Sirius Sportster Installation In A 2004 Honda Element

The 2003-2005 Honda Element could quite possibly be the easiest vehicle on the planet to install a Sirius satellite radio receiver in.

(And while I'm partial to Sirius, I'm sure that installing an XM receiver would be a very similar experience.) Why? There are five good reasons:

  1. There is the AUX jack (1/8" phono audio jack) built right into the dash. This gives you a direct connection to the head unit which directly translated to better sound quality since the FM transmitter is not used.
  2. The cigarette lighter jack is right next to the AUX jack in the dash.
  3. The dash has the perfect spot for mounting the car cradle without having to drill any holes or make any radical modifications (to either the dash or cradle).
  4. Running the antenna wire requires minimal effort and there are less than 6 inches visibly exposed wire when finished (~2" when the passenger door is open and up to 4" where it comes out of the dash and attaches to the back of the cradle).
  5. The only tool required for the entire install is a Phillips head screwdriver. The install can be done by one person in about one hour.

In July 2005, I won a contest on SIRIUS Backstage for an antenna painted to match my vehicle from TSS Radio (formerly colormatchantenna.com). While I had originally meant to document the installation of my Sirius Sportster back when I got it for Christmas in 2004, I was simply too darn excited to slow down to take pictures! (Anyone with a Sirius satellite radio can certainly relate to this feeling!) So when I replaced my stock black, wart-like Sirius antenna on my 2004 Honda Element with the new color matched one, I took the time to document the installation. TSS Radio will paint a Sirius antenna cover to perfectly match the color of your vehicle. Needless to say, it improved the overall look significantly on the exterior of my Honda Element. I highly recommend this service from TSS Radio. It is a worthy upgrade to any Sirius (or XM) vehicle install! [UPDATE: This product is no longer available.]

[Note: Click on any image to see a larger version.]

Before with original black Sirius antenna

Before with original black Sirius antennaBefore with original black Sirius antenna

After with painted antenna

After with painted antennaAfter with painted antennaAfter with painted antenna

Equipment needed:

Sirius Sportster with car cradle kit
[Note: If your receiver comes with a suction cup mount, you can get original Sportster mounts, universal mounts, and vehicle specific mounts at TSS Radio.]
1/8" to 1/8" Mini Aux. Cable from TSS Radio
or
Radio Shack 12" Shielded Stereo Audio Cable (42-2497, $4.29)
Optional: Sirius antenna painted to match vehicle from TSS Radio
[no longer available]

Tools needed:

Phillips head screwdriver

Installation steps:

[Note: Click on any image to see a larger version.]
  1. Follow Sirius instructions for mounting cradle on the dash. Be sure to test fit the receiver in the cradle before finalizing location.
    Step 1Step 1
  2. Remove side panel by hand. It is held in place by 6 clips.
    Step 2
  3. Remove 3 screws (2 underneath, 1 side) in dash trim panel. (See larger image for exact placement.) Remove panel. It will come out with the end nearest the center console first and the A/C vent last.
    Step 3
  4. Remove 4 screws along the bottom of the dash sub panel. Remove sub panel. (See larger image for exact placement.)
    Step 4
  5. Pull out rubber gasket along the doorjamb until exposed from the top of the windshield to the removed side panel area.
    Step 5
  6. Mount the antenna on the roof. (Picture shows my color matched antenna from TSS Radio.)
    Step 6
  7. Tuck the antenna wire into the rubber gasket along the top of the windshield then route underneath/between the plastic molding.
    Step 7
  8. Continue routing the antenna wire inside the rubber gasket down to the side panel area. Reseat gasket into proper position. Make sure that antenna wire is routed inside the vehicle once it gets to the exposed side panel. (See larger image for exact placement.)
    Step 8
  9. Tuck excess wire into dash behind the air vent. (See larger image for exact placement.)
    Step 9
  10. Feed antenna connector under the air vent and pull it through the center of the dash.
    Step 10
  11. Connect the antenna wire to the cradle.
    Step 11
  12. Replace dash sub panel and attach with all 4 screws. Aim to have as little of the antenna wire exposed as possible. You do not want the cable to be pinched though!
    Step 12
  13. Plug stereo audio cable into AUX jack in dash and LINE OUT jack in cradle. Stow cable so that it is not seen as much as possible.
    Step 13
  14. Plug power cord into cigarette jack in dash and DC IN jack on cradle. Stow cable so that it is not seen as much as possible.
    Step 14
  15. Replace dash trim and 3 screws.
    Step 15
  16. Replace side panel.
    Step 16
  17. Install Sportster into cradle. Power on and ENJOY!
    Step 17Step 17