Following the success of the show Pimp My Ride, many men embarked on an adventure to enhance their vehicles by emulating the strategies used on the show. Most attempted to do it on their own while others sought professional help. The do-it-yourself men made slight adjustments to their vehicles while the drivers who paid professionals incurred exorbitant costs. If you want to make significant changes to your car while not incurring exponential costs, you can follow our advice. We've gathered numerous strategies you can deploy that will make your vehicle the center of attention while deluding everyone into thinking that you spent a fortune.Updated April 2022: Car customization is as popular as ever. From mud flaps to suspension tuning and tasteful interior mods, buyers now have more aftermarket options to modify their rides than ever. So, we've updated this list with even more cool mods to pimp your ride that actually work.While it's important to make the exterior of your car appealing, you have to enhance the vehicle's interior as well. We've included gadgets, lights, and other accessories that'll accentuate the interior and the exterior of your car's beauty to make it the talk and torque of the town. Drivers will be glad to know that most of the items featured on the list can be fitted without a professional and are affordable. For drivers who have deep pockets and want to spend extra to make their vehicle the best looking and performing, we've also included some of the best items you'll find on the market.Related: 10 Illegal Motorcycle Mods People Actually Get Away With (And 10 That Always Get Caught)

23 Mud Flaps

subaru mud flaps
youtube.com

Mud flaps aren't just aesthetically pleasing, they're functional. Many popular rally cars are modified with mud flaps to give their cars an aggressive feel and prevent rocks and debris from damaging the body. Because mud flaps protect the wheel well, they're a great addition to prevent rust.

The extra layer of protection also protects other drivers on the road. Mud flaps direct rocks away from cars behind and around you so you're not the only one who benefits. Further, mud flaps come in several colors to coordinate the entire look. You can pick up a set for as little as $20 a pair, making it one of the most affordable ways to pimp your ride.

22 Aftermarket Audio System

Aftermarket Sound System
via Pinterest

What good is a pimped out car if the audio sucks? That's why one of the best ways to pimp your car out is to add an aftermarket sound system. Not only will you get better audio quality, but you can be thumping down the road to your favorite tunes, just to annoy the neighbors.

Aftermarket sound systems aren't limited to speakers and subwoofers. You can also swap out your old stereo DIN for something a bit more high-tech. Many head units feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, touch screen interfaces, and navigation. Going crazy is pretty easy to do, some units even come with built-in DVD players.

21 Powder Coated Engine Components

Powder Coated Engine Via Twitter
Via Twitter

When trying to pull together a theme, you can't go half-ass. Instead, applying the theme to every aspect of your car is paramount to completing the look. For example, powder coating the engine will give you the color you're looking for to match the rest of the vehicle. Virtually every part of the engine is able to be powder coated.

Nothing is more satisfying than showing off a custom vehicle. What's even more satisfying is popping the hood and showing the level of dedication in customization. While this isn't a cheap customization, at several thousands of dollars to pull off, it's the ultimate level of pimping your car.

20 Wheel And Fender Lights

Toyota Tundra Custom LED Modification Wheel Lights
Via: Jody Only

What good is it to pimp your ride if your hard labor can be noticed only during the day? Your arduous efforts should be noticed at night as well, and the best way is to install wheel and fender lights. With this strategy, you can show off your mags during the night. In addition to attracting attention to your wheels, the whole car will have heads turning to see what lies in the interior. The best part about the lights is that they come with a multi-color changing feature that enables you to vary the appearance of your vehicle every night.

Various packages are available depending on your taste and budget. If you're seeking a top-of-the-range kit, you can opt for The Million Color Flexible Wheel Well Lighting Kit that features 18 color modes with 4 brightness levels, 5 flash modes, 5 scan modes, 1 color cycle mode, 5 chase modes, and a 1-million-color fade mode. The top-of-the-range kits will cost around $90, while the single-mode color kits will set you back $60. The single-color-mode kit features 3 fade modes, 3 strobing modes, as well as 1 sound-activation mode.

19 Interior LED Lights

Youtube interior car lights
via youtube.com: JJ Streetfighterjay

While LED lights are mostly used to add extravagance to rooms in bars and cinemas, the same should apply to cars. You might drive a fancy car, but your night passengers will forget about it in the dark unless they're constantly reminded. The best way to do that is by installing LED lights inside your car. LED lights help to change the atmosphere in the car and can enhance the ambiance for your passengers. Since the lights are available in different colors, you can opt for an exotic look or set a romantic tone. Otherwise, blue lights will instill a party vibe. Most kits consist of 4 LED lights that have a thick chord to ensure your lights don't break if the passengers trample on it.

Installation is a quick process, even for drivers who lack experience. Before installing the lights, make sure your car battery is disconnected. Most of the kits are reasonably priced. The market's average price for a kit is $12—not much, considering the difference it'll add to the atmosphere.

18 Transparent GPS

Heads-Up-Display
via gadgetflow

You may own a TomTom or have a GPS application on your phone, but those devices won't pimp your car. Russian Cousins came up with an invention after experiencing poor visibility on dark and windy roads. The result is a combination of a mobile application and transparent glass that sticks to the windshield and turns smartphones into a heads-up display. The Russian cousins are pedantic about not taking their eyes off the road while looking at a navigation device.

After downloading the HUDWAY application to your phone, you can use it to project the map onto the glass; therefore, drivers don't have to take their eyes off the road. The cousins stated that the special equipment to project the map onto the windshield exists. Unfortunately, the equipment is expensive, and the application is difficult. For this reason, the cousins opted to design a device that doesn't contain electrical components, is simple to use, and ensures you keep your eyes on the road. The reflected image is visible during day and night. The Hudway Glass is available for $49.

17 Xenon Headlights

2022 Fiat E-Ulysse on the streets at night
Via: Media.stellantis.com

Headlights on a car resemble the eyes of a human. Since eyes are the windows to the soul, headlights are a preview of the engine. Your headlights reveal more about your car than you think. If you don't have top-of-the-range headlights, people will assume the rest of the car isn't worth their glance. Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs contain Xenon gas and two electrodes. When you switch the bulb on, an electric current will pass between the two electrodes.

Then, the Xenon gas lights up. The Xenon lights emit the ice white/blue tint and extreme brightness. The brightness helps you to see further and clearer during night driving, as well as helps you to attract attention to your beast. The Xenon HID lights have longevity. These lights last longer than the standard halogen bulbs found on most vehicles, which help you to save money in the long haul. Xenon lights also offer lower energy usage. By using 30% less energy than halogen bulbs, Xenon lights have a better impact on the electrical system and the battery, which results in additional savings. One pack will cost you around $50.

Related: 15 People Who Totally Messed Up Their Mustangs With These Mods

16 Spoiler

dodge challnger srt 2015 2016 2017 2020 2021 2022 18 19 grey widebody wing spoiler chasis mounted fender flare s
youtube.com

Jazzing up the exterior of your car to make it look fast and expensive is best done with a spoiler. The name originates from the automotive aerodynamic device's function to spoil unfavorable air movement across the body of a vehicle that's in motion. Air dams refer to spoilers fitted on the front of the car. Most high-performance sports cars have a spoiler fitted at the back.

Some spoilers are used only for style enhancement, while its true function is to diffuse the air by increasing the amount of turbulence over the shape. The material used to make a spoiler is usually a lightweight polymer-based material, such as fiberglass, silicon, carbon fiber, or ABC plastic. Active spoilers, which adjust based on the conditions while the vehicle is in motion, are also available. Regarding appearance, active spoilers display a cleaner appearance than fixed spoilers when the vehicle is parked or traveling at low speeds. Apart from improved handling, a spoiler helps to boost the performance of the car. The average price of a spoiler is $100.

15 Rims

rims mx5
Via: Bing

We know we're stating the obvious, but many drivers get this wrong. The rims should be the first protocol for any driver seeking to make his vehicle a prized possession. Much like the emblem, the rims can degrade a fantastic car or upgrade a jalopy. With innumerable designs and sizes, how do you know which one fits your vehicle best?

Changing the car's wheels affects the alignment, the braking, the acceleration, the handling, and the calibration of the speedometer.

While big rims may make your car look better, they can have an adverse effect on the performance. Choosing wider rims provides more grip and traction while accelerating, braking, or turning. Most rims are either made of aluminum or steel. Aluminum weighs less than steel; therefore, it helps you conserve fuel and dissipate brake heat. Steel rims are heavier than aluminum and are thus more durable, but you're more prone to feel bumps with heavy rims than with aluminum ones. Also, you want to make sure that the color and the design of the rims match the vehicle.

14 Chrome Wrap

Audi-R8---Front-Quarter-3
Via IMDB

Attaching stickers, spray painting, or employing traditional wrapping may improve the appearance of your car, but none of those strategies can optimize the aesthetics of a car like chrome wrapping does. Drivers who want to stand out and make a bold statement with their vehicles will opt for a chrome wrap. If you opt for this method, we suggest booking a professional to ensure that your precious ride gets the best service it deserves. Chrome wrap is considered to be the pinnacle of car customization and is found on some of the most expensive cars.

The wraps are expensive, as the material is costly, and skilled labor is required to fit the vinyl, which is difficult to install. Besides making your car look extravagant, why would you wrap it with vinyl? Painting a car involves a lot of planning, and the work is arduous. Wrapping your car with vinyl is quicker than painting your car. Also, more colors are available with vinyl than with paint. Vinyl is removable, too. At any stage, you can retrogress to the original color. Vinyl protects the paint of your car. While several vinyl options are available, chrome wrap is the best. The chrome option is for drivers with deep pockets.

13 Travel Fridge

Travel Fridge
Via eBay

Are you traveling long distances and need cool beverages without the inconvenience of stopping? Then, the Travel Cooler/Warmer is for you. The portable fridge can store 12 cans and has a 2.3-gallon capacity. An 8-can 1.8-gallon capacity model is also available. The Travel Cooler/Warmer has a thermo-electric system that cools down below 40 degrees ambient temperature. Ice isn't needed. The device plugs into a vehicle's or a boat's 12-volt DC outlet, as well as any other 12-volt power supply.

Besides serving as a fridge, the Travel Cooler/Warmer can also heat up food to approximately 120 degrees. It won't take up too much space, as you can place it on a vehicle seat, the floor, the hatch, or the tailgate. Part of the device is zippered side storage, an accessory pouch, and a dual can or cup holder. A shoulder strap is also included for you to carry the item from the car to the house. The Travel Cooler/Warmer had been designed to have a low voltage shutdown that prevents battery damage. To enjoy interrupted travel, you can purchase the Cooler/Warmer for $50.

12 Car-Door Lights

car door lights customizable amazon cheapest working best
Via: Amazon

To have your vehicle appear pimped even when the engine is off, you need door lights. You might not be a rapper or a pimp who needs to light up every inch of his car, but car-door lights serve several purposes other than illuminating your vehicle. On numerous occasions, drivers and their passengers have stepped out of their vehicle at night to find their feet in a puddle. Other than preventing clammy feet, door lights make your car visible to other motorists at night. The component consists of an LED projector that automatically lights up when you open the door.

The door lights are available in many colors and logos or a light that shines on the ground. The lights help you to safely enter your car by ensuring you don't stumble as you enter the car at night. Depending on the car, the interior lights' positioning may be on one or several circuits, according to Life Wire. Apart from the precautionary measures that door lights provide, they also make your car attractive and noticeable at night, even while parked. To get the safety benefits and enhancement that door lights offer, you can purchase the LED logo lights for $15.

11 Car Seat Covers

Seat covers
via seatcovercentral

We did mention that pimping the interior is as important as doing the same to the exterior. Most manufacturers don't focus most of their design energy on making the seats the top priority of the car. Although the seats aren't the top priority amongst many drivers, they should rate high. After all, having seats that complement the beautiful exterior makes the car a sight for sore eyes. While you may have leather stitched seats and a function that warms you up on chilly days, they're not enough to make the interior look its best. If your seats are bland, you need seat covers.

Besides augmenting the interior's beauty, seat covers protect your seats from food and beverage spillage, irreparable damage caused by heat exposure, as well as wear and tear. Seat covers also provide additional comfort and are durable. A vast range of seat covers and fabrics are available to suit your vehicle and are affordable. Prices vary according to design and fabric, but the average covers will cost around $50—not a bad amount to ensure that your seats sustain the same standard years after you purchase the vehicle.

10 Emblem

DARTZ Prombron Black Alligator MMXX Black Tiger Edition black diamond emblem close-up view
Via: Dartzmotorz.com

Your car may be expensive and drives fast, but an egregious emblem will diminish the perception people have of it. The wheels, the mags, the color, and the design of the vehicle make up its aesthetic, but the emblem contributes to it. The first feature that most people look at when judging your car is the emblem. If the car's emblem is subpar, people immediately get the impression that its performance and luxury match that standard. But if you put a beautiful emblem on an average car, people have a better perception of the car since its image has improved.

Although you may not want to replace the emblem with another title, you can enhance it. The most common method is to speckle the emblem with diamonds. Considering most of us cannot afford one diamond, not to mention several, the idea unviable. But you can make the emblem glisten with fake diamonds. Other options include customizing your emblem with enamel or plastic. Various sizes and colors are available to accentuate the emblem's aesthetics. Depending on the emblem, prices start at as little as $20.

Related: 10 Pickup Mods That Are Perfect (9 That Are Perfectly Skippable)

9 Pinstripe

Apply pinstripes
Via: PriusChat

Pin-striping is another strategy that'll make your car stand out from the crowd. Different methods exist for pin-striping, depending on the level of sophistication you're striving to achieve. Whether you're seeking to have two wide stripes across the center of your vehicle or a shape the size of your hand, having a professional do it is the best way to ensure you get the best results and a long-lasting product. If the professional performs a remarkable job, the average eye cannot notice the difference between pinstripes and paint.

Pinstripes highlight the lines of the vehicle. The most common method is to use two colors, one complementing the body color of the vehicle and the other attracting attention to the stripe. Before you apply the stripes, make sure that the surface is clean. If you're contemplating pin-striping the car yourself, it requires a steady hand, a clear eye, and a lot of practice. If you're a driver who intends to do a layered look using multiple colors, you should use stencil tape, as it will allow you to place multiple colors and stripes without any delay such as waiting for each layer to dry.

8 Car Mats

Floor mats
via Amazon

A house is fitted with carpets to exude an air of elegance and a feeling of coziness. It's for this same reason that you should get customized mats in your car. As with other parts of your car, mats provide several benefits other than aesthetics. The absence of floor covers may expose your interior to deterioration. Car mats protect your vehicle from hazards such as mud, spills, stains, and grime. Certain substances may leave a permanent mark or corrode the interior. The best choice is all-weather rubber mats. If you can get them in a color that matches the interior of your car, even better.

Rubber mats are made of a flexible but sturdy material, which makes them durable. Rubber mats can withstand the contact from shoes. Also, the rubber mats are rigid, which provides friction to the carpet to keep the mat from moving. One of the biggest advantages of rubber mats is that it can repel moisture. If your feet are soaked because of the rain, it doesn't mean that your car's carpet should get wet. Rubber mats repel the rain and liquid you may expose the vehicle to. High-quality mats will cost around $100—well worth it to provide protection and style to your interior.

7 Window Tinting

Super Dark Window Tint
Via: Global Tint

Tinting your windows will elevate your car to a new class. Besides offering you sophistication, tinted windows will grant you the privacy that normal windows don't offer. Your possessions are valuable and shouldn't be previewed to others on the road. When you install tinted windows, you keep the prying eyes away. Tinted windows also help to protect your loves ones. Studies have shown that ultraviolet rays contribute to premature aging and skin cancer.

Tinted windows block out 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays. Since tinted windows block out the sun from shining on the interior, your vehicle's upholstery is protected from fading and cracking. Sun rays cause the car's interior to heat up. During the summer, the hot seats can become unbearable, and blistering heat can make you nauseated. Tinted windows are the perfect solution to keep the sun out. If you're planning to use standard film, it'll cost you roughly $100 to tint the entire car. A more quality film will range from $200 to $400.

6 Rearview Mirror Dual-Dash Camera

Rearview mirror camera Via Wikimedia Commons : John Pllard
Wikimedia Commons/John Pllard

Keeping your eyes on oncoming vehicles while peering at the rearview mirror to ensure the little ones are behaving is now easy. The advent of the rearview dual-dash camera has made it possible. The rearview mirror contains two 1080p resolution cameras that are 180 degrees rotatable with a 120-degree viewing angle that enables you to cover a large area to record. The rearview mirror permits you to record the front and rear view of the car at the same time. If you wish to change the angle, you can record the side window or enable the widescreen recording by turning both cameras to the front.

One of the features of the rearview mirror camera is the loop recording. It enables you to save space on the SD card since you can set the time span that you wish the camera to record. The camera has night vision. Installation is easy since all you need to do is clamp the camera over the rearview mirror and ensure that the camera has an optimal view. The camera also has a microphone that records during your journey, according to Falcon Zero. As you pull out, the recorder starts immediately. The Dual Dash Camera costs $150.

5 Steering Wheel

1981 Dodge Ramcharger Big Horn, interior, wooden details, gauges and steering wheel, DodgeRamchargerForSale
DodgeRamchargerForSale

Since you're looking to improve every detail of your car, you shouldn't neglect the steering wheel. After all, it's the most prominent visual for the driver. A visually appealing steering wheel can make your clunker look like the engine is roaring with power. Also, the driver touches the steering wheel more than most parts of the car. Since numerous shapes and colors exist, how do you know which is right for your car? Should you get a colorful steering-wheel cover? No. The standard steering wheel has a volume controller, cruise control, and Bluetooth. However, more buttons don't mean your car will have more style.

A good rule of thumb is to use a round wooden steering wheel for a classic. Take a look at the 1973 Bugatti 57 S Atalante or the 1963 Lamborghini 350 GTV, and you'll understand what we mean. On modern cars, a combination of luxury and sporty is what you want the steering wheel to convey. Black is the obvious choice of color, but chrome and red can add sophistication to your vehicle. A round leather stitched steering wheel gives your car class. We wouldn't want your steering wheel to look like one from a Formula One car.

4 Powercup Inverter

Powercup inverter
via youtube

No pimped-out car is complete without a charger. While standard car chargers aren't new to the market, these do lack character. If you want a pimp ride equipped with the latest technology, then you need the Powercup Inverter. The Powercup is a 200-watt inverter that has 2 AC outlets and a USB power port that permits you to power 2 household items and 1 USB-powered item from the vehicle cup holder. The cup provides 120 volt AC household power from an auto power socket or a cigarette lighter, according to Powerline.

Plug it in, and you're ready to charge your phone or the household device you have in the car, such as a laptop, a DVD player, or a portable game system. The device has a built-in fan to ensure that it doesn't overheat. With this cup, you never have to worry about any of your devices switching off whether you're on a long journey or are at home. The inverter plugs into a battery booster and charges devices if the power at home goes out. The Powercup can also illuminate a light if you need one when the power is out. The cup charger is available for $39.