R.J. SEESE DISCLAIMER

I do not have the credentials to offer automotive advice. The modification experiences that follow, and any I might offer on this web site in the future, explain how I chose to approach a modification I wanted to make to my personal car. I am not suggesting that anyone else make this modification to his or her vehicle. In the event anyone chooses to accept the responsibility of initiating a similar vehicle modification, they should do so with the understanding it could result in undesired damage to their vehicle and could void the warrantee provided by the vehicle manufacturer. In addition, I wish to point out that undertaking any vehicle modification without proper knowledge, experience, tools, and safety equipment can result in personal injury.

BILLET AIR CONDITIONING AND HEADLIGHT KNOB INSTALLATION
By Robert J. Seese

APPLICATION: My car is a 1996 V-6. These replacement knobs are designed to fit 1994 through 1998 models.

TOOLS REQUIRED:

All you should need are a small screwdriver and the Allen wrench provided with the knobs. I ended up needing a Dremel power-tool, but more about that later.

TIME REQUIRED:

It should take about 15 minutes. It took me a couple hours.

COST OF THIS PROJECT:

The air conditioning knobs were $25 and the headlight knob $15.

WHERE TO GET THE PARTS:

You can purchase billet knobs and accessories for your Mustang from a number of sources. Not every source has all of the available items and the design and quality vary. I bought these knobs from Unlimited Performance Racing (UPR) in Lake Worth, Florida www.uprproducts.com (561-588-6630). They design and manufacture most of their products in-house and the quality is very good. Another source with some billet items not yet available from UPR is MGW Mustang accessories in Augusta, Georgia www.mgwltd.com (706-793-1770). In fact, I am about to order door lock pins and an emergency brake handle from them.

WHY MAKE THIS MODIFICATION?

It helps give my Mustang a unique retro look. It is reminiscent of the kinds of things we did to cars many years ago, except that we made the knobs ourselves in shop class.

WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED:

I like the looks of the billet interior dress-up accessories. You may not.

PHOTOS:

1. Billet air conditioning knobs installed.

2. Headlamp switch with knob cut off and the retaining clip in view.

3. Headlamp knob I had to cut off.

4. Billet headlamp switch installed.

HOW I COMPLETED THE MODIFICATION:

The original air conditioning knobs simply pull off. The new ones have an allen wrench adjustment, but they come pre-adjusted for a perfect fit. Mine just slipped in place.

The headlamp knob is another story. My Mustang shop manual says " Using a small screwdriver depress the headlight switch knob retaining clip". There is even a picture. Sorry, it definitely did not work that way for me. I could see the release and I could understand how it was supposed to work, but I could not get the dang thing to let go of the shaft. I ended up cutting the old light switch off. The new one is then slipped on and the Allen screw tightened with the tool provided with the knob.