shredoption

Hey guys I'm unfamiliar with MDX's but I have owned several Hondas/Acuras since I started driving. Currently I have a 2003 CL-S but am looking at buying a 2001 MDX Touring Edition to get me around during the winter and for camping trips etc. in the summer. Previously I had been driving a Suburban around but I slid on some ice coming down a mountain and hit a tree. The insurance company totaled it unfortunately.

The question I have is how can I update the looks of the 2001 to look more like a 2006? Can the grills be swapped out, headlights, taillights? Can the chrome strip above the license plate (with Acura on it) be swapped for the newer matte silver? What other differences are there? I would just get a 2006 but I'm not trying to pay more for a car that's going to get all my backpacking or snowboard gear thrown into it constantly. I just want subtle things to freshen the look.

shredoption

Here's some pictures of the one I'm looking at getting:

akord 97

You can swap out for 04-06 style headlights and taillights. You just need to make sure you get a harness adapter for the headlight to switch from 9006 to h11. The rear strip can be swapped. Other than that the only thing different is the bumpers, wheels and exhaust. Not sure if grills are interchangeable. Make sure to check out the trans as they are known to fail.

FiftyFive

^^ and dual exhaust

007Acura

the only things i would want to do are the head lights (for xenon), tail lights, Steering wheel. Putting in a dual exhaust may be difficult though


it looks good from the pic, i like that color

shredoption

Yeah I would love to put the newer exhaust on, but I'm not trying to put that much time or effort into it. I'm thinking headlights, taillights, change the gold emblems to chrome and then be done. How many people on this forum do these kind of upgrades? When I'm over at the CL side of this site people are doing all kinds of things to make their CL's look like a 2003 Type-S.

akord 97

Not many people are modding MDXs. There arent that many aftermarket parts available. Other than minor details and options, all MDXs are pretty much the same. There arent that many MDXers on this forum.

03bl AC k CL

how about an 04 mdx? that was the first year of the update i believe

dbledizl

can i put the newer headlights and taillights on my 05 mdx?

FiftyFive

04-06 has the update...

dbledizl

i was thinking if i could put the 07 headlights and taillights. i am pretty sure not but whe we were talking about it i was thinking 07 in my head when you said 06 but the 05 and 06 are the same. nevermind

Majofo

lol .. :fail: .. but I'll trade you my '03 headlights for yours. It'll give you that retro look.

dbledizl

no thanks. i like my projector headlights but i would love HIDs instead. i would like LED tail lights too. sorry

FiftyFive

LED tails would definitely have to be a one off job, haven't seen them anywhere for the 01-06. As for headlights, order a plug and play hid kit. Its a painless swap.

Majofo

I'm surprised the LED tails haven't been done yet.. (have they?).. It seems simple enough. I'm not convinced it would set off the X all that much though.

Pay me and I'll do it for you.. lol..

FiftyFive

I'm not just talking about LED bulbs, i mean strips. I haven't seen it done yet.

Majofo

Shouldn't be too bad to put in an array.. there are several mfg who make smd strips / arrays but I think the key is a design to set off the array.. I think an appropriate array would be spaced out so it doesn't look too busy.. add tinted tails and it should look pretty decent.. but the limited tail light area of the 1G X just doesn't seem appropriate for LED's IMO.

I bet separating the unit could either be cake or a nightmare as well.. Has anyone taken an X tail light apart? Oven? Heat gun?

FiftyFive

If i get a chance I'll find a cheap one and open it up.

K, back on topic.