Seat heater install

[david85]

For under $70CAD on Amazon I figure why not?

The seats shown here are the captains chairs normally found in OBS trucks, so might be of interest.

Removing the upholstery varies from one type of seat to the next, so I won’t go into detail here. In the case of these seats, there were no hog rings. Only I-strips, which made things easier.

Only real hiccup was the Velcro attaching points that hold the upholstery in place getting covered up by the heater pad. However, this Velcro also seems to damage the upholstery over longer periods of time, so deleting this might not be such a problem.

I used two approaches here. In one case, I simply ripped off the Velcro strips, in the other case, I taped over them. Time will tell which holds up better.

The heater pads are self adhesive along the sides, but need to be taped on each end. Strips of foil tape were provided but duck tape would probably work better. Old foam won’t provide a very good surface to stick to either way though.

The grooves for the original Velcro strips also caused a bit of an issue. Rather than stretch the heater pad across these spots, I folded it down inside, hoping it will be less likely to delaminate.

 

[david85]

For power, I took a shortcut. I’ll be mounting the control switches under the dash, so I tapped into the cigarette socket. I still have to mount the switches, so no photos of those just yet. Last photo here shows the upholstery being peeled inside out to pull it off the seat foam.

One other update I made was to install a new seat foam on the drivers side. Bronco graveyard sells them, along with a few others. This is not cheap, but I’m quite surprised with how firm it is and how well it fits. Lumbar support is amazing now on these seats.

 

[david85]

Here's the seat foam I used. It's not quite an exact OEM replacement, since it has two velcro strips intended to fit two similar applications. The stock upholstery fit very nicely.

1992-97 Ford Bronco/Truck Seat Cushion-Broncograveyard.com

shop.broncograveyard.com

And here's the amazon seat heater kit, if anyone's interested.

https://www.amazon.com/ZXHZAQ-Universal-Built-Heating-Control/dp/B0DPF8GYYB?crid=1BEQE6M7X8NHN&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MpOlBFH7ZfygYrlNUywNV1gvd_dyY2ZWdWkkcGZaVWRYhCNUhNyuc92_KjE39B6D_fZRCs5vIOLpcYsvVIX9LI8PCJBtLpcrgbdCsJN8Gtil1MwC-VjlY1wx2G4-6T3sO1VGM0VMptDOQ11Q1NwaIm5u-lTaFl6xfPFlZjSu6dAZCaUPZDtkk94tQaN4jCfbx8SC317xA0vJ0I8uVh2cRgQ9_OpMbdT3Qp9zF-W5k3ZsSlUD_LmUT-Rvn3JtmEoBv8IyYrqRWSbkRVWbUi8tys0ldnoswwCzHkTFsNBhkxuYkYJZssBe1hn8D_PxfnAyh-bGLTsattPzGacr5vpCEAwkxrmtR955BHo0778qg7hBcUEJwgVL03U8efEwDc5cJx-YVfPZrOuP4F7HYimFEiXUyYyF78NIxOiRMguSjDJSNWMdjD0bAwSN0WPnMRAo.aIWZdNFCxvMZRSaik7Ovni32uBXVi3njao8e571FpUU&dib_tag=se&keywords=seat+heater+kit&qid=1735537491&sprefix=seat+heater+ki%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-8

This covers two seats and each has a 3 setting switch. I don't drive "new" vehicles often enough to really say how it compares to OEM, but I seemed to work well enough. A bit delayed to change temperature, but that's probably down to the amount of foam backing the upholstery acting like an insulator.

 

[david85]

100% finished now. Switches are mounted on some aluminum brackets that I attached to the bottom or the dash. Does it look like an add-on? Yeah, it does, but this avoids new holes and it’s still within easy view/reach. The blue backlight comes on with the cluster illumination. The red lights show output setting.

Time will tell how well it holds up but if it fails, I can easily remove the entire setup without any permanent changes left behind.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I'm anxiously waiting for the results from the first good test on a nice, bitterly cold day.

 

[david85]

I'm anxiously waiting for the results from the first good test on a nice, bitterly cold day.

Might be a while. Winter has been pretty mild for us so far. Not even any snow yet.

 

[Cant Write]

This is awesome!! My only observation has been towards the level of heat. All of my wife’s vehicles (Chevy, Ford, Toyota) have all had 3 levels of heat. With the lowest setting still too hot for me.

VW MK4 and B5.5 era has a rotary dial with 5 levels. I find 3 to be right when I am cold, and 1 or 2 perfect for keeping the cold at bay. I like the additional two levels of adjustment.

Awesome job!!

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Might be a while. Winter has been pretty mild for us so far. Not even any snow yet.

Same here, but that's about to change. At least the mild part.

All of my wife’s vehicles (Chevy, Ford, Toyota) have all had 3 levels of heat. With the lowest setting still too hot for me.

I'll bet that "off" isn't too hot. Overall, this is why I prefer cloth seats. They're not hot in the summer and not cold in the winter.

 

[Cant Write]

I'll bet that "off" isn't too hot. Overall, this is why I prefer cloth seats. They're not hot in the summer and not cold in the winter.

I get it. My commute, 49 miles 1-way, I’ve learned a couple things and it might be quirky VW things. I like the blower motor off, but directed where I need passive heat. (Not possible on older fords or chevys) and the seat heater on 2.

I prefer cloth as well, but my experience is they suck with young kids!!

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

I prefer cloth as well, but my experience is they suck with young kids!!

Just curious, why?

As for me, cloth all the way! Fake leather is the worst, leather isn't great, and cotton/wool beats synthetic cloth.

@david85 Nice work! It doesn't usually get terribly cold here, but takes 10-15 mins driving for heat in my cab. This is mostly because my house is physically higher than my work, so it's a lot of downhill driving. Coming back is the opposite and you get heat in 5 mins or better. I'd like to do something similar, but need to get around to fixing the busted spring under my ****.
Edit: Wow, T U S H is a naughty word now! Testing: bottom, backside, hiney, wallet, rear end, butt, rear

The link for Amazon is $46.23 with $1.00 delivery USD... dang the CAD is rough.

 

[david85]

Our dollar is bad but our leader is worse. Much worse. I could say more but my words are much naughtier.

I had leather seats in my truck many years ago but have to say that I prefer cloth now as well. Although they do absorb a ton of dust compared to leather or vinyl.

Apparently seat coolers are also available aftermarket now but are much more expensive than a simple Chinese heater pad. You also need to shave off some foam from the cushions to make them fit. Cool concept but too complicated and not really needed in my case. They use an electric peltier cooler and small fan to accomplish heating and cooling in one unit.

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

Our dollar is bad but our leader is worse. Much worse. I could say more but my words are much naughtier.

I whole-heartedly agree! Obviously the leadership is helping kill the CAD, among many other things.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

My commute, 49 miles 1-way,

Where's that? Montrose?

but my experience is they suck with young kids!!

I can see how that could be true, but I have direct experience there.

Our dollar is bad but our leader is worse. Much worse. I could say more but my words are much naughtier.

I agree too. Hopefully, he'll be gone soon. I think that Pierre would do a MUCH better job.

 

[david85]

I agree too. Hopefully, he'll be gone soon. I think that Pierre would do a MUCH better job.

Fingers crossed they can force a vote of non confidence in the next month.

 

[Cant Write]

@The_Josh_Bear @IDIBRONCO

I disagree but the wife insists on the kids eating in the car, they inevitably crumb and spill, leather and vinyl are much easier to clean. Have some alcohol wipes and done.

@IDIBRONCO exactly, I work in Montrose!! Come out sometime, base out of my house and visit the mtns on 3 wheelers!! Would be fun!!