I just have a couple more questions before tackling this on Saturday.

1. How do I get the center console taken apart so I can get to the switch blanks?

2. I am installing the seat heaters and some new wet okoles and I cant think of any reason to remove the seat cloth when I can just tape them to the inside of the Wet Okoles. Can anyone think of a reason not to got this route?

My suggestion is to get the manual from Nashman69g it is easy to find just go to the Mod section and it is located at the top, and it will walk you through the entire process of removing the console, also if you go to the section for factory seat heater replacement it will take you through tearing the seats apart also. It is easy to do but me explaining it and you actually seeing pictures makes a big difference. Good luck.

Sorry for the dumb question, but I have to confirm. Leather seats required, or will the waterproof fabric seats work with the seat warmers?

I have heaters under my "water proof" seats. Works just fine. Leather is definitely not required.

Great, I will add this to the list of "Needed" mods.

Thanks,

It's been awhile since this tread was updated so to those of you who have done this mod, does anyone now wish they had more adjustablity than the aftermarket ones allow? Has anyone done this mod with factory switches? Anyone order the complete OEM setup and retrofit?
I looked over the 2010 factory manual, nashman69g, but I can't tell from the diagrams what I'll find on our 2012 SR5. I am wondering if the OEM setup would include wiring to the fuse box or an existing connector. I am going to get current printouts from the parts department but if anyone has any input it would be great.
Also, to the OP and others who have done this, how are the seats holding up? Any signs of premature wear, like on the edge of the heated mat from sliding in and out? Have you noticed any seat material repositioning after reinstalling the factory hog rings? Any thoughts after the fact?
Has anyone done the rear seats? Did you tie into the same power circuit?
Has anyone measured the actual amp draw on the heater elements? Anyone have trouble blowing fuses?

I'm pretty much sold on adding the front heated seats and considering adding them to the back when I upgrade the head unit, speakers, reverse camera, and add some sound deadening. I realize that my questions are borderline overkill and I'll deal with whatever I find but I'm trying to be prepared and only disassemble/reassemble in one weekend.

Thanks to everyone,

MOJoWales

I'm picking up my 2012 Trail Friday and was looking at adding heated seats to both the front and the back. I know I could probably track down some OEM switches for the front but what do you think could be done for the back? I like adding things that look like they're suppose to be there.

The factory switches have been used before but it wasn't easy as you need the wiring harnesses and sub controllers too and a pretty good grasp of wiring and electronics....not me...............Thank wvanstone! Will Wet Okole heated seat covers work with Toyota factory switches?

I was also considering going the factory switch and control module route but in the end it seems more straightforward to go with an aftermarket that has decent reviews. You can pick up kits with carbon fiber heat elements, switches, and full harnesses with factory-ish switches for the cost of two factory switches on feebay.

2 Seats Heated Seat Seat Heater Fit Toyota Prado Corolla RAV4 Reiz | eBay

This will probably be the route I take. BTW, these appear to be the same kits (except with the rocker switches) that dealers are charging $500 for.

I promise, I searched the site before posting.
BUT, I ended up finding the above linked posts about using the factory switches going through another forum.
Here's another good read on the subject. Wiring Guru's - Stock Heated Seat Switch - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
Hats off to those who've done the R&D.
Rather than building an one-off custom control unit with the stock switches I'm leaning towards the ebay switches/heater combo. Although the lighting colors leave something to be desired it still achieves a near stock appearance and functionality.
I'm going to do some more investigating on the rears. One proposed idea is to take one seat heater and use the shorter part on the passenger side bottom, the longer side on the drivers side bottom. First have to make sure they disassemble like the fronts.
The average reported draw is 7.5 amps @ maximum output per heater. People have posted about running two heaters off one 10 amp fused connection and doing fine, but I would suggest making sure you have sufficient fuse protection and wire accordingly. Blown fuses are a pain. Shorts/melting/fire is worse.

Thanks for the follow up guys. Great forum.

MOJoWales

Good luck and keep us posted.

The switch color irked me a bit as well. It's possible that the harness from the ebay kit could work with OEM switches, but you'd have to get both in hand to find out for sure. The seller did tell me they use a different harness for those switches. Also, I noticed this the other day, our backlighting and indicators are mostly orange with a few greens in there too. Perhaps the combination would not look too out of place after-all. I plan to give it a go eventually, I just haven't clicked the button yet. I keep bouncing back and forth between the switch options.

I'm probably going to go the ebay route from above. But it looks like it will be over a month before I assemble all the gear I'm updating the new 4runner with, have an entire weekend to wrap it up, and shop space to work with. I won't be able to post up observations until then. I'm still uncertain about doing the rear seat but I'll post up if I find a roadblock or any great solutions.

MOJoWales

Ladies & Gentlemen, We may have a good solution to this troublesome mod.
I found this on Amazon:
Amazon.com: 2pcs High Quality Heated Pad Kit 2 Seat(4 Pads)Heater for TOYOTA PRADO: Automotive I think this will work for us un the 4Runners (I hope).

Sweeeeet!

You going to take the plunge and order a set? For $75 I might have to give it a go myself.

just ordered, hope it works.