Katzkin Leather and Seat Heaters Install

just wanted to give a shout out to all the posts on this forum regarding the installation of Katzkin leather seat covers and heated seats!

Did my install this past weekend and I am very happy with the outcome. Couldn't have done it without all of the information found on this site!

THANK YOU!!!


This video was also very helpful...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK8C56uC1nM&sns=em

As was this...
http://www.lieblweb.com/heatedseat.html


Here are a few pics of my install......

 

Did the switches come with the seat heaters or did you get them separate? I have the round two position rocker switches - while they work fine I like the more stock look like you have. Do they illuminate?

Install looks good, I love mine so far.

 

Just in time for spring
But seriously, looks great

 

@dofartshavelumps thanks!
The switches came with the seat pads, and they do illuminate.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-seats-hea...ius-Camry-FJ-Hilux-Tacoma-Matrix/171988489192

@Dimestore55
Thanks! Yep! Timing could have been better! I'll get a few uses out of them before it warms up here.

 

You had to rip that much of your dash apart to wire the heated seats?

Now I'm terrified to do mine.

 

I can understand pulling part of the dash to install the switches, but that seems like a bit much unless he was doing other things too.

 

The head unit is gone lol that one I dont get. But I think the multi setting switches pull more amps so you have to go for a different circut.
I plan on splicing into the cigarette lighter with mine.

 

You are one brave individual. I love the work man. What ever you may have done with the dash you were able to get back together & it works. Props for the DIY

 

BTW woukd you happen to have a link on the "how to" install? I have a set of Road Wire leather sitting in my garage awaiting instillation.

 

@PackCon , “a bit much” like @Salty_Dog says…..but I wanted to do as neat a job as I could.

After laying the new wiring harness out in the cab, I figured out that I would “T” the wires to the seats from the console (right where the hump is in the floorboards). The dash came apart so much because I didn’t know where the route the wiring from behind the switches over to the fuse box. I wanted the keep the wiring secured to existing harnesses, etc. so I just took it all out. I originally didn’t have the radio out, but had to in order to get the part of the dash off where the switches go (so I could get behind it). Someone more knowledgable might just know where to fish the wiring. It seemed that in order to get the piece of dash I wanted out of my way off, I had to remove something else, and to get that out of the way, I had to remove something else…and so on!

After looking at my pic again…..it’s obvious the glove box didn’t have to come out!

Anyway, it actually looks worse than it is. If I remember correctly, there are only two bolts and four screws, and you can remove the entire console! If you make habit of putting bolts/screws back in where you take them out (after removing a piece of dash), it serves you well when putting everything back. That was my first time tearing into it, and I didn’t have much trouble at all putting it back together.

 

@Salty_Dog yes...the instructions said that each seat heater pair had to be connected to a 20A circuit. I couldn't find 20A add-a-circuits (only 10A rated) locally, and didn't want to order online and wait, so I ran power straight from the battery, and used a add-a-circuit in the fuse box (under the dash) for the "ignition on" wire from the relay and for the switch lights.

 

Thanks!

@Janster shared this link in a post: http://www.lieblweb.com/heatedseat.html
Look for a post by

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/homertacos-diy-leather-interior.89333/

And don't forget the video I linked to at the top......it was helpful to have running (pause/play/pause/play) while deconstructing the first seat.

 

"F-Up" and recovery (no pun intended)......

Just figured out I put the rear headrest covers on backwards! Bad part, I'd put holes in them for the levers that lower them out of the way.

Pics show how I solved it....

 

On a more positive note.....I listed my factory fabric covers on E-Bay and the bid is up to $156....with 3 days to go. This will bring my total upgrade costs down significantly! I'll update when they sell with total cost breakdown.

 

How long did this take you per front seat? rear seat?

 

@apoteker way too long!!!

Most threads here report spending 6-8 hours doing front and back. I ran into some wiring issues (instructions with heaters didn't match the instructions the seller emailed me)...so I had to work it out.

Guessing.....I probably spent 2 hours per front, but the back seats are MUCH easier....so less than an hour on those. Headrests were a pain and I spent several hours on them.....had to do some repair stitching after over stretching one of them.

Lots of research will make the job easier.....and nothing like experience! I could get it done a lot faster now that I've been through it.

 

thanks for the info... i started my install yesterday and those headrest covers suck! i also tore a tiny bit due to stretching... not too noticeable however... i will post some pics when done!

 

Nice! Looking forward to the pics!

 

How do you get access to behind this panel?

 

Like this....