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Ford Mustang V6 and Mustang GT 2005-2014: Exterior Modifications

The Ford Mustang is a good looking Pony car, but there are ways you can make it look even better. Read on to learn how.

By Bassem Girgis - September 30, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 and Mustang GT (2005-2014).

Even though Ford did a great job when they created the Ford Mustang, there are always ways to modify it. Whether you want it to look meaner, sportier, or just unique, appearance modifications will do just that. The great thing about appearance mods is that they are affordable and they change the look of the car completely. Read below to learn how you can take your Ford Mustang to the next level and make it stand out in the middle of the bunch.

Exterior Modifications

Some of the exterior mods include simple upgrades like adding a spoiler or painting the rims, while others could be to lower the vehicle or custom paint it. We will cover three modifications that will give your Mustang a better, meaner look.

Figure 1. Lowered Ford Mustang

Spoiler

DIY Cost – $80-300

Professional Cost – $350-600

Skill Level – Moderate; this job requires drilling into the trunk.

Spoilers can give your Ford Mustang a completely different look. A simple add-on changes your car from a sports car, to a track weapon. With that said, some spoilers are all show, with others being all go (see the image above). Spoilers press "clean air" down over the rear of the car, increasing rear downforce. Race cars have spoilers that extend up to or above the roof line of the vehicle to better channel air flow. Recommended for its increase downforce.

Installing a spoiler requires drilling into the trunk, so it's recommended you let a professional do the job. If the spoiler is small enough, adhesive can be used instead of drilling, but this is not recommended, as it might come off at speed.

Rims

DIY Cost – $15-3,000

Professional Cost – $200-4,000

Skill Level – Moderate to difficult; painting the rims requires professional experience.

If you're looking for the basics, you can paint your OEM wheels for about $15. Black and gray are common wheel color choices that go well with most Mustang colors.

Moving up the scale a bit is purchasing new wheels. Checking the forums for OEM take-offs is a common, and inexpensive upgrade. Watch out for people selling some GT500 OEM wheels and buy them! The "OEM+" look offers improved aesthetics, and done tastefully with OEM quality components.

Going a notch higher are aftermarket wheels. Depending on your budget, you can pick any combination of style, width, offset, and color for a truly custom wheel setup. Pictured are Forgestar F14 wheels, which were made to spec for MustangForums member Swervo. Recommended if you are looking for a range of options for your wheels.

Suspension

DIY Cost – $200-800

Professional Cost – $800-2,000

Skill Level – Moderate to difficult; this job requires the removal of various suspension components.

A common complaint about the Mustang is the ride quality and handling. Sure, that solid axle in the rear isn't doing you any favors, but you can still make a serious improvement to your car by swapping out the stock suspension for aftermarket components.

Whether you opt for lowering springs paired with shocks or adjustable coilovers, lowering the car and its center of gravity increases the car's composure when cornering. The stiffer spring rates that come with this also make the car corner flatter and make the car easier to drive at the limit. Recommended for drivers who want a better handle of their Mustang.

Pictured is forum member Neema's 5.0 on Suspension Techniques coilovers.

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