choosing a center position safety belt installation over outer position Latch ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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