A/C in the seat cushions???

[ToolmanJohn]

So the truck (inside) is very hot after work. Even witht the A/C full tilt, I will break a sweat because the seatbacks and seatpan are hot.

The air duct for the rear seat vent runs directly under and towards the drivers side of the center console. Barring any impossible situation with the seat cushioning, I think it may be possible to run small ductwork from the console, inside the seat, in order to have an A/C seat.

We have seat heaters for the Winter, why not cold seats for the summer (or at least cool)? Think about buying a seat at the junkyard (if possible/available/cheap) and determining if it would be possible to pump cold air into the seat, and have the leather perforated proffesionally by an auto upholsterer.

Also, I wonder would people be interested in kit? What to charge for it?

 

[Boaz]

My buddies Lincoln Aviator has that option. Its awesome in the summer! It keeps your back from sweating on long trips. The leather perferation will be the tricky part I think.

good luck

 

[Spider5]

How do you deal with adjusting the seat back and forth? Will the duct be flexible to make up for the movement? Is there enough room for that? How is this done on the cars that has this as a factory equipment option like the Lincoln?

Interested but skeptical.

 

[Lime02sport]

very difficult and not cost effective for a DIY

 

[Mark86]

Wouldn't it be easier to install seat coolers like the 05 Avalon's have? I was watching a TV show a few weeks ago (can't remember which one) and they installed seat coolers in someone's car. It just looked like they put a unit under the seat and ran some wires into the seat that would cool it. They then hooked it up to a switch on the side of the seat.

 

[Spider5]

Wouldn't it be easier to install seat coolers like the 05 Avalon's have? I was watching a TV show a few weeks ago (can't remember which one) and they installed seat coolers in someone's car. It just looked like they put a unit under the seat and ran some wires into the seat that would cool it. They then hooked it up to a switch on the side of the seat.

What do the coolers units do in the Avalon? Do they have fans to cool?

 

[Mark86]

What do the coolers units do in the Avalon? Do they have fans to cool?

To be honest with you, I have never driven in an Avalon to experience this feature. From what I have read, there are two fans embedded in the seat that cool it down. Here is a demo I found on Toyota's website: http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2005/avalon/key_features/heated_ventilated_frontseats.html

EDIT: I don't think you would be able to do this in a 4Runner because you need perforated leather seats.

 

[Spider5]

To be honest with you, I have never driven in an Avalon to experience this feature. From what I have read, there are two fans embedded in the seat that cool it down. Here is a demo I found on Toyota's website: http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2005/avalon/key_features/heated_ventilated_frontseats.html

EDIT: I don't think you would be able to do this in a 4Runner because you need perforated leather seats.

Bummer, thanks for the response. Being its 102F today it would be nice to add additional support over the standard A/C.

 

[bryancos]

For pics on how one of them works check out:

http://www.amerigon.com/climate_controlled_seat.php

Also see:

http://www.rti-products.com/automotive.ivnu


Here's a Portable seat cooler: (I question its effectiveness)

http://www.smarthomepro.com/91713.html

and

http://www.comforthouse.com/comfort/summerseat.html

And lastly another forum thread on the subject:
http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/1434112/an/0/page/0

 

[azskyrider]

Lexus

The Lexus ES330 has them. My friend just bought one and during our 110 degree weather we went out for lunch and boy was I amazed how much of a difference it can make. Honestly, I would have never paid for the option but now that I have tried it first hand I find it hard not to have it. Today driving with the A/C on my back and rear was still warm. It is amazing how you can miss something once you first try it. I hope they offer this for the 06 T4R. I am not sure if they offer it for the GX.

 

[IIIBradIII]

Oh man I've been wanting something like this too - I had no idea it was an option on *any* car, so that's good to know that it's out there in the mainstream now. It'll trickle down to more vehicles eventually.