2003 Mountaineer infant seat installation

Is it a LATCH type seat? The best location is the middle row. There is an anchor in the rear bottom where you can clip the tether. The rest of the seat is secured by threading the warbler through the rear of the child seat.

If it's that tight it would be easier to remove the lower back seat and remove the 18 mm bolt and remove the seatbelt anchor. To remove the lower back seat pull up sharply on the front left and right sides of seat, only held in with plastic clips, then seat will pull forward and ouy

Check for the seat belts under the seats in that row by pulling up on the little leather or plastic handles found on the side of seat or between the top and bottom of seats. Hope that Helps.

I am not familiar with the vehicle but car seats are not all made to fit any vehicle.
There are some that require just the lap belt most require an over the shoulder design. You will have to get the store to let you try a few in the vehicle until you find one that suits. I would expect a young child (baby) seat to require a 3 point over the shoulder style seat belt. especially if you are fitting the seat in the middle as this is the worst place in the event of a head on impact, unless you have full restraint. The other thing to remember is that children as they grow older may decide to take the shoulder straps off as you drive, making them more vulnerable. There are devices out there to help prevent this.
If your vehicle doesn't have a three point harness in the middle you should be able to get one fitted. Ask you Toyota dealer if there is an approved after market belt

I don't know if this is something you want to get into? You decide. Front Seat Belt Replacement SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations and the precautions and procedures before performing repairs or service.
NOTE: Check the front seat belts for damage, and replace them if necessary.

Front Seat Belt

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio, and then write down the frequencies for the preset buttons.
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery, and wait at least 3 minutes before beginning work.
3. Slide the front seat forward fully.

1. Pull the lower anchor cover (A) back, and remove the lower anchor bolt (B).
2. Remove the B-pillar lower trim panel.

1. Remove the upper anchor cover (A), and remove the upper anchor bolt (B).

1. Disconnect the seat belt tensioner connector (A), and detach the harness clip (B) from the retractor (C). Remove the upper retractor mounting bolt (D), and the lower retractor bolt (E), then remove the front seat belt (F) and retractor.
2. If necessary, remove the front seat belt protector (G).
3. Remove the B-pillar upper trim.

1. Remove the shoulder anchor adjuster (A).

1. Install the seat belt in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
   • Assemble the washers, collar, and bushing on the upper and lower anchor bolts as shown.
   • Check that the retractor locking mechanism functions.
   • Apply liquid thread lock to the anchor bolts before reinstallation.
   • If the seat belt tensioner has been activated, replace the front seat belt protector with a new one.
   • Before installing the anchor bolts, make sure there are no twists or kinks in the seat belt.
   • Make sure the seat belt tensioner connector is plugged in properly.
   • Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.
   • Enter the anti-theft code for the radio, and then enter the customer's radio station presets.
   • Reset the clock.
   • Do the PCM idle learn procedure and the power window control unit reset procedure.

Upper anchor bolt installation
Lower anchor bolt installation

Seat Belt Buckle

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio, and then write down the frequencies for the preset buttons.
2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery, and wait at least 3 minutes before beginning work.
3. Remove the front seat.
4. If equipped, remove the center table.
5. Remove the under seat storage box.
6. Remove the center cover, driver's, passenger's.

1. Driver's: If equipped with seat heater, remove the harness band (A), and disconnect the seat subharness connector (B). If equipped without seat heater, detach the seat belt switch connector clip (C). Detach the seat belt buckle tensioner clip (D), and harness clip (E).

Child seat tethers didn't start coming into play until around 2002-2003, however there are anchor kits available for about $50 from Ford Dealerships. When you call to talk to the dealer about availability, start with the service department. They can can check you Vehicle Identification Number (which is on your insurance or registration), and you may be eligible to have them installed under Ford warranty, even after 11 years!

you may want to check your local law because i think some states require it be be in the middle but im not 100% the best is usualy the middle as long as your seat belt there works good.

Ideally if there is a middle set of latches in the seat, you can install an infant car seat base there. If the seat has any kind of hump or other irregularity then it should not be installed there. Although the middle of the back seat is safest for a child, most vehicle do not have a latch system there. However most cars do have a lap belt for the center seat and that should be used if you decide to place your car seat.

Do not use the latches from either side of the right back and left seat. The latch system is designed to be a specific distance apart to work correctly. If you don' want to use the lap belt then you should put the child seat on either the left or right back seat using the latch system.

Yes those are very good and most car seats come with them. The manufacturers website probably has them available for download as well.

I have a pet peeve against infant or toddler car seats though. It is often very difficult to get them secured properly with belts in some cars. Some belts remain loose until the car detects a collision. This of course makes for a dangerous situation where the carseat stays loose. If your car is like this and you are serious about keeping your precious little one safe, consider adding a second belt of the old style that can be manually adjusted.
I feel strong enough about the importance of this that I would even install it for free if someone bought the belt and brought it to me.

no none of the ventures come with anchor brackets