What cheap or easy mod has brought you the most joy?

"NaturallyAspirated" (NaturallyAspirated) 09/29/2014 at 13:16 • Filed to: Modifications, DIY

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I found a new set of gas springs for the rear hatch on my Subaru at the junkyard Saturday. They are genuine Showa, with the little holographic sticker. They lift the hatch on my Subaru so much more smoothly than my old ones, and they lift the hatch all the way open without any help.

It seems like a small and simply thing, but I find myself grinning like an idiot every time I open the hatch on my Outback.

Picture shows old busted on top, new goodness on the bottom.

What inexpensive or seemingly inconsequential modification have you made on your car that has brought an unexpected amount of enjoyment?

Dsscats > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:20

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None yet, but a rear wiper delete, black nose panel and black wrapped roof bars are happening soon.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:21

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Car is a Honda S2k, the mod was getting an Australian market sideview mirror for the driver's side. It's convex, and let's you better see if someone is playing blindspot bingo.

bob and john > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:24

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plastidip actually.

blacking stuff out is awesome

Milky > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:28

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For every car, forever this will be my answer.

Let your car sing to you.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Milky 09/29/2014 at 13:30

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yup this.

Takuro Spirit > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:31

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I put a "foot rest" from a Mazda RX-8 in my P71 and OH MAN it was the best thing I ever did. Cost me less than $10 and 5 minutes, too.

Sn210 > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:32

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Dealership license plate frame delete!

qbeezy > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:33

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I'd say plasti dipping my rims and making my own SRI. Saved a hundred or so. Only took 30 mins.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:35

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Well, in two weeks I swapping in sports progressive springs, Bilstein HDs, ball joints, and a thicker front sway bar. I guessing these improvements should make a hell of a difference. I will let you know.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:42

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Removal of my steps.

It went from ice forming on the steps and immediately falling to the ground, to just climbing in. Not falling on my back brings plenty joy, and it was free.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Milky 09/29/2014 at 13:45

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http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/panthursday-ex…

TheJWT > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 13:46

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A $50 muffler to replace the fart can my car came with. It sounds glorious.

Milky > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 09/29/2014 at 13:52

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We got QTP cutouts! You got the fancy ones, but still.

That V8 does sound quite lovely.

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/cutout-ordered…

OPPOsaurus WRX > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 14:01

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it wasn't easy but it was cheap. I built a subwoofer box for my SportTrac The box came out of my old Explorer but since I no longer had the cargo area I had to resize it to fit under the seat. There were all sorts of bumps and bolts to shape the box around but in the end it was worth it.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Milky 09/29/2014 at 14:09

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Its nice to have the option to cruise in grandma mode and then flip the switch for some down shit burbles. From that video yours will sound excellent as well.

thebigbossyboss > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 14:10

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Racing seatbelt delete. Regular belts much better for day to day use. Plus I actually use them. Unlike the racing belts which we just went without most of the time.

Milky > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 09/29/2014 at 14:19

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Yupp I love the noise, I've just never gotten around to making my own video.

Tohru > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 14:27

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Putting my stereo in.

I've been using the same head unit for 12 years now - a Clarion DRX7575z. I bought it (along with enough amp wiring to hook up a Caprice wagon) for $100 out of a wrecked Volvo.

It's the one thing I always do to my daily drivers that makes it mine.

Bandit > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 14:33

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I put new (1978 style - not stock 1981) gauges in the trans am. It's a small change nobody will get (100mph speedo and a different font) but it makes me feel good knowing it is there.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 14:36

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Either my new wheels or the glasspack muffler I welded in.

aquila121 > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 14:46

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For anything that is a manual transmission, find a shift knob that you like the look and feel it has. My Integra had one of the most phallic shifters imaginable, and I owned that car for all of a weekend before I chucked the stock piece for a knob that I liked. It takes five minutes to change if it's universal, but I'd recommend getting something that matches the lever's thread pattern—if the knob is only held on by contact of three screw tips (I'm looking at you Sparco), they seem to loosen over time. Regardless, the shift knob can make shifting a joy rather than a chore. Also, keep in mind that metal gets super-hot in the summer.

BrianNutter > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 14:47

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Exhaust dumps.

GT Stig > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 15:07

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An offroad prochmber on my Mustang has far and away given me the most enjoyment. Not quite straight piped but deeper sound and not as raspy. I roll around with the windows down in the winter just to hear it.

n54 & s38 > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 15:19

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Two small things which make a big difference in driving enjoyment on my 335xi. A clutch stop to eliminate the excess travel of the clutch pedal and a ZHP shift knob. Huge upgrade over stock and makes shifting much more enjoyable.

Collin Maley > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 15:22

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Sun visor delete on my NA Miata. Thing was a total pain in the ass, so much satisfaction out of it.

f86sabre > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 15:24

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I soldered an aux plug into the back of our MINI's stereo. Basic, but it saved me a few hundred dollars over the OEM option.

MonkeePuzzle > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 17:25

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was very cheap, not particularly easy. but literally everyday I look up in my car, see this, and I'm proud that I made my car my own and added something I use literally everyday for clock, garage door opening, and for holding my sunglasses

NaturallyAspirated > MonkeePuzzle 09/29/2014 at 17:38

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Wow, that looks great!

unpredictable_swerve > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 18:47

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the "objects in mirror are losing" sticker on my drivers mirror.

MonkeePuzzle > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 19:04

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thanks, I think so. was hoping it would blend at look factory

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > NaturallyAspirated 09/29/2014 at 19:33

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$25 bucks for a skip shift delete for my 2010 Challenger SRT8. No more shifting from 1st to 4th at low rpm. I paid for a 6 speeds now I can use all of them.

I no longer have the Challenger but it is still one of the best mods I did to a car.

NaturallyAspirated > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/29/2014 at 20:36

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I had to Google the skip shift thing. Wow, forcing you to shift from 1->4 on a manual transmission? What a terrible design.

TwoToneLoser > NaturallyAspirated 09/30/2014 at 20:47

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Straight piping all my cars. Even the '94 Taurus.