Lost Wages

What you have to understand, though, is that stereo companies go big when it comes to show vehicles. That meant the stock interior was not going to cut it. As if it wasn't going to be difficult enough to install some $20,000 and 8,000 watts of stereo equipment, new upholstery and interior trim would also figure into the mix.

In addition to working full-time jobs, Kevin and his friends spent every spare hour working to finish the project in time. They ripped out the entire interior and laid the estimated 500 feet of wire that would allow all the components to work in concert. Along with Travis, Chris Haynes sanded and painted the dash and center console, while new door panels were fabricated to house the numerous Kicker speakers.

The stock location of the Mustang's radio was deemed a bit low for the Pioneer TV monitor that was going in, so changes were effected to allow better viewing. "We mounted the unit in the center dash vents, and had to fiberglass the back of the ducts to keep the air conditioning functional," Kevin says. This modification took a lot of time they didn't have, but who wants to sweat in the desert?

Speedware white-faced gauges from Brothers Performance were installed, and Mendoza Enterprises covered the APC racing seats in gray suede and blue vinyl material. A Grant steering wheel replaced the airbag-equipped factory unit, and a new rug from Auto Custom Carpets finished the forward cabin.

The rear seat was ditched for a speaker enclosure that houses Kicker subwoofers and neon lighting. In the back hatch area, the spare tire was excised and two Optima batteries took its place. Then a massive amplifier rack was constructed to support five Kicker amplifiers, which pump out approximately 8,000 watts of ear-thumping sounds.

The finishing touch would be the KMC 20-inch Fivechrome wheels that are 8.5 inches wide and wear Nitto 555 245/35ZR20 tires up front and 255/35ZR20 rubber out back. "I had to roll the fender lips in the back, but otherwise they fit really well there," Kevin says.

Modifications were a bit more extensive up front, where a modified coilover shock arrangement offered some additional room, and the rear of the wheelwell liner was trimmed. But they did fit--20-inch wheels on a Fox Mustang.

While Kevin's commitment to customizing is unquestionable, this project could only have been accomplished with a great support system. For that, Kevin thanks his friends and fellow car club members from No Clue Customs for helping out.

There's no doubt Kevin put his money on his Mustang, and from the looks of things, he won. Although we're not sure there's any way to lose your wages when customizing your ride.