| Installed: Valley hitch, Acura rear garnish & Thule T2 bike rack.
- Click HERE for Original Thread
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| eujinc |
So after months of debating whether to go with the Acura tow hitch package or the Valley hitch, I ended up getting the Valley hitch. At one point, I was 95% sure about getting the OEM package which has a really complete package (hitch hardware, bumper insert, wiring harness, etc) and also allows for a full size spare. Then reality sets in. Aside from a bike rack, I do not have anything to tow. The cost justification was simply not there (about $600 for OEM and only a little over $100 for Valley). Furthermore, I suddenly developed a liking for the rear garnish.
Here are some pics of the installation of the Valley hitch, Acura rear garnish and Thule T2 bike rack: |
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| eujinc |
Removal of the exhaust hangars (there are 2) and the heat shield on just one side is sufficient for the install. WD-40 and a large pair of pliers made it very easy.
There was a tip shared by a member on using a screwdriver to align the holes which helped.
Also, the tip by another member on using a floor jack to help hold the hitch came in handy.
Watch out for the area between the hitch and the lower bumper bracket. I managed to bash my finger while trying to alight the hitch. No pain, no glory.
Here's the hitch bolted on. The instructions called for 116 lb-ft. Seems like an overkill since the OEM hitch only requires 55 lb-ft. I used 100 lb-ft as that was the max on my torque wrench and believe me, torquing the bolts to 100 lb-ft in such a confined space was quite a hernia-inducing workout.
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| eujinc |
Hitch installed.
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| eujinc |
The rear bumper removal required removing a couple more screws in the wheel well than was specified in the instructions. The bumper simply snapped off once the screws, clips and bolts were removed.
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| eujinc |
The garnish requires drilling 4 holes into the bumper insert. The areas to drill is already marked clearly.
Bolting the garnish in couldn't be simpler (even a 3 year old could do it ;)).
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| eujinc |
The hitch and garnish installed.
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| eujinc |
I got the Thule T2 after reading the feedback from other members and watching the setup of the Thule, Saris and Yakima racks in these Rack Outfitter video clips:
Thule T2
Saris Thelma
Yakima HookUp
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| eujinc |
Couple more pics of the end product...
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| s2k000L |
Very nice. If i had known about the aftermarket stuff available in the early days, i may just have held off an gotten the Valley Hitch. Nonetheless, been very happy with the OEM and the Thule T2.
Congrats! |
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| kingmdx |
| Nice job eujinc :29: it looks really nice ..thanks for the detailed pics... couldn't help but notice the F1 hitch thing :) ...nicceee... MONACO THIS WEEK BABY !!!! :2: |
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| midnightMDX |
| Nice install pics! Good job! :cool: |
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| eujinc |
s2k000l, your X on main page was a big influence on my T2 decision. Thanks.
Kingmdx, yeah, can't wait for this weekend. Should be interesting with no TC on a tight street circuit. Didn't think there was anyone here interested in F1. |
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| s2k000L |
quote:
s2k000l, your X on main page was a big influence on my T2 decision. Thanks.
Awww, shucks! BTW, great color choice :D |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
Kingmdx, yeah, can't wait for this weekend. Should be interesting with no TC on a tight street circuit. Didn't think there was anyone here interested in F1.
Man I got every race for the season so far still on the DVR :p ..lol ..if I get a hitch that will be the cover for sure :roadtrip: ...don't hear anyone talking about it at all on here ...weird ...but now we know there are two fans on here !!! :29: |
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| gsMDoX |
quote:
Originally posted by kingmdx
...don't hear anyone talking about it at all on here ...weird ...but now we know there are two fans on here !!! :29:
Make that 3, good buddy!!:D
Really bummed when F1 and IMS couldn't make the deal last year. The wife and I went every year and watch each Sunday. Now if the damn Honda team would get some traction... :( |
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| KES |
| A hint on holding the hitch in place while installing the bolts. Rather than using a jack I used long zip ties and just kept tightening them in sequence until the hitch was in place. Then cut one tie with a pair of snips and install the bolt. Repeat for the other bolts. Very easy and safe. |
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| eujinc |
quote:
Originally posted by kingmdx
Man I got every race for the season so far still on the DVR :p ..lol ..
You must have a lot of space on your DVR. :D . I just make sure I get the season review at the end of the year. Although I do burn to DVD memorable races like Honda's first win in Hungary in '06 :29:.
quote:
Originally posted by gsMDoX
Make that 3, good buddy!!:D
Really bummed when F1 and IMS couldn't make the deal last year. The wife and I went every year and watch each Sunday. Now if the damn Honda team would get some traction... :(
Yeah, too bad about IMS. I've been there 3 times (driven there from MD twice and made a generous donation to the OH state police on the last trip). With Ross Brawn on board, let's hope Honda F1 can turn around soon. |
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| eujinc |
quote:
Originally posted by KES
A hint on holding the hitch in place while installing the bolts. Rather than using a jack I used long zip ties and just kept tightening them in sequence until the hitch was in place. Then cut one tie with a pair of snips and install the bolt. Repeat for the other bolts. Very easy and safe.
Great tip on the zip ties. Presumably you could link shorter ones together to get the desired length. The floor jack was tricky because for some reason, I keep lifting it higher than needed when trying to align both sides and had to crawl out from under several times to lower the jack. |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by gsMDoX
Make that 3, good buddy!!:D
Really bummed when F1 and IMS couldn't make the deal last year. The wife and I went every year and watch each Sunday. Now if the damn Honda team would get some traction... :(
Yeah now that I am in Michigan noooowww they remove it ...:rolleyes: ..hopefully F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone and Tony George can come to a freaking agreement for next year and bring it back... |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
You must have a lot of space on your DVR. :D . I just make sure I get the season review at the end of the year. Although I do burn to DVD memorable races like Honda's first win in Hungary in '06 :29:.
I just delete most of the other nonsense that is there to make space for the races :p ..lol |
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| LionSpeed |
| Fantastic job. Excellent write-up & detail pictures. :29: |
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| Russr |
Hi
Thanks for the tip. I have a Q - what do you dangle the ties from?
Thanks, and thanks for the whole post - nice pics, etc!
russ
quote:
Originally posted by KES
A hint on holding the hitch in place while installing the bolts. Rather than using a jack I used long zip ties and just kept tightening them in sequence until the hitch was in place. Then cut one tie with a pair of snips and install the bolt. Repeat for the other bolts. Very easy and safe.
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| eujinc |
Went on a 320 mile trip last weekend with the Thule T2 and my mountain bike attached. Had the X loaded with people and cargo area was filled with stuff. If not for me looking in the rear view mirror, I would not have known my bike was back there. There was no noticeable change in the handling at all.
The T2 is secured to the hitch receiver by a threaded bolt with a locking washer and a regular washer. Only downside is I was not able to use my regular hitch lock for the T2. Once the bolt is tightened, there is no movement or wobble. Very solid even when going over bumpy, country back roads. Loading and unloading the bike was so easy. The first time I did it, I had to check and recheck thinking I must have missed something because it literally took me only seconds to secure the bike.
Overall, very happy with this bike rack and would definitely recommend it. :29:
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| KES |
Thanks for the tip. I have a Q - what do you dangle the ties from?
You don't - just thead the ties though the bolt holes. |
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| gmc74 |
Very nicely documented!
Thanks |
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| dorkygrin |
Really Sweet !
I'm itching to do the same thing for my '05.
One question: were you able to retain your full-size spare with the Valley hitch? |
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| eujinc |
quote:
Originally posted by dorkygrin
One question: were you able to retain your full-size spare with the Valley hitch?
The Valley hitch will not work with a full size spare for the Gen 2 MDX (not a problem for me since I don't have a FSS ;)).
Since you have an '05, the hitch is quite different. It looks like it circumvents the spare whereas the 2007+ hitch goes a little under the narrow donut spare. Try posting your question under the 2001-2006 MDX forum or even on the Honda Pilot board as they both use the same hitch.
Here's the Valley hitch for a 2005:
And here's one for the 2007+:
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| islandbeef |
Awesome pics and write up! I wonder if the moderator would consider creating a section on DIY's and Aftermarket Upgrades? Or is there already one?
Still a newbie. :) |
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| kenny213 |
One question. How the heck did you tighten the lower rear most bolts (the ones closest to the bumper). I can't figure out how to tighten them. Sockets and open head wrenches don't fit.
:confused: |
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