Aftermarket heated seats?

[jrussell]

Now that the cold weather is moving in again, I am considering adding heated seats to a 2007 S. Has anyone done this? Is the wiring harness for the heated seats available in all models? Just wondering if this is a DIY project, or if I am better off leaving it to the pros.

[BikerJohn]

It can be done DIY. I installed a set in my wife's previous FJ. The kit I purchased here: http://www.heaterseat.com/products.php came with a bottom and rear carbon heat element; all the required harness; and switch for $70.00 each seat.

It requires the seat to be completely removed from the rails; flipped upside down and the seat covers need to be removed partially. This was possible with the FJ since the "stitch line" went from side-to-side on the seating surface. There are a few metal "hooks" that needed to be undone and redone in the installation process.

Each seat took me about 2 hours to do with wiring. They do work really well and looked OEM after it was all finished.

Which ever system you go with; go over all the connections carefully before installation to make sure that they are all properly "manufacturered". I found some connections (after installation) that were not "crimped" properly in the plastic connectors that ended up coming loose and I had to solder the wires after the fact.

Well worth it; your "tush" will thank you

[BEACHN]

John made a real good point about checking the wiring connectors. The last thing you want is to put everything back together and then try turning it on and it doesn't work. I had bought clear fender turn signals for my old BMW, got everything put together and the one side didn't blink. Fortunately accessing the wiring for that was a lot easier than for your seat heaters. I don't have leather seats but was also thinking of getting seat heaters as well since they'd warm up a lot quicker than my vehicles heater would on a below freezing morning.

[Corin]

How about a $25 portable solution? On my Electric Vehicle forum many people use a heated seat cover.

http://www.midwestev.com/new%20store%20page.htm (scroll down to "12v heated seat cover"

[jrussell]

The seat covers are a great option. However, I am one of those obsessive compulsive types that would prefer to keep the original look of the seats (although they are cloth). Does anyone know if there is a wiring harness that I can connect to? Or would I have to run power from the fuse box (in which case, I'll be scared off and would look to a pro)? Thanks for the ideas! If it weren't for my wife's car that already has them (Passat), then I wouldn't know what I was missing!

[BikerJohn]

I don't think that a "Non-heated" MO would have harnessing for a heater to be installed.
The kit I purchased had all the wiring to run into the fuse box on the driver side.
If you are scared off by the idea of tapping into an existing fuse box for an accessory lead; I would highly recommend you have a shop install the heated seats for you. It's not a hard job; but then; it's not an easy one either but well worth it!

[fenderkb76]

Anyone installed their own seat heaters recently? Got any recommendations? My wife's birthday and our anniversary is coming up soon and heated seats is something she really wanted in her next car which just happens to be her 2011 SV. Unfortunately, we decided it didn't make sense to pony up the extra money for leather and heated seats. I don't think there's anyway I could do this type of thing without her knowing and surprise her, but I think she'd be very happy. There's lots of kits available on Amazon and there's even more on E-bay. From what I can see, carbon fiber is the way to go. Anyone have any opinions on what is the best kit? Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.