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Just bought a 2010 Prius IV - What can I do?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Its Always Sunny, Mar 8, 2014.

  1. Its Always Sunny

    Its Always Sunny Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2014
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    Location:
    Newark, Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Hello!

    I've been lurking around these forums for a few weeks now and finally decided to officially join and participate. Hello, everyone!

    I have a Prius IV with the solar package and that SOS thing I don't think I'll ever use. I've been looking up small little modifications I can do to it so I can learn a bit and make it look a bit nicer.

    First I looked up putting in LED interior lights but I read I can't do that with an SOS system or solar package. So then I thought about 17" wheels but that's a little more money tha I want to drop right now and I can just pop the cover off of my existing wheels if I want them to look nicer (maybe in the future I'll get new wheels).

    Now I'm thinking about the tail lights/headlights. I have halogen and was thinking about trying to either install fog lights myself or an HID kit from XenonSupply. I know HID lights blind people and that's not what I want to do but I read a few posts where people stated that the 2010 Prius headlights actually have a cutoff to prevent this.

    For the taillights I was thinking about going smoke-style Spec D ones.

    If I sound completely ignorant I apologize! I'm just looking for some thoughts about what people did when they first got their Prius or have experienced. I'm also planning on getting the back windows tinted (in NJ you cannot tint the front windows or windshields which is fine with me).

    10314504-4-5-738f10b5[1].jpg 10314504-1-5-ca699f38[1].jpg 10314504-7-5-60369624[1].jpg
     
    #1 Its Always Sunny, Mar 8, 2014
    Burna J likes this.
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    #2 xliderider, Mar 8, 2014
  3. Its Always Sunny

    Its Always Sunny Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2014
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    Location:
    Newark, Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thank you! I actually used CarMax because I couldn't find this color with the solar package anywhere within 200 miles of me for some reason.

    I'm actually a big fan of that JDM tray. I'll have to pick that up when my paycheck comes around.

    What do you think about the HIDs? Good or bad idea? Opinion seemed split between commenters on various threads I've browsed due to the blinding people issue.
     
    #3 Its Always Sunny, Mar 8, 2014
  4. afob3

    afob3 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
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    Location:
    TN
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Welcome! Nice color! I am a bit biased though.
     
    #4 afob3, Mar 8, 2014
  5. Its Always Sunny

    Its Always Sunny Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2014
    24
    7
    0
    Location:
    Newark, Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV

    Thank you very much! I like your car's color too ;)
     
    #5 Its Always Sunny, Mar 8, 2014
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
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    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    A couple comments about going to a 17" wheel:

    The 17" wheels require more power to turn or "handle" so the rack was upgraded for that. Your steering will feel "heavy" with 17" wheels. Your mileage will drop a bit. You will have more traction as the contact patch will be larger due to the wider tyres. Those are the effects that will happen. If you're ok with that then have fun. I doubt the larger wheels would "overload" the steering rack of the 15" model.

    Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/steering-rack-different-between-15-wheel-and-17-wheel.103345/#ixzz2vQwIAi6o

    Some of the differences are the Prius V (17 inch wheels) has a more powerful brushless steering motor, and a different rack and pinion which provide a quicker ratio, almost 1 turn less from lock to lock.​

    ​
    As stated above you will have no problem with 17s on your car. Quite a few people are using them as a replacement for the OEM 15s.​


    Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/steering-rack-different-between-15-wheel-and-17-wheel.103345/#ixzz2vQwTDUUY

    When done correctly HIDs don't blind people. HIDs were a problem on the Gen2 so you may want to do some more research.

    The cheapest improvements with immediate benefits are inflating the tires to max. sidewall pressure and blocking the grill with pipe insulation.

    She's a beauty. Looks as good today as the preproduction unit did 5 years ago. Enjoy.
     
    #6 JimN, Mar 8, 2014
  7. Its Always Sunny

    Its Always Sunny Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2014
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    7
    0
    Location:
    Newark, Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thank you very much for your reply JimN, I'll read those links now!

    Just a side note - I'm from South Jersey! I'm listed as Newark, DE because that's where I work and spend the majority of my time but I actually live down here. If you see my bright blue Prius come give me some driving tips haha. I've watched that video about maximizing MPG 3 times or so already.

    EDIT: It looks like you linked the same thing twice. Can you repost the proper link please? Thank you :)
     
    #7 Its Always Sunny, Mar 8, 2014
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