We snagged a satin finish...
We snagged a satin finish dash kit (starting at $109) from SilverHorse Racing. Be sure to clean the dash thoroughly and use the prep solution for proper adhesion. Don't ask us how we learned that! Carbon-fiber dash kits are also available.
Our '08 Vapor Silver GT came with somewhat unusual options in that it had the exterior upgrade package, including the hoodscoop, rear spoiler, and engine plenum cover, however, only had the base interior with urethane steering wheel and plain charcoal gray dash, so it really needed some shine. Strangely enough, it came with leather seats so we're happy about that. But upgrades to the interior were a must for our Mustang to reach its full potential and to ditch the rental car base-interior feel.
When modifying any Ford you need to have a plan. As you develop your plan, you'll look through Modified Mustangs & Fords and get ideas. You'll put those ideas down on paper and formulate the perfect additions to make the car uniquely yours-the ideas that let everyone know that it's your car. When planning and modifying it's sometimes best to go with one manufacturer's parts for all the accessories. That manufacturer has followed the same design plan when making each piece. Every one of those pieces has that one characteristic that ties them all together. Having the same design can really make the difference in your car looking good and being a great car that turns heads. Because the aftermarket has exploded with upgrades for nearly every trim piece in the car, options are plenty. You might want a satin finish, a chrome finish, a polished finish, or even a colored anodized finish. Those choices are purely subjective based on the plan you design for your ride.
While at SilverHorse Racing to have its flush-mounted quarter louvers installed ("Louver Lover," May '09) we plundered the company's catalog for several satin-finished billet pieces we think add just the right shine to our ride. All of SilverHorse Racing's billet pieces are made in-house. Once machined and sanded, the pieces get finished in a range of choices-polished, chrome, satin, black anodized, and with or without the GT logo engraved. Their biggest business comes from the S197 Mustangs. They also have pieces for the SN95 ('94-'04) Mustangs. Soon they'll have some of these same accessories available for the '10 Mustangs.
Dash/Console Upgrades To...
Dash/Console Upgrades
To install the cup holder bezel (PN S197-500, $55), use the included alcohol swab to thoroughly clean the inside lip of the factory cup holder. Peel the adhesive backing from the underside of the bezel and put it in place. Press firmly to ensure good contact is made. The bezel is held in place by hook and loop fasteners to make for easy removal for cleaning.
Because the steering wheel in our '08 was the base urethane rubber version, we contacted Ford Racing Performance Parts to order up the leather steering wheel and leather shifter boot that are standard on the GT500 (M-3601-C, $449). To be precise, we ordered the wheel with black stitching. Part number M-3600-C has the red stitching found in the red stripe optioned GT500s. We opted for the 3601 version, as the red stitching wouldn't fit our styling plans, but if you have the red interior accent package, or perhaps a red Mustang, the 3600 wheel would be a nice option for you. The replacement wheel doesn't come with the airbag of course, as the airbag from your Mustang is reused. The wheel does include the cruise control buttons, making it a simple swap job. Read along as we add some shine to our project and then choose what your Mustang needs to make its interior perfect.
Tech Project Tool List:
- 7, 8, 24mm sockets
- small dental pick or pocket screwdriver
- lubricating grease
- needle-nose pliers
- slip-joint pliers
- T30 Torx socket
- flat-blade screwdriver
For the shifter bezel (PN...
For the shifter bezel (PN S197-510-M, $69), pull the shifter boot up from the console and attach the bezel to the boot after pulling off the adhesive backing. Then, place the boot and bezel back in place on the console. If you have an aftermarket leather boot that's thicker or wider than stock, you may need to modify it some to allow the billet bezel to fit properly.
In 2007, Ford changed the...
In 2007, Ford changed the design of the A/C knobs. This change required modifying the billet pieces. SilverHorse Racing is one of the few companies which was able to modify its pieces for use on '07-'09 Mustangs. To install the knobs (PN S197-525-07, $59) you have two methods available. One involves removing the lower console, the radio, and A/C control surround and removing the entire AC control unit before pulling off the knobs and breaking them as shown. The other method, which we employed, is to use a pair of pliers and pull them out breaking the same piece. In either case the factory knobs are not reusable. SilverHorse provides details for both methods in its instructions.
Before removing the factory...
Before removing the factory knobs, place them all at the 12-o'clock position for easy alignment of the new knobs. After removing the knob via either method, you need to remove the small broken piece from inside the control unit with a small pick. If you don't remove this piece the new knobs will not go in place. The billet pieces simply press into place and add a great look to your interior.