Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Newty-Newt · 11-01-2017, 11:56 AM

Hi guys, I have a 56 shortbed with the original bench seat. I would like to upgrade the truck to a more modern seat with a headrest. Also if possible is anybody using heated seats in their truck? What newer bench seats and brackets do you guys recommend? I am six foot tall and the original seat works ok. It is just a little mouse eaten over the years and for a project I would like to install something safer over the winter months.

Thanks

dsraven · 11-01-2017, 12:48 PM

you can get seat heating elements from dorman and wire them in. may want to keep track of the time in use with some sort of timer?
some guys are using the rear seats from astro vans, yukons etc and fabbing a new base. it would be nice, from a safety standpoint, to have some with integrated seat belts. the cab is, unfortunately, too short fore to aft to install a bucket with a headrest because it rubs on the rear of the cab for tall guys (not that I would know from experience). the newer chevy pick up seats have the belts but may need some rework to fit in there. you could see what ogre has done, his are cut down but not sure from what. also have seen guys use a bench from a 88-98 chevy truck and remove the headrest

_Ogre · 11-01-2017, 03:02 PM

oem heated seats work with the body control module from the oem donor vehicle
kits are available if you want to add them to your newly reupholstered bench seat

Black_Sheep · 11-01-2017, 07:45 PM

Anyone know the current draw for electric seats? I'm curious if an otherwise stock electrical system can support them. Around here, by the time it's cold enough to really benefit from heated seats there's probably several few of snow on the ground and the truck is tucked away for the winter.

SanJosesSteve · 11-02-2017, 11:44 AM

I purchased a Sojoy carbon fiber heated seat kit on Amazon for $75 a few years ago and installed it in the passenger seat of our convertible Fiat 124. It was pretty easy to slip under the upholstery. I don't remember exactly, but I think it only drew 3 amps on low and 5 amps on the high setting. I "upgraded" from a 45 amp to a 65 amp alternator at the same time.

My wife says it works well enough but I thought it a little on the weak side. (Compared to the factory heated seats in our Chevy Tahoe.) Of course my bottom end has way more insulation than hers. :-)

If I were to do it again, I'd look for one that drew more power.

-Steve

1project2many · 11-02-2017, 08:07 PM

Quote:

My wife says it works well enough but I thought it a little on the weak side. (Compared to the factory heated seats in our Chevy Tahoe.) Of course my bottom end has way more insulation than hers. :-)

I'm looking for an aftermarket seat heater kit right now. 5A at 13V is 65W. That seems ok by the numbers but I'm wondering how warm the fabric gets. Is it warm or hot to the touch?

lynx5653 · 11-02-2017, 08:23 PM

I would say heated seats are leather and some do get quite hot, that is why the leather and not cloth for a cover material.

SanJosesSteve · 11-03-2017, 11:40 AM

The heated seats in our Tahoe get HOT on the highest setting. (It has leather upholstery.) The seats in our old Fiat are vinyl. The upholstery is "rolled" for lack of a better term and so the heating element is between the base foam cushion and the thin "rolled" upholstered cover. That may partly account for why it does not feel as hot. The rolled upholstery is acting a an insulator where as in the Tahoe, I think the heating element is directly under the leather.
When it comes to adding a heated seat kit, placement is probably everything! -Steve

Newty-Newt · 11-03-2017, 03:16 PM

Thank you everybody for your ideas. On the Tri-Five.com forum someone suggested using a seat from an 88 - 94 Chevy truck 60/40 bench seat that a lot of guys use. I was actually looking for advice from someone that changed their seat and loves what modern upgrade that they used. I appreciate your advice and the heated element info.

my56chevytruck · 11-03-2017, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newty-Newt

Thank you everybody for your ideas. On the Tri-Five.com forum someone suggested using a seat from an 88 - 94 Chevy truck 60/40 bench seat that a lot of guys use. I was actually looking for advice from someone that changed their seat and loves what modern upgrade that they used. I appreciate your advice and the heated element info.

I pulled a seat out of a 1990 Chevy pickup for my 56, but no heated seats.

Newty-Newt · 11-03-2017, 09:03 PM

Are you happy with the fit and did you have to make any special brackets?

11-01-2017, 11:56 AM	#1
Newty-Newt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 3	Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks Hi guys, I have a 56 shortbed with the original bench seat. I would like to upgrade the truck to a more modern seat with a headrest. Also if possible is anybody using heated seats in their truck? What newer bench seats and brackets do you guys recommend? I am six foot tall and the original seat works ok. It is just a little mouse eaten over the years and for a project I would like to install something safer over the winter months. Thanks

11-01-2017, 12:48 PM	#2
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 7,824	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks you can get seat heating elements from dorman and wire them in. may want to keep track of the time in use with some sort of timer? some guys are using the rear seats from astro vans, yukons etc and fabbing a new base. it would be nice, from a safety standpoint, to have some with integrated seat belts. the cab is, unfortunately, too short fore to aft to install a bucket with a headrest because it rubs on the rear of the cab for tall guys (not that I would know from experience). the newer chevy pick up seats have the belts but may need some rework to fit in there. you could see what ogre has done, his are cut down but not sure from what. also have seen guys use a bench from a 88-98 chevy truck and remove the headrest

11-01-2017, 03:02 PM	#3
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,666	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks oem heated seats work with the body control module from the oem donor vehicle kits are available if you want to add them to your newly reupholstered bench seat __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-01-2017, 07:45 PM	#4
Black_Sheep Registered User Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: upper midwest Posts: 1,129	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks Anyone know the current draw for electric seats? I'm curious if an otherwise stock electrical system can support them. Around here, by the time it's cold enough to really benefit from heated seats there's probably several few of snow on the ground and the truck is tucked away for the winter. __________________ Mark Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build

11-02-2017, 11:44 AM	#5
SanJosesSteve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 45	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks I purchased a Sojoy carbon fiber heated seat kit on Amazon for $75 a few years ago and installed it in the passenger seat of our convertible Fiat 124. It was pretty easy to slip under the upholstery. I don't remember exactly, but I think it only drew 3 amps on low and 5 amps on the high setting. I "upgraded" from a 45 amp to a 65 amp alternator at the same time. My wife says it works well enough but I thought it a little on the weak side. (Compared to the factory heated seats in our Chevy Tahoe.) Of course my bottom end has way more insulation than hers. :-) If I were to do it again, I'd look for one that drew more power. -Steve __________________ "What's that round short pedal on the floor do?"

11-02-2017, 08:23 PM	#7
lynx5653 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lagrange,ME Posts: 349	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks I would say heated seats are leather and some do get quite hot, that is why the leather and not cloth for a cover material. __________________ 1955 2nd on 86 chassis Daily driver

11-03-2017, 11:40 AM	#8
SanJosesSteve Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 45	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks The heated seats in our Tahoe get HOT on the highest setting. (It has leather upholstery.) The seats in our old Fiat are vinyl. The upholstery is "rolled" for lack of a better term and so the heating element is between the base foam cushion and the thin "rolled" upholstered cover. That may partly account for why it does not feel as hot. The rolled upholstery is acting a an insulator where as in the Tahoe, I think the heating element is directly under the leather. When it comes to adding a heated seat kit, placement is probably everything! -Steve Attached Images __________________ "What's that round short pedal on the floor do?"

11-03-2017, 03:16 PM	#9
Newty-Newt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 3	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks Thank you everybody for your ideas. On the Tri-Five.com forum someone suggested using a seat from an 88 - 94 Chevy truck 60/40 bench seat that a lot of guys use. I was actually looking for advice from someone that changed their seat and loves what modern upgrade that they used. I appreciate your advice and the heated element info.

11-03-2017, 09:03 PM	#11
Newty-Newt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: 3rd rock from the Sun Posts: 3	Re: Heated seat question for 55-59 Trucks Are you happy with the fit and did you have to make any special brackets?



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