Leather/heated seat (front and rear) installation write up

I used these and had plenty left over:

Drake Off Road PLIERSET-P Professional Hog Ring Upholstery Installation Kit

$13 Drake Off Road PLIERSET-P Professional Hog Ring Upholstery Installation Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FS0WFAA/

 

Almightycrash- thank you for posting this thread. I got my kit last weekend and installed it over the last few nights. I relied on your pics and descriptions quite a bit, along with Patch999’s. Together they were about all I need to get it done. Thanks!!

 

Just thought I’d give an update. it’s been over a year, and the seats still look like the day I installed them.
I did have a problem with one of the rear heaters not coming on, but it turned out my puppy unplugged one of the harnesses...so it only took half a second to fix.
Everything else is great. The material is thick and durable, even holding up to a large active puppy with no scratches or tears. They are comfortable and look so much better than the cloth seats.

 

@AlmightyCrash could you measure the switch? I would like to replace it with one of my cigarette lighters on my dash. I'd like to make it look are factory as possible.

Edit: also how did you hook up all 4 wires. Ground, Positive, ACC & Illumination?

 

That switch is 1.5” in diameter.
If I remember correctly, I connected all 3 positives to an ignition controlled fuse circuit with an “add a fuse” connector, as I didn’t want it on when the truck isn’t on. It is grounded to the body under the carpet.

 

Thank you. I also don't want the heated seats on when the vehicle isn't on as well. I've read that others where taping into the 12V power from the cigarette lighter. Do you think this is a good idea? I don't really have that much electrical skills but I think I can handle this project. Just want to have a game plan for wiring it up before I start the project.

Thanks
Edsel

 

that should be fine. I didn’t because I had already made my cig lighter ports constant power.

 

Cool. Thank you. I'm probably just going to go that route then. Seems a little easier for me as I'm actually replacing the cigarette lighter with the switch anyways.

 

Can anyone help with a rear armrest question ..... does this plastic cup holder part pop off or do you cut a big hole in the leather and tuck it under ? Feels like its going to break when I try to pop it off. Thanks

 

Someone needs to do @AlmightyCrash a solid and consolidate his instructions into one PDF

I have a Limited with leather and heated front seats already. This write up and everyone’s enthusiasm makes me want to install leather and heaters for someone else. The positivity is contagious.

 

Check the back side. I think I remember there being screws, but it’s been a long time.

 

From another install thread, first post-this should help, big thanks to @Patch999:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-katzkins-with-seat-warmers.31828/

 

Thanks Eric. It was a fun project.

Pry up from here.

 

Thanks.... I got it all done. Took me 11 hours total.

 

even though these are the switches those seat heaters pads came with can you use different ones or are they prewires to that switch hence would need splicing or something.

 

They have little harnesses.

 

Thanks for the write up, I was having tremendous difficulty with removing the recline lever when I get home tonight Im going to try your method. I was going to run power through the console lighter wires but I think I want to tap into the interior fuse box that has a heated seat 20amp fuse.

 

Just a quick tip for the head rests. Use a vacuum cleaner or central vac to suck the headrests down. Put a thin bag over the headrest then insert the headrest rod into the vacuum and wrap the bag for a good seal. Turn the vacuum on and it will suck the headrest down and the covers will slip on easily. I just did the Katzkin on my Frontier and going to get a set for my Tundra.