Seems that when I buy any car, new or old, I always get something to put inside for that personalized feel. I haven't seen many posts here about the inside, what changes have you made or what would you like to change or add to the inside of your rig?

Personally I've spent a lot of time returning my interior to it's original stock condition. The previous owner had a dog that took out the largest part of the doors, console etc. Made the vehicle a poor candidate for a trade-in so she basically gave it to me.
I've heard a lot of guys install different gauges and of course music systems. I would just like to find a working rear dome light for mine. Basics first I guess..

A factory rear dome light for the 2-door Montys would've been a great thing, since they have one for the 4-doors. I'd like to either replace all the carpet with something new, or take it all out and rhino-line the floors. Also would like to replace the front seats with something more comfortable, like maybe seats out of a Dodge SRT-4. But the stock seats really aren't that bad, and they do make entry and exit fairly easy.

I'm good with the gauges, steering wheel, and just installed an Alpine deck with CD and iPod jack, still using the stock speakers. Been kicking around the idea of putting in some kind of internal roll cage, which combined with the rhino-lined floor, might not look all that bad, plus it would be functional.

But first things first, and that's finding some kind of push bar / light bar thing for the front. I have Yakima racks on the roof, and a hitch cargo carrier, both of which I found on Craig's List ($75 for the roof racks, $60 for the cargo carrier). Found a listing for Bushwhacker fender flares for an early to mid 80's Toyota truck or 4runner, so might check those out as well.

I always seem to lean toward bouncy seat frames as a start. They are still out there if you keep looking around.

It would be nice to have seats with more support, but as said above, the stock seats aren't bad if they're in decent shape.

The aftermarket carpet I bought off Ebay was all right, but it doesn't fit quite right in the cargo area and is a bear to install in the front. It really quiets the inside down compared to running without it, or having a bed liner coating, I would imagine. If you carpet the cargo area, put some kind of extra padding under the carpet so it won't kill your knees if you end up crawling in the back for things.

Stereos are pretty easy. In dash units are so cheap, it's hard to make an excuse to keep the stock one or go without. The doors accept speakers, but you may have to cut metal, as they are a funny size. I've used both 5 1/4 and 6 1/2. Aim for ones with a thin profile, though, as the windows may hit the magnet if they're too deep. Mid-panel, again, the stock mounting is for a goofy size. I found the later Gen 1 models' "boxes" that extend out from the wall of the truck to be quite useful. 6 1/2" fits great, and you reuse the factory grills, so they look stock. You need to trim the plastic side panels to fit back around them, though.

The in-dash speakers are suitable for a CB or something. I think you can squeeze a 3 1/2" in there in the really small Gen 1 spaces.

Mostly, these trucks cry out for cup holders and armrests. Who's got the easy hook-up on them?

John B.

LOL, cup holders, I'm finding out that all the stuff at Wallyworld and auto parts stores won't fit! The flimsey window hangers won't hold my coffe mug (I've hadit since 72, a beer stien from Germany). Guess I'll have to make some.

Long time ago I customized a Dodge 250 Van. I made a ceiling console to hold the radio and switches. I used a PVC rain gutter and turned itupside down. The half that had the greatest angle was the back and the flat part (bottom) was the face and cut off the side that attached toward a house. Trimed the face to contour the ceiling. Used 3M adheasive spray and stretch the fake leather over it and got it real tight. Ran a 1 X 1 as afiring strip on the roof and attached the face to it. Made a bottom from the contoured PVC piece toward the windshield, that too was covered in a suade that I used for the head liner and sides.
Put aircraft lights in and that was the front overhead console. I later made a center console that ran all the way back, used the PVC for the side edges and they were cut down barley using the relief of the gutters....again covered. Cut a strip out of some walnut paneling just showing one board for the center. It did turn out nice. I went to a van shop that did customs looking for a table and the owner came out to see it. He asked where I had it done and told him I did it, then asked me if I wanted a job!
That was in 84, consoles like that didn't exist.

So I'm planning on doing something, but nothing drastic like that, I might make that front console and put my Icom 706 Ham rig and a CB, maybe a spot for the GPS up there and some aux. switches.

I thought about the Rino liner inside, my carpet isn't that bad, but I think it would be much louder. Resturant supply stores have different rubber mats cheaper than the auto places, I've found. If you want pad under a carpet I'd suggest you use a half inch rebond at a carpet shop or Lowes, not a waffle pad because a waffle will just flake apart.

When I was looking at these, I thought I'd put in some racing seats, but I like the bouncy seat and mine are in great shape, so guess I'll keep'em!

What's not to love? I'm doing custom front seats on dual bouncys, power windows and locks, new gauges, crash cage, stereo and speakers, custom rear seats, fiberglass replacement panels, custom center console.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I would think if you have a new vehicle and it might find its way to a dealer as a trade, keeping it "as designed" would be a good thing. I doubt my 89 will ever see a dealer, if I did sell it, it would be to someone who would just want my Raider, otherwise, it would probably be my coffin. I have better places to sink money in it too, I really like it and intend to drive it a long time, as long as I can push a clutch pedal.

Nicest thing right now would be some good cup holders!

Keeping the purpose of the vehicle seems to be foremost in making any mods. I won't be mudding alot, but it will get some mud, so simple to keep clean is a good as mentioned above. More storage compartments would be good, need to get a rack and have not seen any Yakimas on ebay that cheap, the towers were about 80 bucks!

Saw a good article here on this site about building one, for an existing roof system, but not for the Gen I's. I would not be opposed to dress up some box tubbing and screw (bolt) it to the roof. Buy a basket.

Had a jeep wrangler with a large metal console box, forgot the name of it, not OEM, and it had cup holders. Is there anything like that for the Raiders?

I replaced the Mitsu center console with a 30mm ammo box, several small leather nail bags from Home Depot, a Tuffy 2-place drink holder, single leg computer stand, 120W invertor all piled on a sheet of aluminum diamond plate. Works great for me.

Pics, please!

the cup holder sounds nice but I keep the rest of the $hit in the back of the car, or my floor holds it nice enough. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />