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Newbe with questions as usual

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by John Arnold, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. John Arnold

    John Arnold Junior Member

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    Good day all. I am new to the Prius car and this forum. I just bought a 2007 wreck, it has a small amount of damage to the right front. I say small, the fender was removed via the end of a guard rail. missed the frame, mostly, did touch it and moved the front to the left a small amount. some of my questions are: how do I tell what model I have, couldn't answer that at sign up. Next is can I mig weld on the right front frame without harm to the many computers onboard this elaborate car, I have to spot weld a new fender apron on and 2 small tares. The frame I can move back without any trouble. also there is a small bracket bolted on the frame in the front right, it had a rubber mount on it but that was removed by the wreck and I cant tell what it is or what is does, not in any references.
    Thanks
    John
     
    #1 John Arnold, Jan 26, 2015
  2. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Welcome to the forum! I invite you to use the search tool at the top of the page, for it leads the way to a vast treasure-trove of useful information about the Prius on every topic imaginable.
     
    #2 GregP507, Jan 26, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have the official toyota shop manual? i think you can buy it on line.
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 26, 2015
  4. John Arnold

    John Arnold Junior Member

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    How did this get over here, started in gen 2 general. never the less, I cant find anything on welding the steel structure of this car in the search, really need to know this.
     
    #4 John Arnold, Jan 27, 2015
  5. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    The few people here who have bought slavaged/wrecks, already knew how to do body/frame work or had friends who knew how to do it for them. Maybe Steve at Autobeyours.com can help you?

    As for what model level Prius, open the 2007 sales brochure to see what you options you have, to figure out your specific trim level.
    Toyota Car PDF Sales Brochure Catalog Flyer Info Avalon Camry Corolla Echo Prius Yaris
    It is also possible that yours could be from a massive fleet lease, that falls in between trim packages.
     
    #5 exstudent, Jan 28, 2015
  6. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    In general, disconnect the 12V battery when welding, on any car. If there is a module really close to the welding site, couldn't hurt to physically remove that as well. I know guys that don't disconnect anything and have been fine though.
     
    #6 trentofdestiny, Jan 28, 2015
  7. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    These items may be of interest as well...
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 trentofdestiny, Jan 28, 2015
  8. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I wouldn't worry about the battery so much as any solid-state electronics, which are very sensitive to the type of voltage-spikes that are created by arc-welding.
     
    #8 GregP507, Jan 28, 2015
  9. John Arnold

    John Arnold Junior Member

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    Someone said, just weld it, so that's what I did. No problems at all. all is fixed now with just a little "old body work" left to do then off to the paint shop, then the little lady gets to tear it up...
    Thanks to everyone who helped me out

    By the way. it drives like a dream..
     
    #9 John Arnold, May 6, 2015
    Burna J likes this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats!(y) pics?
     
    #10 bisco, May 6, 2015
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