Modifications to car made since delivery

artsci · Oct 5, 2014

It not being a busy day I decided to make up a list of all of the modifications I've made to my Model S since delivery in early May 2013. I'm sure I've forgotten a few but here's the list I came up with:

Model S modifications made after delivery

Here's the list with links to the post/threads that describe what I did and photos (some of the threads are quite long, so you may have to search for the photos and details). I've also added photos of the basic mods. Some of these threads were started by other owners and inspired me to make the mods myself.

Lighted Ts on nose cone and liftgate

Front/rear camera switch for touchscreen viewing of front and rear images

Additional door presentation antenna in rear quarter panels (photos to come)

BlackVue DR550GW-2CH dash cam (photos to come)

Reus level 3 Sound system upgrade

Complete sound deadening of car by Don Sambrook

120V inverter in frunk with two outlets and USB ports for powering 12v and 120v devices

3TB USB drive for playing music collection in car (photos to come)

Tesla parking sensor system installed by 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] party

Red brake calipers with TESLA labels

Silver painted brake hats to prevent rust

Gloss carbon fiber spoiler

Gloss carbon fiber on front and rear diffusers and side strakes

Gloss carbon fiber nose cone

Carbon wrapped fiber frunk panels with lighted TESLA sign

EVANNEX carbon fiber B pillar

Gloss carbon fiber door sills with lighted TESLA and MODEL S

Tesla T puddle lamp projectors on all four doors

Reflective red letters on rear applique chrome strip “TESLA”

LED strips to light frunk and trunk

EVANNEX center console with carbon fiber wrap top surfaces and Tesla logo

Carbon fiber wrap on dash side panels

Custom beige mats with embroidered Tesla logo

Trunk lined in tan carpet to match tan interior

Two coat hangers in rear (photos to come)

Escort 8500ci radar detector and Blinder laser jammers with custom control panel in cubby

HID lamp bulbs upgraded to 6000k Phillips D3S

Here's are sources for purchase on Amazon. These are brighter and provide and whiter light and longer throw than the stock Tesla bulbs. Be aware that there are many poor quality Chinese knockoffs of these bulbs being sold on ebay under the Phillips name at much lower prices. But if you buy those you'll get what you pay for: junk

Side marker lamps switched to red LED (photos to come)

Lifts for parcel shelf hinged flap

American flag valve caps

These available from AMAZON. They have sparked a number of conversations about the Tesla being American made.

Gorilla chrome plated lug nuts

Roll-out beige leather rear bumper protector for dog entry and egress

Rubber cord/o-ring rim protectors

LED license plate lamps

Curbside charging station

Stainless Steel Dead Pedal/Footrest

Have you looked at the stock dead pedal? It's butt ugly. This one is top quality stainless steel and comes with double sided tape on the back for easy installation. PM me if you want to know the source.

For the good of my health and marriage, I don't dare add up what I've spent on all of this stuff

I'm going to start collecting and organizing all of my photos of these mods. Since I've posted threads on most of them I'm going to set up links.

pthill65 · Oct 5, 2014

Impressive! I'd be very interested in seeing this list with links to pics/instructions as available. Congrats on some great mods.

artsci said:
It not being a busy day I decided to make up a list of all of the modifications I've made to my Model S since delivery in early May 2013. I'm sure I've forgotten a few but here's the list I came up with:

Model S modifications made after delivery

Lighted Ts on nose cone and liftgate

Front/rear camera switch for touchscreen viewing of front and rear images

Additional door presentation antenna in rear quarter panels

BlackVue DR550GW-2CH dash cam

Reus level 3 Sound system upgrade

Complete sound deadening of car by Don Sambrook

120V inverter in frunk with two outlets and USB ports for powering 12v and 120v devices

3TB USB drive for playing music collection in car

Tesla parking sensor system installed by 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] party

Red brake calipers with TESLA labels

Silver painted brake hats to prevent rust

Gloss carbon fiber spoiler

Gloss carbon fiber on front and rear diffusers and side strakes

Gloss carbon fiber nose cone

Carbon wrapped fiber frunk panels with lighted TESLA sign

EVANNEX carbon fiber B pillar

Gloss carbon fiber door sills with lighted TESLA and MODEL S

Tesla T puddle lamp projectors on all four doors

Reflective red letters on rear applique chrome strip “TESLA”

LED strips to light frunk and trunk

EVANNEX center console with carbon fiber wrap top surfaces and Tesla logo

Carbon fiber wrap on dash side panels

Custom beige mats with embroidered Tesla logo

Trunk lined in tan carpet to match tan interior

Two coat hangers in rear

Escort 8500ci radar detector and Blinder laser jammers with custom control panel in cubby

HID lamp bulbs upgraded to 6000k Phillips D3S

Side marker lamps switched to red LED

Lifts for parcel shelf hinged flap

American flag valve caps

Gorilla chrome plated lug nuts

Roll-out beige leather rear bumper protector for dog entry and egress

Rubber cord/o-ring rim protectors

LED license plate lamps

For the good of my health and marriage, I don't dare add up what I've spent on all of this stuff

I'm going to start collecting and organizing all of my photos of these mods.

artsci · Oct 5, 2014

pthill65 said:
Impressive! I'd be very interested in seeing this list with links to pics/instructions as available. Congrats on some great mods.

I'll work on such a post this week.

mmh · Oct 5, 2014

Very awesome artsci! I always read you mod posts with interest.

I don't remember ever seeing a post about your "120V inverter in frunk", would love some details on what you installed and how.

Pollux · Oct 5, 2014

Truly inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

And, thanks, too, for the kits you've provided!

Alan

golfski · Oct 5, 2014

Thats a pretty impressive list of mods artsci!

Was curious if you had posted previously about "Tesla parking sensor system installed by 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] party"? I imagine you are using the actual sensors, installed/drilled into your bumper, but what is the visual output? Is it integrated into the 17" and dash display just like from the factory? If so, did you have to pay Tesla for a firmware upgrade?

swegman · Oct 5, 2014

What i the HID lamp upgrade?

Brightonuk · Oct 5, 2014

Wow I want details

JohnQ · Oct 5, 2014

Good stuff. Don't forget your outdoor charging bollard--though technically not a Model S mod.

Oh, and 3 TB? A day's worth of music for every mood, yes?

R²B · Oct 5, 2014

Is there a thread for the USB hard drive mod?

artsci · Oct 5, 2014

golfski said:
Thats a pretty impressive list of mods artsci!

Was curious if you had posted previously about "Tesla parking sensor system installed by 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] party"? I imagine you are using the actual sensors, installed/drilled into your bumper, but what is the visual output? Is it integrated into the 17" and dash display just like from the factory? If so, did you have to pay Tesla for a firmware upgrade?

PM me.

Rick

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R²B said:
Is there a thread for the USB hard drive mod?

I just bought a USB hard drive on Amazon.com, had all my CDs converted to AiFF files, copied them onto the drive, organized them into folders by group or composer, and plugged it into the driver's side USB port on the front of the arm rest base. I also created a folder of mixed songs -- my solution for a random play. It's not really random but it mixes up all of my classical, jazz, and rock favorites in an order that I like.

- - - Updated - - -

swegman said:
What i the HID lamp upgrade?

I bought the Phillips lamps noted: 6000k Phillips D3S. Make sure they are genuine Phillips -- there's a lot of imitation Chinese crap out there with the Phillips name on them. Buy them from a known and reputable source.

Installing them is a PIA. To access the bulb the fender liners have to be loosened in the front (about 15 clips have to be removed) and the headlamp rubber cap removed. There's just enough room to get a hand inside the lamp (large hands might be a problem). Getting the first bulb screwed out took about an 30 minutes with a helper. After we figured out how do do it the passenger side was much easier. The Phillips lamps have a longer throw a brighter and whiter light.

- - - Updated - - -

JohnQ said:
Good stuff. Don't forget your outdoor charging bollard--though technically not a Model S mod.

Oh, and 3 TB? A day's worth of music for every mood, yes?

Forgot that

My taste in music is pretty eclectic -- my collection has everything Beethoven ever composed, complete Bach, Mendellson, Richard Strauss and a number of other favored composers, all the Beatles, MJQ, Wes Montgomery, Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Moody Blues, Blood Sweat and Tears, War, Earth Wind & Fire, Judy Collins, Joan Baez -- the list goes on and on. Takes up tow-thirds of a pretty large USB drive.

R²B · Oct 5, 2014

Thanks. Yeah any pictures you could show would be cool.

scott jones · Oct 5, 2014

NICE!!! I really like the sound deadening... as mine is not exactly Lexus quiet. Lots of wind noise around the window.
Have you had any first hand knowledge of how well the jammers / detectors work, and where did you mount the sensor.
Also, I didn't notice if you kept the rims that came with the car. To me, those distinguish the car more than anything. I wasn't a big fan of the base model ones, or the upgraded ones which are way too expensive ones, so I changed mine out... Thanks!

artsci · Oct 5, 2014

scott jones said:
NICE!!! I really like the sound deadening... as mine is not exactly Lexus quiet. Lots of wind noise around the window.
Have you had any first hand knowledge of how well the jammers / detectors work, and where did you mount the sensor.
Also, I didn't notice if you kept the rims that came with the car. To me, those distinguish the car more than anything. I wasn't a big fan of the base model ones, or the upgraded ones which are way too expensive ones, so I changed mine out... Thanks!

So far the only thing that has set the laser jammers off is direct sun near sunset, so at least I know they work. But no other incidents. The radar detector has saved me a few times Both are mounted in a special mount I made for the cubby. Photo below. And here's a link to the thread on installation. I did keep the 21" rims, which came with my car. It was not an upgrade when I bought mine.

artsci · Oct 5, 2014

I've added photos and links in the original list of mods to threads with photos that also explained what I did. Some of these threads were started by other owners and were an inspiration to me, so I add a few posts to these threads as well.

skboston · Oct 5, 2014

Wow, great stuff!

Thanks for taking the time posting all of this. :biggrin:

bullgates · Oct 5, 2014

Love the lighted T's

zag2me · Oct 6, 2014

I love all the carbon fiber stuff, would look great on a white tesla too

JakeP · Oct 6, 2014

This is pure Tesla porn. I am going to be obsessing about quite a few of these mods all winter long. Thanks Artsci!

AZbba · Oct 6, 2014

From your pic, the parking sensor is clearly integrated into the car since it is showing up where it does normally. This might be a glimmer of hope for those who want to retrofit the blind spot detectors that are shipping on current builds. It looks like it may be possible, but will probably be very difficult.

Modifications to car made since delivery

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