1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Offroad Prius/Hybrids

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by KeepEmFlying, Oct 9, 2020.

  1. KeepEmFlying

    KeepEmFlying New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2020
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I am new here and decided to come on here because someone managed to tell me about this site. I have a few questions, specifically to do with offroading, the Prius (And non priuses) and some general other nonsense you guys might now. I went to Reddit a bit back and the fellows over there were not as great as supplying information. Everyone either hates hybrids or was a expert at all things offroad and I couldn't get around buying a Jeep.
    Currently I own a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. I love the thing and its my project car. I haven't done much to it because of COVID. As you see, its the least hybridy vehicle anyone could have. It can eat a entire gas station and come back for more the next day. Though it is a tank and reliable, I have no problems doing my daily chores in it and coming home.
    To put things short, I like to go off the road and camp. I enjoy fishing the most and want a car that I can take off the road, camp in and follow trails back. I am not interested in the whole rock crawling thing people get when they hear "offroad". The Mercury can go on dirt trails and stuff, but its too low. I know I can jack it up and do all these cool things. But have you ever tried to sleep in a sedan? Its a complete nightmare! Not to mention its blitzing hot with Florida heat.
    I don't plan on overlanding anytime soon either. I just want a vehicle I can take onto a dirt road or trail and enjoy the day. Though I want something that will be great to camp in and not give me a hard time sleeping.
    I live in Florida, which is hot nearly all year except for a few weeks

    When I started searching for a vehicle, I specifically wanted a hybrid or at least something assisted electrically so I am not breaking the bank in gas mileage. Also something I can take off the road, but I don't know where to start or what to look at. Information on the heating/cooling mechanisms of each cars is difficult to find except for a Prius. I know each company makes their hybrids differently and thus have different features.
     
  2. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Since money and cost of vehicle isn’t an issue, I would buy the new rav 4 hybrid in your shoes. It’s all the rage in here of overall ownership performance. Some lady came in here wanting to put several grands just to make her prius beach friendly but ended up buying another vehicle all together as I suggested.
     
    KeepEmFlying likes this.
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,370
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It all comes down to how much mileage you're going to put on it... If you're up over 20K miles a year you're going to save a ton of money with 50mpg, but Prius are super limited on gravel and dirt and unlike regular cars, when wheels lose traction you lose power. Probably not as bad in newer models.
     
    KeepEmFlying likes this.
  4. PriusOffroad

    PriusOffroad Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    108
    168
    0
    Location:
    Chico, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise; The Prius is actually an incredibly well rounded car camping vehicle. Not only are you able to fold the seats flat and get a full 6’ of sleeping space, you also have the ability to utilize the AC/Heater with the hybrid battery, and when it gets too low will kick over to the gasoline engine until it’s charged and repeat the cycle. Not to mention the 50 mpg while you’re driving. It’s also an incredibly discrete camper for urban settings. In factory form the low ground clearance can leave you wanting more, which is why we offer a 1.5” lift. Pair this with a 215/70R15 tire and you now have the ground clearance comparable to a Subaru crosstrek with double the mpg, more sleeping space, and Toyota reliability. A solid gen 3 can be picked up and properly outfitted for under $10k and provide you with lots and lots of miles of outdoor adventure.
     
  5. BlkGenIII

    BlkGenIII Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2016
    86
    258
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I was going to mention Priusoffroad as a resource, because I have been digging their Instagram lately. But alas here they are^...
    I’ve been considering doing the same thing or something within the range of a little more ground clearance. I have been pretty low for a while on Tanabe Coilovers, however I’m too adventure happy not to finally puncture a hole in the bottom someday. Stock height or a lift with bigger tires might be all you need. The ability to sleep in the back deck while leaving climate control on, is the real game changer.
     
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,370
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks for the tip... I'm now following that Instagram account... In terms of the best system for off road... An air bag conversion would be best. That way all those freeway miles to get to your off road territory can get good MPG with car lowered. Then you push a button and raise the car up when you get there. Only challenge is the cost involved to get it set up.
     
    Minima Domum and KeepEmFlying like this.
  7. PriusOffroad

    PriusOffroad Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    108
    168
    0
    Location:
    Chico, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    In a perfect world this setup would be cool, but unfortunately the cost associated with it would be incredibly high, and that's if one even existed. Surprisingly our lift alone doesn't negatively effect fuel economy, or at least if it does it's not really noticeable (within 1mpg or so). The tires are what really cause the negative impact. We have a lot of customers running just our lift with factory tires and seeing no reduction in fuel economy with a huge improvement in ground clearance and drivability.
     
    Minima Domum and PriusCamper like this.
  8. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,370
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    How much does it cost and how long does it usually take to do this?
     
  9. PriusOffroad

    PriusOffroad Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    108
    168
    0
    Location:
    Chico, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Are you asking about our lift or the hypothetical air suspension lift? Our kit costs $299 shipped anywhere in the US and installation takes 2-3 hours with basic hand tools. Feel free to check out our website for more info. http://Www.priusoffroad.com
     
    Adventurer2112 and tony_2018 like this.
  10. David9962000

    David9962000 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2011
    139
    65
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    I heard that Mexican spec Prius have a higher suspension from the factory, not by much I believe.

    The $299 kit from priusoffroad will be more economical.
     
    Jesse Bechtold and KeepEmFlying like this.
  11. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,370
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Slightly off-topic but @bwilson4web was contemplating lifting his Prime to avoid parking lot bumper rash.
     
    Jesse Bechtold and PriusOffroad like this.
  13. PriusOffroad

    PriusOffroad Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    108
    168
    0
    Location:
    Chico, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    KeepEmFlying and PriusCamper like this.
  14. PriusOffroad

    PriusOffroad Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    108
    168
    0
    Location:
    Chico, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    We’ve actually had a lot of customers order our lift for that exact reason. Several primes as well. Also several older customers looking to make getting in and out of the car easier, especially after knee or hip surgeries. I always end up losing my balance and falling back while getting into customers cars during installs after driving a lifted Prius the past 3 years.
     
    KeepEmFlying and Prodigyplace like this.
  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You lost that one. He traded in his Prime Plus on a Tesla Model 3.
     
    KeepEmFlying and PriusOffroad like this.
  16. PriusOffroad

    PriusOffroad Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2019
    108
    168
    0
    Location:
    Chico, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No loss here! Tesla’s are sweet!
     
    KeepEmFlying and Prodigyplace like this.
  17. nepbug

    nepbug Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2019
    23
    31
    0
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II

    Nice, I'm on the fence on this, but if there was a black Friday discount I'm sure it would push me over the edge (hint hint).

    Anybody done the Matrix/Vibe spring swap and have comments on how it has changed the ride quality?
     
  18. KeepEmFlying

    KeepEmFlying New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2020
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for all the cool information, just finalized a deal a few days ago for a 2016 Prius from carvana. Right up my price range and alley, I dont mind doing a bit of mods!
     
  19. Jesse Bechtold

    Jesse Bechtold New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2020
    22
    21
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    This is one of the main reasons I could justify doing it. I couldn’t park, and horrible roads. I feel a lot safer now. IMG_1747.jpg



    iPhone ?
     
  20. Jesse Bechtold

    Jesse Bechtold New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2020
    22
    21
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    It’s more about the tires. I noticed no change with just the lift. The tires and roof rack is what carved about 6-10mpg. This is also with winter gas. I also need an alignment.


    iPhone ?