This year I decided that I will spend time on the road pursuing my passions for travel, photography, storm chasing, astronomy and deep sky imaging. In order to do that I need to have a reliable vehicle that I can work from, sleep in and haul my gear in. My son found me a 2008 Honda Odyssey that was in excellent shape and was worthy to spend a few dollars on. So begins the Honda Odyssey Project.
I’m fortunate that my son is a very knowledgeable and detail oriented licensed technician who has been instrumentally supportive of this project. This blog and photos will document the transformation of this stock 2008 Honda Odyssey into my “road” vehicle.
![The Honda Odyssey Project 1 The Honda Odyssey Project 1](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2008-Honda-Odyssey-Project-Car.jpg?resize=837%2C558&ssl=1)
The first step was put this on the hoist and begin.
![The Honda Odyssey Project 2 The Honda Odyssey Project 2](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/On-the-hoist.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Remove the steel tires and rims
![The Honda Odyssey Project 3 The Honda Odyssey Project 3](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Remove-winter-tires-on-steel-rims.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Replace old brakes
![The Honda Odyssey Project 4 The Honda Odyssey Project 4](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Old-Brakes.jpg?resize=840%2C560&ssl=1)
New front brakes, struts and undercoating
![The Honda Odyssey Project 5 The Honda Odyssey Project 5](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/New-front-brakes-and-struts-and-undercoating.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
New rear brakes, shocks and undercoating. Total cost including tires (front & rear): $1492
![The Honda Odyssey Project 6 The Honda Odyssey Project 6](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Replace-rear-brakes-and-shocks-and-undercoat.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
New all weather tires on original rims.
![The Honda Odyssey Project 7 The Honda Odyssey Project 7](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Install-new-all-weather-tires-on-rims.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Time to tackle the interior.. remove seats
![The Honda Odyssey Project 8 The Honda Odyssey Project 8](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Time-to-start-the-interior-remove-seats.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Remove third row seats and right panel
![The Honda Odyssey Project 9 The Honda Odyssey Project 9](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Remove-third-rear-seat-and-panel.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Remove left panel and spare tire
![The Honda Odyssey Project 10 The Honda Odyssey Project 10](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Remove-left-rear-panel-and-spare-tire.jpg?resize=827%2C1102&ssl=1)
Remove seat hardware from floor
![The Honda Odyssey Project 11 The Honda Odyssey Project 11](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Remove-rear-seat-brackets-and-hardware.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Remove floor carpet
![The Honda Odyssey Project 12 The Honda Odyssey Project 12](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Remove-floor-carpets-2.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Install sound proofing
![The Honda Odyssey Project 13 The Honda Odyssey Project 13](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Floor-area-sound-proofing-added-time-to-insulate.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Install insulation
![The Honda Odyssey Project 14 The Honda Odyssey Project 14](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Insulation-installed-3.jpg?resize=840%2C629&ssl=1)
Reinstall carpet panel insulation install begins
![The Honda Odyssey Project 15 The Honda Odyssey Project 15](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Floor-carpet-reinstalled-panel-insulation-begins.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Remove headliner
![The Honda Odyssey Project 16 The Honda Odyssey Project 16](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Remove-headliner.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Roof insulation complete reinstall headliner. Cost for the insulations, HID headlights, bedframe, mattress & labour $1500.
![The Honda Odyssey Project 17 The Honda Odyssey Project 17](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Roof-insulation-complete.-reinstall-headliner_.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
Remove & replace sound system, cowling and add extra plugs Cost: $400
![The Honda Odyssey Project 18 The Honda Odyssey Project 18](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Removed-replaced-stereo-system-and-cowling.jpg?resize=825%2C1100&ssl=1)
Add bedframe and mattress
![The Honda Odyssey Project 19 The Honda Odyssey Project 19](https://i0.wp.com/www.stanleybellphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Add-comfy-mattress.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
I did pick up a Bluetti EB55 power station to provide power to my electronics for $700. My next step will be a short excursion to test that I haven’t overlooked anything, that storage works and determine what I really need for the future trips. More to come…