Aftermarket seat heater and cover question

[jhumphrey]

Hey all,

My runner has leather seats that are showing their mileage (literal and figurative). I'm working on taking it back to OEM quality/look. I haven't much luck finding new seat upholstery, so I was thinking about going with Cover King "leatherette" covers (as close to dark oak as I can get to match my stock color).

While I was doing this, the cold weather made me think about getting some Rostra seat heaters. I think they would be nice. That's where my question comes in: do you install the heaters under the factory upholstery? I'm figuring that you do, but would the extra thickness of the Cover King's make the Rostra's ineffective? I can't imagine putting the Rostra's on top of the factory leather and then slipping on the covers, but wonder if the factory leather + leatherette seat covers would make buying the Rostra's pointless.

Thanks!

 

[Nervo19]

I kind of want to do this too but no work will be done during the winter! If you are putting good quality seat covers on I see no need to put them under the old upholstery. Two layers would obviously make them a little less warm. Just install them on top of the leather and put the covers on top. Most people seem to use wire ties and punch holes in the foam to hold them to the seat. I've been rocking these cheesy temporary heaters in gray this winter and they work great for $25! But I do want to do a factory like installation eventually.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/619lllraKnL._SL1500_.jpg

Amazon.com: Gaorui 12v Universal Car Seat Heater Winter Household Cushion Warmer 2pcs - Black: Automotive

 

[jhumphrey]

The rostras use an adhesive (I think) to attach to the seat. At least some of the seat heaters I've seen use adhesive instead of wire ties. Anyway, it sounds like I should just put the heaters on top of the old upholstery and put the cover over it. I can always take the heaters out if I ever decide to truly redo the seats.

 

[Hepar]

Wet Okole makes probably the best seat covers for the 4Runner and you can get them with heaters built in.