Aftermarket heated seats

[yota1976]

When I bought my new 2019 TRD OR 4runner 3 weeks ago, the salesman gave me aftermarket heated seat elements as part of the deal. Tomorrow, I'll be getting them installed and was wondering how you guys like them? He didn't tell me the brand, but I assume most dealerships use the same brand. He said they will put the switch on the side of the seat, but I'm gonna ask to put the switch in the factory location on the center console.

 

[Anand]

I have the Rostra kit that included OEM-look switches in the OEM spots... I would definitely go that route over generic switches drilled into the side of the seats (that way, if it all goes wrong you can just pop the switches out and nothing looks modified).

Also, there are a number of brands, some appear to be the same, some do not. I would definitely confirm what they'll be putting in.

 

[llDemonll]

When I bought my new 2019 TRD OR 4runner 3 weeks ago, the salesman gave me aftermarket heated seat elements as part of the deal. Tomorrow, I'll be getting them installed and was wondering how you guys like them? He didn't tell me the brand, but I assume most dealerships use the same brand. He said they will put the switch on the side of the seat, but I'm gonna ask to put the switch in the factory location on the center console.

And what did they charge you for the seats? Will they be a heated pad on your butt or butt and back?

I'd not let a dealership touch the cars wiring...most tend to hack it up and use vampire clips everywhere

 

[yota1976]

I don't know the brand, but they said they install alot of them and it will be covered under warranty through them. He said it would just be the butt of the seat, not the back rest. They will put it under the existing seat cover. I'm gonna try to talk to their installer before he does it.

 

[Mutant138]

Subbed. The only option I regret not getting.

 

[yota1976]

Dropped the 4runner off 4 1/2 hours ago. Should be finished in a little bit. It's not the dealership doing the work, like I thought. It's a custom shop close by. Got to meet the guys doing the work and they answered all my questions. The brand is Metra. I'm familiar with that brand. I bought a Metra dash kit for my Murano to install an aftermarket radio. They said they've been installing that brand for like 8 years and haven't had any problems with it.

 

[yota1976]

They were able to put the switches on the console

 

[SICKwidIT]

They were able to put the switches on the console

Looks great! It's great to know that this option is available while I'm searching what trim I should get. Heated seats is a commodity I would like. What was the cost?

 

[llDemonll]

If you haven't bought your car yet then buy the Premium trim of whatever model you get so heated seats are standard.

 

[yota1976]

Looks great! It's great to know that this option is available while I'm searching what trim I should get. Heated seats is a commodity I would like. What was the cost?

They threw it in when I purchased the 4runner, but they said it's only $400 to have them installed and that included the kit. Alot cheaper than getting the factory package just for the heated seats.

 

[yota1976]

...and the kit did the butt and back rest, so both sections are heated. Couldn't be happier with the results. Also, its a 3 way switch. It has low and high heat settings. When the switch is in the middle position, it's off.

 

[Anand]

For others wondering, Rostra makes a kit with OE-looking rheostat-style switches with 5 heat settings... Only downside is that they are illuminated green, but being down in the console I can't say I really notice the color difference.

 

[yota1976]

For others wondering, Rostra makes a kit with OE-looking rheostat-style switches with 5 heat settings... Only downside is that they are illuminated green, but being down in the console I can't say I really notice the color difference.

I have to say, I'd like to have the factory style switches. But since I was expecting less from this install, I can't complain. Salesman originally told me it would only be the butt of the seat heated and the switches would be on the side of the seat.

 

[Anand]

I have to say, I'd like to have the factory style switches. But since I was expecting less from this install, I can't complain. Salesman originally told me it would only be the butt of the seat heated and the switches would be on the side of the seat.

You may even be able to replace the switches with the Rostra OE-style ones... With all that being said, if I was offered to have the heated seat kit (and install) for $400 I would have taken it I think... Parts for my setup were around $175 (they've apparently gone up a bit), and only my passenger seat heater is installed (my hands were way too big to do it, so I convinced my GF to do her seat, and mine remains unheated still)

 

[yota1976]

You may even be able to replace the switches with the Rostra OE-style ones... With all that being said, if I was offered to have the heated seat kit (and install) for $400 I would have taken it I think... Parts for my setup were around $175 (they've apparently gone up a bit), and only my passenger seat heater is installed (my hands were way too big to do it, so I convinced my GF to do her seat, and mine remains unheated still)

I looked up the Metra kit on Amazon and it was about $40 per seat, so $80 for both and the other $320 would have been labor. Yeah, I might look for other switch options later on.