I ordered the seat heaters from the folowing website:
http://www.rostra.com/seat-heater.htm
I had seen an article in my local newspaper about this "new" seat heater kit available to the public...I don't know of any other company that offers such a product.
The cost of the seat heaters was $129.00 for each seat. The
part number is #250-1550.
It is a universal design, so don't be bothered if you try to order the seat heaters and don't see the 2002 Thunderbird listed...just order it for another model of vehicle and you'll get the same thing.
I was EXTREMELY nervous and postponed from weekend to weekend the installation of this product. I did poke and pry, for days prior to installation, just to know what I would be getting into when I started this.
If you have patience and have some type of simple electrical skills, anyone can do this. You can read the complete instructions on the Rostra website listed above, prior to placing your order...just to know what is involved in installing these.
I did have to drill a hole for each switch. I thought about the blank panel in the dashboard, just in front of the shifter...but I think that the switches that come with the seat heaters would not look good on the dash. Also, the wires and connections are not long enough to reach that far from the main controller unit for each seat. I chose the top side of each seat because that way I could just reach over and flip on the switch for a passenger, to prewarm the seat, prior to them getting in the vehicle. It would also be easy to make sure that it had not been left in the "On" position when not needed.
This is not an easy installation, but with enough patience and skill anyone can have seat heaters in their 2002 Thunderbird's. I'd save the blank panel on the dash for possible something better than switches for the seat heaters...maybe Ford or someone else will come up with something clever for that spot...I would love to have a coin holder there or something creative like that.