Super Noob questions: Building a Clean Apocalypse Civic (wheels, brush guard, etc)

[Cenobyte]

Before I'm murdered...

I bought my 2018 Civic Hatchback (Sport) after my other car was totaled by floodwater. I just kind of happened across it. Well lo and behold, this Civic is a champion of a car. BUT, it's about to be paid off in like 2 months, and frankly, I just want to have some borderline-irresponsible fun with it.

My idea is to make sort of a "Clean Apocalypse Civic", something that looks like you could drive to and from your office job but also battle the road warriors on the way. Not looking at going full rat-rod offroad dirty with it like some others have. It's still in great shape, even still has some warranty left, so I don't want to completely rag it out just for looks. Budget is roughly $5k to start with.

At first, I'll be doing a "stinger" brush guard (will require fab modification on my part, that's fine), wheel/tire changes, and maybe fender flares/rear window diffusers later.

Problem is, I'm a super noob with this car stuff. I'm a motorcycle guy, I ride and mod motorcycles, so I'm unfamiliar with the ins and outs of these car mods. I think I can make a brush guard fit, but my noob questions revolve more around the tires/wheels:

-Are the stock tires pretty inexpensive compared to other types of tires? Basically, could I change them to a smaller rim, make them smaller, larger, etc, to achieve a more economic tire going forward? I'll be changing the rims to something more "utilitarian" looking, but should I change the tire size, or are the OEM tires sufficiently inexpensive to be fine with keeping. (I'm willing to slightly lift the car/add fender flares or modify fenders some to accommodate different tires if the tires make it worth it).
-With the lifting, does anyone lift their civics? I don't mean 6 inch lifts, I mean just enough to give plenty of room for larger tires? if so, does it hurt ride quality/mileage/handling much?
-For the brush guard, I'm probably going with a small(ish) Jeep "stinger" type, but will probably have to modify it to fit. Does anyone have experience that indicate this can't/shouldn't be done? (aside from the "pushing it into your radiator in a fender bender" type stuff). I mean like, weight-wise, etc.

Some examples I'm using as inspiration for the project:
-Stinger inspiration: https://wheelwell.com/ben-huffman/2tne/1991-honda-civic?photo_id=5ce69775660eef10dd8c1226
-Best example of full "offroad" style civic I've found, but mod totals around $35k I think: https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/Vo2rM/s1/honda-civic-type-r-one-offs.jpg
-Stinger inspiration: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yywoZsd0X2Y/maxresdefault.jpg
-I love these tires/wheels, but not sure if they're too pricey: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-er56oe4q...22qc3no9YXYQcD-AcTtr3rMzkgCEw/s1600/Zomb1.jpg
-Maybe the best tire/wheel setup, not sure about pricing or fitment: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4a/fd/d2/4afdd2dfe776bb0e60e373459f81f3a6.jpg

Thanks for any advice!

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[ts13]

Those are some crazy vehicles!

 

[vandalSI]

been eyeing these for a winter setup. would also look good for what you are talking about. throw a gravel tire on there and youre set.


https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whe...SE&wheelFinish=Gloss+Black+Painted&tab=wheels

 

[86salmon]

There were a couple threads in the past with ideas for a rally setup. You'll probably need to do some search bar digging to find them.

If memory serves, folks with Scoobys add strut spacers to increase height by .5"-2'" for added ground clearance. Depending on the height, I'd imagine an appropriately longer shock may be substituted for better ride. Would CR-V shocks work??

For tough wheels, I've always liked Method

EDIT: Here's a spacer kit for 10th gen civic. Good Luck!!!

https://www.hrgengineering.com/product-page/1-5-inch-38mm-lift-kit-for-2016-2021-civic

 

[Cenobyte]

There were a couple threads in the past with ideas for a rally setup. You'll probably need to do some search bar digging to find them.

If memory serves, folks with Scoobys add strut spacers to increase height by .5"-2'" for added ground clearance. Depending on the height, I'd imagine an appropriately longer shock may be substituted for better ride. Would CR-V shocks work??

For tough wheels, I've always liked Method

EDIT: Here's a spacer kit for 10th gen civic. Good Luck!!!



https://www.hrgengineering.com/product-page/1-5-inch-38mm-lift-kit-for-2016-2021-civic

Awesome, I think that look fits really well. Regarding the lift, what kind of shop would you take that to to get the work done? Would an import mod shop be able to do it? Or would I need to take it to an offroad truck/jeep mod type place and get laughed at for a bit but they'd be more suited for the work?

 

[86salmon]

Awesome, I think that look fits really well. Regarding the lift, what kind of shop would you take that to to get the work done? Would an import mod shop be able to do it? Or would I need to take it to an offroad truck/jeep mod type place and get laughed at for a bit but they'd be more suited for the work?

I'd ask both. I had my lowered truck suspension worked on by a 4x4 shop. With the number of lifted Impreza and Outbacks around, they might not be too surprised. Import tuners might be more familiar with xgen Civic suspension though

 

[dktyson]

Any update on your apocalypse build? Very interested to see it now.

 

[Abrahampr]

Update?

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