Many custom additions can set you back a couple of grand, so in the meantime, here are a few minor details that can make a world of difference.
To get the custom ball rolling, all it takes is one simple addition to your mini and before you know it, you're hooked. The cab space is the most important part of your daily driven mini because that's where you'll spend the most amount of time. The plain stock interior gets way too boring to stare at day after day and screams for some custom additions. There are many things you can do to the interior to make you feel more at home, but costs can add up quickly.
We decided to contact CanDo Specialties Inc. in Oroville, California, to see what tricks the company had up its sleeve, and the crew recommended that we start with a billet dash kit. It's a great place to start and adds a much-improved look over the boring stock equipment. We ordered the billet gauge cluster and A/C panel covers, and took apart our project truck to show you just how easy it is to add a touch of class to your interior. For more information, contact the companies listed in the source box.
1.We began by unscrewing the...
1.We began by unscrewing the two Phillips head screws that secure the top of the dash in place.
2.Next, the A/C panel was...
2.Next, the A/C panel was unclipped and the Phillips head screw behind the panel was removed, along with the two Phillips head screws on the driver's side holding the lower dash panel in place.
3.Once all the screws were...
3.Once all the screws were free, the dash bezel was removed.
4.All four screws securing...
4.All four screws securing the gauge cluster in place were unscrewed.
5.Next, four harnesses were...
5.Next, four harnesses were unplugged from the gauge cluster and it was removed.
6.The black bezel was snapped...
6.The black bezel was snapped free from the gauges by unclipping the snaps around the top and bottom of the bezel with a flathead screwdriver.
7.Once the bezel was apart...
7.Once the bezel was apart from the gauges, the plastic shielding was split from the bezel. Be extremely careful not to crack the plastic piece.
8.3M double-sided tape was...
8.3M double-sided tape was used to hold the new CanDo Specialties billet piece in place.
9.The billet piece was firmly...
9.The billet piece was firmly pressed to the gauge bezel.
10.The plastic cover will...
10.The plastic cover will have to be super-glued back in place. Just go easy on the glue because you don't want the gauge cluster to become clouded.
11.With the new billet piece...
11.With the new billet piece installed, the gauge cluster was screwed back into place.
12.The dash was then put back...
12.The dash was then put back together and tightened.
13.With the screw in place,...
13.With the screw in place, the billet A/C panel was snapped in and the controls were put back on.
14.The CanDo kit is a clean...
14.The CanDo kit is a clean and simple addition that spruces up the heater controls.
15.The gauge cluster and dash...
15.The gauge cluster and dash are brought to life with a little bling-bling.