As much as we're hooked on performance upgrades, we tend to overlook appearance. Not because it's not important, but mostly because we just don't have enough room between our covers to bring you the latest in upgrades so you can go fast and show you how to look cool doing it.
This month, though, we've set aside a few pages to bring you some bling for your S197. Kyndal Kelly trusted us enough to turn over her V-6-powered '05 Mustang for some tweaks. The aspiring model is a senior in high school, takes honors classes, and is a cheerleader. She deserved a break, so we called up AmericanMuscle.com for some exterior upgrades.
Our test subject, a base-model...
Our test subject, a base-model '05 Mustang, arrived in bone-stock form, and AmericanMuscle.com sent us all the goodies to dress it up.
Technician (and your author's...
Technician (and your author's father) Buddy Christ started by raising the hood and removing the underhood trim panel.
He then unbolted and removed...
He then unbolted and removed the entire front bumper cover assembly. It comes off by removing the fender liner screws, a couple of bolts up top, and two nuts on each side just behind the headlights.
Everyone wants his (or her) Mustang (or fast Ford) to look sportier, more aggressive, or just a little different than the next. AmericanMuscle is an online parts distributor specializing in '79-to-present Mustangs. Though it offers a full line of performance parts as well, most of AmericanMuscle's top-selling parts are appearance upgrades, especially for '05-'09 Mustangs. The website is easy to navigate; offers clear pricing, product photos, and videos-and shipping is free.
Instead of trying to make Miss Kelly's 'Stang look like a GT or a Roush, we decided to mix the parts to give it a unique look. We utilized a few of AmericanMuscle's top-selling and pre-painted parts, as well as new items.
The front end of an S197 is the most aggressive feature, and aftermarket parts can help emphasize it. We chose a set of new chrome headlights with built-in halos (PN 49060), matching chrome turn-signal lamps (PN 49054), upper and lower billet-style grilles (PN 17099), a black hood appearance kit (PN 11055), a Classic Design Concepts chin spoiler (PN 11033), and a pre-painted hoodscoop (PN 71301).
Though some of these parts...
Though some of these parts can be changed with the bumper cover left on, it was easier with the bumper off. We then removed the stock honeycomb grille with a flat-head screwdriver.
The lower grille isn't removed-instead...
The lower grille isn't removed-instead the new billet-style lower mounts to it.
The stock turn-signal lamps...
The stock turn-signal lamps are removed with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.
In the rear, we chose a Steeda wing (PN 16148) and '10-style taillights (PN 49123). AmericanMuscle also sent us chrome door-handle covers and a Bullitt-style fuel door. To finish it off, we added a set of wheels and tires that we had left over from another project.
The total install took us about four hours, not counting having the unpainted parts painted to match. In fact, we took the Steeda wing and chin spoiler to a local body shop the previous day and had them painted black with a matte finish (flat black). Follow along with us as we transform this bone-stock V-6 into a mean-looking machine.
The new turn-signal lamps...
The new turn-signal lamps snap into the stock location. These can be bought as a pair for $99.99 (PN 49054) or as a headlight/turn-signal combo kit (see headlight photo).
Amber bulbs (included) must...
Amber bulbs (included) must be used in place of the stock clear ones.
The Classic Design Concepts...
The Classic Design Concepts chin spoiler (PN 11033) is made of high-strength fiberglass and must be painted to match. We had ours painted flat black to match the rocker-panel moldings. The stock air dam must be removed, and holes must be drilled into the bottom of the bumper cover to accept the chin spoiler.
The chin spoiler then mounts...
The chin spoiler then mounts with the included stainless steel hardware using 7/16-inch tools. It retails for $236.99.
Next we mounted the chrome...
Next we mounted the chrome headlights (PN 49060). If anything calls for the bumper to be removed, this is it-with the bumper off, installation is a snap. Like the parking lamps, the headlights are sold as a pair ($199.99), or you can buy all four lamps as a kit (PN 49091) for $269.99, a $30 savings.
The halos in the headlights...
The halos in the headlights are cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) and must be wired to the parking-lamp harness.
With the bumper reinstalled,...
With the bumper reinstalled, we then mounted the upper grille. The billet-style grille kit (PN 17099) comes with a retro-style emblem (shown) and retails for $154.99.
The Steeda Street Wing (PN...
The Steeda Street Wing (PN 16148) is a paint-to-match part, which we had painted flat black to match the chin spoiler. It mounts in the stock spoiler location, so you don't have to drill any holes in your decklid, or have any extra holes to deal with. It retails for $299.99. Also, it comes with black end caps, but billet caps are available for $89.99.
The 2010-style taillights...
The 2010-style taillights by Raxiom (PN 49123) bolt in the stock location and utilize the stock harness. Since the reverse lamp is moved...
...rerouting of the harness...
...rerouting of the harness is necessary, but very simple. The taillights retail for $149.99 a pair.
The chrome door handle covers...
The chrome door handle covers (PN 99017) are installed by simply cleaning the mating surface...
...peeling the peel-and-stick...
...peeling the peel-and-stick tape, and pressing on firmly. They retail for $59.99.
The Bullitt-style fuel door...
The Bullitt-style fuel door (PN 24035) costs $89.99...
...and bolts in using hex-head...
...and bolts in using hex-head tools.
The painted hood scoop (PN...
The painted hood scoop (PN 71301) is technically the most difficult to install.
The template (included) lays...
The template (included) lays flat on the hood and is aligned using the washer nozzles.
We then drilled seven 3/16-inch...
We then drilled seven 3/16-inch holes according to the template.
The scoop then mounts using...
The scoop then mounts using the provided hardware and a 9mm wrench.
The hood-pin appearance kit...
The hood-pin appearance kit (PN 11055) sticks on with peel-and-stick tape. You really have to look hard to realize they're phony. They retail for $59.99 but you can get them, the fuel door, and a short antenna (not shown) for $149.99. AmericanMuscle calls this its Exterior Blackout kit (PN 99211).
The wheels and tires was a...
The wheels and tires was a set left over from an old project car. We don't even know the brand of the wheels, but the Nitto tires were like brand-new.