Heated seat install

[Toddman45]

I found the easiest way for me to get heated seats. Was to the box when ordering or look for a used vehicle with heated seats and steering wheel.

Most my vehicles did come with them, very few didn't. But it was cheap and easy to install.

Both my 2019 explorer platinum and 24 maverick have heated seats and steering wheels. The explorer also has cooled seats.

You couldn't get heated seats in a 12 f150 screw xlt, or a 02 Z06 from the factory, so there's that.

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Most my vehicles did come with them, very few didn't. But it was cheap and easy to install.

Both my 2019 explorer platinum and 24 maverick have heated seats and steering wheels. The explorer also has cooled seats.

You couldn't get heated seats in a 12 f150 screw xlt, or a 02 Z06 f
rom the factory, so there's that.

Easy, in YOUR OPINION and skill level
Not mine after I read the first post.

 

[Dean S]

Sorry for the long post but I thought this was a good project to share

Thanks for taking the time to write this up, it was extremely helpful for my install this weekend.

Sorry for the long post but I thought this was a good project to share. I completed my installation of aftermarket seat heaters to the front seats that I mentioned on a previous thread.
The kit was from Amazon, I can’t find the order in my history but this is the closest match in price and product.
Driver or Passenger Top Replacement Heater Heating Element https://a.co/d/4dBFfnK
I think I paid $48.
Total time for the installation was about 5 1/2 hours. I chipped away at it over the past couple months. The seat bottoms took about an hour each and the backs took about 1 1/2 hours. Running the wiring from the seats to the fuses took 1/2 hour. The rest of the time was figuring out hour to tap into power and location of the switches. I hope these pictures are clear.

these 1st 2 pics show the beginning of the bottoms. There are plastic clips that fold on themselves under the front and sides.

At each of the indented seams on the seats, there are plastic channels held to the base by metal rings called hog rings. It was recommended to use hog ring pliers but I used regular pliers and it worked ok:

After the rings were removed, I was able to pull back the rest of the way and install the pads. I made slices in the pads where the hog rings would re-attach. I did have to cut these a little.

the wires were easy enough to tuck under both sides of the center console to run to the fuse panel on the passenger side footboard. I found a ground on the right side when removed the glove compartment:

then the power, I found these 2 10 amp fuses that are only on with the truck or accessories.

I tried to use regular fuse taps like these:
Micro2 Blade Fuse Holder Fuse with 10A, 20A Fuse - Tap 12V Car Add-a-Circuit Fuse TAP Adapter with Micro2 Blade Fuse （2 Sets） https://a.co/d/iDhngxu
But they would not fit in the spot in between 2 of the larger fuses in the 2nd pic, so I found these 10 amp pigtail fuses.

When using the pigtail, you must determine which side of the fuse is the power side. There are plenty of tutorials online. Then it was on to the switches, I chose the lower panel on either side of the 12 volt outlet. I think they fit well.

 

[Thex]

I finally got around to installing heated seats into my XL last weekend. It also took me 5-6 hours to install the heating elements and route the wiring to the fuse panel with the switches by the lighter/power.
However, I did not see/trust to fuse tap the two 15 amp seats to either fuse 3 or 6. Fuse 3 was already being used for lumbar and 6 is impossible to tap due to spacing.
I went to a local shop and they completed the wiring by adding an accessory switched relay to the BCM power. I feel more comfortable with this setup just due to the power/battery issues we are having.

The total cost for my install was Heating element kit for two seats, $48 + Auto shop wiring $105.

 

[Maverick123]

Great write-up ... I'll be doing this on the rear seats. Anyone know if there's a good power source to tap into back there without having to run wires to the fusebox?

 

[NewRobHouse]

Great write-up ... I'll be doing this on the rear seats. Anyone know if there's a good power source to tap into back there without having to run wires to the fusebox?

The 12v battery is right there under the rear seat in the hybrid. Just make sure you install an appropriately sized in-line fuse for the heating element and wire gauge you're installing.

 

[Headdead]

Nice write up, thanks.
How did you remove the cover for the seat BACK?

 

[Thex]

The seat back is easier to remove. it has an elastic that is hooked under the seat and then there is a plastic strip that you unfold/unzip. You will have to cut a slit in the fabric for the airbag cable. Unzip the sides of the seat.

You still have to deal with the HOG RINGS that is hold the cover to the seat at the seams just like the seat base.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

If you don't have the funds, skills or time to tear apart the seat and install a factory system.
Plug in a heating pad.
Redneck as hell, but it is simple, cheap and fast for heat in the cold winter.
The Mavericks 120 inverter can easily support this.
I use that one to preheat the dog bed in the backseat..The controller fits in the Mabett rear cup holder.

 

[ScottyC]

If you don't have the funds, skills or time to tear apart the seat and install a factory system.
Plug in a heating pad.
Redneck as hell, but it is simple, cheap and fast for heat in the cold winter.
The Mavericks 120 inverter can easily support this. Use one to preheat the dogs bed in the backseat.

That is hilariously ingenious!!! Never thought of that solution!!

 

[Automan21]

The seat back is easier to remove. it has an elastic that is hooked under the seat and then there is a plastic strip that you unfold/unzip. You will have to cut a slit in the fabric for the airbag cable.

Fabric of the element or the seat itself?

 

[BlueSpec1]

If you don't have the funds, skills or time to tear apart the seat and install a factory system.
Plug in a heating pad.
Redneck as hell, but it is simple, cheap and fast for heat in the cold winter.
The Mavericks 120 inverter can easily support this. Use one to preheat the dogs bed in the backseat.

I've been using smaller Sunbeam pad in the front seat for my legs.
Was going to use a longer heating pad for my back last week but it wouldn't run off the inverter.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I've been using smaller Sunbeam pad in the front seat for my legs.
Was going to use a longer heating pad for my back last week but it wouldn't run off the inverter.

Folks often overlook the simplest solutions.
I'm really surprised that the Mavericks 400 W inverter would not power a large heating pad.
I looked up the specs of a few large heating pads.
Most are right around 60 watts for a large heating pad.
Maybe try a different brand, they're fairly inexpensive.

 

[BlueSpec1]

Folks often overlook the simplest solutions.
I'm really surprised that the Mavericks 400 W inverter would not power a large heating pad.
I looked up the specs of a few large heating pads.
Most are right around 60 watts for a large heating pad.
Maybe try a different brand, they're fairly inexpensive.

I do have the older type pad like your photo that doesn’t have electronics in it. Watts isn’t the problem since a 300W pure sine wave I have can power two of my larger pads.

 

[Thex]

Fabric of the element or the seat itself?

Seat itself.

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