PeterJMC's Build Thread

7/14/2013 update @ 4,606 miles

She's getting there slowly but surely!

1) Installed my Carmate Storage Tray.
2) Replaced the factory turnsignal relay with a Tap turn signal relay by Autowindow.com
3) Installed my DIY phone mount which replaces the shift knob.

Carmate Storage Tray
I had this the Carmate storage tray in my 2010 Prius. It was colored gray, I ended up painting it flat black to match the interior color of my new Prius

It looked just like this brand new, but now it's black.
http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/4451/gzintlshop.jpg

Tap Turn Signal Relay by autowindow.com
It was easier to install the second time around, this was also installed on my 2010 and brought it over to the 2013. Works just the same

This relay allows you to tap the turn signal stalk and gives you a series of blinks 3, 4, 5, 6, or none (OFF). This relay is also compatible with LED bulbs, so you don't get the fast blink.

DIY phone mount
This phone mount replaces the factory shift knob. The idea was inspired by a fellow members DIY mount for his iPhone which they made entirely out of wood.

More info can be found here, Show me your... phone mounts! | PriusChat

 

I'm still trying to get the whole car vinyl wrapped in Matte Black . I went to start the front bumper today since I have the whole week off. This is definitely not doable with one person, at least the front bumper isn't.

While I'm waiting to try and attempt the bumper again tonight with an extra set of hands... I went ahead and plasti-dipped the engine cover and installed the last JDM engine cover.

 

7/14/2013 update @ 4,xxx miles

Today is waaaay too hot to be outside working on the car. I really do wish that I had a garage. The mod list would be dwindling so much faster! I need to finish wrapping the rest of the car soon. It looks a bit odd right now.

I really wanted to get the headlights wrapped in clear Lamin-X film, but after three failed attempts, I gave up. I'll give it another go down the road and use the pre-cut films. Trying to use custom cut for the headlights was too much of a pain. There are so many curves to that thing, it was almost impossible to get it looking clean.

I'm also not sure if I like the forward emblem blacked out, or if I want to let it show.


1) Wrapped the front bumper in black matte vinyl by 3M
2) Painted over the plastic gril insert, and lower grill insert in flat black Plasti-Dip.
3) Wrapped the DRL/Turn signal lamp in Lamin-X clear film
4) Wrapped the foglight housings in Lamin-X yellow film
5) Disabled the low speed noise device


Wrapped the front bumper in black matte vinyl by 3M
This was extremely difficult to do. To do it easier, and better, it should probably be wrapped while it is on the car. I took it off because there was no way I'd be spending 2+ hours out in the sun working on this.

You also need two people to work at it, one person to help pull and stretch and the second person to work the details. Overall, I'm satisfied with the work done. There are a few small creases, and some tight areas that keep bubbling. I really want to do it over though, but the amount of time this took, and lack of an experienced and willing second person are holding me back from attempting it a second time.

Painted over the plastic gril insert, and lower grill insert in flat black Plasti-Dip.
I wanted to paint over these two parts to match each other in color/texture. I was mainly motivated to do this work because the lower grill insert trim was a gloss metallic black. I thought that would look odd against the color of the matte black vinyl so I decided to paint that and the upper grill pieces.

Wrapped the DRL/Turn signal lamp in Lamin-X clear film
I did this to aid in protecting the lens from rock chips, etc. The upper section, the turn signal area, was a difficult install because of the way it's curved. It took some time using a heat gun and pushing out the water/air to get it to lay proper. I custom cut a sheet of clear Lamin-X for this job.

Wrapped the foglight housings in Lamin-X yellow film
I did this to aid in protecting the lens from rock chips, etc. I also like the look of yellow fog lights, so I decided to wrap these in yellow film. These were fairly easy to install. I custom cut a sheet of yellow Lamin-X for this job.

Disabled the low speed noise device
This was easy to find with the front bumper removed. All you have to do is unplug the noisemaker from the harness and viola, no more sound.

There is a blank plug right next to the noise maker, that I assume is used so that you can plug the harness into it so a short doesn't occur from water splashing into the area. I should have taken a picture.

Unplug noisemaker from harness, plug harness into blank/unused clip.

 

Good question. I shall see. It's just vinyl overlaid on top of it. I'll take her out for a spin shortly. I figured it would be safe since the actual radar unit is behind and completely separate from the emblem. Maybe the emblem acts as some sort of deflector dish or something?

 

Yes! I am definitely going to be wrapping the rest of the car. It's just waay too hot to do the work outside without a garage.

 

Geez. If the vinyl works out, and DRCC still works, I'm going to put some Lamin-X over the emblem. with 4k miles on it there was already one rock chip in it.

 

DRCC tested. A vinyl overlay does not impact or hinder performance. Tested at all three distance settings. Tested with cars merging into and departing from my lane. Throttle and brakes are engaged accordingly.

Fingered from my phone using Taptalk version 9 Beta

 

12/3/2013 update @ 17,300 miles

Directed/Viper SmartStart DIY install done! I installed this just in time for the cold weather. It's great being able to get into a warm car. Def has killed my average MPG by letting it sit and idle. But that doesn't bother me.

Following the DIY pointers, it only took me 30-45 minutes to install to include clean-up. It's only 3 wires to connect!

If you just want remote start ability using the OEM key fob, you only need DBALL and THTH2. Less than $100 in parts

If you want remote start ability with you smart phone (SmartStart), add DSM200 or DSM250 (w/GPS). Using SmartStart will require you to pay for the service which is about $5 a month.

DIY link - Aftermarket Remote Start w/OEM fob - Video inside. | PriusChat

Parts:
DBALL - Databus combo unit
DSM250 - SmartStart module with GPS
THTH2 - ODBII T-Harness


12/31/2013 update @ 20,600 miles

I had tints finally installed yesterday. 3M Crystaline 70% on the full front windshield and 40% on the rest.

 

8/28/2013 update @ 7,300 miles (missed update)

Parts Installed:
Cusco Strut Tower Bar
Cusco Front Power Brace
Cusco Center Power Brace
Hotchkis Rear Sway Bar

I installed all these on the new car. I had them cleaned and powder coated again since they all had a bit of chipping and surface rust from when they were on my '10 Prius.

I decided to install the Cusco strut tower bar instead of the Tanabe bar (which I had installed on my '10) because the Tanabe bar prevents you from accessing the fusebox which has been an issue for me twice in the past.

I have the Cusco Front Lower Arm Bar and the Hotchkis Front Sway Bar but I haven't installed either one yet. I don't think I'll install the Cusco Front Lower Arm Bar since it would require me to modify the under splash shield, keep the under splash shield in place which leaves a slight bluge, or remove it the splash shield all together.