Exhaust and hitch install pics (and factory amp)
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Exhaust and hitch install pics (and factory amp)
Just got done installing the hitch and spare tire kit. It wasn’t bad at all, did it in my apartments parking garage in about 3-4 hours total. I took my time as I liked looking at the build of the car and investigating how everything was built. I also torque to the exact factory specs. Anyways I am not gonna post a how to as there is a posting with the instructions but I took a bunch of pics that I thought you RDX owners may enjoy. And I also got some pics of the factory amp. This is the ASpec model, also I got a slightly larger spare tire, factory is T155/90D17. Well I decided I wanted a radial tire and buy slightly upping the width, because of the fixed rim size, it increased my diameter a little to be less then a 1% difference then the stock tire. I went with a T165/90R17, and I took the risk hoping it would fit, and it did with no problems
Also Use a #3 screwdriver when getting the 4 metal anchors unscrewed from the inside cargo area, push really hard and it takes some good force, they were in there super tight. And another thing I noticed is with the factory amp, the big yellow plug with the 2 thick wires, I checked the connections of each plug and my big yellow plug wasn’t even locked in, it was seated but I pushed it and heard it click as it locked. So for those of you having issues with the infotainment center it’s possible somewhere else in the car you have some plugs that are not locked in well and are getting intermittent signals
I may of double posted some pics, my iPhone is having trouble with this many images so I’ll leave them. Enjoy.
if you go to put the spare in there are 2 extra parts you order, the tool kit cover and the cover for where the spindle is to raise and lower the spare. Had I known these parts were only different because of the pictures molded into the plastic I would of skipped ordering them, so in reality you only need to order the kit unless you really care if you plastic cover had a picture of a jack instead of a pump, and if your little cover says spare tire on it
Also Use a #3 screwdriver when getting the 4 metal anchors unscrewed from the inside cargo area, push really hard and it takes some good force, they were in there super tight. And another thing I noticed is with the factory amp, the big yellow plug with the 2 thick wires, I checked the connections of each plug and my big yellow plug wasn’t even locked in, it was seated but I pushed it and heard it click as it locked. So for those of you having issues with the infotainment center it’s possible somewhere else in the car you have some plugs that are not locked in well and are getting intermittent signals
I may of double posted some pics, my iPhone is having trouble with this many images so I’ll leave them. Enjoy.
if you go to put the spare in there are 2 extra parts you order, the tool kit cover and the cover for where the spindle is to raise and lower the spare. Had I known these parts were only different because of the pictures molded into the plastic I would of skipped ordering them, so in reality you only need to order the kit unless you really care if you plastic cover had a picture of a jack instead of a pump, and if your little cover says spare tire on it
Last edited by Dereileak; 01-04-2019 at 12:58 AM.
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subin (01-04-2019)
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FactoryMatt (11-19-2021)
#3
Intermediate
That's good news about the larger spare tire fitting. Too late for me though, already bought the factory size.
I see you did not buy/install the jack and hitch wiring. I did and it was easy also.
I see you did not buy/install the jack and hitch wiring. I did and it was easy also.
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
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Mark S Long Island (01-08-2019)
#5
Instructor
can I ask you about the hitch install? What came in the kit?
Does it have harness assembly to hook up to lights?
Does it have more than the mount shown in your pix's such as the steel to bolt up to frame?
What's the Acura # & est price? thanks
Does it have harness assembly to hook up to lights?
Does it have more than the mount shown in your pix's such as the steel to bolt up to frame?
What's the Acura # & est price? thanks
#6
Intermediate
I don't have the part numbers handy, but it mine came with the harness, metalized tape, zip ties, hitch, hitch rubber insert/cover, side metal mount pieces, bolts, and under bumper plastic piece (different for A-spec model). Also a kit to relocate the under bumper hood release if you have the Advanced model or this mod installed. That is a pain to install requiring drilling holes and such.
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#9
#10
Drifting
If you bother with the revised HFA sensor for the Advance, the hitch cover panel is pretty bulbous and not very flattering IMO.
I almost wish the aftermarket version had been available when I installed mine, but my 2-bike racks work fine with an adapter from 2" to 1.25". I'm just reluctant to use my big heavy antique Thule 4-bike platform rack, but I can stuff that on another vehicle in the fleet, if need be. Should be no problem with that aftermarket 2" hitch.
Last edited by Wander; 03-06-2019 at 05:37 PM.
#11
Drifting
I don't have the part numbers handy, but it mine came with the harness, metalized tape, zip ties, hitch, hitch rubber insert/cover, side metal mount pieces, bolts, and under bumper plastic piece (different for A-spec model). Also a kit to relocate the under bumper hood release if you have the Advanced model or this mod installed. That is a pain to install requiring drilling holes and such.
But you don't need to order the sensor kit if you don't have or want HFA.
The original sensor for Advance gets replaced with a smaller one that mounts to the new cover panel, to the side of the hitch.
Last edited by Wander; 03-06-2019 at 05:36 PM.
#12
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#14
Intermediate
So you installed the accessory HFA system to a non-Advance trim when you installed the hitch and wiring harness? Advance doesn't require the physical switch because HFA is controlled from the head-unit with software. Installing that switch into the upper left cargo area panel would be a PITA. It was also a PITA to remove that panel, as the factory instructions advised, only to discover it probably wasn't necessary for the Advance trim. At least I didn't drill a big unnecessary hole!
But you don't need to order the sensor kit if you don't have or want HFA.
The original sensor for Advance gets replaced with a smaller one that mounts to the new cover panel, to the side of the hitch.
But you don't need to order the sensor kit if you don't have or want HFA.
The original sensor for Advance gets replaced with a smaller one that mounts to the new cover panel, to the side of the hitch.
#15
Drifting
The sensor would be useless without the specialized cover panel to which it mounts. And for any model other than Advance, it would require a special wiring harness with a switch. But none of that is required if HFA isn't and won't be installed.
I wonder if someone sold you the wrong "kit".
#16
Intermediate
Interesting. I spent way too much time poring over the installation instructions, trying to figure out what I needed to order, and getting conflicting advice from my local Acura parts department, so I finally e-mailed Tim at oemacuraparts dot com. But this was last June.
The sensor would be useless without the specialized cover panel to which it mounts. And for any model other than Advance, it would require a special wiring harness with a switch. But none of that is required if HFA isn't and won't be installed.
I wonder if someone sold you the wrong "kit".
The sensor would be useless without the specialized cover panel to which it mounts. And for any model other than Advance, it would require a special wiring harness with a switch. But none of that is required if HFA isn't and won't be installed.
I wonder if someone sold you the wrong "kit".
#17
Drifting
I beg to differ. If the "kit" included an expensive component that wasn't required, it wasn't the right kit.
There is no single trailer wiring harness "kit" for 2019 RDX. It's actually kind of a mess. Very unlike Honda/Acura.
There is no single trailer wiring harness "kit" for 2019 RDX. It's actually kind of a mess. Very unlike Honda/Acura.
Last edited by Wander; 03-06-2019 at 10:11 PM.
#18
Intermediate
Now go spend hours researching to prove me wrong and that I bought the wrong kit. NO tire is included, so that is extra. Oh, my kit worked perfectly and fit perfectly.
#19
Drifting
Not that I care what you think, and I don't as you are very argumentative, but here is the kit I bought and yes, it came with a relocation kit, but I did not use it or need it. 06421-TJB-A50.
Now go spend hours researching to prove me wrong and that I bought the wrong kit. NO tire is included, so that is extra. Oh, my kit worked perfectly and fit perfectly.
Now go spend hours researching to prove me wrong and that I bought the wrong kit. NO tire is included, so that is extra. Oh, my kit worked perfectly and fit perfectly.
Actually, I did spend hours researching the various wiring harness and hitch panel options, before I bought exactly what I needed and nothing more. And I would like to help other forum members avoid unnecessary problems.
Sadly, I was given conflicting and incorrect information by my local dealer parts department, and there were even errors in an e-mailed guide from Acura. Which is why I say this is a total mess. This was after I went multiple rounds with my dealer during the purchase negotiation, and they couldn't figure out what they needed to install and what it should cost. It's fair to say the customer shouldn't have to know more than the Acura service and parts department, but in this case that seems to be where we're at. Caution is advised.
If we're going to the trouble of self-installing accessories, presumably to save money ( or maybe just cuz we like to play with our toys ), it's disappointing to be sold a $100+ part we didn't need. If you didn't pitch it in the trash, you might want to investigate that. Or not.
Peace.
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markm929 (03-08-2019)
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