Toyota RAV4 Forums banner

Back seat seat belt buckle extension

9.5K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  mikefocke  
#1 ·
Does anyone know if the backseat seat belt buckle can be extended, my kids having a hard time putting their seat belt on because the buckle doesn't extend that much. They have a full back booster seat.
 
#3 ·
We have a 3" seat belt extender for my wife's new RAV4 from here:
We use for our 7 year old who sits in a booster seat
The issue has nothing to do with the length of the seat belt but rather how much the female buckle socket extends (actually stock situation it doesn't extend at all) out from the seat. As an adult, it is a challenge to reach over the booster seat and get the buckle into the socket and for the child it is next to impossible.
If I had to do it over, I would probably have ordered the next size longer (than 3") but it is safe, well made and my daughter can now buckle her self in.
 
#2 ·
Given that the booster elevates them, there would be no impact on seat belt length that would suggest an extension would be needed. Keep in mind that the belt length is designed for Santa sized folk. It may be a little stiff at first. And hard for them to find the female socket.

Can you attach the buckle? I know with my grandkids, I had to do the buckle up for a while and then their strength increased and all I had to do is ask for a count of "clicks" and they had no trouble.
 
#4 ·
Doesn't this effect the whole buckle system? When you have kids in the back the dash will tell you of they are buckled or not. I would this this would always show they are buckled even if they are not. Kids be kids and kids do weird stuff....I would like to know if they are buckled then to rely on them telling me they are buckled....just my 2 cents.
 
#6 ·
I got to wondering why the manufacturers don't make the seat belt female buckle socket attachment to the frame a semi-rigid item and have it project just an inch higher. If it were higher and not moving around as easily then anyone would have an easier time attaching the belt end into the socket. And releasing it.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I don't think that you can actually raise up the female socket enough for that to work? Wife is away with her RAV right now but you should go ahead and simply check to see if there is enough slack in the stock system for that to work. From my limited recollection while installing the 3" extender, I don't believe there is much if any slack.