I was thinking about trying to order a kit for heated seats to put into my girlfriends Outback. Just wondering if anyone has tried it or has any knowledge of the process... The stealership wants $250 / seat. She REALLY wants the mod done, so I'm wondering if it's worth me trying to do myself.

Subaru actually lists heated seats as an accessory add-on? I've seen some of the Mercedes techs replace heating pads and I think it looks like one of the worst jobs ever. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

But hey, if it'll get you brownie points with the lady, then go for it. Maybe get some 'jobs' for yourself!

Heh. I'll leave now.

I would love to do this! I have considered it myself.

I have an idea of the process. I am thinking that it involves some cutting of foam. and some routing of wires. It would be awesome. try it!

sounds like it could be real simple
step one - buy heated blanket
step two - get wires out of heated blanket
step threee - run wires thru seat cushion
step 4 - install switch and connect to power source

actually....yeah! That way you could have custom switches.

What about the elements. I have seen them for $100. I imagine 4 heated planted would be inexpensive compared to 4-$100 elements.

We didn't actually talk to Subaru. I bit the bullet and had the Nissan dealership do it for my new Xterra. They sent it to a vendor in the area and had them do it. But since I did it through the dealership, they're covering it under the warranty. Expensive, but totally worth it to keep the woman happy. Her subaru on the other hand is a 99; so not a new vehicle, and she's not opposed to me 'giving a shot' at doing her seat :). On the flip side, I called my Nissan sales guy just a bit ago to see if he'd be willing to give me the name/number of the vendor they use. He said no problem. So it'll be interesting to see how much of a markup Nissan did.

just talked to the wife
she and i will be installing my version posted above(using heated blankets) in the 4runner, we are gonna do both seat dbottoms and seat backs
it gets cold on morning bathroom runs with an open cab waiting for the engine to warm up

Hmm, the switch from this site is EXACTLY what was put in the X. $90/seat for a kit
http://www.heatedseatkits.com/heatedseatkits/index.html

And the instructions...
http://www.heatedseatkits.com/installation.pdf

Wow, that doesn't actually look too hard.

Have you checked any junkyards? You maybe able to buy factory seats. Then you only have to install the wiring harness.

As an FYI, the vendor that did it..same cost as Nissan charged me: $250/seat. So either Nissan took a referral cut and the vendor didn't make quite as much, or Nissan didn't get anything at all out of sending my X to them. Either way, no markup for me; which is cool.