Seat heaters
 

Hello. I'm new to the group or a first post anyway. I am trying to install aftermarket seat heaters in a 2009 ranger XLR with a 60/40 seat and I am having trouble removing the upholstery to install the heat pads. I'm positive there is probably a thread that explains how to do this and I cannot find it. If anyone who has done this could give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it!

First thing... Remove Seat.
Second... Remove Seat Back and Bottom Cushion from the frame work.
Third...Separate the locking rings from the cushion frame.
Forth...Roll the Cover over the Padding.
5th, 6th,7th... Reverse the steps above to install new cover.

These instructions are based on a set of Bucket Seats I installed Heater Pads in.
It is not hard to do, just time.

Thank you so much. I was trying to remove the upholstery without removing the seat! It was not working at all.

You will need to remove the rear of the seats from the base portion.

That might be the hardest thing about the job.

The bottom seat cover has strips that are hooked into the cushion itself. How do you get around that?

It was a long time ago when I did the Seat Cover thing, and at that time I didn't have any problems with any attaching devices, so I can't tell you how to overcome something that I haven't seen.

I did a 2003, maybe there was enough difference to make my ideas confusing.


You are going to have to look at the seat cushions once removed from the tracks !

Sorry I cant say more than that unless I can see what things look like.

Ltr

I should have taken a picture. There are plastic strips sewn into the seat bottom upholstery that slide into the foam of the seat bottom. Either way... I put it back together & bolted it back in for now.

I'm sure there is a way !
I found the whole project simple.

Ltr

I'm sure there's a way also. I'll find it. I just didn't have the time I thought I had today! LOL do you remember how the bottom cushion mounts to the frame?

Good Luck with he seat project.

I didn't take any pictures, maybe you can get some and do a write-up on the project. I think it will help some people.

Ltr

OK, I have the seat apart. How do you go about removing these silly rings? https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...c94bd67b0a.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...6a97d83a93.jpg

If I remember correctly, I use a stubby set of Needle Nose Pliers !

Again, thinking, they are just a squeezed together clamp.

Maybe you should consider an inexpensive set of Hog Ring Pliers to reinstall the Hog Rings, Harbor Freight, maybe borrow a pair... Why do they call Pliers "a pair" ? LoL !

Everything about working on the seats was a PITA, but once completed you'll be happy.

I have yet to install my new seat covers but this thread has started me thinking of getting started again ! I have a few mods just sitting there and I needed something to slap me upside the head and I think this thread has helped !

Ltr

I'm getting it. You are correct it is a PITA!https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...9a5050fe4a.jpg

I'm contemplating whether to just leave the center part unhooked. (The piping to hold it down across.https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...88f8cbe024.jpg

If your seat heaters go across a seam, IMHO... do not clamp the piping around it, along it, or through it !
To me that will make a high resistance point and that in turn creates a hot spot or a short circuit at any tight or clamped point !

My heaters, that I did put in while I had the seats out and were for bucket seats, were just small panels that fit within the center portion of the seat back and lower cushion; I had no extra seams or piping or clamps to content with and they had adhesive strips to hold them in place. If you have anything that will interfere with the flat fitment of the heaters, talk to someone that does Auto Electrical Systems and see what they have to say... just in case. No need to burn your A$$ on the first cold morning.

And by the way, Merry Christmas !

Ltr

p.s. Just thinking, the heater panels should only fit in the center seat cushion and the back cushion, any more than that would not work any better.
What size are your heater panels ?

Take your time, looks like you have a shop to work in so small steps and it will finish up before you know it !

The elements are 19"x11" so I'm going to cut it down to fit behind the piping & put the upholstery back as it was. 6" is really not that big of deal. (At least that's what she said) lolhttps://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...212dd70b3e.jpg

Ya... the 6" thing passes as time goes on, you young guys will find out !

Good idea to cut them to fit the center panel, can you just cut these panels without and problems ?

Cut the panels out? No, I'm going to trim the heating element to fit from the back of the seat up to the piping. With Carbon fiber elements you can do that.

OK, miss that ! I thought you were going to cut though, sort of like a Glow Panel for your dash lighting ! LoL !
How much can you cut without interfering with the elements ?

The panels I installed fit inside the center section with about an inch spacing around the outside, more than enough to heat me up. I did the heaters when I lived in MA, I now am in SoCal so the heaters have never come into play with the cloth seat covers, although we have used the heaters in my wife's VW/Leather Seats, it does get a little cold around here, hit a low of 34 last night; after 75 during the day it feels cold.

It shouldn't interfere at all. I'm in Kansas so these will be used shortly!

Sounds good !

I am thinking about new foam cushions.
Ford isn't making replacements for my seats but maybe a custom shop will make cushions, move the heaters to the new seats dn put it all together with the new Seat Covers... that would save me some time !

Keep the pictures coming and do a write up on how you did it !