For enthusiasts seeking to enhance the sporty appeal and driving dynamics of their Ford Focus RS, the Euro-spec Recaro shell seats have long been a coveted upgrade. The allure of these seats, unavailable in US-spec models, stems from their aggressive styling, superior support, and lower seating position. Like many Focus RS owners, the journey to acquire and install these sought-after seats, often referred to as Rs In Euro circles, involves navigating sourcing challenges and addressing airbag system compatibility.
Initially, importing these Recaro shells seemed like a distant dream. Beyond the difficulty of sourcing and importing them, the crucial hurdle was understanding and resolving the differences in the airbag configuration between EU and US models. Driving with an active airbag warning light not only detracts from the driving experience but also compromises safety by disabling the car’s comprehensive safety systems.
Fortunately, after dedicated research and collaboration, a solution has been found to successfully install a complete EU-spec Recaro interior, including the coveted shell seats and rear seats, into a US-spec Focus RS without triggering any airbag warning lights. This guide consolidates the necessary information, previously scattered across various forums, into a single, comprehensive resource to help fellow enthusiasts achieve this upgrade seamlessly.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the invaluable contributions of several individuals and the wider Focus RS community:
- A special thanks to @mikesk for his crucial insights into the resistance values required to bypass the side airbags and for identifying the necessary part numbers for the bypass plugs. His late-night brainstorming sessions were instrumental in overcoming the airbag system challenges.
- Gratitude to [email protected] and AMX-Performance in Poland for their exceptional service in sourcing the Euro-spec Recaro seats. Their responsive communication, efficient shipping, and meticulous packaging ensured the seats arrived in perfect condition.
- Acknowledgment to Jonny at JCR for developing and providing his renowned “Superlow Seat Frames.” His prompt responsiveness and expedited shipping, coupled with the remarkable low-profile design of these frames, significantly enhanced the seating position, especially for taller drivers. The dramatic drop in seat height offered by JCR frames is a game-changer for optimizing driving ergonomics.
- Appreciation to the numerous members of the Focus RS online community who contributed to discussions and threads regarding Euro shell seat installations and airbag light solutions. This collective knowledge sharing has been an invaluable resource for tackling this modification.
Before proceeding with this upgrade, it’s essential to acknowledge the following caveats:
- Side Airbag Deactivation: Installing Euro-spec Recaro shell seats will result in the loss of side airbags, as these seats are not equipped with them, unlike the US-spec seats. Undertaking this modification is at your own risk, considering the implications for side impact protection.
- Sensor Relocation and Bypassing: The Euro shell seats lack several sensors present in the US-spec seats, except for the seat belt connector (although even this plug is different). Notably absent are the airbag wires, slider positioning sensor, and the occupancy classification sensor (OCS) or weight sensor on the passenger side. These sensors must be salvaged from your original seats and repurposed for the new installation. Furthermore, bypassing the OCS is necessary to simulate constant passenger presence. This necessitates keeping the passenger seat belt buckled at all times and acknowledging the safety implications for passengers who cannot have airbag deployment in case of a collision.
- Cost Considerations: Acquiring the Euro-spec seats and arranging for shipping is a significant investment. While comparable aftermarket race seats might be available at a lower price point, the appeal of OEM-like aesthetics, retaining reclining and sliding functionality, and the exclusivity of a Euro-spec interior in a US car justified the expense for many enthusiasts. Ultimately, the value proposition is subjective and depends on individual priorities.
With these considerations in mind, let’s delve into the process of sourcing and installing these coveted seats.
Sourcing Your Euro-Spec Recaro Seats
The desire for Euro-spec Recaro Sportster seats often stems from dissatisfaction with the stock RS1 seats. Enthusiasts typically seek a more aggressive aesthetic, a significantly lower and less raked seating position, and an OEM-integrated appearance. Crucially, retaining sliding and reclining functionality is often a priority, especially for shared vehicles. The Euro shell seats perfectly align with these requirements, being essentially Recaro Sportsters with custom Ford runners and unique stitching. To ensure the Sportster seats met personal comfort preferences, test-sitting in seats like those found in a 370z Nismo is recommended.
Connecting with [email protected] at AMX-Performance, a reputable Recaro supplier identified through online forums, proved to be a pivotal step in sourcing the seats. Comparing the cost of purchasing US Recaro Sportsters and custom reupholstering them to resemble Euro shells revealed a surprisingly minimal price difference. Opting for genuine EU shells from AMX offered the added benefit of including the proprietary Ford runners, essential for compatibility with JCR Superlow seat frames – a highly recommended component for achieving the desired low seating position.
AMX-Performance impressed with their exceptional communication, responsiveness, and commitment to customer satisfaction. Positive testimonials from US-based customers who had previously imported seats from AMX further solidified confidence in their service. The purchase was made, and the seats arrived promptly, securely packaged and in pristine condition. The JCR Superlow Seat Frames were also procured with expedited shipping, ensuring all components arrived in close proximity, streamlining the installation process.
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Installation Guide: Integrating Your RS in Euro Seats
For a basic seat swap, disregarding airbag lights, the process is remarkably straightforward, involving only four 11mm bolts and approximately 10 minutes. However, achieving a fully functional and error-free installation, maintaining airbag system integrity, requires a more detailed approach.
Step 1: Stock Seat Removal
Begin by disconnecting the battery, ideally both positive and negative terminals. Disconnecting the negative terminal will clear any potential error codes triggered during the process. Locate and remove the four 11mm bolts securing each seat to the vehicle floor. Once unbolted, carefully tilt the seat backward to access the underside. You’ll find a single harness consolidating all sensors and wires, plugged into a floor-mounted harness. Unlatch and disconnect this harness. The seat is now fully detached. The most effective removal method often involves fully reclining the seat and maneuvering it out through the rear passenger door to minimize the risk of scratching the paint.
Step 2: Sensor Disconnection and Harness Retention
Disconnect the yellow airbag plug and the seat belt connector. Trace the wires to the slider positioning sensor. While the wiring harness can be detached via a latch, retain the sensor itself. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to unmount it from the seat rail, leaving it connected to the wires. Employ a trim removal tool to detach all wire clips securing the harness to the seat frame.
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The passenger seat follows the same procedure but includes an additional component: the Occupancy Classification Sensor (OCS), the weight sensor responsible for passenger detection for seat belt reminders and airbag deployment. This system utilizes a fluid-filled bladder within the seat cushion connected to an electronic pressure sensor beneath the seat. The OCS is the most complex element to bypass. For now, simply unplug the wires from the sensor, leaving it mounted to avoid dealing with the fluid at this stage.
After completing this step for both seats, you should have two bundles of wires and sensors salvaged from the original seats, ready for integration into the new Recaro seats.
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Step 3: Airbag Wire Bypass
The side airbags in the RS1 seats connect to the car’s system via the yellow harness you disconnected. The vehicle’s system expects to detect a resistance of 1.7 – 2.7 ohms on this circuit. If this resistance is not detected, it will trigger the airbag warning light and deactivate the entire system. This is where @mikesk’s contribution becomes crucial. He identified the correct resistance range and sourced readily available bypass harnesses and resistors to create a simple bypass solution.
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. However, they come equipped with 7-ohm resistors, which are outside the required 1.7 – 2.7 ohm range. Modification is necessary.
Obtain a set of 2.2-ohm resistors: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SWK5V54/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Carefully open the back of each bypass harness, remove the pre-installed 7-ohm resistor, and solder in a 2.2-ohm resistor in its place. Numerous online tutorials demonstrate soldering techniques if needed. Once completed, simply plug these modified bypass harnesses into the yellow connectors on your salvaged wiring bundles. The side airbag bypass is now successfully implemented.
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Step 4: Occupancy Classification Sensor (OCS) Bypass
This step presents the greatest challenge. You will need vacuum line plugs from an auto parts store, specifically a couple of 5/16″ plugs for the fluid line. Take your passenger RS1 seat and position it on its side, orienting it so the fluid line leading to the sensor is as high as possible relative to the bladder to minimize fluid spillage. Detach the OCS sensor from its mounting bracket and position it elevated. Make a cut approximately halfway along the fluid line. Ensure you leave sufficient line length on both the sensor side and the bladder side. Avoid cutting too close to either component.
Upon cutting, immediately seal the bladder line with a vacuum line plug. This temporarily prevents leaks. Secure it further with zip ties later for long-term storage. Leave the line leading to the sensor uncapped for now, simply invert it to prevent leakage. The fluid is viscous, oil-like, and not pressurized, minimizing fluid loss during the cut.
Capping the line leading to the sensor requires finesse. Excessive air trapped at the top of the line can migrate to the sensor after installation, potentially triggering an error code. Conversely, attempting to eliminate all air can pressurize the fluid, also causing errors due to excessively high pressure readings (confirmed via ForScan diagnostics). The optimal approach is to minimize the air bubble at the top of the line and mount the sensor and line under the seat in a configuration where the sensor is consistently lower than the line. The fluid’s viscosity prevents g-force changes during driving from displacing the bubble sufficiently to reach the sensor. Once satisfied with the fluid level, cap the line securely and reinforce it with zip ties.
Refer to online video resources for visual guidance on achieving the desired end result for the OCS bypass.
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Step 5 (Optional): JCR Superlow Seat Frame Installation
If you’ve opted for JCR Superlow Seat Frames, install them onto the new Recaro seats following the detailed instructions provided in JCR’s installation manual included with the frames.
Step 6: Sensor and Harness Mounting in New Seats
With all necessary wiring modifications completed (seatbelt connector, airbag bypass, slider position sensor, and OCS bypass for the passenger side), it’s time to integrate the salvaged wiring harness into the underside of the new seats. Consider these points:
- While some original wire clips may be reusable in mounting holes under the new seats, zip ties will likely be necessary for secure and flexible harness routing.
- Carefully position all wires and sensors to ensure they do not impede the full range of seat sliding motion. The low profile of JCR frames necessitates meticulous planning in harness routing.
- The slider position sensor can be mounted on any rail that moves with the seat, ensuring the sensor face (small square magnet) is oriented towards the front of the car.
- Mount the OCS assembly such that the fluid line consistently remains elevated above the sensor to maintain proper fluid level and prevent errors.
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Step 7: New Seat Installation
Install the new seats using the original four 11mm bolts. Before fully tightening the bolts, connect and lock the wiring harness. Verify that the seat slides freely throughout its entire range without any wiring obstructions. Reconnect the battery. Upon starting the car, the airbag warning light should illuminate briefly during the system check and then extinguish within 4-5 seconds after other system lights. If any issues persist, the airbag light may reappear within 5 minutes. Allow the car to run or take it for a short drive to confirm error-free operation.
Step 8: Rear Seat Installation (Optional)
Installing the EU-spec rear seat bench is a straightforward process, typically taking under 15 minutes. Consult online forums for detailed guides on rear seat removal and re-installation.
Post-Installation Observations
- Driving Position Transformation: The change in driving position is dramatic and represents a significant improvement. The lower seat height and reduced rake result in a more natural and ergonomic posture. The steering wheel aligns more directly with the driver, and leg positioning for pedal operation is more optimized. Armrest and gearshift positions also feel more intuitively placed.
- Enhanced Cabin Spaciousness: The interior feels noticeably larger and airier. This sensation is attributed to the lower seat height and the slimmer profile of the Recaro seatbacks, creating a more open and less confined cabin environment.
- Rear Seat Aesthetics: The integrated headrests on the EU rear bench contribute to improved rear visibility and enhance the practicality of folding the rear seats.
- Minimal Weight Reduction: While a slight weight saving was anticipated, the actual difference is minimal. The Euro shell seats are estimated to be less than 10 lbs lighter than the RS1 seats.
- Seat Cushion Firmness: While the Recaro seats offer a more comfortable driving position due to reduced rake, improved lumbar support, and less shoulder hunching, they do have noticeably firmer cushioning compared to the stock seats. This firmer feel is generally preferred for performance driving but is worth noting for daily driving comfort.
Overall, the Euro-spec Recaro seat upgrade, often discussed in rs in euro communities, is a highly rewarding modification. While not inexpensive and perhaps not the most cost-effective path to horsepower gains, for enthusiasts prioritizing driving experience, interior aesthetics, and a touch of European exclusivity, this project represents a worthwhile investment. Feel free to reach out with any questions regarding this installation.
- Rob
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