Tesla Modding Trends & Insights From the Pros
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The world of electric vehicles is rapidly evolving, and one of the aspects that sets Tesla apart from other manufacturers is the potential for customization.
If you want to stay ahead in the Tesla modding game, stick around.
While I’ve done a good number of aftermarket upgrades to our Model 3, I never went over the top or asked to get sponsored. It’s a daily driver that I share with my wife, so it doesn’t make sense to modify it as heavily as some other cars I’ve owned.
That’s why most of my Tesla Model 3 blogs focus on topics like cost-effective exterior mods, or beginner guides for proper wheel fitment.
On the other hand, in my “Featured Rides” section, I’ve covered some of the world’s hottest custom builds. So, I’m well aware of the modding trends.
In this article, I’ll give you a few tips on how to build a show-stopping Tesla and share with you some insights I got from my friends at RUINED EV.
Trends in Tesla Modifications
Customization is a common thing even among average Tesla owners. What you’ll see on most street cars are aftermarket hub caps, tinted windows, some exterior/interior accessories from Amazon, lowering springs, etc.
The guys who compete at car shows utilize completely different modifications!
In the next section, you’ll see what it takes to build a Tesla that stands out.
Exterior Upgrades
Having a color that makes your car pop is a must, but it feels like custom paint jobs are a thing of the past. You can still see some amazing airbrush work, but mostly on hot rods.
Tesla owners who rack awards at events are primarily using wraps. It makes it easier to come up with some wild colors quickly and allows them to change their EV’s looks for every major show.
A common misconception is that all Tesla show cars have full body kits. They surely have tons of ground effects, but most builders combine parts from different brands as they aim for uniqueness.
The most trendy exterior customization is the use of carbon fiber all over the car. Everything from mirror visors to covers for side markers, door handles, and fog lights. Of course, I’m talking about real-deal carbon fiber, not wraps.
Another thing that is getting popular is the lighting upgrades. Several years ago, there were only the AlphaRex taillights and some terrible headlight replacements. Now, companies like Oracle and TesLux offer top-notch custom solutions.
Interior, Trunk & Frunk
Carbon fiber plays a key role in Teslal’s interior customization as well. I have the more common center console and dashboard carbon fiber enhancements in our Model 3, but you can see a lot more in show cars. Seatbacks, steering columns, door panels, anything you can think of.
An interesting trend I’ve noticed is that most builders are going for custom-made Yoke steering wheels. The VP of RUINED EV went a step further and installed a Tai-Fighter style wheel. I really liked the design.
Another car I want to show you is the Model 3 owned by my man CJ Cardinalli, a.k.a. The Godfather of Aftermarket Tesla. He has gone for a full-blown custom interior with racing seats, roll cage, crazy RGB LED lighting setup, and much more.
A completely redone trunk accommodating a high-end audio system is an ordinary thing in award-winning Teslas. Of course, not every car has what you see in CJ’s trunk, but if you want to go after his 30+ awards, you gotta do even better.
Tesla builders have found a great way to use the frunk. Similar to what you see in CJ’s car, they use the front trunk space for the air suspension goodies and then add plenty of personalization to it. I’ll show you another one in the next section.
Suspension & Wheels
In regards to suspension, aftermarket options were limited to springs and coilovers for years. If you wanted to get your Tesla bagged, you had to assemble a kit. As you can imagine, that was quite a challenge.
Nowadays, getting your EV on bags is a must if you want to get noticed at car shows. Naturally, this mod became a trend, and bagged Teslas aren’t uncommon on the street. As for the brands, the preferred choices are Universal Air and Airlift Performance.
When I was searching for new rims for our Model 3, my only intention was to enhance the looks without compromising on ride quality and range. You can find some nice wheels from good brands that match the Tesla OEM specs.
When the goal is to get more eyeballs, you have to step your game up.
You can go custom or explore the options provided by the few companies that manufacture bigger wheels designed to fit Tesla vehicles precisely. Weight, width, and offset are crucial when trying to get a killer stance and avoid potential issues.
From what I’ve seen at car shows and on Tesla builds featured on my blog, Rohana, Strasse, Rotiform, Avant Garde, and Vorsteiner are some of the brands that stand out. Of course, I must also mention Unplugged Performance for their ultra lightweight wheels.
Tips & Insights From the Pros
While I have a lot of experience with modified cars, our Tesla is far from the custom builds you saw in this article. Therefore, I’ll share with you some insights I got from the owners prior to featuring their rides on my blog.
If you want to build a Tesla that has the potential to win trophies, it all comes down to staying informed, thinking creatively, and setting priorities.
Get Familiar with the Aftermarket
Before you start modding your Tesla, research and understand the options. Keeping tabs on new companies and products, attending major car events, and following builders on social media will give you a good starting point.
With zero experience in the custom car scene, JT was able to build a stout Tesla Model 3. All he did was join one of the Florida car clubs, visit some Electrify events, and watch tons of YouTube videos.
Now, he is part of the RUINED crew and works on a new project – a 2020 Model S.
Think Outside the Box
To truly stand out in the world of Tesla customization, try to come up with innovative and creative ideas. Experiment with new products and combine different types of mods in unique ways.
A good example of this is my friend AJ’s approach. He saw a cool trunk spoiler mounted on a BMW at one of the SEMA shows and wasted no time to share his thoughts with the manufacturer. AJ said the wing would look even better on his car.
Less than a year later, AJ’s Model 3 Performance rocked the first Adro swan neck spoiler made for Tesla. I hope you get the point.
Set Priorities & Be Patient
Your main goal should be to make your car unique and truly yours. That translates to prioritizing quality over quantity. Be aware that this will take time and a lot of trial and error, as Tesla is still a relatively new platform.
As I’ve mentioned multiple times on my blog, the Tesla aftermarket is still small, but due to the big demand, there are a lot of poor-quality mods. Don’t rush to buy something just because it looks good in pictures. Dig online to find feedback.
I remember what Bree told me when she and I were working on her Tesla Model 3 build story. She said that even if you get to the point where brands want to sponsor your ride, you still must be very selective.
Last Thoughts
I hope you found this piece of content useful. To get even more familiar with the ways of the Pros, you can check out each build breakdown. I also have a listicle post with brief info and a couple of photos showing more than ten custom Teslas.
- Don’t go for the cheap mods everyone displays on Facebook
- Keep up with the trends, but don’t be afraid to experiment
- Go against the herd, and your build will be relevant for years
