Thinking about changing your Pony’s saddle? You’re in the right place!
For the most part, there are two reasons Mustang owners usually want to swap or delete seats in their Ford: To gain speed or to gain value.
You can choose from aftermarket seats, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) seats, or bolt-in competition safety systems to replace the rear seats in your Mustang.
When it comes to speed, you may be curious whether you’ll shave a second or more on your quarter-mile time by ditching the rear seats. You also may be in the market for an upgraded and safer driver’s seat, with room for head protection and a harness. In this case, you may have no choice but to remove the back seat altogether to install a roll bar or roll cage.
On the other end of the spectrum, maybe your Mustang is built for the showroom – not the track. If you’re restoring a classic, it’s always best to shop for OEM parts, including interior and trim items. Or, if you want an upgrade to your Mustang, a comfortable seat with higher-quality material may be the next best bet as purchasing a low-miles part can improve the look and feel of your ride while adding value.
In this article, we’ll spend a little time on each scenario and offer some advice for upgrades and seat considerations when building to full race spec.
An Important Heads Up!
Before we jump in, keep one important consideration in mind before you start work on newer model Ford Mustang seats: Airbags. Manufacturer-installed airbags keep your car street-legal and maintain safety for you and any passengers.
Federal laws prohibit tampering or removing airbags so look for the SRS – Supplemental Restraint System – marking before removing any equipment. In addition, seat changes involving removal or modifications to safety equipment may well violate your vehicle’s warranty, void insurance coverage, and make it difficult or impossible to pass state inspections or other vehicle registration criteria. It’s best to turn to a qualified and ASE-certified technician when it comes to life-saving equipment changes like airbags.
With that caveat in mind, let’s take a look at some popular Mustang seat upgrade options and associated benefits.
Benefits of Upgrading Front Seats for Your Mustang
Here are a few advantages to replacing your stock front seats:
Comfort and Support
New front seats are designed to provide superior comfort and support during long drives or track sessions. Enhanced bolstering keeps you firmly in place, reducing fatigue and improving control.
Style and Customization
Upgrading your front seats allows you to match your Mustang’s interior theme. Whether you prefer leather, Alcantara, or a combination, there are plenty of options to cater to your taste.
Performance Enhancement
Many modern seats are lightweight, helping to reduce the overall weight of your Mustang, which contributes to better handling and acceleration.
Before you order new front seats for your Mustang, check compatibility with your specific model. Many aftermarket seats are designed to fit Ford Mustangs, making installation straightforward. Or, if you’re looking for OEM Mustang parts, buy seats from a reputable dealer that offers shipping and who can help you check fitment and find the best price available for new-to-you parts.
Do Mustangs Have Recaro Seats?
If you own a newer model Mustang (starting in 2012), you may already have a race-inspired Recaro driver’s seat with Ford branding. Fun fact: Ford first used a Recaro seat in its special edition Indy Pace Car Mustang in 1979.
Still today, Recaro, a German manufacturer, makes just-for-Mustang seats. The one-piece bucket seats will keep you in place, eyes on the road during top speeds. However, not every Mustang has this trim option already installed so it’s worth considering other upgrade options.
What Is the Purpose of Rear Seat Delete?
Not everyone likes the look – even with a custom aftermarket delete kit – of abandoned back seats in the Mustang. There’s also plenty of credible debate over whether the potential weight reduction amounts to enough speed gained to make the rear seat delete worth it.
It’s up to you to decide what’s best for your situation but if you’re committed to the path of installing safety systems like a roll cage or roll bar, you’re most likely going to need to remove the back seats.
Here’s why so many people opt for a Mustang rear seat delete:
Weight Reduction
Depending on your model, you might shed 60 to 100 pounds by removing the rear seats. This can bring improved speed, performance, and fuel efficiency.
Increased Storage Space
A rear seat delete can provide additional space for storage, making your Mustang more versatile. This extra room can be used for track gear, luggage, or other essentials.
Race-Required Equipment or for a Sporty Look
A rear seat delete gives your Mustang a clean, race-inspired appearance. The streamlined interior enhances the car’s sporty aesthetic, appealing to performance-minded drivers.
And perhaps more importantly, you may have no choice but to remove the seats if you’re racing under regulations that require certain safety features, like a roll cage or bar. You can also change out your front seat for a design conducive to a top-of-the-line safety harness.
How To Perform a Rear Seat Delete
There are numerous high-quality aftermarket delete kits that will provide you with either a bolt-in cage setup or trim interior panel parts to cover the old seat rails in the back. Your chosen materials and existing equipment will dictate the exact step-by-step instructions to perform a rear seat delete.
Generally, DIY installation of a pre-fabricated rear seat delete kit will take two to four hours, depending on your level of experience. For safety purposes, we don’t recommend that you install your own roll cage or roll bars – instead, leave that job to a professional.
For most aftermarket rear seat delete kits, you’ll follow these general steps:
- Preparation: Gather the necessary tools and materials, including a socket set, screwdrivers, and trim removal tools.
- Seat Removal: Carefully remove the rear seats by unbolting the seat mounts and disconnecting any wiring harnesses. Follow your Mustang’s specific guidelines to avoid damaging the interior.
- Finishing Touches: Once the seats are removed, you can install a rear seat delete kit to cover any exposed areas. These kits are designed to match your Mustang’s interior and provide a polished look.
If you’re not interested in a rear seat delete and instead want to install new seat options, make sure to research compatibility before you buy.
Are Mustang Seats Interchangeable?
Each generation of Mustang — from the classic First-Gen to the modern S550 — has unique seat considerations. Factors like airbag integration, seat bracket compatibility, and installation specifics vary between models.
Check your specs carefully before committing to a new product or swapping OEM parts but you can generally find front seat compatibility among these years:
- 1974 to 1999: The seat tracks in these models follow the same bolt pattern so you can use any Mustang seat
- 1999 to 2004: The bolt pattern is the same as earlier model years however, the seat tracks on 1999 to 2004 Mustang seats are attached to the bottom of the seat (so you’ll need to remove old tracks when installing).
- 2005 to 2009: These models are interchangeable (note: airbags were added to the seats starting in 2008).
- 2010 and newer: Installing OEM seats from a newer Mustang into an older model is possible but may require some weld modifications and headrest size as well as other dimensions differ slightly.
If you have questions about whether a seat swap will work for your vehicle, the best way to find out is to grab both part numbers and call Ford or your parts supplier for help. At Wade’s Motorsports, we’d be happy to take your call and work with you to find a compatible OEM seat. We source new inventory daily, can ship most items internationally, and have deep experience with Ford Mustangs, F-150s, and Chevy Camaros.
Whether you’re looking for new seats, or other OEM interior parts, or need essential powertrain parts, Wade’s Motorsports can help! Call us today or send us a message to get started!
