IUP to GT 500 Dash Panel Upgrade
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Joined: November 29, 2004
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IUP to GT 500 Dash Panel Upgrade
Received my GT 500 dash upgrade parts from Kevin earlier this week. This was a very easy project - took about 1 hour. I even followed the OEM SRS depower & repower instructions. Take a close look at the tabs on the passenger's side air bag. Those tabs must be bent straight to remove them from the passenger's side air bag cover/door assembly and then rebent after installing the air bag in the new cover/door assembly. Here's a few pics of the install for those that are considering upgrading their dash panels. Sorry about the quality of the pics - I'm not a photographer.
PS: Ford is now offering the door handles separately from the door panel. That's next weekend's project.
PS: Ford is now offering the door handles separately from the door panel. That's next weekend's project.
Last edited by tmcolegr; Apr 26, 2008 at 11:04 AM.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: August 6, 2007
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From: South Jersey
That looks great 
I really like the dark colored vent louvers with that panel kit too, it fits so much better with the darker panels IMO.
My car came with the charcoal IUP but I hate the silver vent louvers that came with it.
Hopefully that will be corrected soon enough, as I'm waiting for the GT500 vent bezels (on backorder) from KC.
I must say again that you have one great looking interior!
I really like the dark colored vent louvers with that panel kit too, it fits so much better with the darker panels IMO. My car came with the charcoal IUP but I hate the silver vent louvers that came with it.
Hopefully that will be corrected soon enough, as I'm waiting for the GT500 vent bezels (on backorder) from KC.I must say again that you have one great looking interior!
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Joined: November 29, 2004
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After the interior door handle replacement the only remaining issue is the IUP auto shifter handle. IMO it now looks out of place. Seriously considering an aftermarket shifter but there aren't many choices.
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Joined: September 11, 2006
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Even though I have the IUP I'm thinking of going black charcoal
Administrator clevparts@aol.com
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From: Visalia Ca.
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Joined: August 23, 2004
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From: Denver
Hey TMCOLEGR! About that passenger side airbag cover. Those tabs look rather stout. How easy are they to bend? What did you use? I've taken my airbag out before, to get to my center vent piece for Shelby to sign, but I just sold that piece with my 05 GT. Now I've got an 08 SGT, and I'd like to get another signature, this time on the pass. air bag cover. It's too bad that no one figured out how to remove this piece before I had the other one signed, or I could have just switched the cover out before I sold the car. Too late now, but I want to get my cover sent out before Carroll "goes horizontal", as he puts it. Thanks.
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Joined: June 3, 2008
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From: Hawaii
It looks to be a pretty easy job, the only stressful part being the airbag. I replaced my steering wheel with IUP version and first time depowering the airbag was nerve-wracking. Much easier though than I thought it would be. I just ordered the Silver IUP Kit to complete my IUP upgrade. Already got the door handles (a pain in the butt to replace).
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Joined: August 23, 2004
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From: Denver
Just an update, those tabs holding the passenger side airbag to the dash piece are actually fairly easy to bend out with a pair of pliers. Also, the black plastic area which the metal tabs lock into is actually more of a soft rubber than a hard plastic, which makes it even easier to separate the pieces. This was my second time at removing a passenger airbag. It is actually very easy, once you figure out how to unclip the wiring plug, and get over your imagination of the thing blowing up in your face. My dash is on it's way to California to get signed! Easy mod!
