Honda Pilot Accessories and Modifications

jjk20

VP 4WD, the rear view mirror seams small & cheap. Are there any easy inexpensive replacements? thk u

odie6l

Make a phone call to a couple local Honda Dealers and ask if they need to send the vehicle out for a sunroof, where would they send it? If they try to talk you into them doing it, just say "never mind", but most will tell of a very reliable place, then call the place on your own and skip the middle man. We have a place down here close to Downingtown (once was in Chadds Ford) called "Chetty's", they do all the aftermarket sunroofs, moonroof, t-tops etc. for dealers in the area. I had my '98 Stratus done there and they did a wonderful job (power moonroof (tilt, slide) for $200). I did have to schedule 3 weeks ahead of time because of the amount of dealers that get stuff done there. I'm waiting on a e-mail back from them for an estamite for "The Beast" to have a power vista roof installed. I'm expecting $600 - $800 for the full install. They also use factory headliner fabric for each vehicle, so no mis-match in color.

Odie
Odie's Carspace

dfwhonda

I'm considering purchasing a separation net for my new Pilot to make sure that items in the cargo area stay in the cargo area in case of an accident, but the sales description of the cargo net seems to indicate that it is only a "light duty" type of net. In other words, if there were a heavy object (say 10 lbs or more) in the cargo area, during a crash that heavy object could potentially fly right through the cargo net (thus defeating the sole reason I'm thinking of purchasing it).

I've seen aftermarket metal separation bars, but didn't see one sold by Honda. Does anyone have a separation net, and if so, do you know whether it is in fact a "light duty" type of barrier? The saleperson at Honda wasn't terribly helpful as she said she hadn't sold many of them.

Thanks.

joeyjoejoe

I saw someone had installed an AVS Bugflector II shield on their 2006 Pilot and was wondering if anyone has experience with one on their '08 or newer model? It looks like AVS changed the design and the unit now gets taped to the hood. There is no drilling involved anymore. I was looking around on-line and it gets some good reviews. We do a bit of traveling so we're on all sorts of roads. We definitely need something to protect the hood. Amazon.com has them (clear or smoke colored) for $42 with free shipping right now. Any experiences? Thanks.

carabel

I just leased a Honda Pilot VP and want to install non-Honda runningboards. Is this ok to do? They can have the boards when I return the car and won't be interested in keeping them. I didn't like the Honda ones and prefer another design. Is there any complication to doing this ?

Thanks/Carabel

parviz

The Pilot has the installation holes pre-drilled for the Honda brand. If the aftermarket ones you are interested in are specifically designed for the Pilot that should be okay. Otherwise, you may have difficulties in the installation.

carabel

Thanks for the reply. I see the pre-drilled holes. While it's aftermarket, they do ask for dimensions and model/model year. I will make sure that the product will suit the pre-drilled.

Carabel

normh

Does anyone own or have any experience with a Honda Factory luggage basket for the Pilot? I am considering the purchase of one and I would like some feedback on the pros/cons of this accessory.

pilot15

Just bought a 08 EX-L with Navi. Had an Apline DVD overhead DVD player installed today. We went with the 10" screen. Great picture but the screen does block some of the rear view mirror. Anyone else dealing with this? I'm sure I'll get used to it.

deepinstk

Have you installed it yet? if so, where did you buy? Please post it here. I plan to install one myself as well. Saw on ebay about this item for about $230, including shipping. Aftermarket stuffs ofcourse . Thanx.

kbagh

Bought a 2008 Pilot w/o NAV & w/o RES and looking for best way to add bluetooth and ipod connectivity.

Thanks,

mike274

Hello. Does anyone know if I should have the back up sensors put in form the dealer when I purchase my Pilot or is there an aftermarket sensor that I can have put into the truck. Thank you

parviz

Personally, I like to have the dealer do things like that at the time of purchase as all Honda accessories installed by the dealer at time of purchase carry the same new car warranty. Unless of course there is a huge price difference and not much feature/quality difference with the aftermarket unit that would make it justified in my mind. I had my rearview camera installed for the Accord I just bought but did not buy the Honda runners when I bought my Pilot.

odie6l

I have the Clear deflector from AVS for my 2006. It is very easy to install. There is NO drilling, but you do need to remove a couple screws and replace them with the screws that come with the deflector. The AVS deflector covers mor of the hood then the Honda OEM deflector. I have pictures in My Carspace page in the photo albums for the Pilot (also on the video listed on the page)link to a quick picture

Odie
Odie's Carspace

tsy

I looked into aftermarket backup sensors- but in the end decided to go with the Honda ones. There are little holes pre-marked in the bumper for the Honda backup sensor and the aftermarket ones seemed a little 'cheesy'. I figured it was worth paying a little more for the Honda ones. Also, if you have any problems with them the dealer can take care of thme, or if you ever get rear-ended (which i did) and they had to replace the sensors it was easy to get the parts.

I am very very happy with them and find they're more convenient than a camera (you can look back and listen instead of staring at your dashboard while you back up)

I can park the pilot in really tight spaces that would be hard without it. Also it makes me feel better with kids around!

tom

mike274

Thanks for the feedback from everyone. Now I just have to go find my Pilot.

Tom, do you know the cost of the sensors so I don't get ripped off from the dealers?

tsy

I was initially quoted $900 by the salesperson, but when I went and talked to the service guys it was only $650 or $700. The service guys said the labor wasn't nearly as long as the sales guys thought it would be.

When I went to the local car stereo chain they were going to charge me $500, so the extra money so I didn't have to worry about it was worth it to me.

Good luck! My friend just bought an '08 Pilot at almost $4000 below invoice.

tom

cheshire1

I bought the Curt trailer hitch from hitchsource.com. It took about 45 minutes to get on, but was basically pretty easy once I borrowed my neighbor's torque wrench. I'm just putting it on for a bike rack, so I didn't put on the electrical system or the transmission add-on.

cheshire1

Next problem is that the center tab is not flush with the inside of the bumper. I tightened the screws somewhat, but not to the torque setting. Seemed to draw the bumper tab closer to the bumper (or the bumper moving towards to tab!), but I didn't want to crank everything out of shape. Sound like your experience, too?

That's what happened to me with an 08. The tab at the top of the hitch (with the two vertical boltholes) was about a 1/2 inch away from the bumper when I had the two sides bolted on. I torqued the top two bolts until they were tight, which seemed to pull the tab flush against the bumper. (As far as I can tell, the tab moved, not the bumper).

cheshire1

I'm looking for something to set up an input to my AUX button in an 08 Pilot with Nav. I don't need an IPod charger or mount or anything like that - I basically just need an input plug where I can plug in an MP3 player or the kids' DVD sound output. Ideally, I'd like something hidden, or that goes with the 08 dash if not.

Has anyone seen anything good for this? Alternately, are there some instructions that I can use to use a non-honda-specific input kit? Thanks!

parviz

All you need is a patch cord that you can buy from Radio Shack/Frys/best Buy, etc. for a few $$ that will connect your MP3 player to the Aux jack. It is a wire with headphone plugs on both ends.

cheshire1

Thanks - I don't have the RES, just Nav, so I have an Aux button, but no jack visible on the dash or in the console compartment.

My understanding is that if I open up the dash, there is some kind of input that I can plug into that will work with the Aux button, but I don't know much more than that.

parviz

That may be true but I have not heard of it. There used to be a pre-installed cable accessible from the glove compartment that would connect to the unit sold by Honda called Honda Link but I am not sure if they still make that available for the 08 model year, I heard lots of complaints about its lack of performance. You may have considered this already but in case you have not, another option ( but not using the Aux button) would be to get a FM transmitter that connects to your portable device and transmits the signal that is picked up by your FM radio, it works okay in areas that don't have too many commercial FM stations as they override the weak signal, otherwise it should be okay. You may try one and if you don't like it return it within a few days. I just wouldn't want to open up the dashboard looking for something that may not be there! Good luck.

parviz

On a different note, since you have the Navi, as I do. I have a question regarding the quality of the picture on the rearview camera. Mine has some hazy lines on it. How is yours? is it very nice and clear or anything else? Thanks.

pablo9

Go to Crutchfield.com and enter your vehicle info.

Go to http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dcPtwNihrQ2/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?I=581PA11H2Y-

There is a unit for $150 that does a great job. I also have a 2 week old 08 SE Pilot and plan on adding this accessory. The trick here is that you will be plugging into the back of the radio unit so having the appropriate wire harness for plug is important for easy installation and use. This not only provides a direct link for an Ipod but provides RCA input which will allow anything to feed in through the AUX portion of the radio. Best one I have found!

bigdadi118

Thanks ... this is great, My son has been wanting it for his IPod music. Ordered one today, plus I trust shopping @ Crutchfield.

pablo9

You'll be beating me to the punch then. Let me know how it goes on installation and sound. Both should go well from what I've read.

Now if I could find something that easy for my 99 Accord...I'd be smiling even bigger.

bigdadi118

What are you looking for your 99 Accord?

donnieo

Do you still want to get rid of that separation net?

jmac8

Yes, are you interested? Make me an offer. jmac

tidester

Make me an offer.

But not here! Take it to email. You can make your email address visible to other members by editing your member profile.

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

donnieo

I activated the access to my email. Send me a message with details.

joemama33

I just put one of these on my 08 and it is a big improvement appearance-wise over the factory unit. It is NOT taped on, it is screwed on under the hood using holes the factory placed there. Got mine on Amazon fr $42 delivered.

slamtaz

hey joemama33,

can you post a picture of the pilot with the avs bugflector II on it? I'm considering one but the website doesn't show any picture. Thanks in advance for indulging...

joemama33

I'll put the digicam to work on it this evening and post it.

pablo9

Hey bigdadi118,

I didn't see your question until now...thanks for the response.

I'm looking for something simple but effective to provide MP3 playback on my stock 99 EX Accord headunit. FM transmitters don't do any good as I'm in metro Houston (too many transmitters/stations). I may just need to resort to upgrading the headunit but I hate spending the extra cash on the 9 year old 170k plus mileage car. Not to mention, it invites a bit too much attention if you know what I mean.

(Apologies to others for the off topic note.)

bigdadi118

I think the USA-SPEC IPod direct connect to the head unit, also has a pair of RCA jacks as input, a flip of switch for either IPod or RCA to the head unit.
I am sure you are easy to find a connector between your MP3 palyer and the RCA jack.
I will have my USA-SPEC installed soon.

joemama33

Here are some pix of the 08 Pilot wearing the AVS BugSield II.

Front buggy

Side Buggy

Other side buggy

Like I said, way better than the 70's era design of the factory unit, and much less $$.

pablo9

Long time getting my responses in...apologies.

From what I can tell, my 99 headunit does not have any options for direct plug in. I have the single CD player unit (EX 4 cyl). Was thinking about swapping it out but...

Did you get your USASpec unit installed? How well is it working?

bigdadi118

Hi - Not yet. I was busy like hell because of recent lay-off and downsizing causing staff short-handed, well, thanks to the skyhigh gas price anyway. I am stressful and concerned on who's next in 2nd round.

I checked with auto audio shop and will cost 75.00 for USA SPEC installation. If there's no extra / direct plug-in then I think they can use a "Y" cable to connect. Ask the auto audio shop to confirm.

Next week or so, I probably let them do it to save my time.

akoehmstedt

I just bought the 09 Pilot Touring and it had the crossbars already installed. But while driving it makes a whistling sound so we took the crossbars off and the sound has gone away. Has anyone else had this issue? What did you do to fix the problem?
Thanks!

joeyjoejoe

I've been reading about these companies that are making FlexFuel kits for all vehicles now. Most of them sell a 6-cylinder module kit for around $500 or so. Who knows how much it would cost to have it installed, but it appears to be a pretty simple task. Other than some electrical work, there doesn't appear to be any major changes.

Does anyone have experience with these kits? I was curious if anyone had done so on a Pilot. I would think the resale value alone would be worth the cost, but it would probably take a while to actually see the cost difference in biofuel vs reg unleaded due to factors like lose in efficiency with bio, hard to find bio, etc....

I'd appreciate any info. I have a 2008 VP and although I love it, who wouldn't want to increase those pesky mpg's? Thanks!

shaybah

Hello,

I haven't found any threads yet that discuss this, but I took delivery today on an '09 Pilot and one of the accessories I added was the Honda Remote Start, as seen here:

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/honda_pilot_accessories/2009_honda_pilot_access- ories.htm

The dealership offered a less expensive aftermarket starter, but I liked the idea of a Honda-made starter that's integrated with the vehicle's climate controls. Hot outside? The starter automatically turns on the A/C and cools it to 72. Freezing outside? The starter automatically turns on the heat and the defroster. Downsides: For one, it's very expensive. It only comes with one remote fob, which is annoyingly huge. It also has a much shorter range than many aftermarket starters. My dealership had never even installed one before. It only came out this year, and is only available with certain vehicles. In short, no one knew to talk me out of it.

If you have experience with aftermarket starters, it usually works like this; once you use the starter remote to start the car, you must use the same remote to unlock the doors and get in (i.e. your factory remote is temporarily disabled). You put in the key, turn it to the on position, and go. If you tap the break, the car shuts off. I assumed a Honda Remote Start system would at LEAST work this way, if not better (e.g. the starter does not disable the factory remote).

I'm dumbfounded by what actually happens. You use the starter remote to start the car, and it DOES disable the factory remote. However, the starter remote does NOT have lock/unlock buttons for the door. So when you get to the car, you actually have to TURN OFF the starter in order to unlock the vehicle, get in, and RE-start the car. If you attempt to even use the key to unlock the door, it shuts off the starter.

Does anyone agree that this is unacceptable? Not only is it unnecessary wear & tear on the car's starter because you have to start the car TWICE every time you use it, but more importantly it almost defeats the purpose of having one. I'm dumbfounded that Honda would go to market with a product that has LESS integrated functionality than the 3rd-party starters available.

Does ANYONE out there have this product and have a different experience? I'm holding out a little bit of hope that somehow mine was installed or programmed incorrectly.. Feel free to email me at jon @ eltopo.com.

Thanks!

Jon

joemama33

This may seem like a dumb question, but here goes. I have read that pre-2005 Pilots did not have the lame "dead pedal" on the left side of the driver's floor. Is this a removable add-on piece or is it molded into the body sheet-metal?

bigdadi118

Can start your car within 1 MILE range with Spread Spectrum Technology (SST)

http://www.viper.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=103

http://www.viper.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=115
link 2 remotes, ignition control lock.

bigdadi118

My XM radio 3 months trials period ends soon. Received from both Honda & XM letters offering $4.99 per month for 3 months.
Call 1-866-409-1096 and tell them you received a letter saying the above, if you didn't receive the letter.

I heard Hyundai new cars have 6 months free trial on XM, 3 months more than Honda's.

beachprof

I too have recently purchased an 08 Pilot but I have deparate XM and AUX buttons. This must be because I don't have the rear entertainment system. So, should I purchase the connection kit described earlier in this thread and then find someone who knows how to get to the back of the radio unit to plug it in and then run the wire to somewhere in the console?
thanks,

joeyjoejoe

Hi, I have an '08 VP AWD and was interested in hearing if anyone had installed a cat-back system on their Pilot. I had assumed that Honda already had something like this installed on the Pilot, but I can't seem to find the information either way. I read an article in Popular Mechanics that ran through how to install the system and the benefits of such. I'd defnitely like an increase in HP, fuel economy, and sound. I appreciate any info guys. Thanks!

dfwhonda

I'm considering installing a trailer hitch on my '08 Pilot (FWD) as well. When I checked the Honda e-store to see what was recommended, installation of a trailer hitch also requires installation of an "ATF Cooler" (?) and a "PSF Cooler" (which I think relates to power steering. If I plan on towing 3,000 lbs, do I need to install these things, or is this just an area for Honda & dealers to make some profit? Any thoughts appreciated.

joemama33

From my perspective, I would do it for two reasons

1. It reduces the heat generated in the transmission/PS by towing with a vehicle that is marginally designed for that purpose.

2. Honda will void your warranty if you tow without the coolers.

As to whether it is neccessary: cheap insurance, IMO.