So I picked up an E with just a little under 110,000 miles on her. It's a 2003 SSM 4WD DX. It came installed with a single CD player and A/C kit. I got the car for a pretty good price and I knew there was work to be done. So here are my progress pics along with some descriptions.

**I have to finish everything by this weekend because I'm planning on picking up 2 of my pups in SC. Sister is stationed in Texas and is doing training in South Carolina for a few weeks. She has no one to watch the pups while she is there and I don't like the idea of them staying in a kennel.**

Things done on the E this week:
- Replaced windshield
- Took apart panels and removed all seats to clean
- Fixed driver seat rattle
- Detailed engine bay
- Recharged dead battery
- Added front plate bracket (Thanks to "fujiisan")
- New 2 rear tires (old tires had sidewall cracks)
- Fixed P0141 code with new rear o2 sensor
- Reset Airbag SRS light
- Installed Black Aries sidesteps


To do list for tomorrow:
- Install locking gas cap (Recent gas theft around area)
- Fix center vent
- Install new front and rear wiper inserts
- Full exterior detail
- Replace engine oil, transmission fluid, rear differential fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid
- New inspection


Future to do list:
- Custom fabric for seats/possible seat swap
- 2 way alarm with remote start, up/down windows from pager/battery backup
- DVD/Navi double din install with ipod/bluetooth/rear camera

Before cleaning:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0131.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0123.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0128.jpg

In process of cleaning:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0133.jpg

Fixing the seat brackets:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0136.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0135.jpg

Some new parts installed today:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0139.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0142.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0140.jpg

Before sidesteps:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0137.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0138.jpg

After sidesteps:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0144.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0143.jpg

Nice project vehicle ZEN !

To bad it wasn't SOP, then it'd be DA BOMB

Nice project vehicle ZEN !

To bad it wasn't SOP, then it'd be DA BOMB

I know right! That's my favorite color for the E! I looked for the longest time for an SOP but no luck. :sad:

I met the previous owner of this E locally and was able to talk him down considerably from his asking price. I had to jump on the deal to get everything ready by this weekend.

Side steps look great. Nice to see you're taking care of business.

It amazes me how some have no respect for their e's.
Letting it get full of M&M's... I'm appalled.
:confused:
:rolleyes:
;-)

Side steps look great. Nice to see you're taking care of business.

It amazes me how some have no respect for their e's.
Letting it get full of M&M's... I'm appalled.
:confused:
:rolleyes:
;-)

The worst part was the caked up coke that dried up in the rear seats. When I went to shampoo the interior, coke started oozing everywhere. I spent a good hour trying to soak up all the soda with a wet vac and recleaning all the panels I just cleaned.

It amazes me how some have no respect for their e's.
Letting it get full of M&M's... I'm appalled.
:confused:
:rolleyes:
;-)

It's just M&M abuse - a waste of good chocolate
To some people it's ............."just a car"

The worst part was the caked up coke that dried up in the rear seats. When I went to shampoo the interior, coke started oozing everywhere. I spent a good hour trying to soak up all the soda with a wet vac and recleaning all the panels I just cleaned.

:shock: You are an e savior. Now I just hope I don't have nightmares about that tonight.

It's just M&M abuse - a waste of good chocolate
To some people it's ............."just a car"

Appalled x2.

Zen, you bought that one off Craigslist right? He had it on there for awhile, the Honda Mechanic at Priority was talking to me about it too. I knew somebody would get a good deal on it eventually...glad it was you.

Give me a hollar, I'd love to see your E.

Those M&M's*** look almost new! :D

Welcome.

Regards,

*** Edit: or other disc-shaped candy... :>)

Nice job so far, like the black floor boards, I wish Honda offered black.
I believe those were Reese's Pieces, if they were, what a waste.:oops:

They must have been stashing the orange and yellow M&M's.:D

They must have been stashing the orange and yellow M&M's.:D

...but they ate all the green ones :rolleyes:

I have heard of many types of 'Animal Rescue ' organizations, but this is the first time I've witnessed an "E-Rescue!" Zen, you are a true humanitarian an a real connoisseur of fine vehicles to boot! ;-)

Chief

Zen, you bought that one off Craigslist right? He had it on there for awhile, the Honda Mechanic at Priority was talking to me about it too. I knew somebody would get a good deal on it eventually...glad it was you.

Give me a hollar, I'd love to see your E.

Yep, it's the one off craigslist. There were more unexpected repairs that came up when I brought the car home but overall I think I got a good deal on the E. We should do a photoshoot when I get her cleaned up.

Those M&M's*** look almost new! :D

Welcome.

Regards,

*** Edit: or other disc-shaped candy... :>)


Thanks!

Nice job so far, like the black floor boards, I wish Honda offered black.
I believe those were Reese's Pieces, if they were, what a waste.:oops:

There were also several kernels of popcorn hidden in there. I wish I could tell you if they were M&Ms or Reese's Pieces but I was too scared to try and find out.:-P

I have heard of many types of 'Animal Rescue ' organizations, but this is the first time I've witnessed an "E-Rescue!" Zen, you are a true humanitarian an a real connoisseur of fine vehicles to boot! ;-)

Chief

Thank you! You guys are way too kind. I've been through an assortment of cars but I have to say that I feel this E is a keeper. :D

You got that E cleaned up real nice. :)
Looks good with the side steps.

Yup, them's reese's pieces alright, I can taste 'em from here.

Good job on the rescue Zen. Ain't it great that you can restore your interior with a wet rag?:D

You got that E cleaned up real nice. :)
Looks good with the side steps.
Thanks!


Yup, them's reese's pieces alright, I can taste 'em from here.

Good job on the rescue Zen. Ain't it great that you can restore your interior with a wet rag?:D

Lol :shock:

Yep, I love the interior!

Satin Silver Metallic FOR THE WIN! :D

Satin Silver Metallic FOR THE WIN! :D

8)





**If anyone wants pics or step by steps instructions of anything I listed, feel free to ask and I'll post them up.**

8)





**If anyone wants pics or step by steps instructions of anything I listed, feel free to ask and I'll post them up.**

I have the technical directions for removing the plastic flooring. Did you by chance take any photos of your floor removal?

I have the technical directions for removing the plastic flooring. Did you by chance take any photos of your floor removal?

Sorry, I am lacking pictures during the removal process. :oops:

I got caught up in a cleaning frenzy and forgot to stop and take pics.

UPDATE:

Just got back from SC today and I'll be doing this tomorrow:
- Install locking gas cap (Just came in the mail today)
- Fix center vent (Driver side does not open with slider)
- Install new front and rear wiper inserts

- Replace engine oil, transmission fluid, rear differential fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid
- New inspection

Haven't decided on a specific model yet but it will most likely be Viper or Clifford. Should be installed by next weekend.
- 2 way alarm with remote start, up/down windows from pager, battery backup

Found a DVD/NAVI setup that will be installed on Monday:
- Kenwood DNX-5120 (Garmin Navi) with ipod interface


Some goodies that just arrived:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0146.jpg

Another snag :mad:

Looks like the cooling fan motor went out. Going to test and retest it to be sure. Another $157.51 added to fixing the E. Starting to get discouraged with all the little problems that keep popping up.

Don't be discouraged. I know the unexpected is hitting the pursestrings...but you're doing a great thing by Rescuing an E!

Not to mention you'll have all the experience necessary to work on mine in 5 years or so. :D

-g

Don't be discouraged. I know the unexpected is hitting the pursestrings...but you're doing a great thing by Rescuing an E!

Not to mention you'll have all the experience necessary to work on mine in 5 years or so. :D

-g

Yep, I guess you're right. Here are some pics of today's work.

Old motor:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0153.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0147.jpg

New motor:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0148.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0152.jpg

Placement:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0149.jpg

Part # in case some needs to do the same thing:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0151.jpg

Dash trim removal:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0154.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0155.jpg

Back of trim:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0158.jpg

Vent:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0163.jpg

Fabrication:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0164.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0165.jpg

This unit is coming out tomorrow:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0156.jpg

Some more cleaning to be done:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0159.jpg

Look at that goo:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/poizentc/2003%20Honda%20Element%20DX%204WD/IMG_0162.jpg

Glad to see somebody else that's taking in a 2003 :-) I bought mine a month ago with 91k miles on it, feels like there's not a lot of 03s on here :-D

I got lucky with mine and have a lot of after market toys already in it, but I'm still interested in hearing what you do with yours. I'm thinking of tweaking a few things still, like maybe painting the dash/rings, and if that works, updating the panels on the outside. I'd also be curious what you find for seat covers - nothing much wrong with my originals, but still.

keep on rockin! oh ya, but I side with my orange brethren - SOP ftw :D

Glad to see somebody else that's taking in a 2003 :-) I bought mine a month ago with 91k miles on it, feels like there's not a lot of 03s on here :-D

I got lucky with mine and have a lot of after market toys already in it, but I'm still interested in hearing what you do with yours. I'm thinking of tweaking a few things still, like maybe painting the dash/rings, and if that works, updating the panels on the outside. I'd also be curious what you find for seat covers - nothing much wrong with my originals, but still.

keep on rockin! oh ya, but I side with my orange brethren - SOP ftw :D

I have to rep the 03s :D but I wish mine was SOP though.

Kenwood DNX5120 was just installed today. Also just picked up a Clifford RSX 3.5 alarm system. Should be in this weekend. I'll have updated pics soon.

I've had a clifford 2.5x system in my E for about 3 or 4 years now and it works great. I'm gonna be painting my dash trim rings SOP to match. i think what I'm gonna do is sand em down and use plastic primer to prep it for my friend to spray it. I've got the majority of a pint of SOP dupont paint sittin in the garage that's begging to be used.

I've had a clifford 2.5x system in my E for about 3 or 4 years now and it works great. I'm gonna be painting my dash trim rings SOP to match. i think what I'm gonna do is sand em down and use plastic primer to prep it for my friend to spray it. I've got the majority of a pint of SOP dupont paint sittin in the garage that's begging to be used.

Let me know how that goes. I'm lacking in paint ability/knowledge. I would like to see the the prep work steps and finished product before I undertake such a task.

Awesome project! It's nice to see someone taking initiative with their E. Congrats and good luck :)