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2008 Mustang Vapor Silver GT S197 Interior UpgradesAdd Just the Right Touch to Make Your Mustang's Insides Stand Out From the July, 2009 issue of Modified Mustangs & Fords By Greg Clark Photography by Greg Clark
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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.  To install the mirror-control...  To install the mirror-control knob (PN S197-533, $25), use a pair of pliers to remove the old one. Like the A/C knobs, you'll break the knob when removing it. The new one simply snaps in place.  Leather Steering Wheel Install...  Leather Steering Wheel Install
To install the steering wheel, you must disable the airbag system before starting. To do that, first remove the RCM fuse (number 17) from the passenger kick panel fuse box. Turn the ignition on and watch the airbag indicator for 30 seconds. It will stay lit if the fuse is removed. If it doesn't, remove the proper fuse and try again. Make sure this is done so you don't accidentally set the airbag off in you face. Then disconnect the battery's negative cable.  The billet parking brake handle...  The billet parking brake handle (PN S197-530, $59) simply slides over the existing urethane or leather handle and then is secured with the included Allen wrench and screws. If it gives resistance during installation, use the interior detailer of your choice for lubrication.  Next, remove the 24mm retaining...  Next, remove the 24mm retaining bolt from the steering wheel. Once that's removed, a couple of taps with the palm of your hand and the steering wheel should be loose enough to remove from the steering column. The bolt is a one-time-use bolt. Obtain replacement PN 043B13 from Ford. Don't rotate the airbag clock spring assembly after the wheel is removed. A piece of tape can be employed to prevent the clock spring from moving until the steering wheel is returned to the column.  After prying out the two trim...  After prying out the two trim plugs at the back of the steering wheel, use a socket to remove the two 8mm bolts for the airbag assembly. The wiring harnesses for the airbag, horn, and steering wheel controls can then be disconnected. Carefully remove the airbag assembly from the steering wheel and place it somewhere safe, face up, until you're ready to reinstall it.  When installing the new wheel,...  When installing the new wheel, be sure the airbag wiring harnesses are fed through the new wheel and then secure the wheel with the new bolt and torque to 41 ft-lb.  The wiring connectors for...  The wiring connectors for the airbag, horn, and steering wheel controls are color-coded and clearly marked. Connect the wires to the corresponding plug on the airbag and then secure the airbag with the bolts on the side of the wheel. Reinstall the trim plugs and the new leather wheel is done.  The leather wheel from Ford...  The leather wheel from Ford Racing includes a leather shifter boot. To install it, simply unscrew the shift knob from the shifter and remove the boot from the console before removing it from the shifter. The new one simply slides over the shifter and locks into place on the console. Replace the shifter knob and you have a new leather shifter boot.  Door Handle Install To install...  Door Handle Install
To install the SilverHorse Racing door handles (5104, $119) start by removing the mirror housing cover. The cover simply snaps in place, so with a little force it'll come free. You'll need to disconnect the mirror control wiring on the driver side.  Pry the trim cover from the...  Pry the trim cover from the door-handle cup as well as the trim piece inside the door pull in the center of the door panel.  Now you can remove the lower...  Now you can remove the lower trim piece for the window switch panel. Next, pry off the door lock rod bezel at the top rear of the door trim panel.  A 7mm bolt is located behind...  A 7mm bolt is located behind the window switch plate bezel. There are eight more 7mm bolts along both sides and the bottom of the door panel. Now, lift up the door panel and tilt it away from the door to remove the speaker wiring and the door-handle cable.  Lift up on the window switch...  Lift up on the window switch plate, removing it from the door panel and disconnect the wiring harness.  A T30 Torx is needed to remove...  A T30 Torx is needed to remove the bolt from the door handle cup and from behind the door pull.  Before removing the spring...  Before removing the spring from the door handle and cup, notice the orientation. One leg of the spring goes into the handle and the other goes into a notch in the cup. Use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry the door handle spring free. Be prepared for it to come flying toward you quickly. Hold a rag over it or use your other hand to keep it from flying into your face or vanishing into thin air.  Pull the handle out to the...  Pull the handle out to the open position as if you were opening the door. Now, you can pry it up and down to remove it from the plastic studs in the door-handle cup. If you're unable to remove it, try moving the handle closer to the closed position. The plastic studs have a flat spot on them. Aligning the handle with these makes it much easier.  Install the billet handle...  Install the billet handle be pressing it onto the plastic studs. Make sure it moves freely from the closed to open position before installing the spring. If it doesn't open or close properly adjust as needed so it functions properly.  The S197 door panels have...  The S197 door panels have hooks on the bottom that hold the panel in place so you can connect the speaker wiring and door-handle cable.  Place the cable into the handle...  Place the cable into the handle and reattach the clip (similar principle to a brake cable on a bicycle). You can now finish reassembling the door panel and test the billet door handle for proper operation. Repeat for the opposite door and you're done.  Place the spring into the...  Place the spring into the handle in the proper orientation by using a screwdriver to move the legs into their positions. Check the door handle again to make sure it moves freely.
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