Honda Pilot Accessories and Modifications

qbrozen

That doesn't sound TOO bad.
H&A sells the chrome steps for $468 ... so the dealer is charging you about 1.5 hours labor (or ~$520 for the steps and ~1 hour labor). I think that's pretty fair.

If you WANT the chrome, the $35 difference isn't bad at all. Just remember, chrome pits and rusts over time ... you need to take good care of them.

mtndave

Just bought a certified used '03 Pilot EX-L with Leather.
I do a lot of driving on winding, hilly roads and would like to stiffen up the suspension. The Pilot seems to wallow a bit around the curves (from side to side). My last car was a sports car and I am used to stiffer suspensions.
I search on the Internet via Google and found nothing. (But I did find this site!)
The dealer suggested stiffer tires (I can do that) and bigger sway bars (can't find any)? Any suggestions? Thanks

PS - I had Circuit City install a Sirius satellite radio - on a bracket below the heater controls. It looks OK and works great!

tae1

I own a 2003 Pilot with DVD entertainment system and my kids love it...
Recently my sister in law bought a 2005 and did the aftermarket DVD system and they hate it....

The beauty of the factory system is the integration with the radio....all control reside at the radio with a round switch that allows you to control the radio or the dvd.....When the DVD system is on the radios subwoffer will turn off....but you can turn it back on....slick system, user friendly

Buy the factory system....When the kids get older the DVD player will play CDs and you can listen to your music thru the speakers and they will listen on the wireless headphones

DVD player is built into radio.....DVD disc input is below AC on front dash...perfect for changing disc on the fly even if you are alone in the front

tae1

The stock tire are smaller than most compact SUVs.....

There in lies the problem..

Get rid of the small donuts and get real tires

2 years ago I bought from Discount Tire direct 17" x 7" wheels for about $ 150.00 each and mounted 255/60/17 tires and WOW what a difference

The key is to keep the over all tire height the same
Original tires 235/70/16 = 235 x .70 = 164.5mm
convert to inches by dividing 164.5 by 25.4 = 6.47 inches
Add 6.47 (height of one side of sidewall) + 6.47 (height of other sidewall) + 16" rim =
Overall original tire height = 28.94 inches

New tire should be with in 3% of the number

I chose 255/60/17 - good balance between perf and weight - bigger wheels weight more - buy the lightest wheel you can afford

255 x .60 = 153
153 divide by 25.4 = 6.02
6.02 + 6.02 + 17" rim = 29.04 inches tall

There are no clearance issues....no issues at all
My pilot has 62k miles and 40K have been on these rims and tire
I put on and would reccoment Pirelli Scorpion Zeros
Very few manufac produce this size - I had Continetal sport truck tire on originally - sometimes you can find them for less that $ 100 each on web

Results from mods:
Tires
No tire squeal/body motions are better controlled/ high speed criusing feedback from tires is better/ steering wheel is slightly heavier(I thought it was to light anyway)
Air filters
Breaths better and is faster with new air filter - also growl under full throtle applications and people actuall turn there heads as I throttle up and pass them

Only problem.....you drive alot faster!!! and with more confidence
Also the vehicle looks beefy with big tires
Be careful with offsets do push the tire out any further...offset should remain same as factory offset = center line of rim

Other things..
shocks
NO one but Gabriel makes an after market shock
I even checked with companies from Japan - no one has anything!
And at this time only the rears are available..... front replacements are coming in september
I would replace the shocks as well - new shocks are less that factories and work well

Did you know that Weapon R (on the web) makes a great replacement perf air filter kit with 3" bad assed chrome intake tube

And I recently bought stillens cross drilled brake rotor and after market pads that use stock calipers.....alittle nioser and more dust but WOW can the stop...

You now have the information it took me countless years to compile and understand and test

If I had to start somewhere...
Do the tires - realitively inexpensive and very noticable difference

Mtn dave - do you ride at mountain creek - I do I think you pilot is black - right

tae1

I recenlty found a Ford F-250 air dam at my companies warehouse and guess what...

I turned it that upside down so the factory holes are facing down to the street and the thing bolted right onto the lower small lip air dam that comes stock on the pilot

Be carefull if you install this... I also punctured my washer fluid tank that resides down there...
The guys at the dealer loved my idea so much they fixed the hole I made for nothing...they patched it

Now I have a real air dam and guess waht it never scapes ever on anything...

If any one wants I will post a picture....

Good luck trying to find ANY aftermarket body parts...they do NOT exist

tae1

lOOK AT MY POSTING ABOUT STIIFER SUSPENSION AT PAGE 33

i UPGRADE TIRE AND RIMS ALREADY

I will save you the trouble of tying to figure it out.....

Tae

tae1

Check my message on page 32/33 Stiffer suspension

I upgraded to a 255/60/17 on my 2003 pilot and what a difference

I will fill you in

Remember - you want to buy the lightest rim you can afford

17 inch rim are inexpensive and look good

I bought Fondmetals from Discount tire direct

Tae

mtndave

tae1 - Thanks for the great info. I will start looking into wheels/tires/shocks.
(I live in Eagle Point, OR, and my Pilot is white.)

tae1

Dave

Make a mistake...

Monroe is the only company making aftermarket shocks for the pilot

I just checked the monroe site and it looks like the fronts are available

Monroe Reflex is the performance shock
Monroe Sensitrac is the comfort shock

abzotech

Hi TPMS,

What size tires did you put on your 20"? I currently have 255/55/18 and considering bumping up to 19's. I sort of staying away from 20 because of the hard ride factor. I know 1" is no big difference, but it's my odd way of compremising. But maybe with your words of wisdom, I may go all the way to 20's. So what is the ride like on normal road driving?

abzotech

I had exactly that size 255/55/18 Toyo Proxies tires, on ADR chrome wheels. Fit's perfectly and the ride improved. It looks great and I drive more confidently because you can immedietely feel the better traction. The maximum size you can put on your Pilot are 255/45/20. Personnaly I think the 20" rims on mid-size SUV are overkill's, and looks better on cars like my BMW. I like my 18" rims, but if I had to do it over again I would have gone with 19" - 255/50/19... just so I'm just a step down the extreem.

Go for the 255/55/18, and if you can afford to spend an extra $500 go for the 255/55/19. Just word of advise, 18" are more common to find and cost less. 19" are harder to find, and cost more.

abzotech

Yes the MDX 17" will fit your Pilot. But why get the 17"? Bump up to the 18" instead. Personnaly I think the 17" on the MDX borders on the whimpy side. Check out the 18" on a Infiniti FX35... Now that looks mean and bad [non-permissible content removed]. I have 255/55/18 on my Pilot, and not only they look bad to the bone but they also improved the ride.

tae1

My pilot has a 255/60/17 tire on a 17 x 7" rim..... it looks beefy, was cheap to buy, and has less weight than an 18,19 or 20" rim

Remember if you increase unsprung weight....weight of items below suspension you will decrease performance...strike a balance between looks, cost, performance and do NOT forget comfort and quiet

255/55/18 sounds reasonable as long as the wheel is not heavy...

Tae

fred25

With your upgrades, how was the gas milage. Did it increase or decrease? and by how much?

Thanks

Fred

tae1

The difference was small ....

I am averaging about 1-2 MPG less city/hiway

The reduction in gas milage could also be attributed to my lead foot and the fact that now I cruise at higher speeds more consistently, frequently and more comfortably ..........and as we all know......higher speeds use more fuel.....

The air cleaner didn't affect gas mileage....just made the vehicle faster and sound mean....

tae

traninc

what size are your rims and tires. I wanted to get 19 inch but dont know what size. does your ride . ride bumpy. :confuse:

tolip

i have searched several honda sites but so far i have not found anyone selling door edge guards for the pilot..I see that they make it for accords,civic and even the element..but none for the pilot..I would like to get feedback on sites that sell these..Thanks...

hutchg

John,

I just picked up an '05 EX-L and would like to install my 857-D and ATAS 120. I had this setup in my Chevy truck with good success except for some pesky ignition noise I just couldn't seem to get rid of.

I'd really like to hear about your installation. Do you have any pictures available?

Thanks,
Hutch

cj7

I have a question regarding all these suggestions regarding wheel & tire sizes.
Does it change the fuel efficiency of the Pilot? :confuse:

bruced1

Has anyone installed an electric brake controller in a pilot? I have the tow package and dealer installed hitch.

snitsela

I would think the wider tire will have more rolling resistance and thus less mileage. It should not make that big of difference though.

I am about to Purchase an 06 EX AWD and I believe the stock tires are Goodyear Integrity 235 70 16. According to Tirerack.com reviews this tire is JUNK. I respect their reviews as they are from users themselves. Why does Honda see fit to put these on the Pilot? I am thinking of an immediate upgrade. Looking at the Firestone Destination LE 235 65 17 . The big difference is the Firestone is a T rated tire which should be stiffer and improve the handling / feel somewhat. Hopefully the tire dealer will give me a decent deal on a switch. I don't get the handling comments in earlier posts being related to shocks.

I was really tempted to go with the 05 with the "clearance prices", but the 06 is upgrade in a lot of areas. One [non-permissible content removed] for me is the liftgate. I am ok with the liftgate, I would just like the glass to open without the gate. Snowballs chance in hell there is an aftermarket accessory for that.

snitsela

What did you pay for the tow package with hitch installed? Just wondering how much this will add to my purchase.

bruced1

$1174 plus tax at dealer

cj7

I have been reading a lot of postings about upgrading from stock wheels & tires to 18" 19" & even 20" rims and tires. You guys have me wanting these set ups before i even have my 06 Pilot 2wd EX-L RES. I would love to be able to see the difference via pictures. Does anyone have any photos of what a Pilot looks like with bigger rims and tires? Would really like to see with 18" with 255/55/18

marcus16

I just wanted to express my disappointment with the Honda Pilot roof rack and crossbar designs, and warn prospective OEM accessory buyers.

First off, the Pilot LX and EX designs are different - the LX supports a maximum of 100 lbs, the EX 150 lbs. Second, to install the Honda bike carrier, you have to remove the rubber lining on the crossbars, remove the crossbars with their torx screws, install T bolts in the bars, and on the LX remove the entire roof rack - just to install the carrier. Honda apparently considers the carrier a permanent addition - I want to be able to easily remove it - something 3rd party products do.

Unfortunately, because of the weight limitations on the LX, I cannot install a 3rd party carrier directly to my crossbars -- ugh. They're useless.

Is anyone else as frustrated with this as I am?

cameramatt

You are not alone in your dissatisfaction with the roof rack design flaw. It's been discussed many times here and on hondapilot.org. There should have been a way to easily remove or adjust the cross bars to accommodated other brand cargo boxes, cargo bags, ski racks... etc.
If your not careful, the torx screws can also become stripped if over tightened or misaligned.

jbrutvan

Looking for help in locating recordable or rewrite dvd's that will play in the car. We have a dvd recorder and use tdk dvd-r's. They dont work in the car. Does anyone know which recordable dvd's or rewriteable dvd's work in the 03 pilot ex-l w/dvd?
Thanks!

sbrain

What's the recommendation on the roof bars for an EX? I'm looking to put skis or bikes on the roof, and am used to roof-bars you can remove when you're not using them. Given it sounds like a real hassle to remove the Honda bars, would I be better going with a Thule rack? Any ideas?

Presumably leaving the Honda cross-bars on all the time is noisy?

Thanks very much.

qbrozen

they aren't noisy when installed correctly. people have had issues with noise when they are installed backwards.

sbrain

Why are people complaining about the ease of removing them then? Do you need to remove the racks to fit different accessories?

mfost

I apologize if this is the wrong forum but I'm new here. Last night we got home from the dealer with our new Pilot and noticed the pattern of dots on the windshield above the rear view mirror. What is that? And more importantly, will they interfere with an EZPass (Toll transmitter) and a Radar Detector placed on either side of the mirror?
Thanks
Mark

qbrozen

no, they don't interfere with EZpass. don't know about radar.

tomekk

We have FastLane Pass (same thing as easypass) on 2005 EXL RES right in front of the mirror - on the darkened strip - and so far it's worked fine.

fred25

I have a valentine 1 radar dectector and there is no interference.

Hope that helps you.

Fred

carbuyer13

Can anyone recommmend a air/bug deflector for my 2005 Honda Pilot that will not require drilling? I'm looking for a moonroof deflector as well. I live in the Seattle, WA area. Thanks!

sinbad2

Hi,
In my town people drive carelessly. :mad: A lot of slow speed accidents. You are waiting on a stop light and people will bump from behind kinda stuff....... So I am thinking about installing front and back bumper trims, towing hitchets, bumper guards, etc.

What are the best options. Any ideas or web sites?

Thanks.

qbrozen

ummm... darn, can't remember the name of the one I bought. I think it was just "bugflector." I got it off Ebay for ~$45. Attached with 3M pads.

beer4704

I just put on a WeatherTech bug deflector and there was not drilling or taping. Plastic fasteners are used on the ends with metal screws in the middle. They all use existing holes. I put mine through the car wash recently and it stayed put. Good 800 customer service also for installation help. Good Luck!

cameramatt

I have the FormFit Bug Deflector which uses no drilling and uses the original indentations in the hood for attachment. I'm very pleased with it and had no problems in the two years that I've had it on. Try www.hondaacuraworld.com for your accessories, ask for Tim.

qbrozen

oh yeah, i remembered after reading the other posts, it used sticky pads (i think), but it also used plastic clips that insert into existing holes under the lip of the hood.

05pilot

I did a search on this board but found only one unanswered post.

Has anybody thought of or heard about adding memory seats to a Pilot (or other vehicle)?. It does sound a little intimidating, but in the case of the Honda, both the 2005 Honda Odyssey and MDX come with memory seats..I wouldn't need to rout the controls to the driver door, I would attempt to put them on the seat side plastic
if possible. It would make for a happy (shorter) wife, I'll tell you that.

Thanks!
2005 Pilot EXL

ericpt

Im with you ther 05pilot - this is a fantastic idea. The motors are already in place, you only need the controller. Good thinking!

Any techies out there have any ideas on this?

Thanks, Eric

ericpt

Electric running boards. The kind that pop out when you open the door. I have a short wief, 2 kids. Would be great for them.

I found this -

http://www.electricstep.com/

But they dont show a honda model. PLus, they seem pricey, and the install instructions show in the dash stuff - seems a bit... overdone. I cant see why they cant slave in elsewhere.

Thinking about it-

Eric

hkeiner

I see from the Honda website that there is an AUX/XM button on the standard audio system on a 2006 Pilot EXL. What does this AUX/XM button do? I understand that XM radio exists in the unit but am not clear about the AUX capability. Does the button title mean that you can plug an auxiliary component into the back of the audio unit? The AUX on the button implies that you can.

I would like to plug an MP3 player (iPod for example) into the back of the audio unit using an auxiliary (AUX) cable. I called a few dealers and none of the salesmen could answer my question with any certainty without pulling the audio unit from the dash, which of course they did not want to do.

jttheiss

Did you get an answer. I've given up on the factory rails. I'm about to look for either a Thule or a Yakima and have no idea how to assess the features of either.

ty2005

Have you tried recording DVD-R from your PC? This is the best option. I have recorded many of my dvd movies from my PC and played them on my 04 pilot without any problems. Almost any brand of DVD-R will work. I used circuit city brand and another brand from an online purchase.

ty2005

I have an 04 EX-L with the factory DVD player and yesterday I just happened to accidentally put a music cd into the dvd player. Guess what? The DVD player wouldn't play it! I was upset but that's alright, I have a cd player too. Going to call the dealer and find out...

armondo

I just bought a 2006 Pilot 2WD and replaced the Goodyear Integrity's with some Bridgestone Dueler 245/70/16's. Much better tire, stock rims, no rubbing. 65,000 mile tire. Very pleased. No noise at 75 mph.

rick93se

Does anyone have a suggestion for all season mats just for the third row? I bought the Honda all season mats, but they are only for the first two rows. Also, are there cargo liners to use when the third row is up? Everything that I see appears to be designed for use only with the third row down. I know that there isn't all that much room back there with the back seat up, but it is a lot more quiet with the kids spread around!

mgbrillo

not particular with the DVD systems that are factory installed; or any DVD systems for that matter, but most probably, what they have installed are just DVD player (meaning, would read ONLY DVDs and not other types of 'CD'; that being in your case, an audio CD). Some DVD players are actually compatible with audio and mp3 CDs. Just my 2cents.