If you haven’t looked at Fifth Element’s website – treat yourself.  Even if you don’t own an element, their very cool, very functional, very modular builds will have you drooling.  And maybe even starting a search for your own Honda Element.  It’s obvious way there is a 7-8 month lead time on their handiwork.  While I wait for my turn, I’ll be making some intermediary modifications to make my E even more useful, functional and fun.

First Phase

I started with Fifth Element’s Recommended Upgrades page, where I found some incredible useful items I ordered immediately from Amazon:

  • Broadway BW155 Blue 270mm Convex Mirror with Black Frame This extended size rear view mirror clips on over your existing  RVM and its convex shape provides you with an amazing field of vision, reducing blindspots.  At less than $24 it’s a no brainer.

  • BAT Blind Spot Mirror, 2″ Round HD Glass Convex Rear View Mirror, Pack of 2 Also a no-brainer.  These easily go on your side-view mirrors and likewise reduce blind spot issues.

  • Cargo Netting I found an original Honda parts cargo net for the rear floor of the E, but I have added some ceiling netting as well.  I found that the

    Powertye 15″x30″ Mfg Large Cargo Net featuring 10 Adjustable Hooks & Tight 2″x2″ Mesh works really well installed just behind the front seats. I rigged up some smaller 3×3 mesh nets farther back.  It’s a great set-up for some of the things I need when I paddle, like changing ponchos, towels, hoodies, and it allows me to store my paddles up and out of the way. 

    IMG_4894

  • Molle Gear Galor!
  • Digital Stereo Receiver This is probably the biggest thing so far, and the one mod I did not want to make myself. I have grown quite accustomed to the digital receiver that integrates with CaryPlay on my iPhone in the CR-V, especially where navigation is concerned.  In 2008, it was super cool to have an AUX jack for your iPod or MP3 player but now, that seems clunky and archaic. So, I found a refurbished Kenwood

     DMX7705S Digital MultiMedia Receiver that will let me run CarPlay through the phone just as seamless as I do in the CR-V.

  • Yakima Skyline system roof racks with XL Core Bars Normally a rack install is a piece of cake for me.  I work for REI and have rack training and have done every car I’ve owned since my 1998 Isuzu Trooper (gosh, I loved that car!) But this one had me flummoxed.  Turned out, the previous owner likely overloaded the factory bars on the car and one of the mounting points on the roof was bent out of shape.  That prevented me from being able to seat the #9 landing pad required to attach the Skyline tower. So, Linwood and his staff at Piperformance body shop easily fixed the issue in about an hour and even installed the rest of the system. I had to laugh, though, when they came in to ask me how much I wanted cut off the bars!!!  Once I explained to them what I carry up there, they understood. I think.  Linwood’s shop is  high-end, and super specialized….normally working on models like Lexus, BWM and custom builds. Not the kind of customer that wants bars ends extending way off the side of the car, regardless of the aesthetics!

All that is remaining for the moment now is to DYI some privacy curtains for the windows that will also aid in climate control inside the vehicle.  We’ll start with the idea lay out by the Fifth Element guys again – cutting pieces of Reflectix to size, and blacking out one side with Gorilla Tape.  Once that’s done, Phase I will be complete.

Phase II Preview

Next up will be some basic outfitting to make the E camp-able whilst I wait for my Fifth Element build…stay tuned!

Have an Element? What modifications have you made? Would love to hear….