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.

ALUMINUM FOOT PEDAL INSTALLATION
By Robert J. Seese

APPLICATION:
My car is a 1996 V-6. I believe you will find a near identical pedal system on all '94 up standard transmission Mustangs.

TOOLS REQUIRED:
For this modification you need only the usual auto mechanical tools plus an electric drill and some good quality drill bits.

TIME REQUIRED:
This was a project that took a lot more time than I anticipated. It definitely is not as straightforward as it looks. I spent around four hours from start to finish.

COST OF THIS PROJECT:
You must purchase an aluminum pedal kit. The cost varies from around $40 to $60. The kits are available in three or four cover sets. The fourth cover being for the left footrest.

WHERE TO GET THE PARTS:
I live in north central Florida, but travel around the state on business. This frequently puts me near the Steeda Mustang modification facilities in Pompano Beach (954-960-0774). I purchased my pedal covers there for $59.95. They are of very good quality and carry the Steeda logo.

WHY MAKE THIS MODIFICATION?
The pedals are larger than stock and have a much more solid feel. But mostly, I am big on making my car different from the run-of-the-mill Mustangs tooling up and down the road. Things like these unique pedals help set my car apart.

WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED:
I think the accompanying photo will confirm the aluminum pedal covers look good. I will admit to finding the installation job more difficult than anticipated. A couple hours hunched under the dash marking the pedals for drilling, then drilling holes and installing the covers caused me to briefly wonder if it was all going to be worth it.

PHOTOS:

1. The pedals installed

By the way, the ugly toggle switch that appears in the photo has since been eliminated through the installation of an ashtray switch plate, which is explained in another article on this web site.

HOW I COMPLETED THE MODIFICATION:
After removing the stock snap-over rubber pedal covers, I placed the aluminum covers over the pedals, marked the holes and drilled. WRONG! If I did this job again, I would make a template for each pedal base, tape it in place, brace the pedal with a wood block, center punch the hole and then drill. By not doing that, some of the holes I drilled ended up closer to the edge of the pedal base than I would have preferred. Also, one of the covers ended up slightly crooked necessitating that I re-drill a couple holes.

The kit came with metal screws. I initially used them, but a day or so later decided I just did not like the look and ended up reinstalling the clutch and brake covers with stainless bolts, nuts, and lock-washers purchased from my local hardware.

A word of caution - aluminum is soft. If the drilling is not accurate, the screw heads will pull through when the covers are tightened. It is very important not to rush this job, to make the templates that I failed to do, and to drill very carefully.