Things I love about my 1st gen 2004 Honda Pilot
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2021
- In an era dominated by cutting-edge technology and fancy new cars, the first-generation Honda Pilot made a remarkable splash in the automotive market, leaving a lasting impact that continues to resonate even after a decade since its initial release. Its innovative design and pioneering features shook up the industry, setting a new standard for versatility and functionality that, surprisingly, seems to have waned in many of the newer car models. As I reflect on my journey with the Honda Pilot, I can't help but appreciate the ingenious features and thoughtful touches that have made it a reliable and beloved companion through the years. Yet, in the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive advancements, it's disheartening to observe that some of the distinctive attributes that once set the Pilot apart are slowly fading away from the latest models. As a devoted owner, I find myself contemplating the idea of holding onto my cherished Pilot for years to come, preserving a piece of automotive history that represents a culmination of thoughtful engineering and driving pleasure. While new cars undoubtedly boast a myriad of modern conveniences, there's a certain charm and sense of nostalgia attached to my trusty Pilot that makes me lean toward keeping it as a testament to its enduring legacy.
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The slots in the center console is not for running wires through. It's for your loose change theres a slot for each coin. I love my 03 I've had to do alot of up keep but at 188 thousand its running good.
I also own 04 model with over 247k.. I recently purchased my vehicle from someone that took great care of the vehicle. My Pilot has NO rust!! I took my Pilot to off road to camp regularly with no issue. I absolutely love my Pilot 🙂
Very nice! The Pilots are amazing and seem to go forever! Just keep an eye on the timing belt change intervals to keep it running forever.
I guarantee it has rust just under the fuel door on the driver's side but that's probably all of it. I've never seen a first Gen without that small rust spot. Not one.
Do you have a year later update? I'm going to be using mine as a full-time camper and off-roading probably around places like Quartzite, nothing too crazy, but lots of washboarded roads I'm sure.
I still have my 2003 Pilot, over 358K Driven all over the world, we took it to Greece last year. We have a family of pilots! Love it No issues!
My 03 has air in the power steering system and I can't figure it out.
Still driving my parent’s ‘04 Pilot they bought brand new in 2005. It has 205K miles. When I started to drive it I was doing my own maintenance on it. Recently changed out the steering pump and reservoir then replaced all four rotors, brake calipers and flushed out the old brake fluid.
do you need special tools for all of this?
We BOUGHT our 04 EXL new.After 374,000 miles, with original engine,transmission and radiator, we're sold!😁
Thanks for sharing your video. Mine is an 07 EXL 4wd with navigation & back up camera. It has been rock solid all these years currently at 154k, only the radiator is not original, due to rust. I live in rust paradise unfortunately.
I take maintenance very seriously with nothing but quality fluids and OEM parts for the timing belt job. Every spring I wash the undercarriage and remove any visible rust also before every winter I use fluid-film or stabil for rust protection.
Another thing I like is how well the vtm4 system works and the ground clearance, I can only imagine how well the new pilot system is.
Just bought an 05 pilot a couple of hours ago this video is amazing you did a wonderful job keep up the great work. Thanks again. I just subscribed to your channel based on this video you do great work sir.
Awesome! Thank you!
how much did it cost. I'm price checking now
Do you still have it ?
Can't wait to pick mine up tommorow hopefully 900 worth fixing
"Or.... Use the seats as legs rests" 6:48 best idea while im at work😂 i ran to my car so fast
Thank you for the information. I found a 2004 Honda Pilot EX online and I am thinking about buying it so was looking for information on them.
Glad to help! The Pilots are definitely a great buy!
I took all the back seats out and built a flat platform for camping. Consistently get 15 mpg, never better never worse. This with primarily highway miles. Platform is slightly raised for access to underneath. Currently 180k and 70k put on myself owning since 2010. Has tow package but generally don't tow anything. Maintenance has been generally easy.
My first vehicle was a 95 Grand Cherokee, I love it (still have it) but it's rusty as heck.
2 years ago I got an 04 Pilot with 203k miles. After owning it for a few months I drove it from IL to WA and drove all around WA before driving back to IL. I had zero issues other than returning to the vehicle with a flat tire one day in Seattle.
It was a 1 owner vehicle. The only rust is the rear bumper which I read is kind of common, and a tiny spot on the back fender on both sides of the vehicle, one which will be repaired after my bf backed into a pole..also in Seattle.
I'm about to change my oil today, and I'm planning to change the transmission fluid soon as well.
I got an o-ring for my power steering pump to replace, and my front door checks need to be replaced. New window motors would be nice too but I dread anything to do with door panels.
I'm removing my running boards soon as they get in the way and I don't need them.
I also replaced the headlights which gave it a nice facelift, the backing of the headlights is black and makes it look nice and sleek.
My mileage is at 223k now! She runs fabulously still! Might I add she didn't even need a oil top off during or after the 4k+ mile trip to WA!
I bought a 2nd cup holder on Amazon for $15 to have 4 cup holders up front for my trip as well. I also replaced the center console lid leather but I got the wrong color and messed up on the glue so I'll redo it in the future.
Passengers love the cup holders built into the back seat doors.
Oh I forgot, I replaced the stereo with a single din Kenwood, The dashkit I got instead of centering the stereo and having a black plate around it, puts the stereo up top and below it is a wide cubby hole...so even MORE storage!!!
Gonna be buying an 03 Pilot in a couple days, everything is in very good condition, they are wanting $2500 for it. If I wasnt sold before I definitely am now, great video thanks :)
The Pilot is a great choice and I really love mine. Make sure to check or ask about the maintenance as they need some regular service and especially make sure timing belt has been changed or serviced; if it breaks the engine is toast. Check out the Pilot buying guide on the Piloteers forum for more things to watch out for when buying them. They are really reliable if they have been serviced regularly.
Looks awesome.
Thanks!
Good informative video man
Glad to help!
love this video! i also have a pilot and i love it!
Thanks! Pilots rock!!
I have an '04 pilot just like this. It has 375,000 miles with original drive train. (90% of which is highway miles)
Scheduled maintenance the whole life of the car. Still runs and drives like a dream.
I've towed a large uhaul trailer 2,000 miles with it that was packed full over the Appalachian mts. The engine is still very strong. I don't think I will ever get rid of it. If the engine or transmission goes out its worth the money to replace it. But honestly closing in on 400,000 mi I think I well got my money's worth. As long as you do regular maintenance I think these things can go for half a million or more.
Best vehicle I've ever owned. No complaints whatsoever.
I have 453000 on my 07 and feel the same! Yes it would be worth it to replace major components if you want it forever. Still way better than more payments on a newer vehicle since this one was babied by the previous owner.
Domestic makes?? This Honda was built in Kentucky!?! Hondas were made here in the USof A since 1982 starting with the Accord!
I just got one 2004 timing belt done at 96,000 has 180,000 when I got it ,and I have a 2014 bmw 535xi mspot and since I got this pilot I haven’t driven the bmw.. love love this car
The Pilot is such a nice and dependable car. Just make sure to keep up on timing belt services since it's interfere engine; if the timing belt snaps, the engine is toast.
@@AleksUsovich What's the timing belt? I'm expecting a 2004 Honda pilot soon. Thanks.
Absolutely agree with you bro no doubt one of the best SUVs I really like to have one 😢 great car definitely ❤❤❤
I had a 2004 Honda Pilot with AWD and I loved all the features on it. Unfortunately it was totaled in 2021 when I got rear-ended on a freeway, it was sad because it had over 200,000 miles on it and the transmission was rebuilt a couple of years earlier. But, I ended up getting a 2014 Honda Pilot, which my wife loves.
So sorry to hear that! I'd really be upset if something major happened to my 2004 Pilot. Glad to hear that you upgraded to the 2014 Pilot though!
This video is awesome!
Thanks!!
I like these 1st Gen Pilots too!
Thanks for letting me know all the little extras.
Looking at getting one, but I'm concerned about SMOD that could happen.
Your thoughts?
The Pilot's are great vehicles for sure. The '03 and '04 didn't have many issues with SMOD but the '05 were notorious for it with many radiator failures and transmission failure if not addressed quickly. If ' 05 and newer, I'd recommend replacing the radiator immediately as cheap insurance. If you live in a warmer area, you can get a small transmission cooler and run the transmission fluid through that instead of through the radiator.
Like the fog light upgrade. Got a thread on installing the Morimoto projectors?
Thanks! The fog lights are super bright! I don't have a video about it yet and couldn't find any good instructions for Pilots on the web but I can make a video in a few months when I upgrade the projectors to something much brighter
I recommend the 2008 Pilot. I had a 2004 Honda PIlot with 380k until I sold it. It started to rust too much on the rear cross member connection. Later year Pilots started using VCM, which can lead to oil burning.
Dude you taught me so much about features I didnt even know I had, but where the heck do you live that caused all that rust!?
Glad to help! I live in Minnesota where they throw salt all over the roads during winter. Additionally, the first generation Pilots didn't get any rust proofing on the underside of the suv leading to issues with the rear subframe and suspension rusting out (I've got a video with the fix on my channel).
The little cut outs he mention are really for your coins go to your Pilot rn and check every any coin would fit
Me again.. lol I decided to buy the 2004 Honda Pilot EX. It does not have a backup camera. When I tried to back it into the parking space I found it difficult to see behind me. Have you added a backup camera to yours? Or if I get a seat cushion to raise me up a few inches do you think that would help? I am not short so I was surprised that I could not see out the back that well even with the mirrors. I forgot to ask if the seat would raise up some.
I've never had any issues seeing behind me in my Pilot. The seat raises up quite a bit- you pull up on the seat control bar and can also tilt the seat forward or backwards if you pull on the front or rear section that bar controller on the seat. I have not needed a backup camera and haven't installed one but one can be installed either using a wireless camera with a monitor or can get the radio switched out for one with a touch screen and get the backup camera wiring ran from the radio to the rear tailgate. Definitely check out the Pilot owners manual for how to set the seat and some other important information.
What kind of head lights bulbs did you use? I really hate my lights at night. Thanks
I've got a custom headlight retrofit using some mini H1 projectors with Morimoto 55w H1 bulbs.
6:37 bro are u a wizard
Sometimes
You have the all weather mats, LUCKY lol
They were a junkyard find from another Pilot. I just couldn't say no to them even though they were so nasty in the junkyard car. They did clean up super nice though.
@@AleksUsovich LUCKY i haven’t had lucky with those or a cargo cover, I found a auto dimming mirror and the cross bars and the full owners manual set and window sticker, for $20 2 hours from me is the mats
@@codycrawford2385 It's it at a junkyard, can call and ask for them to ship. Sometimes it's dirt cheap for shipping. I'm still on the hunt for some OE cross bars but no luck on those so far
@@AleksUsovich These parts are hard to find, I got lucky with my mirror and cross bars
Ok so I have the same pilot and I’m trying to figure out where the Aux goes, cuz there’s that button that says dvd/aux, can you help me with that?
There is no Aux on the 2004 Pilot. The button is there but the port doesn't come out until later years. Your options are either a cassette adapter, or fm transmission for music playback. You can get a device that plugs into the back of the radio that gives you Bluetooth audio though the speakers but you lose either your DVD player (if equipped) or your 6 cd changer.
Looked at one of these today and it was between a Mercury Mariner and an 04 Pilot...The Pilot felt more like an off-roading vehicle so I'm probably going to go with that...
While the Pilot isn't solely a dedicated offroading vehicle due to not having a low range, it does really perform well off road both in winter and on old logging forest trails
@@AleksUsovich Thanks, I figure if people with minivans can navigate washboarded blm dispersed campsite roads the Pilot can too. When I went to look at one today I meant to ask if someone my height could easily fit in the back for sleeping and instead I said, "What size body can you fit in the back when the seats are down?" I'm probably on some list now.
I'm 5'10" and I was able to recline pretty comfortably without my toes touching the tailgate, btw. The Mercury Mariner was too small for me :(
we just bought a 2004 pilot, cloth interior and no sunroof, the cloth interior is actually nice but I would like a sunroof
I have a 2003 EX-L it had a after market full power sunroof, looks factory
It’s the wabasto sunroof company
@@codycrawford2385 cool!
@@DemeDemetre they have good deals with there’s and a life time warranty, idk if they still make them for older cars mine was put in when it was brand new
@@codycrawford2385 oh. i mean its quite a hassle and i dont want any leaks so i wont do it anyway
I've owned all 3 generations of the Pilot, and the 1st gen is definitely the best. The 3rd gen is a glorified minivan and the 2nd gen has the horrible VCM system. I currently have a 2005 with 200k miles and it still runs perfect. As long as you stay on the maintenance, these cars can hit 500k easy
I totally agree with you! I absolutely love my Pilot. Mine only has 268k on it and I don't doubt that it will make it past 400k. I also love that my 04 doesn't have the tpms junk or vsa or anything more advanced other than cruise control. It makes the driving so much more enjoyable and fun- especially in winter time and being able to kick out the rear end just using steering and the throttle. No annoying traction control to disable or expensive tpms sensors to replace. This is how vehicles SHOULD be built.
What type of sencors are you using? And is 3001 sencor the same as 3004
Sensors for??
I'm looking at an 07 Pilot that has a very clean Car fax report. It seems the previous owner took care to maintain it. It has 108,000 miles on it and the 100,000 mile maintenance has already been done. Do you have any advice?
The first thing that I would do is make sure absolutely sure that the timing belt has been changed. If not, needs to be changed asap or engine will be toast when it snaps. Otherwise just a general inspection to make sure it drives and handles well. A good resource for other things to check out is this buyers guide from the awesome Pilot forums: www.piloteers.org/threads/first-gen-pilot-buyers-guide-checklist-the-final-version.168910/
@@AleksUsovich Thanks so much!
Me and my gf call our 2003 pilot a camper because we always sleep in it on the go
The older Pilots feel so roomy and comfortable for their time. So much room yet it can still fit a ton of stuff with too
Those circles. In the center console. Is for change. Quarters etc. Lol.
Does it have auxiliary jack port ?
No it doesn't. Can add a gta car kit to have aux or use a cassette aux adapter
@@AleksUsovich cool cool or a FM transmitter with aux port which I have
@@SICARIOx7 Yep! I've got an fm transmitter that I use in mine sometimes as well.
Technically yeah. The audio video port you can just use an male audio cable adapter.
I have a 2006 Honda Pilot with 225k Miles its the 1st Generation with a model refresh(facelift) The headlights are different. I plan to switch over to Toyota's Grand Highlander though for better gas Mileage my Pilot has progressively gotten worse at 13 mpg.....
Sounds like you need to do some maintenance on your Pilot to get better gas mileage. You should be getting around 15-20 mpg
Those little cutouts in the center console is for coins not to match the top of the center console lid
Do you still have it? I am getting one soon
Yep! I've still got it and have am just rolling over 278,000 happy miles on it! I still absolutely love my Pilot!
@@AleksUsovich thank you so much
@@AleksUsovichhey I'm really considering buying an 04 with 120,000 miles on it would you recommend trans flush or drain and fill for the trans?
how about fuel efficiency?
I usually get anywhere from 19 mpg to 24 mpg with better mpg on longer highway trips
@@AleksUsovich not bad.
Not bad at all!
@@AleksUsovich i have a nissan leaf. only 35k miles on it. good as new. my only complaint is that my battery only has 55 miles on full charge. so i am planning to rent it out full time and buy a honda pilot that's why i've been doing my research.
I own a 03. Its revving in idle 😞
Normally, either the map sensor is dirty or it's on the way out. map sensor goes on after the air box. simple fix but very crucial to save you gas. good luck and enjoy it!
@@dannytrinh07 yea i got it fixed. I dont know much about cars. Mechanic said it was the idle air control valve. Runs strong now except now my abs and brake light keep flickering lol. I know its old and i should prob let it go but its been good to me.
@@johnphom1136 another simple fix here. Check the brake fluid, either low or dirty. I would replace it, make sure all is replaced and check the level afterward.
@@dannytrinh07 thanks man. Im gonna try that this weekend.