For enthusiasts seeking to enhance the driving experience and aesthetics of their Ford Focus RS, the Euro-spec Recaro shell seats, often referred to as Rs Euro seats, represent a highly coveted upgrade. Since the debut of the RS, the allure of these European Recaro seats has captivated owners, promising a more aggressive look, improved seating position, and a touch of exclusivity. Initially, sourcing and importing these seats seemed daunting, compounded by concerns about airbag system compatibility in US-spec vehicles. However, the journey to integrate these sought-after seats into a US Focus RS is indeed navigable, allowing you to retain crucial safety systems without triggering annoying and potentially hazardous airbag warning lights.
This comprehensive guide aims to consolidate all essential information, providing a step-by-step walkthrough on sourcing and installing a full Euro-spec Recaro interior, including rear seats, into your US-spec Focus RS. Learn how to achieve a seamless integration that eliminates airbag light issues, transforming your car’s interior with the coveted RS Euro seats.
We extend our gratitude to the following individuals for their invaluable contributions to this project:
- @mikesk for his pivotal insights into the resistance requirements for simulating side airbags and identifying the necessary part number for the plug.
- [email protected] and AMX-Performance in Poland for their exceptional service in sourcing the seats, marked by responsive communication, swift shipping, and meticulous packaging.
- Jonny at JCR for crafting the renowned “Superlow Seat Frames,” celebrated for their remarkable lowering capability and prompt delivery.
Before proceeding, it’s crucial to acknowledge the following:
- Side Airbag Deactivation: Installation of RS Euro seats, which lack side airbags present in US-spec seats, will result in the deactivation of side airbags. This modification is undertaken at your own risk.
- Sensor Repurposing and Bypassing: RS Euro seats are devoid of sensors found in US-spec seats, except for the seat belt connector (albeit with a different plug). This necessitates reusing sensors from your original seats, including airbag wires, slider positioning sensor, and the occupancy classification sensor (OCS) on the passenger side. Bypassing the OCS to perpetually register a passenger is required. This implies the passenger seat belt must remain buckled, and front passenger airbag deployment in a crash cannot be guaranteed.
- Cost Consideration: The acquisition and shipping of these seats are considerable expenses. While more economical race seat alternatives exist, the OEM aesthetic of the RS Euro seats, complete with matching stitching and RS logo, coupled with enhanced seating position, recline/sliding functionality, and rarity in the US market, justified the investment for this project.
Let’s embark on the installation process.
Sourcing Your RS Euro Seats
The objective was to procure Recaro Sportster seats, aligning with a desire for seats that exude a more aggressive aesthetic, offer a significantly lower and less raked seating position, and maintain an OEM appearance. The Recaro Sportster seats resonated with these preferences. To ensure compatibility and desired features like sliding and reclining, particularly for accommodating a 5’5″ driving enthusiast, the EU Shells, which are essentially Recaro Sportsters with bespoke runners and stitching, became the focus. Prior experience sitting in a 370z Nismo, equipped with Sportster seats, confirmed their suitability.
Contact was established with [email protected] at AMX-Performance, a recognized Recaro supplier, via a forum thread. Comparing the cost of US Recaro Sportsters with reupholstery to mimic EU shells against directly importing true RS Euro shells from AMX revealed minimal price disparity. Opting for AMX ensured genuine EU shells with proprietary Ford runners, essential for utilizing JCR Superlow seat frames.
AMX-Performance demonstrated exceptional communication and responsiveness, fostering confidence throughout the purchase process. Positive testimonials from US-based AMX customers further validated the reliability of importing seats through them. The purchase was made, and the seats arrived within days, impeccably packaged and in perfect condition.
JCR facilitated expedited shipping of the Superlow Seat Frames, ensuring their arrival in close proximity to the seats.
Close-up view of the Euro Recaro seat shell, highlighting its construction and design elements.
The underside of the Euro Recaro seat, showcasing the proprietary Ford runners and mounting points.
RS Euro Seat Installation Guide
For a straightforward seat swap, disregarding airbag light concerns, the process involves merely four 11mm bolts, achievable in approximately 10 minutes. However, a comprehensive installation, addressing airbag system integration, necessitates a more detailed approach.
Step 1: Stock Seat Removal
Begin by disconnecting the vehicle’s battery. It is advisable to disconnect both positive and negative terminals to prevent error codes during the process. Locate and remove the four 11mm bolts securing each seat to the floor. Once unbolted, tilt the seat backward to access the underside. Identify the harness consolidating all sensors and wires, plugged into the floor harness. Unlatch and disconnect this harness. The seat is now fully detached. The most effective removal method involves fully reclining the seat and maneuvering it out through the rear passenger door, minimizing the risk of paint damage.
Step 2: Sensor and Wiring Harness Disconnection and Retention
Detach the yellow airbag plug and seat belt connector. Trace the wires to the slider positioning sensor. While the wires feature a latch for removal, the sensor itself is required. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to detach it from the rail, leaving it connected to the wires. Employ a trim removal tool to detach all wire clips, carefully preserving all components for reuse.
Detailed view of the stock seat’s wiring harness and sensor connections during the removal process.
The passenger side mirrors the driver’s side, with the addition of the Occupancy Classification Sensor (OCS), the weight sensor for seatbelt reminders and airbag deployment. This sensor, incorporating a fluid-filled bladder in the seat cushion connected to an electronic pressure sensor beneath the seat, presents the most intricate aspect of the bypass. Disconnect the wires from the OCS sensor, leaving it mounted for now to avoid fluid handling prematurely. Upon completion of this step, you should possess two sets of wiring bundles and sensors, ready for installation beneath the new RS Euro seats.
The detached wiring harness and sensors from the stock seats, prepared for integration with the RS Euro seats.
Close-up of the disconnected sensor and wiring components, emphasizing the need for careful handling.
Step 3: Airbag Wire Bypass
The side airbags in the original RS1 seats connect via the yellow harness. The vehicle’s system requires a resistance of 1.7 – 2.7 ohms on this wire to prevent airbag light activation and system deactivation. Thanks to @mikesk, the necessary resistance and bypass solution were identified.
Acquire these bypass harnesses: https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-resistor-xf2z14b022aa. These harnesses are designed to plug directly into the yellow airbag wiring harness but deliver approximately 7 ohms of resistance, necessitating modification to achieve 2 ohms.
Obtain these resistors: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SWK5V54/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Open the back of the bypass harness, remove the 7-ohm resistor, and solder a 2.2-ohm resistor in its place, following a tutorial like . Upon modification, plug the bypass harnesses into the yellow plugs on your wire bundles. The side airbag bypass is now complete, effectively tricking the system into believing the side airbags are functional.
The Ford resistor bypass harness, ready for modification to achieve the correct resistance.
Close-up of the 2.2-ohm resistors intended to replace the 7-ohm resistors in the bypass harness.
Soldering tools and components prepared for modifying the resistor within the bypass harness.
The modified bypass harness with the 2.2-ohm resistor successfully soldered in place.
Step 4: Weight Sensor (OCS) Bypass
This step presents the greatest challenge. Procure vacuum line plugs from an auto parts store, specifically 5/16 size plugs for the fluid line. Position the passenger RS1 seat on its side, orienting it to elevate the fluid line connected to the sensor above the bladder to minimize fluid leakage. Detach the OCS sensor from its bracket and elevate it. Make a cut approximately halfway down the fluid line, ensuring ample line length on both the sensor and bladder sides.
Upon cutting, swiftly plug the bladder line using a vacuum line plug to prevent leaks, securing it further with zip ties for storage. Leave the line leading to the sensor uncapped for now, simply inverting it to prevent fluid loss. The fluid, viscous like oil and not pressurized, should allow for cuts with minimal spillage.
Capping the line leading to the sensor requires finesse. An excessively large air bubble at the line’s apex could migrate to the sensor upon seat mounting, triggering a code. Conversely, attempting to eliminate all air risks pressurizing the fluid, also leading to error codes due to excessively high readings (verified via ForScan). The optimal approach involves minimizing the air bubble and mounting the sensor and line beneath the seat such that the sensor remains lower than the line. The fluid’s viscosity mitigates bubble migration to the sensor under driving g-forces. Once satisfied with the fluid level, cap the line securely and reinforce with zip ties.
Refer to a video tutorial like for visual guidance on achieving the desired outcome.
Vacuum line plugs and tools prepared for sealing the fluid lines of the Occupancy Classification Sensor (OCS).
Cutting the fluid line of the OCS sensor with care to minimize fluid spillage during the bypass process.
The OCS sensor with its fluid lines capped and secured, successfully bypassed for installation.
Step 5 (Optional): JCR Superlow Seat Frame Installation
If utilizing JCR Superlow Seat Frames, adhere to the comprehensive installation manual provided with the frames. These frames are designed to directly interface with the RS Euro seats, further enhancing the lowered seating position.
Step 6: Sensor and Wiring Harness Mounting in RS Euro Seats
With all necessary wiring harness connections addressed (seatbelt, airbag bypass, slider position sensor, and OCS bypass on the passenger side), proceed to mount the harness beneath the RS Euro seats. Key considerations include:
- Reutilize wire clips in the mounting holes on the seat underside, supplementing with zip ties as needed.
- Ensure all wires and sensors are positioned to accommodate the full range of seat sliding motion, particularly crucial with the low-profile JCR frames.
- Mount the slider position sensor on any rail that moves with the seat, orienting the sensor face (small square magnet) towards the front of the vehicle.
- Position the OCS to ensure the fluid line extends above the sensor to maintain proper bypass functionality.
Mounting the sensors and wiring harness to the underside of the RS Euro seat, ensuring proper placement and securement.
The completed wiring harness and sensor installation beneath the RS Euro seat, ready for vehicle installation.
Step 7: RS Euro Seat Installation
Install the new RS Euro seats using the original four 11mm bolts. Before fully securing, connect and lock the wiring harness. Verify unrestricted seat sliding forward and backward, ensuring no wiring obstructions. Reconnect the vehicle battery. Upon starting the vehicle, the airbag light should illuminate briefly and extinguish within 4-5 seconds. Delayed reappearance, up to 5 minutes, may indicate an issue, warranting further inspection.
Step 8: Rear Seat Installation
Installation of the Euro-spec rear seat bench is straightforward, typically under 15 minutes. Consult online forums for detailed guides on rear seat removal and re-installation.
Post-Installation Observations
- Driving Position Transformation: The driving position is significantly altered and improved, notably lower, with the steering wheel aligning more directly and legs positioned more naturally towards the pedals. Armrest and gearshift ergonomics are also enhanced.
- Interior Spaciousness: The cabin feels considerably larger due to the lower seats and slimmer seat backs, creating a more open and airy ambiance.
- Rear Bench Enhancement: The integrated headrests of the Euro rear bench improve visibility and rear seat folding functionality.
- Weight Considerations: Weight savings are minimal, estimated at less than 10 lbs lighter per RS Euro seat compared to the RS1 seats.
- Seat Firmness: While offering a more comfortable driving posture, the RS Euro seats exhibit less cushioning and bounce compared to the original seats, a characteristic preferred in this project but worth noting for personal preference.
Overall, the RS Euro seat upgrade significantly enhances the Ford Focus RS driving experience and interior aesthetics. While a substantial investment, the transformation justifies the cost for those prioritizing OEM-integrated style, improved ergonomics, and a unique, performance-oriented interior.
The instrument cluster of the Ford Focus RS post-installation, confirming no airbag warning lights are present after the RS Euro seat upgrade.
The completed RS Euro seat installation, showcasing the enhanced interior aesthetics and driving position.
