zorba53- Hopefully this post isn't too late for you. You may be interested in post #497, under the "Towing with a minivan" discussion. The Ody doesn't have any conveniently located holes for routing trailer wiring to the outside. There is a plug at the bottom of the rear seat well, but the wires would be exposed to hostile undercarriage conditions. You may consider routing wiring into the jack compartment, where it can be protected & hidden 'till needed. If you run wiring out rear hatch only when needed, you can still close it without damaging wires at all. Good luck.
That's right, Norman (lapvn), I recently installed wood trim in my Ody. However, I am very good with this kind of "art work" installation. If you have never installed wood trims before, I recommend that you DON'T! Have a professional experienced auto specialty place install it for you for about $50-75. I would recommend Veneerz.com if you want REAL Japanese walnut burl wood, which I think looks the best. It's only like $75 more expensive than synthetic wood, but I think it's worth it. Another important thing is to NOT get the FULL KIT. Instead, get the partial kit. Why? Before you install the woodtrim, take a close look at the Lexus GX 470, LX 470, LS 430, etc. and you know what I mean! Install "enough" wood trim, not TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!! If you want the Honda OEM synthetic wood trim, which I think also looks great, go to Handaccessories.com or hondapartsforyou.com, whichever is cheaper. Good luck.
the only difference I can think of is AC/DC option which can be overcome with a converter, not to mention that travel VCR's cost a bit more and will not record.
VCR's don't have the same problems that are inherent in CD/DVD players which can skip on bumps.
If you have the converter, I'd use the home VCR, but converters have a cost of around $50.00 and up.
Just picked up a converter 140watts from Radio Schack and worked fine.
How long it last, well it's a Radio Schack, but then again, I only plan on using this on trips that extends for days. So that accounts for about 3 times a year.
I think one difference is size since you have limited space in a minivan vs. at home. For traveling, you would think they make the VCR more durable somehow, but who knows? Where and how will you place/mount the VCR, Norman? If your home VCR is expensive(like a $400 S-VHS), you might want to get yourself a cheap VCR for about $50. Funny how a cheap VCR costs the same as a power inverter, huh?
Used a Sony Hi-Fi VCR which I got for free from work, something for processing an order of 5 23" Flat Panel LCD, Sony gave me this. Big deal.
Andrew is correct about the size though. Some are too tall to fit under the seats.
I think I have figured out some of the difference between the mobile and the home VCR.
The mobile version is set to go out of the box for the Cigarette lighter, where the home, you still need the inverter.
Some mobile versions have an extension eye for the remote, where with the home, you need to get out or find that spot that the IR can get to the system.
Some mobile versions have a heat and due sensor, no need for home vcr's to have this.
The only thing I am not sure now is if the mobile version have some kind of a signal amp in receiving signals, where a home version would already have a strong signal via the cable or satellite dish.
In order to power up a VCR or Playstation (one at a time) how strong of an inverter do you think I need. I have heard that if you go with a very strong inverter, something over 350Watts, you could do some damage to the cars electrical system.
Yeah, I heard that it is a waste of money to buy a power inverter above a certain amount of watts. I bought one for my laptop at 140 watts. I think we need to find out in the manual about how much power is too much before the fuse blows.
Most mobile VCRs don't even have a TV Tuner so you can't even get TV signals. Even if it had a TV Tuner built in, you would still need an external compact TV antenna which probably has some kind of signal amplifiers. The Tuner on my VCR+antenna is okay, but it doesn't pick up some major channels. My mobile VCR has a record button, so I assume you can also record with it, buy I wonder why?
According to the faq on the site, $3495 for the antenna, mounting hardware, cables, in-vehicle 12V receiver/control box, and a remote control. Installation is extra.
I'm in the market for a Lexus GX 470 w/NAV+DVD RES and I wouldn't be willing to pay a $4K RES. So what happens when it rains or the wind blows too hard or when you go downtown surrounded by skyscrapers? Will the satellite signal fade like direct tv or dish network? Besides, the RES is really for the kids and they want Disney DVD, not Speed Channel or Paige and Gen. And what the heck is Paige and Gen anyway? The NAV is for me, and it doesn't fade signal in the middle of a rain shower or skyscraper.
Hey Relax!! I was just offering an alternative to a TV tuner and antenna.
If you don't have a clear signal to the satellite you will lose reception. Snow and ice should not affect it but they suggest removing heavy amounts. The cost is high because KVH is adapting military and commericial technology to the consumer market and as the first one in it's going to cost $$. Somebody will spend $4K on 22" rims and tires and someone else will spring for this.
"And what the heck is Paige and Gen anyway?" Well if you don't know, I'm not telling. Just Kidding:
You're right. Expense is only relative to your desires. I'm sure some people would say, "$2K+ for NAV is a total waste of money". If you like something badly enough, money is relatively no object. But I heard from this place close to me that a satellite on the van is around $2K. It must be another type of satellite technology. So how is KVH compared to directTV and DISH?
I'm looking to buy a new Ody or Sienna, but don't like the factory DVD options. I'd like to have a DVD / TV tuner combo (preferably) all in one unit instead of in dash or under seat. Also, I'd like at least a 10" screen. Any suggestions out there on good quality stuff at a reasonable price? Thanks.
You're hysterical! I can just picture that now! This satellite thing must be for people who either spend A LOT of time on the road or those who want to have it just because they can. Way off topic here, but it's just too funny to not mention this. My wife just got "scammed" yesterday. A guy in a "white van" pulled up to her mother's Bridal store and said, "we over-bought a bunch of expensive speakers and we just want to get rid of them. They normally sell for $2,000 a piece, but I'll sell it to you for only $500 per speaker." My wife said, "$100 a piece, not a cent more." So they sold it to her for $100/speaker. The "brand" was Theater Research TR-2810. They look expensive at about 4 ft tall/60 lb, but they sure as heck don't sound anything like $2K per speaker.
Anyone ever feel like car accessories are scams and are made to just rip people off? Like that sound barrier/reducer/dampener piece of crap?
I think the only accessories worth getting on the Odyssey are the cargo tray, RES, and NAV :-)
Oh, yeah, those 60 lb TR scam speakers fit very nicely in the Odyssey:-)
just got back from a 1k mile road trip with the car fully loaded down. 7 passengers, 4 bikes and soft pak on top. The car ran like a champ through the Tioga pass at 10,000 feet.
My problem is, when this car is fully loaded, it tends to squat too low - the trailer hitch will hit dips in parking lots.
Is the solution as simple as installing new shocks? can I do this myself?
robr2, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
after failing to find anyone in my area with the p/n I needed for the Odyssey, I located a place called Summit Racing out of Nevada. They said it would ship in one day and the cost was $75.00. Everyone around here wanted two weeks and $125.00.
Just purchased 03 Ody EX. Trying to decided on what to add on, any suggestions welcome pro and con. Right now I am torn between mask or air defelector? Can any one give their experenaces with either?
32 inches? Gotta be kidding. How distaseful! Talk about one ugly looking minvan with a big-o-dish on top! These days, compact is the cool stuff, as in compact antennas they used on luxury vehicles like Lexus, Acuras, Mercedes, BMWs, etc. Who would want a big giant dish on their minivan?
Man, don't go into any underground garages! I saw this Navigator with one of those luggage on the roof, and it was parked in the garage at the hospital. Let's just say that his luggage is now half the origal size :-)
just installed the Air Lift 100 on the rear of my Odyssey to prevent the car from squating when heavily loaded down.
gotta say; that was the hardest Fing thing I've ever installed in my life. it had better work, cause there's no going back after making the modifications for this kit.
During the entire installation I kept thinking there must be a simpler solution out there.
lapvn, the airlift kit is designed to fit inside your rear coil springs to prevent squating (at least that's why I bought it). Install is a [non-permissible content removed]. You must first cut off the existing rubber bushing inside the coil which is the hardest part - all this on your back while under your jacked up van.
Then you need to drill a 3/4" hole in the bottom of the control arms. Then there is an air line to install (this part is relatively simple).
One guy offered to do it for me for $80, and I wish now I took him up on it. It took me at least 4 hours to do this with many frustration pauses inbetween.
I kind of dove into this solution without considering some type of air shocks - I wonder now if that might of been simpler.
The one thing I worry about most is if these things fail during a heaving load, I've got no jounce bumper left.
I have the Full Nose Mask on my 03 Havasu Blue and I live in South Florida where it rains with a vengeance during summer,that is where your biggest concern comes in,getting the bra wet and having to remove it as it should not be allowed to dry on the van,but it is a godsend in keeping the front absolutely clear of rocks and road debris,it is soft and protects the bumper and the front of the hood extremely well,You can allow it to dry on the car occasionally,but you must remove it about every 3 weeks or so to clean the dirt that builds up around the front wheel wells.Do not forget to polish the front each time you remove the mask or bra as it protects the paint,if you have a dark coloured van try to keep it in your garage as much as possible to minimise the sun from two toning the paint,the front convered by the bra will not suffer from the sun action,as far as the deflector goes it is a cosmetic more than a protective device,the windshield is much harder to scratch than the front of your van,besides the nose mask gives the van a much better profile
I guess you have to really like the look with the bra. IMHO, it looks terrible, ruining the lines of the van altogether. And it also begs to me the question: what are you protecting the paint for?!? If you have the bra on all the time, then no one will ever see the paint.
It seems to me like the old ladies who used to (do they still?) put those awful vinyl covers on their car seats and even sofa's at home; even when they are clear, they destroy the look of the seat and they are sheer misery to sit on at any time of the year. But, boy oh boy, does the next owner get a pristine seat/sofa/paint job. To each his own, I suppose....
I would have to agree with dako, the mask sounds like more hassle than benefit especially in a area where it rains often. I could see using it for a road trip, but not day to day where you will eventually 'two tone' your paint.
Even here in North Texas, where it doesn't rain much, the dust that undoubtedly gets under a bra would still require removing it for cleaning quite frequently -- unless you like sanded paint. What's more, the amount of sunshine surely hastens the fade difference between bra/no-bra areas.
Incidentally, the hot Texas sun does have one very useful attribute: when I wanted to remove that nasty, plastic dealer label on the back of my pickup, I found that about a half hour in the August sun made it pretty easy to peal off (they had used double-stick foam tape to adhere the thing). The only problem was that the 130 degree plus paint surface gave me blisters on my fingertips! :-(
After wining about how difficult it was to install I thought it appropriate to write that the airlift 1000 (rear lift kit for the Odyssey) worked as advertised and kept my minivan level while fully loaded. The rear hitch with bike rack attached never bottomed out once.
My advice is to get someone else to install, but definitely worth it if you fully load your Odyssey for road trips like I do.
Does anyone know of a good alternative to the genuine Honda leather steering wheel cover? I would like to get one (I can't believe it doesn't come as standard equipment - at least on the EX-L) but don't care for the Honda cover because it only covers half of the spokes. Has anyone tried any of the aftermarket covers or know of any that go all the way up the spokes?
While searching for accessory prices, I happened upon an Ohio dealer (Collegehillshonda.com) with the following information listed:
Full kit @ $448 - (hitch / tranny cooler / PS cooler): "This is the required towing package for all 2002 Odysseys if towing over 2,200 lbs."
Hitch alone @ $233 - "It has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. For towing over 2,200 other accessories are needed."
If this is the official stand from Honda, then getting a hitch installed w/o the engine bay mods for use with a bike rack or a little utility trailer looks to be perfectly acceptable. Wondering if we could get this in writing directly from American Honda (as opposed to a dealers web site advertising)???
Has anyone installed a rear view mirror with a temperature/compass display on it? We really got used to that in our '96 DGC and I want to look into installing one on our '03 Ody.
Anyone's experience with this would be greatly appreciated.
i'm exploring adding a hitch and 4-bike rack to my 99 ody. any advice between 1 1/4 and 2 inch hitchs. i have no plans for anything other than a bike rack. i've poked around etrailer.com a little. any feedback on them? thanks, dave
why go 1", when you can have the added girth of 2" at no extra charge? that was my thought when going with Hidden Hitch 2"
When going with a bike rack, make sure it folds down so you can get to the hatch. I went with Thule - it had the best carriage holders for carrying all types of bike frames.
I found e-trailer had great pricing, but you'll have to fork out $50 to have it delivered. See if someone local will match their price.
I have a 2004 EX. I want a dvd player installed in the dash that can play cd-rs. I thought the dealer said all Ody's were prewired so installation of their factory dvd would be easy. (I didn't get it b/c it does not play cd-r's.) I'm assuming if the prewiring thing is true, it would be an easier van to install a system on than one that was not prewired. Anyone have any experience with this? Also, I have a friend who loves her windstar b/c of the mirror that lets her see the kids in back. I'd love to add that to my van. Anyone know where you can buy one and how you would have it installed? Thank you for any help you can provide.
For around $5, I bought a mirror at Walmart (in the section that sells Baby supplies) with a suction cup that you attach on your windshield. It's designed so you can keep an eye on your kids in the car. I place mine directly to the right of the rearview mirror. It works like a charm. I can see all 5 passengers easily with a quick glance (helps me figure out which of my kids started the fight...).
Comments
I'd appreciate if you guys can share your experience related to wood trim. From where did you buy it and how is fit and finish of product.
thanks
MJ
I would recommend Veneerz.com if you want REAL Japanese walnut burl wood, which I think looks the best. It's only like $75 more expensive than synthetic wood, but I think it's worth it.
Another important thing is to NOT get the FULL KIT. Instead, get the partial kit. Why? Before you install the woodtrim, take a close look at the Lexus GX 470, LX 470, LS 430, etc. and you know what I mean! Install "enough" wood trim, not TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!
If you want the Honda OEM synthetic wood trim, which I think also looks great, go to Handaccessories.com or hondapartsforyou.com, whichever is cheaper.
Good luck.
I was afraid that maybe a home VCR wasn't built to withstand the bumps on the road and it might throw something off inside.
VCR's don't have the same problems that are inherent in CD/DVD players which can skip on bumps.
If you have the converter, I'd use the home VCR, but converters have a cost of around $50.00 and up.
How long it last, well it's a Radio Schack, but then again, I only plan on using this on trips that extends for days. So that accounts for about 3 times a year.
Thanks for the reply
For traveling, you would think they make the VCR more durable somehow, but who knows?
Where and how will you place/mount the VCR, Norman?
If your home VCR is expensive(like a $400 S-VHS), you might want to get yourself a cheap VCR for about $50. Funny how a cheap VCR costs the same as a power inverter, huh?
Andrew is correct about the size though. Some are too tall to fit under the seats.
I think I have figured out some of the difference between the mobile and the home VCR.
The mobile version is set to go out of the box for the Cigarette lighter, where the home, you still need the inverter.
Some mobile versions have an extension eye for the remote, where with the home, you need to get out or find that spot that the IR can get to the system.
Some mobile versions have a heat and due sensor, no need for home vcr's to have this.
The only thing I am not sure now is if the mobile version have some kind of a signal amp in receiving signals, where a home version would already have a strong signal via the cable or satellite dish.
In order to power up a VCR or Playstation (one at a time) how strong of an inverter do you think I need. I have heard that if you go with a very strong inverter, something over 350Watts, you could do some damage to the cars electrical system.
I think we need to find out in the manual about how much power is too much before the fuse blows.
Most mobile VCRs don't even have a TV Tuner so you can't even get TV signals. Even if it had a TV Tuner built in, you would still need an external compact TV antenna which probably has some kind of signal amplifiers.
The Tuner on my VCR+antenna is okay, but it doesn't pick up some major channels.
My mobile VCR has a record button, so I assume you can also record with it, buy I wonder why?
http://www.kvh.com/tracvision/a5/index.asp
I mean really, now.
So what happens when it rains or the wind blows too hard or when you go downtown surrounded by skyscrapers? Will the satellite signal fade like direct tv or dish network?
Besides, the RES is really for the kids and they want Disney DVD, not Speed Channel or Paige and Gen. And what the heck is Paige and Gen anyway?
The NAV is for me, and it doesn't fade signal in the middle of a rain shower or skyscraper.
If you don't have a clear signal to the satellite you will lose reception. Snow and ice should not affect it but they suggest removing heavy amounts. The cost is high because KVH is adapting military and commericial technology to the consumer market and as the first one in it's going to cost $$. Somebody will spend $4K on 22" rims and tires and someone else will spring for this.
"And what the heck is Paige and Gen anyway?" Well if you don't know, I'm not telling. Just Kidding:
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/tradingspaces/bio/bio.html
If you like something badly enough, money is relatively no object. But I heard from this place close to me that a satellite on the van is around $2K. It must be another type of satellite technology.
So how is KVH compared to directTV and DISH?
I do know that cable for the van would be a technological challenge.
I can just picture that now!
This satellite thing must be for people who either spend A LOT of time on the road or those who want to have it just because they can.
Way off topic here, but it's just too funny to not mention this.
My wife just got "scammed" yesterday. A guy in a "white van" pulled up to her mother's Bridal store and said, "we over-bought a bunch of expensive speakers and we just want to get rid of them. They normally sell for $2,000 a piece, but I'll sell it to you for only $500 per speaker."
My wife said, "$100 a piece, not a cent more."
So they sold it to her for $100/speaker.
The "brand" was Theater Research TR-2810. They look expensive at about 4 ft tall/60 lb, but they sure as heck don't sound anything like $2K per speaker.
Anyone ever feel like car accessories are scams and are made to just rip people off? Like that sound barrier/reducer/dampener piece of crap?
I think the only accessories worth getting on the Odyssey are the cargo tray, RES, and NAV :-)
Oh, yeah, those 60 lb TR scam speakers fit very nicely in the Odyssey:-)
My problem is, when this car is fully loaded, it tends to squat too low - the trailer hitch will hit dips in parking lots.
Is the solution as simple as installing new shocks? can I do this myself?
thx
http://www.airliftcompany.com/new-index/Frameset.htm
thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
after failing to find anyone in my area with the p/n I needed for the Odyssey, I located a place called Summit Racing out of Nevada. They said it would ship in one day and the cost was $75.00. Everyone around here wanted two weeks and $125.00.
I'll write later to say how it works.
Can any one give their experenaces with either?
Received my lated Crutchfield catalog and they sell teh KVH. They have a picture of a NAVIGATOR with the DISH.
I can't believe this but the dish is 32". At that size I better be able to talk to the staff in the Space Station.
Yes it is 5" tall,. but it takes up the entire roof rack. WOW, now this really is a garbage, or a toy for the rich.
Talk about one ugly looking minvan with a big-o-dish on top!
These days, compact is the cool stuff, as in compact antennas they used on luxury vehicles like Lexus, Acuras, Mercedes, BMWs, etc.
Who would want a big giant dish on their minivan?
Man, don't go into any underground garages!
I saw this Navigator with one of those luggage on the roof, and it was parked in the garage at the hospital. Let's just say that his luggage is now half the origal size :-)
gotta say; that was the hardest Fing thing I've ever installed in my life. it had better work, cause there's no going back after making the modifications for this kit.
During the entire installation I kept thinking there must be a simpler solution out there.
Where can I get more information, and tips on installation?
You know the whole 9 yards deal.
aspesisteve - how hard was this to install? Any special tools required?
I went on the site, and didn't see any links in regarding installation tips and / or directions.
the airlift kit is designed to fit inside your rear coil springs to prevent squating (at least that's why I bought it). Install is a [non-permissible content removed]. You must first cut off the existing rubber bushing inside the coil which is the hardest part - all this on your back while under your jacked up van.
Then you need to drill a 3/4" hole in the bottom of the control arms. Then there is an air line to install (this part is relatively simple).
One guy offered to do it for me for $80, and I wish now I took him up on it. It took me at least 4 hours to do this with many frustration pauses inbetween.
I kind of dove into this solution without considering some type of air shocks - I wonder now if that might of been simpler.
The one thing I worry about most is if these things fail during a heaving load, I've got no jounce bumper left.
My first road trip with this will be next week.
It seems to me like the old ladies who used to (do they still?) put those awful vinyl covers on their car seats and even sofa's at home; even when they are clear, they destroy the look of the seat and they are sheer misery to sit on at any time of the year. But, boy oh boy, does the next owner get a pristine seat/sofa/paint job. To each his own, I suppose....
the mask sounds like more hassle than benefit
especially in a area where it rains often.
I could see using it for a road trip, but not day to day where you will eventually 'two tone' your paint.
Incidentally, the hot Texas sun does have one very useful attribute: when I wanted to remove that nasty, plastic dealer label on the back of my pickup, I found that about a half hour in the August sun made it pretty easy to peal off (they had used double-stick foam tape to adhere the thing). The only problem was that the 130 degree plus paint surface gave me blisters on my fingertips! :-(
My advice is to get someone else to install, but definitely worth it if you fully load your Odyssey for road trips like I do.
Full kit @ $448 - (hitch / tranny cooler / PS cooler): "This is the required towing package for all 2002 Odysseys if towing over 2,200 lbs."
Hitch alone @ $233 - "It has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. For towing over 2,200 other accessories are needed."
If this is the official stand from Honda, then getting a hitch installed w/o the engine bay mods for use with a bike rack or a little utility trailer looks to be perfectly acceptable. Wondering if we could get this in writing directly from American Honda (as opposed to a dealers web site advertising)???
Steve
Anyone's experience with this would be greatly appreciated.
When going with a bike rack, make sure it folds down so you can get to the hatch. I went with Thule - it had the best carriage holders for carrying all types of bike frames.
I found e-trailer had great pricing, but you'll have to fork out $50 to have it delivered. See if someone local will match their price.