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So back in 2011, Ford did not offer Recaros on a GT model (only GT500 at that time). My interior is Saddle leather, and I think it looks great. Front seats are power, and heated. But the stock front seats offer nothing in the way of sporty support. I do track my car 3-4 days per year, and I swap in an NRG racing seat for track days. But this old back is not enjoying that seat swap in and out each time. So, time for a permanent solution. I bought a pair of used 2014 GT500 Recaros from a reputable national junkyard (GT500 Recaros and GT Recaros share the same frame, foam, body, insides, etc.). I found a great custom interior shop local here in Las Vegas. He is a Katzkin authorized retailer. Katzkin makes the leather seat skins for Recaros, in Saddle color. My seat guy stripped off the GT500 Recaro seat skins, and swapped all of the power adjustability and heat elements. Then installed the new Katzkin saddle leather seat skins. And...voila...RECAROS for my 11 GT...Saddle, Power, Heated. I love them. I think they look awesome, and the support in the turns is outstanding. By the way, I will post all of the leftover parts here on the TMS forum in the 'For Sale' section shortly, if anyone is interested in the old stuff - which is in excellent condition. Pics below, let me know what you all think!
That is a very cool swap, thanks for posting. I would love to get a set of Recaros for my 2010, for my track days. I probably wouldn't bother changing the leather but I do want the air bags to work.
Did you get the airbags working correctly; or do you have an airbag warning light on the dash? Were there any tricks with the airbag wiring?
That is a very cool swap, thanks for posting. I would love to get a set of Recaros for my 2010, for my track days. I probably wouldn't bother changing the leather but I do want the air bags to work.
Did you get the airbags working correctly; or do you have an airbag warning light on the dash? Were there any tricks with the airbag wiring?
Any other thoughts about doing this on a 2010?
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Thanks, Bert. My upholstery guy said he had no issues with the airbags, and I have no warning lights. If I had a black interior, I would not have switch the skins. But I have Saddle, thus the need for that change.
He probably used the airbags from the stock seats. The airbag connectors are different between 2011 and 2014. Ford switched the connectors part way through the 2012 model year.
He probably used the airbags from the stock seats. The airbag connectors are different between 2011 and 2014. Ford switched the connectors part way through the 2012 model year.
I need to do this. Are you willing to share your approximate cost?
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I can't share the cost of the GT500 Recaros (my salvage yard guy asked me not to). The new Katzkin leather and installation was $1450 total. But if I stuck with manual seats and no heat take a couple hundred off of that. Because the upholstery guy needed extra hours to swap those features over. My goal is to sell off my leftover items to help pay for all of this! The GT500 Recaro skins are in great shape and should bring good money. My original seat skins should also sell. Plus two manual seat frames. And lastly my old NRG racing that I no longer need.
Looks great. Are you able to say who the Junk Yard is?
You'll probably have to search around a bit. The yard he got them from probably only had that one set. Those seats are not very common in the junk yard market. I have looked a few times and could never find them, but I was looking for Boss 302 seats.
This company has several salvage yards around the U.S. Chad Smith, LKQ Corp, 530-226-2083, cwsmith@LKQCORP.com , tell him Pete with the Mustang referred you. Good luck, keep me posted.
So he was able to make the power mechanism and heated options work just fine with the Recaros? Wonder why Ford did not offer that as an option. I would have ordered it that way. Might have to start watching for a set of Shelby seats. I really like the ones with the twin white stripes.
So he was able to make the power mechanism and heated options work just fine with the Recaros? Wonder why Ford did not offer that as an option. I would have ordered it that way. Might have to start watching for a set of Shelby seats. I really like the ones with the twin white stripes.
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Thanks, I appreciate it. Yes, looks and works just like OEM normal power and heat. My upholstery shop guy said it was no problem to transfer. Even to this day, Ford does not offer power or heat in Mustang Recaros. But they sure do charge a $ premium for the seats anyways.
The seats came out great.
As a point of interest, the Recaro seat option was not offered on a GT500 till the 2012 MY.
Had they been available, I would have ordered them on my 11..
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Nice. I came here today looking for information on compatibility between 2012 and 2013/2014 seats. I may be getting a 2012 that will see occasional track days. I need to get me a more reasonable daily driver so my budget is shifting for that but I still want a trackable Mustang. Anyway, if I can find some Recaro seats I would totally do this. I wonder if you could actually swap the power seat base, heating elements and air bags using a set of the 15+ Recaro's. Those are easier to come by but very pricey.
Nice. I came here today looking for information on compatibility between 2012 and 2013/2014 seats. I may be getting a 2012 that will see occasional track days. I need to get me a more reasonable daily driver so my budget is shifting for that but I still want a trackable Mustang. Anyway, if I can find some Recaro seats I would totally do this. I wonder if you could actually swap the power seat base, heating elements and air bags using a set of the 15+ Recaro's. Those are easier to come by but very pricey.
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I think the S550 seat track frames are different from S197. I've read threads here that say the four mounting points to the floor don't line up the same. I think it's the front two that are truly different. But, some have found a way...if you're good with fabricating a little metal work, it can be done.
11/6/18, 09:21 PM
Might have to start watching for a set of Shelby seats. I really like the ones with the twin white stripes.
