Heated Seats in VX

[Joe_Black]

JDM seats are fabric, and AFIAK the US never got factory heated seats. The Recaro seat in the VX is common to several other vehicles and is available aftermarket as well. Seat and lumbar heating, lumbar adjustment and ventilation are options offered by Recaro for the seat model.

The Axiom has similar seats to the VX and bi-level heating is a factory option, so that would be a simple upgrade to the VX for those in chillier climes or plagued by poor tushie circulation.

Rostra makes an aftermarket seat heater kit that is basically OEM components sold as a consumer installed kit. The biggest issue in installing it yourself is removing and replacing the seat covers, which can be a real challenge if you're not familiar with automotive upholstery. Most upholstery shops will install these for you or assist with the covers for a nominal fee.

Rostra Comfort-Heat

[etlsport]

hey joe do you know if the switches from the axiom heated seats would fit into a blank spot on the vx dash or console? or a trooper model w/ heated seats that i could steal some factory heated seat switches from? sunday im headed out to three ginormous u pull it lots in search of a rodeo dash.. (or a VX.. but im not holding my breath)

[Joe_Black]

We just sold our '04 Axiom so I can't go measure, but as I recall they appeared to fit the standard Isuzu switch bezel. So they'd likely fit in the center console or dash empties.

[etlsport]

woo hoo!

[kpaske]

Damnit Joe, where were you the last time this thread topic came up?!

Wow, so you think Axiom seats would be plug and play? Obviously you'd have to wire up the switches and power, but you think they would bolt right up? Do you know what color and fabric choices were available and what years would fit?

That might just be a better option than recovering existing VX seats (and possibly adding in an aftermarket heater), which is what we discussed in the other thread.

P.S. - Joe, I need your help with my Diesel VX Parts List!

[Joe_Black]

LOL Kyle, let me know some times you've got available and I'll ring you up for some mentally-imbalanced "brainstorming" sessions. I've got some Isuzu 4JG2 diesel parts books and the Isuzu shop manuals for the diesel versions of the Trooper, Rodeo and Amigo.

To swap in Axiom seats you'd have to swap the lower rail, but the rest should be plug-n-play. If you want it to look really sharp go junkyard shopping for a Trooper Limited and fish out its heated seat harness so you'll have all OEM wiring and connectors too. Of course a donor Axiom would have this too.

[kpaske]

What kind of seats did the Trooper Limited come with?

Thanks Joe, I'll shoot you an e-mail about the diesel vx project. Nothing like a little public nagging to give you a kick in the butt, eh?

Once we do our brainstorming, I'll create a new thread with the details of the project, as I know there are several other people who've expressed an interest in this.

Woohoo, I'm excited!!