Convert to 5 seater!

I rather see someone convert it back to the solar option that belongs there

 

Don't know if anyone tired it. But if even it's possible, how much the parts cost, unless you can find a cheap used parts from a junk yard from wrecked 2020 PRIME.

Here is the list of rear seat components part. Which parts you would need to convert to a 5 seater, I am not sure.
Genuine OEM Rear Seat Components Parts for 2020 Toyota Prius Prime LE - Olathe Toyota Parts Center

Instead, I just traded my 2017 PRIME Premium to purchase a new 2020 PRIME LE. With incentives and rebate, it basically did not cost me anything.

 

i say go for it! what have you got to lose?

 

A bunch of money and possibly the ability to easily sell the car later.

 

Modding cars is fun (usually), if you have the time and the means I'd say go for it since it sounds like you want to.

IMO, your worse case scenario is that you get stuck with the cost of a used junkyard 2020 rear seat. (Re-selling odd items like this will take time)

Once you have a 2020 rear seat in your possession, you will lay it in to position to check for clearance. "If" you can make it fit, then and only then you'll modify the chassis for things like a new seat belt.

If you can't make it fit, you've modified nothing and now you'll just reassemble your Prime back to the way it was.



Rob43

 

Where's the battery hump that we were told would be under the rear seat ???


Rob43

 

They only removed the middle seat because they were too lazy to recertify the chassis for the additional weight of 5 passengers plus the battery.

Did they make any suspension or tire changes in 2020 to increase the weight capacity? Does it still have the reduced capacity sticker on the door jamb?

 

GVWR is an interesting thing...

While it's "possible" for someone to completely max out the GVWR of their Prime and drive around that way, I'd make the argument that the vast majority of Prime owners are trying hard to get good MPG's; so they won't.


Rob43

 

Note to self:

NEVER buy a used car.......

 

The only way to find out is to buy one and try your install, it either will or will not fit. If you score big and it fits with no modifications, then you move on to things like seat belts.


Good, luck,
Rob43

 

In NE with huge rebates and discounts plus state and fed incentives, I ended up paying ~$1000 out of my pocket (after tax credit next year) to exchange my 2017 Prime Premium with 40K miles with a brand new 2020 Prime LE. However, having a new car with 2 years of free Toyota Care maintenance and brand new tires on it, I saved on ongoing maintenance cost for the next 2 years and the price of set of tires I was due to buy on 2017 had I kept the car. That wiped ~$1000 I had to pay out of my pocket, so it was basically a no money exchange to gain the fifth seat for me. Of course, this dose not apply to everyone. YMMV.

 

the four seat model was always about japan only solar roof with separate battery and control unit.

suspension changes for us to get 5 seats may have played into it, idk.

 

What suspension changes ?

Do you have a link ?



Rob43

 

In the 2018 owners manual, the vehicle weight capacity is 670 lbs. The specified tire size is P195/65R15 89S.

In the 2020 owners manual, the vehicle weight capacity is 840 pounds.
The specified tire size is 195/65R15 91S (no "P")

It looks like P-metric load index 89 at 35 PSI is good for 1279 pounds. The chart I'm looking at is blank for 36 PSI.

ISO-metric load index 91 is good for 1312 pounds at 35 PSI or 1356 pounds at 36 PSI.

So the load rating increased by 33 pounds per tire, but the weight capacity increased by 170 pounds total (42.5 pounds per tire). Maybe the only change is the tires, or maybe there is a chassis or suspension change too for 2020 to allow an extra passenger?

Interestingly, the brake pedal clearance increased by 4mm from 2018 to 2020.

 

^ Good info...

As you and many others know, I'm always in favor of Better tires than the OE Prime tires.

Better tire's "usually" increase the 1279 lbs load rating.



Rob43

 

no link. i remember reading that a fifth person would require beefier suspension because they lightened it for the japanese version.
then, when it wasn't selling well, toyota said they could probably add the seat without too much trouble, and they did.
what they never addressed was the height of the battery pack.

 

For the reasons listed above, here is why I'm a Big fan of these tire sizes:

1) Plus Two, 205/50-17 = 1433 lbs (Serv. Desc: 93V or 93W) 25.1 Overall Diameter

2) Plus Zero, Yokohama AVID Ascend GT, 205/60-15 = 1356 lbs (Serv. Desc: 91H) 24.8 Overall Diameter

3) Slightly taller for better ground clearance Plus Zero, Yokohama AVID Ascend GT or General AltiMAX RT43, 205/65-15 = 1400 to 1477 lbs (Serv. Desc: 92H or 94H) 25.5/6 Overall Diameter



Rob43