Building a Tribute: Merle Woods' 2000 Honda CR-V

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Merle Woods

2000 Honda CR-V

Instagram: @som_merlewoods

Photographer: Marvin Recinos

Instagram:  @mr2mivin

Performance Stats:192hp, 152lbft

Merle Woods' Journey with His 2000 Honda CR-V: A Tribute on Wheels

Hello, my name is Merle Woods III, born and raised in sunny San Diego, California. I’m a husband to my wife Sarah, and father to three amazing kids—Merle IV, Mariah, and Devin. I’ve been an auto mechanic for close to 20 years, and at 39 years old, I also run a Christian clothing company called Son of Man. Cars have always been a part of my life, and I’m thankful to God for blessing me with the opportunity to build something special in memory of my mom.

A Lifelong Love for Cars

As far back as I can remember, my dad was into cars—lowriders and muscle cars were his thing. When I was in high school, he gave me a 1967 Plymouth Fury. Man, I loved that car. I was the only kid in school with a lowrider. I tinkered with it here and there, not really knowing what I was doing, but it was mine, and I cherished it.

The car that really sparked my love for Hondas was a 1991 Jasper Green Integra that my uncle had. It was sitting in his driveway with a burnt clutch and an overheating issue. I kept bugging him until he finally let me have it, and that’s where my Honda obsession began. Around the same time, I started working at an auto parts store, which led me to work on cars on the side. From there, I moved on to a tire shop, and eventually, I became a mechanic at a performance shop called AJ USA, specializing in German cars. But no matter where I worked, my love for Hondas stayed with me.

The Tribute Car: A CR-V in Honor of My Mom

In 2020, I lost my mother after her battle with Alzheimer's Dementia. I was her caregiver from 2015 until she passed, and it hit me hard. I was in a dark place, and the COVID-19 lockdown didn’t help. My therapist suggested I get back to doing something I love—working on cars. I wanted to build something that reminded me of my mom, and that’s when I remembered her old CR-V. She leased a black one in 1996 and liked it so much that she bought a red one in 1999. That’s when I knew I wanted to build a CR-V in her memory.

I found a black, 5-speed AWD CR-V on OfferUp, just five minutes from my house. It was already lowered with eBay coilovers and S2000 wheels, and it even had a samurai sword shifter! After a test drive, I knew this was the car I wanted to build in honor of my mom.

The Build Process: A Labor of Love

The first thing I did was remove the samurai shift knob and install a sound system. Then, a few months later, during a men’s league basketball game, I ruptured my Achilles tendon and had to have surgery. Stuck on the couch, I spent hours searching online for parts. Every couple of days, something new would arrive in the mail. I managed to find the majority of the rare RD1 parts I wanted, including a set of five OG TE37s.

Once I was back on my feet, I started working on the car again, even while wearing a walking boot. I installed the air suspension and began stripping the car for paint. I had the wheels fixed and powder-coated bronze and even managed to find a custom carbon fiber hood from Thailand. I knew I wanted to do a B20 Vtec swap eventually, and with the help of @sochdeezenuttz, I got the engine parts shipped from Hawaii. By May 2024, the stock motor had blown, and that’s when I swapped in the 0-mile B20 Vtec motor.

The CR-V Build: A Unique Tribute

The CR-V isn’t a car you’d usually see modified like a compact tuner car. Most people don’t know that CR-V stands for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle,” and it was Honda’s mini-SUV before the term “crossover” even existed. Seeing it lowered, people often think it’s some kind of imported Honda wagon from Japan. The car definitely turns heads, and I love that it brings back memories of my mom every time I drive it.

What I enjoy most about the car is the connection it gives me to my mother. It’s also incredibly rewarding to know that I did most of the work myself, with my own two hands. Working on this car was therapy for me. It helped me through one of the darkest times of my life, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.

2000 Honda CR-V Build List

• EXTERIOR:

• JDM Front Bumper with Parking Pole

• Custom Carbon Fiber Hood

• Euro Front Grill and Headlight Covers

• OEM Side and Rear Nerf Bars

• Well Window Visors

• Depot Headlights and Taillights

• 19” OG Volk TE37 Wheels

• INTERIOR:

• JDM Recaro SR2 Front Seats (from Lancer Evo 2)

• MOMO Comp Steering Wheel with NRG Quick Release

• Chedda’s Short Throw Shifter with Skunk2 Weighted Shift Knob

• Custom Stitched Floor Mats and Cargo Cover

• Sony Double Din Headunit with Kicker Comp Speakers and JL Audio Amp

• ENGINE:

• B20V (CR-V Block with Type R Head)

• Type R Intake Manifold and Cams

• Custom Headers and Catback Exhaust

• AEM Cold Air Intake, Fuel Rail, and FPR

• Skunk2 Radiator Hoses and Oil Cap

• Hybrid Racing Shifter Bushings

• Chase Bays Coolant Overflow Reservoir and Fuel Line Tuck Kit

• BRAKES & SUSPENSION:

• Wilwood 4-Piston Big Brake Kit

• D2 Air Struts with AirLift 3P Management

• Custom Subframe Brace (engraved with my mother’s name)

• TruHart Control Arms with MPC Drop Forks

• AUDIO & VISUAL:

• JDM Tweeters and Bazooka 8” NOS Tube Subwoofer

• Reviver Digital Rear License Plate

• Rearview Camera

Future Plans for the 2000 Honda CR-V

I’m not done with the CR-V yet. In the future, I plan to add a turbo—most of the parts are already in my garage, waiting to be installed. I’m also thinking about getting a custom carbon fiber lip made and improving the trunk area to make it more appealing.

Shout Outs and Acknowledgments

I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of my family and friends. A big thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me the strength to push through. Shout out to my cousin James for encouraging me to get back into the Honda scene, and to my wife Sarah for being patient and supportive throughout the build. Thanks to my dad for introducing me to cars and to @sochdeezenuttz for helping me with the motor assembly. A special thanks to Gus from Automotive Anatomy for featuring the CR-V in a YouTube interview and to Marvin @mr2mivin for taking some amazing photos.

Dream Car: A Classic Lowrider

While my CR-V holds a special place in my heart, my dream car has always been a 1965 Chevrolet Impala. The simplicity and elegance of cars from the 1960s, especially the ‘65 Impala with its iconic body lines and circular taillights, have always captivated me. One day, I hope to make this dream a reality and add a classic lowrider to my collection.

Merle Woods' 2000 Honda CR-V is more than just a car—it's a tribute, a passion project, and a symbol of resilience. Through this build, Merle has honored his mother’s memory and created a vehicle that stands out in the JDM community. As he continues to refine and enhance the CR-V, it’s clear that this build will remain a meaningful part of his life for years to come.

Footnote:

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