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*MODIFICATION JOURNAL* I got my hands on the girlfriend's Prius ...here is what I did.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by ucsbwsr, Sep 23, 2014.

  1. ewxlt66

    ewxlt66 Active Member

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    I'm 6'6. ExtendmySeat brackets were the best mod ever!

    Did the spacers and the wider stance effect MPGs at all?
     
  2. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    Yea, I can see that. Thankfully I rarely drive her car for long distances.


    I did not note the MPG before and have not checked it post spacer install. If the car was mine and drove it daily I could intentionally eliminate other variables and attempt to notice a change. If there was any change I think it would be a minimal amount and hard to notice anyway. My thoughts are the spacers would help MPG at higher speeds where there is significant wind resistance, the flush wheel-fender fitment should help eliminate turbulence. Other than added stress on the wheel bearing and the slight resistance that could create, I don't see how the spacers would hurt MPG. Regardless I would happily trade an MPG or two for the athletic stance the car has.

    Evan
     
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  3. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    Evan, what was the height of your recline spacers, and do you recall the bolt dimensions? I'm going to have my seats out any way for lumbar bladder, seat heaters and Clazzio covers. I might as well tip them back while I'm there.
     
  4. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    Unfortunately I don't recall the bolt size diameter or pitch. I unbolted one and took it into the store. Spacers are 1" which I think is the maximum height I would go. I had to be very careful to not cross-thread when installing. There is more recline than I was expecting for only 1" up front. I would try .75" and see how that works.
     
  5. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    OK thanks.
     
  6. M in KC

    M in KC Active Member

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    FWIW it looks like a 10mx1.25mmx50mm will get you to 3/4" recline according to my thread gauge.
     
  7. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    I don't like amber reflectors, I don't like amber bulbs, and I don't care for ugly exhaust pipes/mufflers. I prime example is the exhaust on full-size trucks, the manufacturers leave a long pipe/tip exposed at the back of the truck and it often ends in a horizontal position so the person driving behind the can view the pipe in all it's ugliness. I understand the concept of the design to keep water from entering the system and also release gases behind the tire, but that doesn't make it any more attractive to the onlooker.

    Call my Type-A because I am. I notice these things and hate them.

    In general the Prius has nice exhaust aesthetics as most of it is tucked away underneath the car but when following my girlfriend on the highway the contrast of the muffler really caught my eye. Well I fixed that with some high-temp paint! I didn't bother to do the sides of the muffler as there wasn't much reward for the effort.

    Evan


    Can't STAND exhausts like this!
    [​IMG]

    Before and After
    [​IMG]

    Much better!
    [​IMG]
     
  8. wa-chiss

    wa-chiss Member

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    I'm the same way. One of the first things I noticed on the new 2015 Camry was the black painted muffler. I was shocked for this isn't a common thing for Toyota.
     
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  9. OGGIE50

    OGGIE50 Member

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    If your car came with HID's stock, did you have to convert the wires to accept the new Projectors? Perhaps i can buy your stock HID ballasts from you as mine need replacing. hmu thanks, [email protected]
     
  10. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    I tapped into the existing wiring and ran different ballasts/bulbs.

    Email sent.
     
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  11. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    This is more of a restoration than modification but an improvement nonetheless. On my girlfriends car the window trim was starting to show it's age. There was some oxidation to go along with what looked like some slight corrosion. The upper and lower trim, pillars, and side view mirror base all got Plasti Dipped. I previously Dipped the side mirror caps so everything matches now. ...details, details, details.

    The surfaces were cleaned and then wiped with alcohol prior, taping took the longest but in the end it all turned out well. I ended up using 2 cans of Dip for this project.

    Cheers,
    Evan


    [​IMG]
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  12. ewxlt66

    ewxlt66 Active Member

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    Wondering if your fine attention to detail applies to the kitchen and bathroom in the house. Asking for a friend... =D
     
  13. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    The short answer is yes. I like to fix things and I like to develop efficient routines; it seems silly to waste time searching for something when you could just have a "spot" for it and always know where it is when needed. The garage is a greater reflection of this since I do more fixing with more tools but the kitchen certainly serves an important role as I love preparing and eating food.

    Cheers,
    Evan
     
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  14. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    Recently I ordered some LED pods from Aliexpress. My original goal was to use some as backup lights on my BMW 535xi but the silver pods were too large and I was unsuccessful removing the LED and driver from the metal housing some of the smaller bolt-style pods were not bright enough for back up lights so I found some other uses for them.

    I followed in the footsteps of JUSTDIDIT I utilized these LEDs for puddle lights; I plan to install another pair on the underside of the rear tailgate as puddle/cargo lights (I also did this today on my BMW and am very pleased with the results).

    Unfortunately I wired the light into the driver vanity mirror thinking power would be the same as the main dome light, it is not and the LED stays on ALL the time time. I will rewire it tomorrow. This mod was a little more challenging that I thought it would be, running the wires through the conduit and giving everything a clean install proved to be difficult.

    When it is all said and done this modification will have cost me around $10.

    Here are some pics.

    Evan


    6 "9w Eagle Eye" LEDs
    [​IMG]

    Compared to a higher output Cree LED pod I also purchased.
    [​IMG]

    Testing the LED
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    Making a mess
    [​IMG]

    LED mounted. The end of the bolt is really close to the mirror mount but I think it should be ok.
    [​IMG]

    BEFORE
    [​IMG]

    AFTER
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  15. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Very creative
     
  16. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    I went ahead and a pair of these LEDs in the rear tailgate. The stock interior lighting in this car is terrible the other lights will eventually be replaced with LEDs, probably some COB style panels. The tailgate install did not take very long compared to the side mirrors, this mod was straight forward and cheap! Highly recommended.

    Evan


    Tailgate prior to install
    [​IMG]

    Tailgate after
    [​IMG]

    Installed and powered up
    [​IMG]

    THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS ALL HAVE THE SAME CAMERA SETTING IN MANUAL MODE:
    Before #1 (All interior lights on)

    [​IMG]

    After #1 (Only Cargo lights on)
    [​IMG]

    Before #2 (all interior lights on)
    [​IMG]

    After #2 (only cargo)
    [​IMG]

    With side-view mirror puddle lamps on; you can barely see the interior lights (windows are up but they are not tinted)
    [​IMG]

    For this photo the camera was in Automatic mode
    [​IMG]
     
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  17. ewxlt66

    ewxlt66 Active Member

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    You've got skills!!
     
  18. Derek MacDonald

    Derek MacDonald New Member

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    Two
    I'd love to see some info on how you wired these to the tailgate and what you hooked into. I'd love to do this for mine soon.



     
  19. ucsbwsr

    ucsbwsr Active Member

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    Wiring is pretty simple. I wanted these tailgate lights to go on with the rear cargo light and not the interior lights (dome lights and front door puddle lamps), if they were wired to the interior lights the whole cargo area would be lit up with the tailgate shut, and although it looks cool (I will post a pic later) it was excessive for my intended function.

    I tapped into the rear cargo light with some T-taps, ran some basic 18g automotive wire behind the plastic panels from the light, through the rubber conduit connecting the roof to the tailgate and along the driver-side of the tailgate to the panel where the LEDs are mounted. I left some excess wire length so that panel with the LEDs can be dropped without worrying about unplugging or damaging anything.

    Some simple screw-caps were used to join the both LEDs to the wire ran from the cargo light, so each screw-cap connected 3 wires. The LEDs require such little power there was no worrying about how to wire them (series, parallel, etc.) I tested the output and they are just as bright wired this way as any other so simplicity prevailed.

    I recommend some thread-lock for the LEDs to keep them from possibly vibrating loose down the road.

    Evan

    T-tap used on the cargo light.
    [​IMG]
     
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  20. Derek MacDonald

    Derek MacDonald New Member

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    Awesome... thanks for that. Seems simple enough even I could handle it ;)