unseen Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Hey yall, I have a 2 year old son, Im looking for ideas how to legally take my son for a ride here in CA. he is less than 25 lbs... any pics greatly appreciated! Thanks ratsuners Quote Link to comment
Tucson620 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Convert to lap belts! Here's a beautiful write-up, if you're into a little DIY work: http://ddgonzal.members.winisp.net/nwde/4304.htm 1 Quote Link to comment
H5WAGON Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 So do you have any seat belts in your truck? Quote Link to comment
nismo dr Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I get flamed for saying it, but with doors as thin as cardboard and no safety glass, or crush zones, I don't think strapping the kids to the wreckage is the best solution, unless you are going to weld in a cage. Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 2 years old, less than 25 lbs...your kid should be rear-facing. But if you were to take the risk by putting him in the truck, it doesn't matter anyways. Let him roll on the floor. Just as safe. I would love, LOVE, to haul my kids around in my truck. Still not going to do it. In no way am I ragging. Not safe. Quote Link to comment
unseen Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I actually already detached the shoulder belts and use lap belts currently, thank you ! nice work ! Safety first of course ! Thanks for your concern guys! I should mention my son is not your average 2 year old... When he was just 4 months He spent a month touring Baja Mexico, same dirt roads as baja 5000, He couldnt even hold his head up at that point and he absolutely loved the off roading and he loved the Wild West of Mexico... He is also from Italy where driving in any car is a life threatening as walking through Compton... lol :lol: thanks yall Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I am sorry to admit it, but having been in too many accidents, with different 521 trucks, they are stronger than you realize. The frames on these trucks are strong. The cab is attached to the frame pretty well, unless there is rust in the floor, and make no mistake, there are a lot of 521 trucks with rust issues in the floor. Another issue with 521 trucks is the solid steering column, but again, with the steering box inside the frame, if the cab mounts are solid, I do not believe that is a big safety issue, especially for the child. Every 521 I have seen has had lap belts. Mklotz, and others have fabricated provisions for shoulder belts. I am pretty sure no 521 had the need for an "airbag defeat switch" I see two issues with what you are asking. 1. Satisfying the letter of the law, and having the child "legally safe" 2. Actually making sure the child is safe. Please note, satisfying either requirement does not guarantee the other is met. Find out if the California motor vehicle code has provisions for children in older vehicles. It may not, California is one of the states actively trying to get older vehicles off the road, and scrapped. For the 521 you need to inspect the cab floor, and the cab mounts, including the bolts. I have seen 521 cab mount bolts rusted to the point where the strength of the bolt is severely compromised. You also need to make sure there are no rust issues in the floor, where the cab mounts and bolts go in to the cab. While checking that, you need to check the seat belt mounts, and probably need to fabricate provisions for shoulder belts. Again, I think some good information is buried in mklotz's project Mend thread. Absolute bare minimum with the brakes, make sure the hydraulics are in good shape, master and wheel cylinders, and hoses. Stock brake hoses are over 40 years old. Luckily, the 521 uses American thread sizes on the body, and brake lines, and it is pretty easy to get new rubber hoses for the brakes. Two in the front, and one in the back. You must adjust the stock 521 drum brakes every 3000 miles, or sooner. First brake system upgrade, a dual master cylinder. I have not done this, you will have to search other threads. Another good upgrade, put disk brakes on the front of the truck. Thank you for the link to the NWDE archive! I booked marked that one. 1 Quote Link to comment
unseen Posted November 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thanks Daniel C !!! Ill look into the pre 75 CA vehicle laws. My floor is surprisingly in good shape and I will check the bolts for rust. Quote Link to comment
nismo dr Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 I have 3 kids 3,7, and 11. I waited till they were out of booster seats. When they finally get/got to ride its win. I replaced the lap belts and hardware when I got it. I will say, I agree with DanielC upgrading the braking system is as, if not more important for safety. My 521's thread in my sig has my 4 wheel disk swap. Definately feel much better about taking the kiddos. If it were up to them 2 Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted November 9, 2011 Report Share Posted November 9, 2011 Also, just make sure the car seat is up to date. if the car seat is up to date, and its strapped down by a seat belt. You should be fine. Its up to you to make the choice if the kids are safe in that vehicle or not. You know the truck more than any of us. I let my kids ride in my 521, but that truck is solid. 1 Quote Link to comment
jrock4224 Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 i agree... i would strap my daughter in a datsun before any honda car out there...dattos are beef Quote Link to comment
boxboy Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 I am wondering out loud here, but my Honda Element had seats in it with integrated seat belts. I know that there are other cars out there now that also have this tech. I am thinking that someday I may get some seats from the junk yard and adapt them to my truck. It would probably take some extra beefing up of the floor pan, but probably reasonably simple. Anyone else tried this? Quote Link to comment
nismo dr Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 I let my kids ride in my 521, but that truck is solid. yeah, but your kids have other things to worry about :lol: :fu: :P :lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 :rofl: Nice one man. smoking a cig wont do anything... But probably not the best of choices. need a spark on fumes Quote Link to comment
unseen Posted November 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 :lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 I remember riding around in the back of the F-100 cross country with my brother and sister...and in the 56 Chevy with no seat belts... I also remember corporal punishment in schools. I deserved every swat I got. :lol: Now you can get a ticket in Seattle for not wearing a helmet while riding a bike and parents can go to jail for spanking their own kids. I weep for the future... :mellow: My 3 yr old grand daughter loves papa and daddies trucks. She should be ok :P That's her with the big grin in the passenger seat :D 1 Quote Link to comment
unseen Posted November 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 love the pics ! :D Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 Get stuck in mud, what do? Play in it :rofl: 1 Quote Link to comment
flatcat19 Posted November 10, 2011 Report Share Posted November 10, 2011 (3,000th post!) Thanx Ratsun!!! Quote Link to comment
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