Project Fox Dreams Feels New Again With An Interior Makeover

Steve Turner
December 5, 2025

Some cars stick with you forever. For Melissa Lawrence, that car was a Limited Edition 1993 Mustang LX convertible, her first real dream car. During her formative years, the Canary Yellow drop-top was more than transportation; it was freedom on four wheels. Like so many Fox Mustangs, it saw its share of spirited miles and the scars that come with them. After a crash sidelined it years ago, she never forgot how much she loved that car.

Now, decades later, that same dream has come back to life in the form of Project Fox Dreams, a project designed to blend classic looks with modern capability. The vision to create a car that drives as great as it looks, still handles school drop-offs and date nights without complaint. Plus, it will eventually make more than 600 horsepower with a Vortech-blown 347 stroker, which will far exceed the car’s factory output.

Fox Mustangs aren’t getting any younger, so we refreshed our 1992 Mustang LX convertible’s worn factory interior with fresh hardware from Dakota Digital, LMR, and TMI Products. Now Project Fox Dreams’ cockpit looks better than ever and is more comfortable to boot.

We have already freshened the fluids with LIQUI MOLY, swapped to a Silver Sport Transmissions TREMEC TKX five-speed manual transmission, replaced the factory 8.8 with Moser’s rugged M88 rearend, and upgraded the suspension with a full complement of BMR Suspension hardware. No, it was time to freshen the cockpit so it lives up to its part of the bargain. After all, the interior is where the driver connects with the car, and for a convertible like this one, it’s also where first impressions are made.

That’s where Dakota Digital, Late Model Restoration, and TMI Products entered the chat. Each company’s wares helped transform this tired cabin into a space that feels fresh and ready for Fox Dreams’ next chapter.

Fresh Gear

Inside, the mission was simple: eliminate every creak, crack, and rattle. Years of use had taken their toll on the console, armrest, and small trim pieces that make up a Fox’s personality, and LMR has the fresh parts to restore Fox Dreams to its former glory.

We started by ditching the broken ashtray console for LMR’s Cup Holder Console Panel (P/N LRS-04490D-K; $99.99). This clever upgrade retains the stock look, but also adds the usable cup holders Fox owners have always wanted. The console also replaced the broken cigarette lighter assembly with a fresh, functional unit.

Fox Dreams Interior
Inside the cabin, the broken ashtray console was replaced with the LMR Cup Holder Console Panel (P/N LRS-04490D-K; $99.99). This panel preserves the stock look while adding usable cup holders and a functioning cigarette lighter cover.

Next came the Center Console Armrest Pad Kit (P/N LRS-06024N-K; $42.99), which restored the proper latch and comfort missing for years. Up top, a new Leather Shift Boot and Bezel Kit (P/N LRS-7277JK; $49.99) framed the shifter with clean black leather, capped by a Hurst White Classic Shift Knob (P/N HUR-1630014; $62.15) that gives every gear change a throwback muscle car feel.

Down low, new Pony Logo Carpeted Floor Mats (P/N ACC-7993BLK-110; $119.99) replaced the threadbare originals, while a Map Pocket Delete Kit (P/N LRS-23942MPDA; $91.58), fresh Door Sill Plates with the Running Pony emblem (P/N LRS-13208A; $46.99), and matching Scuff Plate Hardware Kit (P/N LRS-13208HDW; $3.99) finished off the entry points.

Fox Dreams Interior
The console’s armrest pad had lost its latch, so it was replaced with the LMR Center Console Armrest Pad Kit (P/N LRS-06024N-K; $42.99). The new pad bolted securely in place and restored comfort and proper latching for everyday driving.
To clean up the shifter presentation, we installed LMR’s Leather Shift Boot and Bezel Kit (P/N LRS-7277JK; $49.99), along with a Hurst White Classic Shift Knob (P/N HUR-1630014; $62.15). The leather boot snaps into place cleanly, and the Hurst knob threads onto the shifter post, giving a classic, tactile feel to gear changes.
Fox Dreams Interior
Door sills were refreshed with LMR Door Sill Plates featuring the Running Pony emblem (P/N LRS-13208A; $46.99), and secured with the matching Scuff Plate Screws (P/N LRS-13208HDW; $3.99). Together, they create a crisp entry point and protect the sill area from wear.
Fox Dreams Interior
We dropped Pony Logo Carpeted Floor Mats (P/N ACC-7993BLK-110; $119.99) into the footwells. They anchor on the factory posts, protect the new carpet, and visually tie the interior together with the iconic pony emblem.
Fox Dreams Interior
Finally, we ditched the sagging map pockets on the factory door panels in favor of LMR’s Map Pocket Delete Kit (P/N LRS-23942MPDA; $91.58), which really cleans up the presentation as you open the door of this Fox droptop.

Replacing The Upholstery

With the interior’s surfaces restored, the next step was transforming the seating. The factory foam and upholstery had long since collapsed, making the seats look and feel tired.

To rectify that situation, we turned to TMI Products and its GT/LX Articulated Sport Performance Seat Upholstery for 1992-1993 Mustangs (P/N 43-74621-L958; $2,389.99). These covers fit the original seat frames but use high-density foam and modern materials that deliver better support and a sportier contour.

Fox Dreams Interior
The seats received a full overhaul with TMI GT/LX Articulated Sport Performance Seat Upholstery for 1992–1993 Mustangs (P/N 43-74621-L958; $2,389.99). After removing the original foam and covers, the high-density replacement foam and new panels were carefully installed using hog rings and adhesive, resulting in firmer bolsters, improved comfort, and a factory-correct appearance.

The process began by removing the seats and stripping away the old covers and hog rings. With the original foam discarded, TMI’s high-density replacements were glued into place using a quality urethane adhesive. The new covers were dry-fitted to check alignment before being secured with fresh hog rings from the center outward. Gentle heat was used to relax tight corners and ensure a factory-smooth finish.

The design mimics the original LX pattern but introduces subtle refinements, including sharper bolsters, improved stitching, and a smoother texture. As a result, the seats look factory fresh, but are more comfortable than ever.

Detach the seatback from the seat pan. For articulating seats, note and mark hinge locations so you can reassemble correctly. Keep fasteners labeled and organized. Strip the old upholstery. Carefully remove trim panels, plastic caps, and all hog rings. Use a pair of hog ring pliers or long-nose pliers to cut and remove the rings—replace them with new rings supplied in the kit. Retain or inspect the original shells for bends or broken tabs.
Inspect and, where applicable, replace the foam. TMI kits often provide high-density replacement foam pieces for bolsters and cushions. Trim to fit if necessary, then glue in place with a high-quality urethane adhesive, allowing proper cure time. Use a breathable contact adhesive and clamp or weight until set.
Fox Dreams Interior
Fit the new upholstery panels dry first. Start with the seat back center panel, align seams with the shell, and ensure consistent tension. TMI’s pattern will guide placement; align headrest openings and stitching with factory holes. Attach upholstery with hog rings. Begin at the center bottom and work symmetrically outward, pulling the panel snug as you go. Use a backing strip where appropriate to prevent tearing and to hide hog rings. Properly stretch the vinyl to avoid wrinkles; use heat sparingly if needed (a heat gun on low or a steamer) to relax the material at corners.

Modern Gauge Upgrade

Under the hood, the Fox Dreams Mustang will soon pack serious power, and with modern EFI control on the way, it made sense to bring the instrumentation up to that level. The stock cluster might have charm, but accuracy and readability weren’t its strong suits.

To solve that, we installed Dakota Digital’s RTX Instrument System for 1990-1993 Mustangs (P/N RTX-90F-MUS-X; $1,765.00). It perfectly blends classic Fox aesthetics with cutting-edge electronics. The cluster uses a CNC-machined housing that bolts into the stock location but hides a fully digital display behind its retro-style faces.

Fox Dreams Interior
To modernize the gauges, we upgraded to the Dakota Digital RTX Instrument System (P/N RTX-90F-MUS-X; $1,765). We also opted for the Holley BIM Interface (P/N BIM-01-2-HLLY; $140), and the GPS Speed and Compass Module (P/N GPS-50-2; $250).

At startup, the system comes alive with configurable LED backlighting and a TFT message center capable of displaying just about any data you can imagine. The included control box makes setup simple, and the RTX can integrate directly with EFI systems using Dakota Digital’s Holley BIM Interface Module (P/N BIM-01-2-HLLY; $140).

The digital cluster bolts directly into the stock dash opening, integrates with Holley EFI, and provides accurate speed, compass, and altitude data, giving the Fox cockpit a perfect blend of classic looks and modern functionality.

We also added the company’s GPS Speed and Compass Module (P/N GPS-50-2; $250), which feeds speed, compass, and altitude data to the cluster with pinpoint accuracy. Together, these components bring the Fox cockpit into the modern era without sacrificing its timeless look.

Fox Dreams Interior
Now Melissa’s Dream Machine has a cabin worthy cruising along the PCH or blasting down the drag strip.

In all the differences, inside Melissa Lawrence’s Canary Yellow convertible is night and day. From the crisp new moldings to the rebolstered seats and digital dash glow, every part contributes to the sense that this Fox is ready to create more epic memories.