malibu vlx, heated drivers seat?

(westsiderippa)

so i dont want to put a chill into anyones mind but im already thinking about october and no boats and perfect butter. anyway. i have a couple friends who have the heated drivers seat and its deluxe. i did not get originally and im thinking about doing it before winter riding kicks in. im assuming i would have to replace the entire seat? anyone done this. i guess i could call my dealer and just ask for a quote. anyone diy it? prices?

(ralph) · (ralph) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 08-19-2009, 10:52 PM

You can get the parts from Bakes. Just peel the skin from your existing seat, stick the element on, replace the skin and you are good to go.
http://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1496
http://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1497
http://www.bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1495

(xstarrider) · (xstarrider) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 08-19-2009, 10:54 PM

I know of several people who have just purchased and added the fillaments to their original seats and had them re-sewn up. Heated the observer's and driver's seat.

No need to get a new seat.

(westsiderippa)

i like that idea, and love those prices. anyone else done this? i didnt even think that you could just buy the heating pads and parts. thanks for the post darren!! now you really got me thinking.

(westsiderippa)

and the observers seat? im liking this more and more, thanks guys. i think i know what i want to do. anyone have a step by step maybe with some pics etc of an install. im thinking the hardest part is going to be not trashing the vynol but i think i would just pay for that part to be done.

(ralph) · (ralph) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 08-19-2009, 11:03 PM

As with all things Pimp, G has your back:
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/255754.html

I am doing drivers and observers as soon as I can get Bakes to answer my emails....

(mikeski) · (mikeski) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 08-19-2009, 11:09 PM

I opted for the easier and less expensive heated blanket option. More ghetto than pimp but quite effective.

http://www.skingcompany.com/Heating_Products-TR_12_Tracker_12_Volt_Electric_Blanket-P6.aspx

(Message edited by mikeski on August 19, 2009)

(mikeski) · (mikeski) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 08-19-2009, 11:12 PM

http://www.skingcompany.com/Heating_Products-TR_12_Tracker_12_Volt_Electric_Blanket-P6.aspx

stubborn link...

(westsiderippa)

mikeski, not ghetto at all brotha. i keep 2 in the boat all winter. last winter like first week of january my buddy took a crispy ice cold butter set and was wearing the dry suit, i guess he didnt insulate good enough but after a numbing 15 min set we had to wrap him in the electric blankets to get him from acting stupid. basically early signs of hypothermia. funny part is i was fine in my 4/3 wet suit and only stopped riding because i was tired. i think it was the coldest day of all last winter if i remember correctly.

(westsiderippa)

thanks darren for finding that thread. yah G is pimp fo sho. if you ever get yours going please post up about the instal. you have done some serious work i.e. trim tab project, and your threads are very helpful and have a ton of info. thanks.

(ndavis03) · (ndavis03) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 08-20-2009, 8:24 AM

Bryan-I've been thinking about doing the same to my 2007 VTX. By the way, sick boat. I saw it the other day at SVM. Anyway, I had been in contact with Clay from Sound Illusions, and he quoted me some reasonable prices for the install. If you are interested, I can provide you his email. Maybe we can get a deal together.

(westsiderippa)

nick pm sent, and thanks the all white vtx is pimpin too brotha.

(ndavis03) · (ndavis03) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 08-20-2009, 11:09 AM

Thanks. I just responded via email. Keep me informed on what he quotes you, as I'm pretty interested.

(xstarrider) · (xstarrider) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 08-20-2009, 11:11 AM

Bryan,

It really isn't that hard to peel back the skins on your boat to do this. You skins have been on a stretcher and or stretched out already from use....... that is the toughest part about vinyl. The only reason my buddy sent his out to be re attached is because he re-did his vinyl. Just carefully undo the staples and then restaple simple as that. You have to peel a little less than half the skin up and the elements slide right in. The hardest part is the wiring.

(Message edited by xstarrider on August 20, 2009)

(acurtis_ttu) · (acurtis_ttu) **Join Date: May 2004** 08-20-2009, 11:12 AM

similar to mikeski, I use two of these. they get pretty warm, and held up welllast winter. I ended up finding them for about $15/piece shipped. To cheap not to try.

http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-IN9738-Heated-Seat-Cushion/dp/B000ANOUHQ

(westsiderippa)

swat that makes sense about the stretching. the wiring is less intimidating to me then the vinyl. but the more i think about it this is a pretty simple job.

i have the 2 extra acc switches in the dash. are those blank or would they work.

(tracktor) · (tracktor) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 08-20-2009, 11:38 AM

Very, very easy. Did mine last year. Search themalibucrew website for pics. I think i put some there? If not, I took pics of the whole process and can post them up later. Completely worth the effort to do. Now everyone wants to drive in the winter.........

(westsiderippa) · (westsiderippa) **Join Date: Dec 2006** 08-20-2009, 1:23 PM

thanks tracktor ill search themalibucrew.com now.