Aloha All,
Just installed the larger armrest with storage, and I love it. The price was a bit steep, even at $90 from H and A, but well worth it, in my opinion.

It makes it just a tad difficult to reach the parking break, but doesn't affect the 5spd shifter at all.

Now I just have to do some more research on re-installing the old armrest upside down on the passenger side.

eKennedy

I too have been thinking about adding the larger arm-rest. Does yours interefere with access to the cup holders on the floor between the seats?


P.S.- Be sure to let us know how you make out with the passenger seat.

Actually, I just installed it last night, and haven't had the need to get to the cupholders yet. But just thinking about it, I'd say yes, it would probably be in the way.

I'm trying to hear from someone who's done the passenger side along with the larger rest to see how they match up together, height and lengthwise.

If I can get under the upholstery easily enough, I may try the install this evening. Will be sure to document it if I can't find someone else who already has.

eKennedy

eKennedy: Some folks who installed the large armrest have claimed that it is wide enough for the passenger to also use it. Is this not true? If it is true, why would you need to install the armrest on the passenger side? Please let me know because I want this accessory but only if it is wide enough for the passenger to also use. Thanks.

We installed ours and love it. Both my husband and I use it alot together and it is comfortable. Even though alittle pricey its the best option we have installed. We still use the front cup holder, while the rear one is too difficult to use practically. No problem with hand break or sear belt. We love it. We never even considered putting the old style on the passenger side in addition, no need to for us. Well worth the investment for us.

I installed the storage armrest and am very happy with it. I kept my old armrest for a litle while, but my passengers were able to share the new armrest easily so I sold it last week.

As to the cupholders, if I'm using them I just flip the armrest back and out of the way. It's easy and them you can get to the 2 front holders easily.

My last car was a 2001 Honda CRV and I did not opt for the passenger side armrest, something my passengers never let me forget.
So when I got my E [GG, EX, side airbags] I had the larger armrest installed by the dealer. The armrest extends almost all the way to the passenger's seat and can be used by the driver and passenger at the same time.
The driver can reach the front-most cup holder without any problems, but the rear cup holders are accessible by the passenger only.
As for installing the stock armrest on the passenger's side, I am not sure that you would have enought room. It's not really necessary, as the larger armrest can be used comfortably by two people.
I'll follow up with a pic when I get a chance.
-da

Did you say you HAVE the side airbags??? I thought they are not available yet??? Boy do I feel lost..
Please clarify.
Carrie

Carrie,

Side airbag models are currently available. They are not especially easy to find.

Da is correct. I installed the larger armrest and there is a bit of arm bending I have to do to get to my cup holders and parking brake. BUT, the passenger has a small enough gap that if he/she were a decent co-pilot, they could get your drink for you.

Hey HEMan,
I'm moreinterested in installing the original armrest on the passenger side for my own use rather than for my passenger.

In my CR-V, I got used to laying my arm over the passenger armrest, and the larger driver's armrest I got now, doesn't extend quite far enough over.

Then the fact that there's just enough space to put it in there, seems to make me think that it belongs there.

I'd really like to see a pic of what it would look like in combo with the larger armrest though, before I decide to go ahead with the install.

eKennedy

[quote:eb8b1c18e7="Carrie Kopp"]Did you say you HAVE the side airbags??? I thought they are not available yet??? Boy do I feel lost..
Please clarify.
Carrie[/quote:eb8b1c18e7]

I asked the salesman about them and he said they wouldn't be out until sometime 2004, but when I told him that people on this site had already ordered them, he checked around. Five minutes later he found an EX in GG w/side airbags 20 miles away and did a dealer trade.
After he checked around he said that I am one of five people in NY state to have side airbags with my Element; so I guess the moral of the story is that while they are hard to find, they are available, it's just a matter of how hard your sales person looks for you :)
-da

Could somebody post a picture?

[quote:2a2062cac3="Bobh"]Could somebody post a picture?[/quote:2a2062cac3]

Here are a few picks of the upgraded armrest.
-da


http://www.davidalton.net/element/armrest1.jpg

http://www.davidalton.net/element/armrest2.jpg

http://www.davidalton.net/element/armrest3.jpg

Thanks for the pictures, da! That settles it- I'm ordering my armrest from H and A today! :)

Looks very nice. Good color match?

Do you have a website for H & A?

How difficult is the removal/installation?

My dealer has a showroom model with aftermarket seats -- leather (not necessarily an improvement, in my opinion), better armrests, but best of all ... heated! A nice option here in the frozen tundra.

Didn't see my last post, so I'll give it another shot:
- I have the green interior and the armrest looks great.
- H & A website: http://www.handa-accessories.com/elementint.html
- Installation instructions:
http://www.handa-accessories.com/element/elementarmrest.pdf
- I chose to have the armrest installed by Honda, but it's probably easier than to install than the hood air deflector or the sunroof shade screen.

Probably one of the best mods...

I like the armrest, but I must emphasize that it significantly hampers your ability to (A) use the cup holders and (B) put on your drivers side seatbelt. Yes, you CAN still essentially use the front cup holder and put on your seatbelt -- but its much more awkward than with the stock armrest.

On the plus side, it works fine as a passenger armrest (elbow rest), in my opinion.

I'm probably just griping because I haven't gotten used to it yet -- but the thought of having two stock armrests installed instead is starting to sound compelling ... just because I think the ergonomics would be improved overall.

Anyone have an extra stock GG armrest for sale?

I'm wunderin' if the passenger's seat is designed so it can take an armrest ... does it have the structure as the driver's seat to support the pin?

Bobh......yes it has the same seat structure....there are several posts with instructions on how exactly this mod works.

Help! Should I have this installed if I am short? Will the fact that I have to move my seat farther forward affect the ease of shifting? I am 5'2".
Thanks!

Anyone install one of these with a 5SP? Enough clearance for your arms? H&A recommends against it.

[quote:2a45d1a734="ele_mental"]Anyone install one of these with a 5SP? Enough clearance for your arms? H&A recommends against it.[/quote:2a45d1a734]

Yup...no problem at all. I picked up my 4WD EBP 5 Speed EX last night. I had the dealer install most accessories that would take me a lot of time to do, but ordered mats, chrome tip, table legs, bungees and armrest and had them all in within an hour.

The armrest is definitely a winner and when adjusted down one click, doesn't get in the way of shifting at all. I am guessing it was all a corporate lawyer warning thing. I think it is great, although as mentioned, it does slightly hamper buckling the seat belt and getting to the cup holders. However, for a Honda, the Element doesn't have a ton of space to easily store small things (at least I don't think it does) so the armrest more than makes up for that. It is comfy and provides plenty of space to share with a passenger.

All in all, it is my favorite interior accessory.

I also put one in on my 5sp EX and I actually find it quite comfortable to rest my elbow on it while shifting. I was almost considering putting the stock armrest on the passenger side because it looks like it'll still fit but decided to go against it because then it WOULD REALLY make it hard to access the cup holder area.

Anyone interested in a blue passenger armrest? $20 shipped in the continental USA. PM me if interested.

[quote:86a0445f56="ele_mental"]Anyone install one of these with a 5SP? Enough clearance for your arms? H&A recommends against it.[/quote:86a0445f56]

I put the large armrest into my 4WD 5sp last week, and I have figured out why Honda says they don't recommend it. Depending on how you sit and your forearm length, there's a possibility that your elbow will bang into the front edge of the armrest while you're shifting from 1st to 2nd or 3rd to 4th. There's an outside chance this will hamper your ability to shift.

However, after driving 600 miles over the weekend with the new armrest installed, I have personally decided that it's not enough of an issue for me to worry about.

Is the new armrest any taller? The standard is about 2-3 inches too short to be comfortable for me. Not sure if the new one is the answer.

[quote:919f464796="Yaqui_Element"]Is the new armrest any taller? The standard is about 2-3 inches too short to be comfortable for me. Not sure if the new one is the answer.[/quote:919f464796]

Yes, substantially higher. The stock armrest was a waste as far as I am concerned. The optional armrest is perfect.

Anybody want to buy a mint-condition stock armrest from a GG Element?

In the trading forum, someone was looking for a GG armrest.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4160

The armrest is great. My wife and I aren't fighting over the leaner like we do in our CRV. The storage is great too. I put my business cards in it and the way you can manipulate the size of the slots is great too. Anyone figure out what the other slots are for in the lid besides a pen holder? As far as hampering the cup holder I have no problem with it. I drive at 4 AM and after awhile it becomes second nature to reach around the armrest to get to the cup holder to reach my cup of joe. And it can still pop off on top of that with the release switch. My big peeve with the dealer was they threw out my old armrest. That's f@^ked up. I paid for it, I should get it back. I made a complaint and they are working on it (yeah right). Anyway the bigger armrest is better.

I can't agree more! We love our armrest, its probably the best accessory we added for increasing comfort. 8)