Hundreds Of Products Ready Today. Dispatch/Collection Getting the Perfect Bucket Seat Ride Height in Your Ford Focus Mk2
The Ford Focus Mk2 has long been a favourite among car enthusiasts and track-day drivers—and for good reason. Its spacious interior, great chassis dynamics, and strong aftermarket support make it a brilliant platform to upgrade with bucket seats for better support and performance.
While fitting an aftermarket seat into the Focus Mk2 is generally straightforward, achieving the perfect ride height can be a little more nuanced. The seat you choose is only part of the equation—the subframe you mount it to plays a major role in determining how high or low you sit. From our experience, the difference between using a Sparco subframe and a Planted Technology bracket can completely transform the driving position.
Why Ride Height Matters
Your bucket seat ride height isn’t just a matter of comfort—it affects drivability, visibility, and safety. The correct height can improve your driving posture, offer better pedal feel, and keep you safer in high-performance environments.
The Benefits of Correct Ride Height:
- Improves ergonomics and comfort for long drives
- Ensures better headroom, especially when wearing a helmet
- Enhances driver feel and vehicle control
- Prevents fatigue by optimising eye line and arm position
The Downsides of Getting It Wrong:
- Sitting too high can cause headroom issues, particularly for taller drivers or when using helmets on track.
- Sitting too low can restrict forward visibility and make the cabin feel awkward or disconnected.
When setting up for motorsport or even spirited road driving, finding that “sweet spot” is key to getting the most from your seat upgrade.
Why You Need an Aftermarket Subframe
Factory seat bases are built around OEM seats, which have different bolt patterns and mounting structures than aftermarket bucket seats. To fit a new seat safely and securely, you need an aftermarket subframe designed to:
- Match your vehicle’s floor mounting points
- Offer compatibility with standardised bolt patterns like 345mm, 291mm, or 405mm
- Work with sliding runners and side mounts if needed
These subframes act as the foundation of your bucket seat install, so choosing the right one will determine not only how your seat fits, but also how high it sits.
Sparco Ford Focus Mk2 Subframe – Taller Profile, Ideal for Shorter Drivers
The Sparco subframe for the Ford Focus Mk2 is a direct-fit unit that makes seat installation simple and reliable. It’s designed with a 345mm wide bolt pattern, suitable for most standard base and side-mounted seats from: Sparco, OMP, Corbeau, Mirco, and Sabelt.
Key Features:
- High-mount profile, placing the seat higher inside the cockpit
- Designed for road use and shorter drivers
- Ideal for drivers who want maximum visibility
- Great for cars not using helmets, where headroom is less of an issue
This subframe is better suited for fast-road builds, daily drivers, or shorter individuals looking to maintain visibility over the dash and bonnet. However, we’ve found that it sits too high for most motorsport applications, especially for taller drivers wearing helmets, where headroom becomes a problem.
Planted Technology Ford Focus Mk2 Bracket – Low-Mount, Versatile & Track-Ready
The Planted Technology subframe is the lowest fitting seat bracket we offer for the Focus Mk2. Designed for track day and performance use, it places the seat significantly lower than the Sparco bracket—ideal for taller drivers or anyone looking to run a helmet comfortably inside the car.
Key Features:
- Ultra-low mount profile, perfect for motorsport and helmet use
- Triple bolt pattern support: 345mm, 291mm, and 405mm
- Compatible with almost every major seat brand, including wide and XL variants
- More adaptable for side mount setups
This frame is especially useful for drivers with wider seats that require 405mm spacing, such as:
- OMP TRS-E XL
- Sparco Sprint L
- OMP WRC-XL
Its flexibility makes it the most versatile option for bucket seat fitment in the Focus Mk2—and a clear winner if you’re serious about your driving position on track.
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Sparco for Road Cars vs Planted for Track Use – Choosing the Right Setup
Sparco Recliners With Sparco Frames:
When it comes to road car seat upgrades, we often recommend Sparco’s range of sports recliner seats, such as the R100, R500, and R333. These seats are designed with daily drivability and comfort in mind, featuring integrated seatbelt clip mounts, plush padding, and adjustable backrests, making them perfect for long drives, commuting, and fast-road use.
Choosing the right base and seat combo depends on how you use your car. If comfort, daily usability, and factory integration are key, Sparco’s recliners and bases are a great match. If performance, support, and race-readiness are your priorities, Planted’s lower-profile motorsport bases paired with a bucket seat will give you the edge. Below are our top Sparco Recliners that we recommend. Once paired with a Sparco frame, they are great choices for road and daily use.
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From £374.56 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £235.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £235.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Motorsport Bucket Seats With Planted Technology Frames:
In contrast, Planted Technology base frames are engineered for fixed-back bucket seats—designed more for track-focused builds, motorsport, or serious sim setups. Bucket seats do not recline, are often narrower, and prioritise support and containment over comfort. They also typically require the use of multi-point harnesses, especially when paired with roll cages or used in motorsport settings.
Choosing the right seat and base combination is crucial when setting up your car for motorsport or serious track-day use. If your priority is driver support, safety, and optimal seating, pairing a fixed-back bucket seat with the low-profile Planted Technology frames is the way to go. These setups sit lower in the car, offer more precise support during high-G maneuvers. We have linked below our most popular fixed-back bucket seats, which offer high levels of support for motorsport use.
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From £334.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £680.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £355.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £235.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Ride Height Tip – Think Ahead About Helmets
If you’re planning to use your Focus Mk2 for track days, time attack, or racing, it’s important to factor in helmet clearance from the start. A helmet can easily add 40–60mm of height, which means what feels okay on the road could become an issue on track.
Quick checklist:
- Sit in the seat with your helmet on if possible
- Check that your eyes are still at a comfortable height
- Ensure the top of your helmet doesn’t touch the roof liner
- Check visibility over the dash and steering wheel adjustment
Getting this right ensures not just comfort—but driver safety and full compliance with many motorsport regulations.
Final Thoughts – Choose Your Ride Height Wisely
While the Ford Focus Mk2 makes bucket seat installs simple, your choice of subframe can make or break your driving experience. The Sparco frame is an excellent choice for road users and shorter drivers looking for a more upright seating position. In contrast, the Planted Technology frame is built for motorsport and taller drivers who need every millimetre of headroom.
Whether you’re building a fast road car or a full-blown track toy, we have the frames, seats, and mounting accessories to help you get it just right.