I've been thinking about installing heated seat elements for awhile now on my 2003 SE. Called a local shop, they want $500 just for the fronts. I know of plenty of places to get the kit for both front seats for around $200. I just don't want to ruin my interior. So here's my questions:

1) Is the fabric glued onto the seat?

2) What tools are needed to remove the fabric?

3) I will probably be using an aftermarket heating element. I plan on splicing into the pre-existing wiring under the seat. I'm assuming it already has power?

4) Best place to mount the switches in the center console? If so, how tough is this to take apart?


If installing these is really rough, I think I might just ghetto rig by using seat covers, and placing the heating elements under them, just for winter. I'm most concerned about getting the fabric back on correctly, I'm hoping its just a slip on, slip off kind of thing. Thx for any words of wisdom

 

That's a lot of questions in one post...Here we go:

1. The fabric is not glued onto the seats

2. to remove the fabric, first take the seat out of the car, turn the seat over, look for some bolts or screws (I can't remember which there are), remove the bolts, pull the bottom cushion off and you will see some hog rings. Get some needle nose pliers and pull the hog rings out with a twisting motion. once the outside rings are out, start peeling the cover back. You will continue to see hog rings on the left and right hand side, take them out and keep peeling back. Once you put the heater elements on, get yourself some hog ring pliers and install in reverse order.

3. Your seat will already have power if you have power seats, or you can splice into the seat belt sensor. You can try splicing into a constant power, if you want to warm the seats without the car on. If that is the case, you may want to splice into the stereo wiring, or some other source.

4. The best place to mount the switches would be on the center console somewhere...maybe where the two little slots are. You could even (maybe) get the stock heater switches from a dealership and wire them in somehow. I don't know how easy that will be, but is most likely doable. The center console is easy to remove with a little force.

The install itself should be failry easy and straight forward. If you have any install history and wiring knowledge, you should be fine!!

 

Thank you MaxDoogie, great explanation. Looks like I need to purchase some hog ring pliers.

 

Where can I get some elements as well? Winter is around the corner and I know I will love having this done once the cold starts...

 

look at the groupd deal for leather seats being run by ATD in the group buy section. He can hook you up with the heating elements

 

atd1.com
get the phone number and speak to a guy named James, hes a nice guy.

The covers are easy as hell to take off but hard to put on

 

KiLLeR2002se, nice job on the leather, did you do it yourself? I just went to atd1.com and couldn't believe they are located in my own town!!! Unfortunately, I called and was quoted $500 for complete install of the front seats. But I guess it is pretty labor intensive.

How to: http://www.mccgp.com/upgrades/heatedseat/patspage.php
http://www.pfyc.com/supportfiles/rostrainstall.pdf

Heating elements:
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/seatheatac.html
http://www.checkcorp.com/
http://www.gosracing.com/heated_seat_kits
http://www.jpcustoms.com/Webpages/Dash-Trim.htm
http://www.autosound.com/seating.htm

 

Yeah, I bit the bullet when I had my leather put in and paid for install. It looked too damn difficult for me to do on my own.

 

can you buy factory seat heaters??? i mean the merdian options is only what $399.....

 

Here's David Burnette response Gooey:

I assume you are referring to the heating elements to put inside your seats? Nissan does not service the seat as an assembly, just a hugely expensive list of individual parts. On that note, I can get you the heating elements for $149.94 a side, and the switches for $32.75 each. Apparently
some cars are pre-wired, so you might want to lift your console & have a peek under your seats! If you need to call me, the # here is 888-254-6060.
> Thanks!
> David Burnette, South Point Nissan