Air Bag Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 2
From: Follansbee West Va
Air Bag Question
How does everyone confront the airbag problem with kids? I have a 6 yr old that is excited I'm getting a vette but the airbag has me worried when I take her for a ride. I am in the market for a vert for around 30K and hopefully within the next 2 months I will find "the one" . I did read as long
as they sit back in the seat all the way, it won't kill them if it goes off.
Would love to hear your comments on this. Thanks.
as they sit back in the seat all the way, it won't kill them if it goes off.
Would love to hear your comments on this. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 72
From: Upstate NY
I believe 2001 and newer had the air bag shut off. My 98 does not have it and after many phone calls got quotes ranging from outright refusal to touch it to $300-$650 to install the new seat belt and shut off switch. Ken Fitchner sells the kit for approximately $110 if you're the DIY kind of person. Hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: East Meadow New York
I have a 14 year old and a 11 year old and I was told if the children are using the seat belts properly and the seat is not all the way up front there should not be a problem, the key being strapped in properly. There is also a air bag shut off switch you can have installed if you vette dosent have one.
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Mid 2000 and later have the shut off. I have a 2000 and had to add the switch. It was very easy and cost less than $300. The kit comes with the new switch, harnesses, and seat belt.
Here are a few link on what to do and buy.
http://97vette.com/howto/airbag/index.html
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/ken...rtspage3.shtml
Good luck, any questions PM me.
Here are a few link on what to do and buy.
http://97vette.com/howto/airbag/index.html
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/ken...rtspage3.shtml
Good luck, any questions PM me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,210
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in this Country..... what is the youngest age you would consider it (given you could get the airbag switched off) - ie is it illegal to have a 2yr old in the front seat (in a securely strapped baby seat.. of course) --- or is this such a thing a no-no?
(no flames please... even the GM manual has like 12pages on the topic of baby seats...)
(no flames please... even the GM manual has like 12pages on the topic of baby seats...)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Originally Posted by screw991le
Mid 2000 and later have the shut off. I have a 2000 and had to add the switch. It was very easy and cost less than $300. The kit comes with the new switch, harnesses, and seat belt.
Here are a few link on what to do and buy.
http://97vette.com/howto/airbag/index.html
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/ken...rtspage3.shtml
Good luck, any questions PM me.
Here are a few link on what to do and buy.
http://97vette.com/howto/airbag/index.html
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/ken...rtspage3.shtml
Good luck, any questions PM me.
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If you get a mid-2000 and newer, they have an airbag cutoff switch for the passenger side. For earlier models, you can by a retrofit kit to disable the airbag.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,223
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I put the Fitchner kit in my early 2000 coupe. I don't think I needed it for my kid, but the wife disagreed. 
If you don't want to do it yourself, just make sure you buy a late 2000 or newer and it will be installed at the factory.
If you don't want to do it yourself, just make sure you buy a late 2000 or newer and it will be installed at the factory.