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Aftermarket electric seats

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by WesleyRiccipio, Sep 14, 2022.

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  1. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    Hi everyone!

    I've been looking into replacing my OEM fabric manual seats with electric seats that at the very least have vented and heated seats.

    I found some Ford F-150 2011 seats that would just barely fit the width. The wiring is the challenge - getting the seat to move and then installing the heat and cool buttons (each side) that have three levels(high, med, low)

    I figure that since the truck seats don't need to connect to any computer touch monitor like very fancy electric seats you see in BMW, it will be easier to hook up to the prius.

    Has anyone ever taken this on? I plan to road trip with my prius once I'm done modding it, and since I have a lower back issue it would be nice to have better seats (y)
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Don't you want to be safe and keep your air bags in your OEM seats?
     
  3. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    there must be a way for another manufacturers' airbag seats to go off in a collision. It will depend where the signal comes from that tells the bags to go puff.

    Yes, I do want to be safe. Thanks for mentioning this.
     
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  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I'm sure there's a way to figure it out... But it'd be expensive to test and confirm... And asking someone who's licensed and bonded to do it probably won't get very far because they'd probably lose their coverage for good if something went wrong. I'd try researching people in the custom car industry.

    Of course probably the easiest and most affordable way to do this is to find a cushion and seat back that goes on top that has a heating and cooling system built in.
     
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  5. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    This is true. I have a low budget heat seat cover. It's annoying :( but kinda useful.

    There is a company called Katskin. They are the leader in custom seats. And that comes to a price of over $3k for the front two seats with heating an cooling buttons! I'm trying to find an alternative to paying them hehe.

    I likely will settle for a DIY install of these https://leatherseats.com/category/seat-comfort/
     
  6. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    my direction, Avalon seats, they are ranked the most comfortable seats in a sedan. I was hoping to find red and if the Camry TRD red seats popped up, id get them... else... on the search for these...

    main thing for me is finding the ventilated and heated seats, ill worry about the wiring once I get them
    2022-toyota-avalon-hybrid-driver-seat-carbuzz-511013-1600.jpg
     
  7. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    Yeah those are pretty. Why stop there?!?
    Screenshot 2022-09-19 7.28.56 AM.png
    BMW and Audi make some nice seats. I bet you could figure out how to hook it up to the prime computer. Nothing is impossible. There is a way these can work in a 2010 like.. I'm not breaking this realities physics haha.

    I like the idea of using OEM toyota though. Maybe means the rails install without any cutting/mods and seat compuders talk nicely with car compuder.

    Here is my minimum viable product Ford F-150. I'm boogie. I need ventilated and heated seats.YES, these seats will (probably) fit in the prius.
    Screenshot 2022-09-19 7.33.27 AM.png




    Down to hangout my dude and share prius ideas. My family currently follows every "what are you up to" question with a, "oh how much did that cost?". So yeah.. more ppl that get it the better lol.

    Currently have some neat things brewing after taking some inspiration from your site. I found an XL cargo carrier that's slightly larger than the UWS - inside diameter = 48.75" x 24.25". Same aluminum build, pretty much.

    I'm going to put this on the carrier. Same as yours, but slightly larger dimensions all around. I'm aiming to build out capacity properly the first time around - limiting moments where I spend money on secondary choices that I will just improve any ways later on.
     
  8. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    Food for thought I've measured them... Camry and Avalon seat width basically is the same as the Prius is why my path forward will be one or the other. Im my head, long as the width of the seat isn't more than an inch wider than the Prius it'll work. My thoughts are the same on wiring and seat brackets.

    Did you intend on adding an image of the carrier and box? I'd be curious of the weight of your selection empty. My setup, box and rack weigh roughly 55 pounds empty. Also, the height with my trailer hitch still allows the license plate to "be seen" and all of my rear lights as well... as to avoid any lights flashing behind me. from those who wish to issue a citation.
     
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  9. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    You license plate is partially covered, is that kosher across the country w your experience? I dont want to give a reason to get pulled over, obv. For that reason...
    I bought an 8" hitch drop and it still was too high with the box you have. Like, idk the law exactly, but when I measured before almost ordering the box you have, my plate was still partially covered. It was actually pretty decent with the 8" drop.

    But I said eff it lol and got the larger version and will put the plate on the back some how idk. Maybe Neodynium magnets which would allow for easy swapping from box<>car.

    I'll look into both camry and avalon. If they are squshy enough, with cooled seats, I'm a happy camper.

    This is the carrier
    This is box

    Heavier than your setup :( but not by a lot. I am purposefully avoiding any roof rack stuff. So the more cargo behind the better. Ah, you bring up weight! I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to trust an up and coming startup who makes prius parts! I like these blue springs they sell but thought they wouldn't come in the mail. I have the lift kit from priusoffroad with their orange springs. Anyways, I am installing airbags in them soon.

    Have you noticed and structural wear/increased swaying on the car, hitch or carrier from over use? Like should you ever take the carrier off and give the car a break or is that a n00b question?
     
  10. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    yep, they can "see" it still... no issues other than when in the salt flat national park and brought wood in that was on the box...

    huh.. 8" hitch drop.. link, please.

    yeah, I had to learn patience and delay gratification for the better option, some sales lost but... airbags is just a bandaid when you should just wait... the new springs will be WAYY better overall, even on the price... there will be a redemption campaign setup.. a huge discount when you show a dramatic demolition of PriusOffroad parts when replaced with PriusOverlanding...I mean... nevermind, you realize I have extensive knowledge in the suspension of the Prius and there is no way to showcase this other than subframe spacers... even the proof 1.5" is the worst height increase to be chosen yet folks think it is the best since bacon was invented.hhaha to then have talents overshadowed by failures from the initial partners that were selected to support the infrastructure. just glad it happened when it did and not when the other domains are online... I chuckle when folks yell wolf not knowing anymore than what they see online...

    the spring setup has been tested in more extreme situations and to this day drives better than it did stock. word is the springs you have were computer designed... also weren't tested to my knowledge as extensively as the PriusOverlanding.com parts.

    there are less than 20 hours to copy the last bulk of my data that's not backed up to my NAS and the recent setup raid node. once that's done I can start to edit and post more videos that have been recorded. this Prius drives from the highway road onto the sandy side of the road video is just a little of the extreme testing done. In my head, I want my Prius to be able to outrun any banditos I may encounter in other countries, on and offroad! At the same time, all of the extremes allow me to know the limits and where not to try and drive through. :)

    I mean, compared to the very first set of springs that were F-150 springs cut to fit... or even the OEM Plugin springs(did you know they are different than the non plug-in?) these new springs make the car ride like a Lexus is the best way to describe it.
     
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  11. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    I will say.. your box is the same as mine just black.
    but..

    my rack didn't survive what I put it through, yours looks more sturdy actually. nice find! I'm currently trying to see if there is any way I can design a larger rack to hold my box and it still work with the new custom box/rack setup Im planning for 2023. Think... custom metal box with a side access door for frequently and fast needed things versus opening the top. the top... i wanted it to be custom-made to hold the dji dock... but its wayyy to big! I had hopes of being able to launch my drone from my cargo box and have it fly around me and such then land on the box .. all automated!

    I don't have the drawings on this machine but if you take the thought of a custom box/rack unit that swings away from rear metal bumper that bolts into where the crash bar is that has a built-in winch and an additional 2" receiverfor a bike rack or even towing., thats the direction. there are built-in fold-out seats and the top is a work desk that's convertible so I can sit or stand. The best part.. one of the seats will have a hole in the middle for morning coffee while dropping the kids off at the pool. oh, and little legs on the bottom to support the unit when it swung out... because I tell you, I don't think the other guys know that the Ecohitch will warp when used with a heavy swing arm and cargo rack/box loaded with cargo... issa why I was focused on lightweight rack and box. 400lbs close to the car turns out to be ~1200lbs with swung away from the car...

    hahaha, folks say, ohh "i don't need all that heavy duty stuff" but dont realize, over time, the EcoHitch/Curt will bend and flex... but they don't want to listen to me, yall believe the guy who couldn't even tell you what suspension parts have issues when you lift over 1.5" or even have a fix for the axle rubbing when you lift over 1":... but the guy who comes up with the fix, because he has shipping delays while starting a new company is the bad guy... there's been a snake in the garden and all is blind to it...
     
    #11 black_jmyntrn, Sep 21, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2022
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  12. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    I just want the super heaviest duty there is lol. Lift baby lift

    I can still return the airbags… in the mail about to arrive. I can only wait 2 weeks :(

    https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjanJHLiKb6AhXBJ0wKHZhlDgcYABAFGgJvYQ&sig=AOD64_3ObSvH8N-_l44c-SFwyuEYhLMfqQ&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwjrxonLiKb6AhUUomoFHQzeBxQQww8Izhw&adurl=
     
  13. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    Fair, yeah the box setup sounds great. Drone stuff is fun and neat I could see how that’s exciting lol. Yes exactly this is the limitation I’m hitting as well - you can’t swing 350lbs out and expect the joints rated to hold only 350 still work..

    im into your design, but feel you should go all the way - take the seats out of the car and design it for greater capacity with seats permanently out of there. But maybe you could make more revenue selling to families lol.

    it would be great if your hot and grey water containers were in the box your designing.. away from the batteries and not cables. Then you can run gray water container to toilet in Prius and the freshwater has a shower pop out with a hot water stick pad to it. Flip switch 15 min earlier for your hot water..
     
  14. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    B9BB47AA-F075-43C8-8E1E-D2DB34A86C2A.jpeg Another bandaid until my platform I fully metal - luiquid rubber - lower mold risk on wood substantially. Also considering putting on aluminum carrier to because my box is black it would all be more badazz hehe
     
  15. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    Have you had issues with weight distribution in the box? Like.. I’m wondering if my carrier will warp over time if I constantly have 120 lbs on one side of the box and only 50lbs on the other..
     
  16. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    im still lost as to why lower the box... even if lifted I would scrape... lowering the box I am not understand. issa why I went very high lift on the rear and a hitch with the receiver aglend up and even then, only on extreme angles OFFROAD does it scrape, but I think you are aware of how extreme I take my Prius... like the time I blew the minds of some Jeep owners...
    &quot;I can&#39;t believe you just did that in a Prius&quot; is something I hear often! - YouTube

    lol, I think outside the box but seats permanently that way i drive... no thank you. for me it was never about the revenue and having lots of it, I just wanted folks like you to be able to do what they want while not being limited because companies don't want to make parts because of Prius.

    I have no grey, issa water for the soil, just have a main heated water tank plus 6 gallons of reserve water(I like to take long showers that are not limited by the number of gallons i have on hand). the toilet is hanging a bag under the seat with a hole.
    your assumption of the grey tank makes me chuckle, that's like someone said on a previous thread, that I'm homeless and work on my car in parking garages, said I was struggling... and I'm like "huh"... because I rather work on my car in a parking garage as its the only way I can try and replicate a "oh shit, my car needs to be repaired and I'm on the road a long way from home" situation. My thought was to make sure I have all tools to do any repair, even engine swap while on the road in some different country. hahaha and for those reading, my car I am working on in the driveway of my home since it's motor related and I'm doing something never done before.
    Plus... parking garages, you can work all night, not disturb neighbors and constant overhead lights!!! that and, the guilt is still there is fluid spills off of spill tarp, I am just not reminded of the spill every day when I look at the driveway... ha!

    I just threw up in my mouth a little... wood molds... I don't see how folks always use wood... my damprid is slowly filling every day that I keep in my car. I'm not in my car nor is my fridge or any fluids... so with the notion there is just moisture in the air of an unused vehicle, imagine the amount of moisture when you sleep in your car and all else... the wood soaks it up and since you are sleeping on a mattress on top of the wood, say you don't move it... I read a story about someone who got sick from the mold that grew on the wood under the mattress in their camper... issa why this simple swappable platform was conceived. the use of ABS for the seat filler has proven wise versus wood as I've broken two seats of wood slates from my large body size.

    Easy to Install Toyota Prius Platform swaps in and out with Rear Seats! - YouTube

    no, see the video, that was a concern of mine which was alleviated during my trip to Baja. Look at the box in the video, on the driver's side is a practically full 6-gall water container... thing is. these racks were not built to do what I do. I used a hitch tightener which made a night and day difference in the sturdiness of my box.
    Toyota Prius handles pavement to sand transition like a champ! - YouTube

    What we are seeing now, these swing arms, a few instances where a load of the box made the main support bar into the receiver bend...
    the PriusOverlanding hitch though, is solid and so far has been able to withstand being rear-ended by a big rig!
     
  17. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    how quickly does that hitch ship!?!
     
  18. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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  19. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    would need to check, the next batch is the last one I have to worry about. the new 3PL company will be handling all that to ensure they all ship the same day and that we can meet the requirements for Amazon and free Prime shipping.
     
  20. WesleyRiccipio

    WesleyRiccipio Junior Member

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    Cool! Well, I ordered one. Hoping it comes within 1-2 weeks :) 3 weeks is max i can wait then i am in trouble. i am rolling the dice oh well.


    if you ever want to talk about other prius ideas, that would be fun. Are you approaching a point where you will need a team to help with site/company?