[Sheniferous]

i'm not 100% sure, but judging by these pix, i'm like 95% sure. but i don't think it's a 3-point seat belt for the middle passenger in the J-E.

here's the back part of the seats in the A-E:

and here's the back in the J-E... I added red circles to show the belts:

and here's the side view of the seats, with what appears to be a 3rd seat belt harness... notice there's no center cupholders either:

if this is true... i might try and order the 2 rear seats from japan so i can have a "legal" 5 seater!

 

[eMass]

Interesting. Also, from the looks of things you'd only need the seat bottoms - that is, if you can get them separately.

 

[sean010101]

unless they are making the element wider, 3 regular people ain't fitting back there.

 

[Sheniferous]

[quote:1413f25ddd="sean010101"]unless they are making the element wider, 3 regular people ain't fitting back there.[/quote:1413f25ddd]

you mean, 3 americans wouldn't fit back there...

that's why honda introduced the element as a 5 seater in japan (i think). they're a bit more "compact"

 

[rkuhlen]

Has anyone found out it is possible to order the rear seats from Japan?

 

[ropedart.1]

Well, if you really want to try ask Bing at hondasuv.com. He says he can get JDM parts for the Element. He says parts come from strange places. I wouldn't be surprised if the parts are actually installed in Japan. The parts won't be cheap. Furthermore, the seats are quite different. Get this. They can move forward but I don't think they can be removed. No place to put them in Japan. Also I think this makes the seats weak. I doubt the seat and seat belts could pass American safety standards. I added my own 5th seat belt system (5 point racing harness) and it cost less than 100 bucks. A lapbelt is like 20 bucks. Its not factory but I offer something for my 5th passenger. Better than nothing.

BTW I got from Bing a nice chrome 4WD emblem for my El. It a Honda part and its sweet. 8)

 

[1kewlelement]

you mean, 3 americans wouldn't fit back there...

that's why honda introduced the element as a 5 seater in japan (i think). they're a bit more "compact"

:lol: Not if they are Sumo Wrestlers.

John

 

[ElementalWon]

What the heck, even with the extra seat belt, the middle passeger will have to sit on the uncomfortable hump. It reminds me when I was a kid and would sit on my grandfather's arm rest in his Chevrolet Caprice.

 

[JHMED]

I have all the part numbers from Honda Japan's parts computer pertaining to the Element. From what I gather, the Element is built in the USA for the Japanese market. That would mean that it would have the same dimensions (more or less). They seem to have gotten rid of the rear cupholders to compensate for the 5th person. I have the part numbers for that and the driver's seat (USDM Pass Side) as I was thinking that perhaps one could get the frame from the JDM Driver's side and thus have two small armrests as opposed to the bulky accessory one which I find gets in the way sometimes.

 

[Sheniferous]

[quote:4ee80995f1="JHMED"]I have all the part numbers from Honda Japan's parts computer pertaining to the Element. From what I gather, the Element is built in the USA for the Japanese market. That would mean that it would have the same dimensions (more or less). They seem to have gotten rid of the rear cupholders to compensate for the 5th person. I have the part numbers for that and the driver's seat (USDM Pass Side) as I was thinking that perhaps one could get the frame from the JDM Driver's side and thus have two small armrests as opposed to the bulky accessory one which I find gets in the way sometimes.[/quote:4ee80995f1]

from what i understand, the japanese elements dont have armrests at all... but you could just get the passenger armrest accessory from the 2004 element (the 2004 EX comes stock with a passenger side armrest)