[grilledcheese]

YO!

COVID-19 new car, new member!! haha

honda runs through my veins, especially on two wheels. got my first old honda 50 when i was 10.
recently sold my cbr streetfighter to build an element.
i use and improve, test, tinker, and create with everything i do. its just how my brain works.
i really dont like driving something everyone else does.

2003 Element dx 5 speed 2wd
106k miles
$3500 from the 68 year old original owner who upgraded to a ridgeline
new tires, every scheduled service done at honda dealer with records, CLEAN.
one dent in the passenger fender.

his wife took this pic of us, they were very happy to see it go to a good home. she seemed very attached to the car. i seem to be very excited lol. our son is ecstatic about the whole thing.

i took it home and washed it and fell in love, realizing how much i actually wanted something like this.

i found roof rails on offerup for $20 and i stole my stepdads yakima box that has been in his garage for years, here she sits, next to my other lil project ek. planning our first camping trip for memorial day weekend! excited.

plan to add rear bike hitch, more aux lighting, and a few fancy camping roof doodads for now. ill be sure and document everything!
new wheels and tires eventually, but this setup is completely fine for the life of these tires.
love my new car!

 

[te1966]

YO!

COVID-19 new car, new member!! haha

honda runs through my veins, especially on two wheels. got my first old honda 50 when i was 10.
recently sold my cbr streetfighter to build an element.
i use and improve, test, tinker, and create with everything i do. its just how my brain works.
i really dont like driving something everyone else does.

View attachment 203848

2003 Element dx 5 speed 2wd
106k miles
$3500 from the 68 year old original owner who upgraded to a ridgeline
new tires, every scheduled service done at honda dealer with records, CLEAN.
one dent in the passenger fender.

his wife took this pic of us, they were very happy to see it go to a good home. she seemed very attached to the car. i seem to be very excited lol. our son is ecstatic about the whole thing.

View attachment 203849

i took it home and washed it and fell in love, realizing how much i actually wanted something like this.

View attachment 203846

View attachment 203847

i found roof rails on offerup for $20 and i stole my stepdads yakima box that has been in his garage for years, here she sits, next to my other lil project ek. planning our first camping trip for memorial day weekend! excited.

View attachment 203850

View attachment 203851

plan to add rear bike hitch, more aux lighting, and a few fancy camping roof doodads for now. ill be sure and document everything!
new wheels and tires eventually, but this setup is completely fine for the life of these tires.
love my new car!

Welcome to the EOC grilledcheese!

You said "i really dont like driving something everyone else does." Well, you bought the right car - truck - van - SUV ; whatever it is, Elements certainly aren't for everyone! And that is part of what we love about them!

When people ask about my '03 EX, I refer to it as: "a quirky car for a quirky person!

Sounds like you got a really good deal too.

This site is a great source for any Element information you may need. That search function is your best friend!

Keep up on all the maintenance on your Element, and before you know it, your young son will be driving it around!

Thanks for posting!

 

[YourOldPalElmer]

Man. You never see steelies in nice shape! Welcome to the forum, you're in the right place for any information on anything camping/adventure in the element!

 

[JohnByers]

Looks nice and clean!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Darth Raider]

That was one heck of a find, and it does look like it went to a great home! And if you are on FB be sure to check us out on Honda Element Community for up to date interactions. "Enjoy!"

 

[grilledcheese]

wow, active forum! im already in love with this car, other element owners wave at me locally, this forum is poppin, there is some crazy energy happening with these vehicles!!! i love documenting my rides and adventures and sharing knowledge and mistakes with online forums such as this. they have helped me so many times in life its unimaginable. thanks for the warm welcome!

did a thing today. my neighbor saw me vacuuming new whip, said he had wheels for sale he thinks they fit; $50. i said ok, lemme see if they fit. boom they fit on back, no dice on caliper clearance in front. im thinking spacers all around and new tires are in order. wheels might be pro comps or cragars 0 offset? he didnt know the specs. tires no good like 40% tread left

buffed one of em up, came out pretty good!

looking at tires. found these 235/75/15 for $344/set shipped on amazon.

 

[grilledcheese]

Man. You never see steelies in nice shape! Welcome to the forum, you're in the right place for any information on anything camping/adventure in the element!

forgot!

before i put the wheels back on i cleaned them up a bit, they really are clean! kinda curious why id feel the urge to buy wheels from my neighbor after looking at these pics, but here we are. my urge to customize is beyond me, just dont tell my wife about the ‘new’ wheels.

 

[te1966]

Dude, if your wife doesn't notice your "new" wheels, you must be keeping her blindfolded or something! My wife would be all over that! (And all over me as well!)

Yeah those wheels would make a huge change to the look and attitude of your Element! But like Elmer said, those are some of the nicest looking original steelies left out there!

I'm not wanting too put out your fire. But, if you combine those wheels (looks like the tires currently on there are 215/70R15) with those larger 235/75R15 off road style tires, there's still no guarantee that they will fit, even with the spacers. You may need to lift it as well.

Consult with some of the many other owners here that have larger tires on their Elements. There's a lot of info about that on this site. As the old saying goes, "look before you leap"! (I'm so not the guy to answer this; I'm strictly a 2WD, keep my E on the highway only type!)

I wish you well!

 

[grilledcheese]

new stuff! bugflector, led headlight bulbs, and some poke!

Dude, if your wife doesn't notice your "new" wheels, you must be keeping her blindfolded or something! My wife would be all over that! (And all over me as well!)

Yeah those wheels would make a huge change to the look and attitude of your Element! But like Elmer said, those are some of the nicest looking original steelies left out there!

I'm not wanting too put out your fire. But, if you combine those wheels (looks like the tires currently on there are 215/70R15) with those larger 235/75R15 off road style tires, there's still no guarantee that they will fit, even with the spacers. You may need to lift it as well.

Consult with some of the many other owners here that have larger tires on their Elements. There's a lot of info about that on this site. As the old saying goes, "look before you leap"! (I'm so not the guy to answer this; I'm strictly a 2WD, keep my E on the highway only type!)

I wish you well!

she noticed. lol

ive decided to search for wheels with a correct fitting offset and more width.
15x8
it really does look mean like this but im in a bit of a safety debate. anyone here have general thoughts on spacers? the ones i ordered are 1.25” and im not sold on the overall idea. it seems like an extra part that can fail in a crucial part of the vehicle 🤷‍♂️. my brother, who drives a lifted 4x4 overland/rock crawler nissan pathfinder rig, has 2” spacers all around w 6lugs and 31” tires and he said has never had a problem in 7 years. im driving about 40 miles to my friends house tomorrow gonna jack it up and check tightness on the spacers in his driveway.

your correct about the tires. after more thought, biggest tire id probly be running will be a 215 75 15 on these wheels if i keep them. im also thinking about the general use and actual application of my tires in reality. its 2wd, i go camping frequently but its not like, drive on a crazy rocky riverbed access only camping. its pretty normal just like park somewhere on the side of the road type stuff or even crazier, at a state park in a parking spot. so i may go less spicy, good ole all terrain, not quite so aggressive mud terrain.

loving our element, plan to do a valve adjustment check here this week to make sure she purrs for years to come!

black plastidip will be happening on the front and rear bumper inserts and the grill surround.

also ordered a fancy 10.1” double din android unit to replace my weird 2000’s aftermarket blaupunkt cd player that was installed by the previous owner. stoked!

really want to build a roofrack mounted awning bar thingy that swings open on hinges for a 10’ wide tarp. 5’ long main bar with 2.5’ arms and eyelets or holes on top for attaching a tarp. have telescoping tent poles and a 10x12 tarp already it should be pretty simple ill update all my progress here.

theres a guy on instagram @pnw.deezy hes local to me and is making cool stuff for elements. im waiting for his next production run but a 54” led light bar right above the windshield is in this cars near future...

is there a pnw element meetup? i see an awful lot more elements around now that im completely obsessed with mine, there has to be EOC members up here in the northwest?! ill search, but if not, this is me saying we should have one this summer! social distance regulations may be required but idk, we could park 6 feet apart from each other 🤣

 

[grilledcheese]

Long time no talk!

quite a bit of change. bull bar, running boards, ex wheels, rear tail light guards, led windshield bar, ditch lights, horns, bike rack

still want to do a diy roof rack, halo foglights, and smoked indicator lights.

on the hunt for an oem center console cooloer, and an sc rear sway bar and spoiler.

 

[grilledcheese]

been working on converting my blue interior grey. also, has anyone ever swapped the steering wheel on their E? i wonder if the rsx wheel would fit...

 

[grilledcheese]

had a pretty productive day
nrg hub srk-131h, gen 2.5 quick release, and momo steering wheel installed! no srs light, and a working horn button. thanks Amuth

also painted my front grill surround and bumper garnish satin black, and installed some fog lights. thanks pnw.deezy!

still need to wire up my ditch lights, and shape the front windshield trim to fit the light bar mount. would love a set of clear indicator turn signal lenses. anyone know if those are a lost modification option? ive searched everywhere and can only find old pictures.

 

[Meatco]

you might be able to find a set on facebook element classifieds
nice ride btw

 

[te1966]

had a pretty productive day
nrg hub srk-131h, gen 2.5 quick release, and momo steering wheel installed! no srs light, and a working horn button. thanks Amuth

View attachment 208356

also painted my front grill surround and bumper garnish satin black, and installed some fog lights. thanks pnw.deezy!

View attachment 208357

still need to wire up my ditch lights, and shape the front windshield trim to fit the light bar mount. would love a set of clear indicator turn signal lenses. anyone know if those are a lost modification option? ive searched everywhere and can only find old pictures.

Very Nice! You certainly have upgraded the appearance of your E since you bought it! Compared to your first pictures, it doesn't even look like the same car!

 

[wannahonda]

View attachment 207786
been working on converting my blue interior grey. also, has anyone ever swapped the steering wheel on their E? i wonder if the rsx wheel would fit...

The Leather Honda Pilot wheel fits and looks and feels great, search on this forum, many have done it

 

[wannahonda]

wow, active forum! im already in love with this car, other element owners wave at me locally, this forum is poppin, there is some crazy energy happening with these vehicles!!! i love documenting my rides and adventures and sharing knowledge and mistakes with online forums such as this. they have helped me so many times in life its unimaginable. thanks for the warm welcome!

did a thing today. my neighbor saw me vacuuming new whip, said he had wheels for sale he thinks they fit; $50. i said ok, lemme see if they fit. boom they fit on back, no dice on caliper clearance in front. im thinking spacers all around and new tires are in order. wheels might be pro comps or cragars 0 offset? he didnt know the specs. tires no good like 40% tread left

View attachment 203874

buffed one of em up, came out pretty good!

View attachment 203875

looking at tires. found these 235/75/15 for $344/set shipped on amazon.

View attachment 203877

what make and model mud tires are these?

 

[grilledcheese]

what make and model mud tires are these?

Amazon.com: Forceum M/T 08 Plus Mud Tire - LT235/75R15 104/101Q C (6 Ply) : Automotive

Amazon.com: Forceum M/T 08 Plus Mud Tire - LT235/75R15 104/101Q C (6 Ply) : Automotive

www.amazon.com

 

[grilledcheese]

thanks everyone!

 

[grilledcheese]

the hunter bull bar has been really bothering me lately, so i took this pic at work and took it off when i got home.

looking alot better, and no more bouncy bar!

started thinking of a roof rack at work, will hopefully get time this weekend to finish it up.

also ordered a “mugen style” polyurethane front lip for a 95 accord, heres hoping it fits! 🤞

 

[grilledcheese]

got some sleeker more streamlined ditch lights that dont bounce as much while driving. mounted, but yet to wire them up, maybe tomorrow.

started the roof rack, one side bar is on. you can barely see it in the pic. not gonna be the prettiest rack but it should work just fine for my plywood runs and camping adventures. just using angle iron for the whole thing. will spray paint it when im happy with it. 6ft long

went to my parents house to visit and do some yard work, my stepdad and i got to talking about his old crap laying around and i finessed this old motorcycle trailer out of him for free! i just mowed his yard with his riding mower and edged the yard and he was happy 😊 (i was gonna do it anyway)

i plan to make it into a camping trip trailer, with a frame for a rooftop tent and storage/kitchen underneath. think overlanding trailer without the offroad stuff. when i camp with my family its usually on a road or at a campsite with normal driveways and easy access. honestly, my litte fwd element doesnt see much time off the pavement. would be awesome to have something easy to pack and leave packed so i can just hitch up and go camping friday after work. will be a long process but i will update as it goes.

today i ordered tein s-type lowering springs and 15x8 pro comp steelies for the element, should change the ride alot! still debating on tires, gonna wait to install the springs and see how the stock wheels feel before i get tires. the tires i have on currently still have about 5,000 miles id guess before they are completely bald so ill be ok for now. need to order a camber kit and control arms, might just go all out and do the sc sway bar conversion while im down there.