elptxjc

I think both are the same. I never drove a Lariat, but nothing on Ford's brochures say any F-150 has different insulation, so I assume it's the same even for lesser trims. The only difference is on the 'acoustic' (laminated, or double-pane) glass, and I'm almost sure the Lariat and above have it. If yours has it (look for a membrane between panes when lowering either front window), then it should be as quiet as mine and other Platinums. Rear windows are solid, like it's the case with most cars so equipped, like my ex-Audi S6. Finally, I have to say I was expecting my truck to be quieter, since I read many testers saying it was as quiet as any luxury car. It's not . But quiet enough, I guess. And yes, that's even after disabling the annoying and booming fake V8 noise on Platinums.

acdii

It takes a bit to get used to the bottom massager. There are four humps that rotate around the cushion. They don't move in a circle, but they push up one at a time in one. It's a little weird feeling them at first. It's like the prior gen cooling seats where they make you feel you have wet pants. Takes some getting used to. The seat back ones could be a little higher up though, thats where I need it the most. I have a degenerating disk mid chest level, and it radiates out around my chest when acting up. Pressure against it helps to ease it up, so would be nice if the seat had them up that high.

WildernessLVR

Could it be possible to remove the seat cover and adjust the height of those massaging points? If there's enough electric wiring play I think you could create a new fastening point. See if you can get some "exploded" view of the seat parts assembly or look for a video. Sometimes it's not easy to find, but I'll look out for this too and if I find something I'll let you know.

As for the cooling seats... since you have first had experience on both types, which one would you say:
- prefer / why.
- and pros/cons of each.

Just curiosity as I never tried the older ones and you are a trustworthy source LOL

acdii

I think the "massager" is nothing more than a cable like the lumbar, so to move them up would require fabricating new mount points in the frame.

For the seats, the older ones had a blast of clod air right in the middle of the seat bottom, which gave the wet pants feeling, and the 18 seats have the cooling spread out the entire cushion like it should be. I prefer the entire butt being cooled over the bungholio being chilled while the rest stays warm. The 18 seats are much better than the 16 and older ones I have had.

WildernessLVR

I've read several times the expression "wet pants", but never understood why. OK, I got it now! So basically in the older system, that feeling was due to the cooling not be done on a broader area of the seat as the '18's do, right?
So the TED is like an ice patch under our pants, it doesn't really blow air?

Do you really like the '18 suction better? I don't know if blowing wouldn't work more efficiently in extremely hot days. I don't really like to use cooling or heating for too long so I ended up not really testing mine properly, yet, but this summer I bought a beaded seat cover to allow for the air to flow through the beads when sucking into the seat and it actually worked far better than direct contact with the seat.
Of course I have the notion (hopefully correct) that the '18 venting will be more effective if the AC is running and at desired temperature. I never used the AC, only the seats for a few minutes to cool a bit and set them OFF. One of the good outcomes of our Northern Summer, a few days humid, but never too hot...

Winter is something else. Still I can only have the heating for max couple minutes. It's too hot, or better, my comfort zone temp is warm, like body temp. If my feet are warm I can wear shorts and a light sweater down to -15C. In fact I only wear a T-shirt and an extremely good jacket all winter long regardless of -40C or -45C.
Wilderness is my middle name, and I do take advantage of my luck, lol!

doug97gxe

my Range Rover Sport was like this.. cooling seats felt like you pissed your pants

WildernessLVR

Definitely weird feeling having to check garment before stepping out of the vehicle