[Marty_Mart]

Chapter 31 – The final touch before the snow

We're expecting our first snow storm tonight, with a predicted accumulation of 6 to 10 inches. I finally installed my winter wheel setup last week. The truck is now ready for the winter season.

 

[Marty_Mart]

I'm now up to date!

All the posts I've made so far have been about the stages of my build that I've reached between buying the truck last June and today. I've now finished going back in time and I'm up to date.

This coincides with the winter season that's just beginning. As I don't have a garage, I generally work much less on my cars at this time of year.

I'll continue to feed the thread with everything I accomplish on the truck and the photos I take of it, but at a slightly slower pace.

 

[Mopar_Marq]

Those Odyssey wheels actually look really good on that vehicle. One thing that I like best about them, if I'm seeing them correctly, is that the tire (still 215/65-16, right?) bulge is outboard of the most outboard part of the wheel. In other words, any curb contact by the tire/wheel assembly will be only tire, and not wheel, correct? My daughter's '06 has the factory '05-'06 CR-V wheels with 215/65-17 tires. And the tire outer surface plane is still outboard of the wheel spokes, but only just barely. A few of the spokes have suffered from the previous owner's inattentiveness. Maybe some Odyssey wheels might be the solution.

Also, how do you like the headlight assemblies? No leaks or water vapor intrusion? The fit is good? The bulbs fit in the sockets well? Daughter's '06 needs new headlight assemblies as the current ones are UV and age toasted. Most "restoration" kits are no good or temporary, at best. And usually I'm leery of aftermarket stuff, as the fit and longevity is sometimes questionable. I'd be interested in hearing your experience.

Don't worry, this only lasts for about a decade, and at some point during the following decade, you'll forget all about it during the big brain re-set.

I'm there with you. Boy, did that happen fast. Where did the time go...

 

[Marty_Mart]

Those Odyssey wheels actually look really good on that vehicle. One thing that I like best about them, if I'm seeing them correctly, is that the tire (still 215/65-16, right?) bulge is outboard of the most outboard part of the wheel. In other words, any curb contact by the tire/wheel assembly will be only tire, and not wheel, correct? My daughter's '06 has the factory '05-'06 CR-V wheels with 215/65-17 tires. And the tire outer surface plane is still outboard of the wheel spokes, but only just barely. A few of the spokes have suffered from the previous owner's inattentiveness. Maybe some Odyssey wheels might be the solution.

Also, how do you like the headlight assemblies? No leaks or water vapor intrusion? The fit is good? The bulbs fit in the sockets well? Daughter's '06 needs new headlight assemblies as the current ones are UV and age toasted. Most "restoration" kits are no good or temporary, at best. And usually I'm leery of aftermarket stuff, as the fit and longevity is sometimes questionable. I'd be interested in hearing your experience.



I'm there with you. Boy, did that happen fast. Where did the time go...

Thanks for your post!

Yes, those are 215-65-16 and you are correct, tires are wider then the wheels (16x6.5)

I really like the headlights. They have several positive points: The fit is perfect, the look is good, the bulbs fit well inside. However, they do have the drawback of occasional slight fogging. Nothing to worry about, but if you pay attention in the rain or on a very humid day, you can see a bit of fog inside. I've never had an aftermarket headlight that didn't fog. So I was expecting it.

Those are the one I got:

http://goto.walmart.com/c/404739/56...-06-Honda-CRV-Japan-Built-Model-Black-L-R-Side-Replacement-Headlights/143190475

 

[Marty_Mart]

Chapter 32 – The background character

Not directly related to the CRV, but almost: It was with a twinge of sadness that I sold my good old 2006 Toyota Corolla yesterday. It's been my secondary vehicle for the past few months while I've been working on the CRV. This car had been in the family since 2007 and was so reliable. We never, and I mean NEVER, had to do anything other than oil and brake changes on this car.

 

[craig baconator]

Chapter 32 – The background character

Not directly related to the CRV, but almost: It was with a twinge of sadness that I sold my good old 2006 Toyota Corolla yesterday. It's been my secondary vehicle for the past few months while I've been working on the CRV. This car had been in the family since 2007 and was so reliable. We never, and I mean NEVER, had to do anything other than oil and brake changes on this car.

You must have done your oil changes on time if you didn’t end up with an oil burning 2AZ-FE engine. Maybe on the 2006 Corolla they fixed the issue. I believe they did for my 2006 Camry, but they didn’t for the rav4 for some odd reason.

 

[Marty_Mart]

You must have done your oil changes on time if you didn’t end up with an oil burning 2AZ-FE engine. Maybe on the 2006 Corolla they fixed the issue. I believe they did for my 2006 Camry, but they didn’t for the rav4 for some odd reason.

Yeah, my parents took good care of it and so did I. It was the base model, equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine. We never had oil burning issues.

 

[Marty_Mart]

Tonight we're supposed to get a good 10 inches of snow, which should stay on the ground (unlike previous precipitations). I couldn't resist taking a little ride before going to bed, even though there isn't much accumulation yet.

 

[Mopar_Marq]

Not that you were doing it - and with the money and elbow grease you've put into that car, I'm sure you weren't - but with the C.G. of that car, I wouldn't be trying any donuts, even in the snow or ice. Looks like a nice evening, though.

 

[Marty_Mart]

I went through this parking lot to understand and test the AWD system on the truck. There wasn't enough snow to make donuts, but enough for me to understand now that I'm a long way from the feel of my Subarus in winter conditions!

 

[Marty_Mart]

My starter was at the end of its life and had to be replaced. Not the kind of job I wanted to do in the cold in my driveway. So I left it to the good care of a Honda garage I know in my area.

I've had several good comments on the fact that the truck is in great shape. Let's just say I'd rather have my mechanic tell me that than the other way around, haha.

I don't take many photos these days, because a truck full of slush is boring...

 

[Mopar_Marq]

And it is not likely to blow a head gasket, like certain other previous (unnamed) vehicles. A wise change, in my book.

Just sayin'...

 

[Marty_Mart]

And it is not likely to blow a head gasket, like certain other previous (unnamed) vehicles. A wise change, in my book.

Just sayin'...

Haha!

Every time I feel like buying another Subaru, I go for a walk in my parking lot. I look at all the stains on the ground and the desire passes.

 

[Marty_Mart]

Nothing new except a good car wash!

 

[Marty_Mart]

It's 11 degrees Celsius and we're expecting up to 50mm of rain today. That sucks, because we're normally in snow season from November to March here in Quebec.

 

[craig baconator]

It’s going to wreak havoc on farmers throughout canada.

 

[Marty_Mart]

Happy holidays to all. I hope you're enjoying it.

Here it's family time at the cottage. The CRV and Thule are packed as usual, haha!

 

[Marty_Mart]

Chapter 33 – Winter is over

Winter is coming to an end and I'm coming out of hibernation. I haven't posted here in the last few months, as I don't have a garage, so it's been a bit of an off-season for my automotive projects.

It hasn't been a big winter in terms of precipitation, but I've still enjoyed my AWD + studded tires setup on a few ski outings and several trips to the cottage.

With the return of warm weather over the last few days, I took the opportunity to do a few jobs that were due: Put new brakes in front, change 2 ball joints and replace a leaky power steering hose.

Next project: put the summer wheels on.

I took a few photos when I got out of the car wash this morning... nothing new visually, but it's nice to see it clean.

 

[Soerrr]

I realy enjoyed this. Looking forward to the summer updates.
Keep up the awsome work!

 

[Marty_Mart]

Chapter 39 - Summer photos dump

I haven't been very active on the forum in recent months. I haven't done much work on the CRV. However, I'm enjoying it immensely. It has come in very handy on many family getaways to the cottage, to friends' homes and all over the province.

The CRV has been very reliable, with nothing to report since spring. I'm noticing that my rear suspension is starting to sag slightly, like many other 2nd-generation models, but nothing urgent yet.

Here are a few random photos taken in recent months