THE BITTER SWEET, HEATED SEAT

Here is some more info on my install.

I put the switches in the lower center panel. I added a dual USB outlet while I had everything apart. To power the USB outlet, I tapped into the 12V outlet that is in the same panel. The switches are NOT illuminated at night. There is a light on the switch that comes on when the switch is on. Red for high and green for low. The light is easy to see when the switch is in the high position but is blocked by the switch when in the low position.




I tapped into the fuse panel using one of these:

$6 Lumision ADD CIRCUIT BLADE STYLE ATT LOW PROFILE LP MINI FUSETAP FUSE TAP + 5AMP FUSE

http://www.amazon.com/Lumision-Ship...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
Their website says that they are rated for 30 amps.

I also bought a package of assorted fuses:

$6 Bussmann (BP/ATM-A6LP-RP) ATM-LP Low Profile Fuse Assortment Kit - 6 Piece

http://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-BP-A...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Each seat heater came with a 10 amp inline fuse. I tied the two leads together and spliced them to the wire on the fuse tap. I put a 20 amp fuse (from the assortment that I bought) into the new circuit slot on the fuse tap. The original fuse that I took out of the panel went into the lower slot on the fuse tap.
I used the fuse for the trailer brake controller which gets power only when the ignition is on.



The cover for the fuse panel doesn't seem necessary so I'll probably just keep it in the glove box.

I also highly recommend a subscription to TIS. The repair manual was very helpful when taking apart the dash.

 

Great feedback. Thanks.

Do you have a link for the USB plug?

 

No, mine is an access cab. That is obviously the difference. Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't realize you couldn't get a sunroof with an access cab. No bother 'cause I wouldn't particularly want a sun roof.
As I go back and look closer, you do have to pay a lot of attention to the packages as the same package varies considerably in content based on manual vs auto, access cab vs 4 door, Off-road vs Sport, and on and on. Very confusing.

 

USB plug:

$19 Blue Sea Systems 1016 Dual USB Charger Socket, 12/24v 2.1a, Black

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-Syst...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

 

There is also this style.
http://www.amazon.com/Charger-Futur...IS1FFNLADX0TY&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

 

Do you know if this charger will fit in the location of the ECT button. I have a manual and have a blank plate there. I want to hook up an always hot charging port and if this fits it would be perfect

 

I do not believe it is the same as that plug, but it is the same as the blank plug that is on the left side of the steering wheel next to the useless cubby hole.

 

I don't have a blank there. With the manual I have a clutch start cancel.

 

Look at the details in the multiple drawings on that, maybe it will fit were the ECT button goes

 

for those that added where are you mounting the control switch

 

I'm pretty stoked to finally find the right kit with the right sized switches to add heated seats to my tacoma. These will go under some clazzio covers...

 

Link to kit with these switches?

 

I picked up one of the center bezel switch panels from a Limited to add the switches to in order to keep the factory look. Below is the heated seat kit. It has the light blue toyota light also.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/151685207264?_mwBanner=1

 

Man, what a job. This turned out to take much longer than I had anticipated; however, I was not only adding heated seats, but changing the lower center bezel and putting Clazzio seat covers on top of the heating elements. RichVT was a bit help as I learned from his recent experience adding seat heaters to the OEM cloth. Most valuable was the weekend subscription to the Toyota TIS website - that made pulling apart the dash less intimidating, although I still asked myself a few times why I was disassembling a 1 month old, $35k truck!

I purchased the lower center bezel from a 2016 Taco Limited with additional spaces for the seat heater switches. I used 3 add-a-fuse taps - 12v constant, 12v Ignition on and Illumination. The grounds tied into the existing ground down by the kick panel. The seat heater kit I found on ebay with the switches that glow blue to match the interior and fit the center panel - link below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151685207264

For the clazzio covers, I ordered dark grey and they came out really well. The thick material of the clazzios takes some additional time to feel the seats heat up but otherwise look and feel great. I can say that my fingers are sore and hands are bloody from this job and, I'm ready for a beer! I had planned to install rokblokz and the pop-n-lock this weekend, but I'm out of gas.

Now for a couple pics:

The add a circuits were great.


Limited center panel with seat switches installed and the existing switches from my truck.


Complete disassembly and chaos!


Dash parts


Almost back together. Looks good...


Setting up my heated seats - you have to cut out the section that sits above the listing in your seat:


In place on the seat:




Installing the Clazzio covers. You can see the thickness of the covers - at least 3/8":


More soon!

 

Your pics didn't come through

 

do the new tacos have back rest heating as well?
I know most cars only have the bottom heated, but I know audi and VW have both the back and bottom heated.

I absolutely love having them.
In the winter I dont even use the heat much just turn on the heated seats

 

Yes the new Tacoma do have the back rest heating also, and in fact it's quite warm on the very lower back right where I like it and need it

 

mthopton you purchased the factory bezel, particular reason for not getting the factory switches? I'm looking at doing the same project, was thinking of getting factory switches also.

 

Great question. The factory heated seat buttons are above the panel that the starter button and a/c controls are located. Honestly, I did not explore putting in the factory heated seats, but it's a good idea. Post up some information if you explore that option.

Mike

 

I had heated leather seats in my TBSS and I never used that option, it would take a bit to warm up too. I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I used it. Fast forward to my Taco, I'm glad I got it because it works wonders for the winter or when it's cold out. Sometimes I won't even turn the heater on, just the heated seat and that would be enough.

I thought the same thing about the cloth seats as well, but I wanted the package and after using the heated seats a few times, I'm glad I did.

Sounds like you've been buying the wrong truck if your back hurts after long drives.

This is a perfect reason to have power seats too. I know such an option catches flack on these boards saying people are too lazy to adjust by hand, but there's adjustments the manual seats in our Taco's don't have. With the power seats you can adjust the seat pad to your liking and probably be better on your back for longer trips; our manual seats have lumbar and recliner adjustments only.