ADDING OEM VENTED FRONT SEATS TO 1500 COMPLETE HOW-TO

[jhdiehl6]

This is the first post for my complete, start-to-finish process of adding the OEM ventilated seats to my 2023 1500 Rebel. I have been looking through all of the forums and there are a few posts spread around that contain some little snippets of the required info sprinkled around and I'm going to attempt to compile it all in one place. To my knowledge, this process will work for any trim level of 1500 but some may require more work and modification than others. This conversion will be completed on a 2023 1500 Rebel with the 12" screen, Uconnect 5 software, and the upgraded black perforated leather interior. I will be updating this thread with pictures and the whole process I go through to accomplish this.

To start off, there are two ways of going about this. The easy way is to find a set of front seats from a Limited or Laramie 1500 and bolt those directly into your cab and plug them in. Then with a little help from ALPHAOBD, you should be able to program the controls right into your head unit and use them as if they came from the factory. However, in this case, I am too set in my "Rebel" ways and don't want to get rid of my cool "Rebel" stitching on the inboard bolster of my seats (Petty I know). Also, I have heard that the "non-ventilated" seats are marginally more comfortable than just the regular heated seats and for me, that is enough to want to use my existing hardware. I am also trying to see if I can get these done for just a litttttle cheaper.

At this point in time, I have what I believe to be all of the required parts on order (Listed Below). It should be noted that both the Driver and Passenger seat must both be completed in order for the ventilation to function.

STEP 1. ALPHA OBD: For the time being while I wait on the parts to arrive, I worked on flashing the 12 inch display to allow for the vented seat controls. For ALPHAOBD, some sort of Android device is required to download the ALPHAOBD software. I went with at cheap used Samsung tablet from amazon. From there you will also need a way to connect through the OBD port under the dash. The one I would recommend is the OBDLink MX+. This is listed below as well. Lastly, you will need a way to bypass the security gateway in your RAM. For this I used the one from Zautomotive.
To begin this journey, I decided to tackle the software first while I wait on parts. For this, you have to plug in the OBDlink, install the security bypass, and then connect the OBD link to the ALPHAOBD software via bluetooth. From there, you will connect to the correct computer. To do this, Click on 1500 >> Body Computer >> (your vehicle year) Powernet. From there you will click on the car with the open Hood in the bottom right of the app, then select "CAR CONFIGURATION CHANGE" toward the bottom. From there you will select "MEMORY: ventilated seat present". Select the value to "YES". After that Scroll to "ECUCONFIG 3 Vented Seats Preset" and select the value to "YES". From there, after you deep cycle your truck (it took me about 20 mins) , It should display the options to turn on the vented seats next to the heated seat options. I have heard that it can take up to a couple days for these options to populate on your screen. I dont quite understand why this is but mine worked after I just left it alone for a while.

As of now 3/7/2024, this is all I have completed in the process. I will be updating this thread with the process of my install and programming. I am expecting parts to be here in about a week or so.

Cheers Friends!


ALPHA OBD Interface Parts
OBDlink MX+
Some sort of Android Tablet
ALPHA OBD Software
Zautomotive Security Bypass

List of Parts Required:
Seat Cushion Blower (x2): 68552533AA
Seat Back Blower (x2): 68552534AA
Seat Cushion Vent Bag (x2): 68552530AA
Seat Back Vent Bag (x2): 68552531AA
Seat Cushion Wiring Harness Driver: 68489602AA
Seat Cushion Wiring Harness Passenger: 68489611AA
Seat Back Wiring Harness Driver: 68294523AD
Seat Back Wiring Harness Passenger: 68294525AD

 

[MannyN]

Works only with "ALFAOBD"

 

[boogielander]

this is something i want to tackle!
kind of bummed that both front seats need to be done for it to work though... doubling the work lol

 

[Eltaco]

This is great. I have front vented seats and they’re absolutely a must have for me in any future truck purchase.

That said, I’m considering a RHO in the future without the Level 1 package, so I’m starting to explore costs to manually install vented seats in that case.

A couple of questions:
Do you have a final tally on cost to do this, assuming you do it yourself without incurring labor costs?

Do the non-vented seats have perforations for air flow?

 

[mahnkal]

is this possible with a big horn with the smaller display and cloth seats? (heated seat buttons, but have the options in the u connect?)

 

[Scarlet Beast]

OP have any updates on this?

 

[brental1]

OP have any updates on this?

I'm not the OP; but I have some input. Earlier, I swapped heated/vented power passenger seats into my 2022 BH with Level 1 Equipment Group. I had to add a lot of wires to my truck. Once I swapped a center stack with heat/vent switches into my truck, those switches worked without any flashing. I was fine with having only those switches; but after a few months I bought Alfa (for another reason) and flashed heated/vented seats and heated steering wheel to my truck and those buttons appeared on the screen. Nice to have, I guess, but I only use the hard buttons to turn on heat or vent.
Regarding the OP, I just converted my back seat to heat/cool. Quite a job. I had to cut all the hog rings to separate the leather from the foam. Had to drill holes through the seat foams. I used a 3/4" hole saw. Glued (self adhesive) the heater pads to the top/front of the seat foams and vent bags to the bottom/rear of the foams. 3 sheet metal screws to mount each blower motor. ( The front seats use plastic Christmas tree fasteners instead of screws.) Had to buy the rear seat control module (with heat and vent), and add the seat harnesses. My truck was not prewired for heat/vent rear seats, so had to run a bunch of wires. Had to change the center console wire harness, and add more wires from the center console to the truck; and add the heat/vent switches to the console. The rear switches did not work without flashing as the front ones did. After I flashed with Alfa, the switches worked.

 

[Kcchiefa]

I'm not the OP; but I have some input. Earlier, I swapped heated/vented power passenger seats into my 2022 BH with Level 1 Equipment Group. I had to add a lot of wires to my truck. Once I swapped a center stack with heat/vent switches into my truck, those switches worked without any flashing. I was fine with having only those switches; but after a few months I bought Alfa (for another reason) and flashed heated/vented seats and heated steering wheel to my truck and those buttons appeared on the screen. Nice to have, I guess, but I only use the hard buttons to turn on heat or vent.
Regarding the OP, I just converted my back seat to heat/cool. Quite a job. I had to cut all the hog rings to separate the leather from the foam. Had to drill holes through the seat foams. I used a 3/4" hole saw. Glued (self adhesive) the heater pads to the top/front of the seat foams and vent bags to the bottom/rear of the foams. 3 sheet metal screws to mount each blower motor. ( The front seats use plastic Christmas tree fasteners instead of screws.) Had to buy the rear seat control module (with heat and vent), and add the seat harnesses. My truck was not prewired for heat/vent rear seats, so had to run a bunch of wires. Had to change the center console wire harness, and add more wires from the center console to the truck; and add the heat/vent switches to the console. The rear switches did not work without flashing as the front ones did. After I flashed with Alfa, the switches worked.

What do you think you ended up spending?

 

[brental1]

What do you think you ended up spending?

Didn't keep a good account; but about $1000 for the heated/vented rear seat (junk yard), $250 for the partial body harness (junk yard) and $100 for wire and Tesa tape to complete the body harness.

I have this for sale on eBay. 2019-up Ram Rear Seat Vent Kit (Partial) | eBay







4

 

[skid_valve]

I'm not the OP; but I have some input. Earlier, I swapped heated/vented power passenger seats into my 2022 BH with Level 1 Equipment Group. I had to add a lot of wires to my truck. Once I swapped a center stack with heat/vent switches into my truck, those switches worked without any flashing. I was fine with having only those switches; but after a few months I bought Alfa (for another reason) and flashed heated/vented seats and heated steering wheel to my truck and those buttons appeared on the screen. Nice to have, I guess, but I only use the hard buttons to turn on heat or vent.
Regarding the OP, I just converted my back seat to heat/cool. Quite a job. I had to cut all the hog rings to separate the leather from the foam. Had to drill holes through the seat foams. I used a 3/4" hole saw. Glued (self adhesive) the heater pads to the top/front of the seat foams and vent bags to the bottom/rear of the foams. 3 sheet metal screws to mount each blower motor. ( The front seats use plastic Christmas tree fasteners instead of screws.) Had to buy the rear seat control module (with heat and vent), and add the seat harnesses. My truck was not prewired for heat/vent rear seats, so had to run a bunch of wires. Had to change the center console wire harness, and add more wires from the center console to the truck; and add the heat/vent switches to the console. The rear switches did not work without flashing as the front ones did. After I flashed with Alfa, the switches worked.

I would love to know more about the swap of just the front seats as right now I have the stock big horn level 1 cloth seats but would love to have heated and vented seats

 

[brental1]

I would love to know more about the swap of just the front seats as right now I have the stock big horn level 1 cloth seats but would love to have heated and vented seats

I posted, maybe on a different thread, a lot of information on the wiring I had to do. You could add the heat pads to your cloth seats. You would also need the control module, would need to swap your center stack--if you want the hard buttons., and add several wires. But vented is more complicated. I don't think you can vent cloth seats. The leather on vented seats is perforated. Also, the seat foams have 4 or 5 holes in the cushion and the back--for the air to flow through. I drilled holes in my back seat foams and it worked out OK. You would also need vent bags and blower for the cushion and the back.

 

[brental1]

I posted, maybe on a different thread, a lot of information on the wiring I had to do. You could add the heat pads to your cloth seats. You would also need the control module, would need to swap your center stack--if you want the hard buttons., and add several wires. But vented is more complicated. I don't think you can vent cloth seats. The leather on vented seats is perforated. Also, the seat foams have 4 or 5 holes in the cushion and the back--for the air to flow through. I drilled holes in my back seat foams and it worked out OK. You would also need vent bags and blower for the cushion and the back.

If you decide to do heat only, I have this center stack for sale. It would allow heated seats and steering wheel. 8" Ram Center Stack Climate Control | Part no. 68340286AC and 68340286AD | eBay

 

[1791]

thank you jhdiehl6 great info here, i was about to do something similar and was going down the add option road on my Big Horn. for $2100 i found Laramie GT seats and console with the floor shifter(i hate the rotary) but instead for 5000 dollars i got - 12in 9 speaker alpine, heated and cooled leather trim front seats, pano roof, bed lighting group, auto high beams, park sense and so on. i got all that and more buy trading in my Q cab Big Horn for a Crew cab Laramie with the same amount of miles after trade in value i had to kick in 5000. it seemed like the best curse of action.
i figure best thing is to buy it with the options you want or trade what you got for one. i see adding them is alot of work and cost.
i could not find a Laramie GT at the time and that GT seat/console swap is still calling me LOL
at the end of the day if you love your truck and are gonna keep it then by all means make it yours.

 

[skid_valve]

If you decide to do heat only, I have this center stack for sale. It would allow heated seats and steering wheel. 8" Ram Center Stack Climate Control | Part no. 68340286AC and 68340286AD | eBay

My thought process was to swap my truck to leather getting some heated and cooled seats from factory out of like a wrecked truck and wiring them in. I already have a 12in center stack, no physical buttons but I’m fine with that as long as I have buttons in the uconnect.

 

[1791]

My thought process was to swap my truck to leather getting some heated and cooled seats from factory out of like a wrecked truck and wiring them in. I already have a 12in center stack, no physical buttons but I’m fine with that as long as I have buttons in the uconnect.

here you go cheap if you ask me

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[skid_valve]

here you go cheap if you ask me

Pardon Our Interruption...

That’s not half bad I wonder if anyone has written up a guide to wiring them

 

[brental1]

That’s not half bad I wonder if anyone has written up a guide to wiring them

I got my seats from Butler. That's a better price than I paid for mine; but mine did include the jump seat/center console. I also bought the Cabin and IP harnesses from the donor truck. I wouldn't have been able to make the seats work in my truck without having those harnesses. I wrote a detailed post, including wiring diagrams on how I did mine.
I don't think the rear seat in this set is heated or vented?

 

[skid_valve]

I on

I got my seats from Butler. That's a better price than I paid for mine; but mine did include the jump seat/center console. I also bought the Cabin and IP harnesses from the donor truck. I wouldn't have been able to make the seats work in my truck without having those harnesses. I wrote a detailed post, including wiring diagrams on how I did mine.
I don't think the rear seat in this set is heated or vented?

I only care about the front seats for heating and cooling, my back seats are rarely used. Can you link your guide??? And I’ll only have the touch screen for the heating and cooling no physical buttons but I don’t think that’s an issue

 

[brental1]

I on

I only care about the front seats for heating and cooling, my back seats are rarely used. Can you link your guide??? And I’ll only have the touch screen for the heating and cooling no physical buttons but I don’t think that’s an issue

Confusing that there are multiple threads on this topic. This should get you started. Adding Heated Seats

 

[skid_valve]

Confusing that there are multiple threads on this topic. This should get you started. Adding Heated Seats

I sent you a dm about some other wiring stuff as to not clog up this thread