Post by dvaldez70 on Feb 6, 2008 10:45:14 GMT -5
Recently (after reading "Chele's TJ " forum topic) I decided to install a seat heater into my 99 Wrangler Sahara. I did some searching and found the carbon fiber seat heaters at 4WD.com for $100 (~$119 after shipping). I also found it on eBay for $69 ($77 after shipping). Prices range from ~$60-~$260. For the $42 savings over 4WD, I decided to go with eBay. Just some thoughts on my experience:
Pros:
1. I ordered early last Friday morning and it arrived Monday Afternoon.
2. Surface area of the eBay pads are larger.
Butt - 126 sq in vs. 121 sq in
Back - 162 sq in vs. 121 sq in
3. Easily installs in 1-2 hours
Cons:
1. The directions told me to drill a 5/8 hole for the switch. It didn't fit. I enlarge the hole to 3/4 and still needed to do some filing. Just make sure you check the switch size before you drill.
2. No pictures to aid in the install. There was one part of the instructions that wanted me to cut a hole in the cushion for what I assumed was the cables (vague terminology). I just positioned the pads such that the cables could not be felt when sitting in the seat.
Some pointers:
1. I placed my switch on the section of counsel between the shifter and the ebrake/cup holder. I ran the wiring up the left side of the center counsel then back into the counsel from the front. Inside next to the shifter there is a bracket on the right that is used to secure the counsel to the floor. I ran the cabling between it and the side. When you drill the hole for the switch make sure you don't drill through any of the under lying support ribs. Fortunately this off set mine slightly to the left leaving ample space if I decide to install another for the passenger. I grounded one wire and spliced the other into the cigarette lighter power. GM has an adapter that allows the power to be plugged in to a fuse slot. (see step 4 in link: www.atrn.com/pdf/sbs_0601.pdf) Does anyone know how to get something like this? Since I have a manual transmission I could have plugged in to the available auto transmission fuse slot.
2. On the seat about 4 inches back from the front edge there is a seam that is held in place by a metal rod that runs from left to right. It runs through some fabric and the ends of the metal rod are held in place by two metal rings. I had to move the metal rings out about 1 inch towards the ends of the metal rod to accommodate the width of the butt heating pad.
The pads work great unfortunately I installed it just in time for the great weather we're having. I would recommend this product for anyone looking to install a seat heater.
Here's the link if anyone is interested: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SEAT-HEATER-KIT-HEATED-SEATS-CARBON-FIBER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33701QQihZ004QQitemZ140191208694QQtcZphoto
Hope this helps someone,
Dan
Pros:
1. I ordered early last Friday morning and it arrived Monday Afternoon.
2. Surface area of the eBay pads are larger.
Butt - 126 sq in vs. 121 sq in
Back - 162 sq in vs. 121 sq in
3. Easily installs in 1-2 hours
Cons:
1. The directions told me to drill a 5/8 hole for the switch. It didn't fit. I enlarge the hole to 3/4 and still needed to do some filing. Just make sure you check the switch size before you drill.
2. No pictures to aid in the install. There was one part of the instructions that wanted me to cut a hole in the cushion for what I assumed was the cables (vague terminology). I just positioned the pads such that the cables could not be felt when sitting in the seat.
Some pointers:
1. I placed my switch on the section of counsel between the shifter and the ebrake/cup holder. I ran the wiring up the left side of the center counsel then back into the counsel from the front. Inside next to the shifter there is a bracket on the right that is used to secure the counsel to the floor. I ran the cabling between it and the side. When you drill the hole for the switch make sure you don't drill through any of the under lying support ribs. Fortunately this off set mine slightly to the left leaving ample space if I decide to install another for the passenger. I grounded one wire and spliced the other into the cigarette lighter power. GM has an adapter that allows the power to be plugged in to a fuse slot. (see step 4 in link: www.atrn.com/pdf/sbs_0601.pdf) Does anyone know how to get something like this? Since I have a manual transmission I could have plugged in to the available auto transmission fuse slot.
2. On the seat about 4 inches back from the front edge there is a seam that is held in place by a metal rod that runs from left to right. It runs through some fabric and the ends of the metal rod are held in place by two metal rings. I had to move the metal rings out about 1 inch towards the ends of the metal rod to accommodate the width of the butt heating pad.
The pads work great unfortunately I installed it just in time for the great weather we're having. I would recommend this product for anyone looking to install a seat heater.
Here's the link if anyone is interested: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SEAT-HEATER-KIT-HEATED-SEATS-CARBON-FIBER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33701QQihZ004QQitemZ140191208694QQtcZphoto
Hope this helps someone,
Dan
