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Favorite Mods or Recommended Fixes?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Eggman, Dec 12, 2020.

  1. Eggman

    Eggman Junior Member

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    I just got a 2013 Prius Plug-in. What are some of your favorite mods or fixes? I’m excited to get wrenching on this car. Thanks.
     
    Burna J likes this.
  2. MexicanChip

    MexicanChip New Member

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    Carpet Dashboard cover to reduce the glare from the dash onto the windshield, a dashcam, and weathertech floor mats are my favorite mods.
     
    ASRDogman likes this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Air pressure suspension & stanced tires.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Things I've done:

    1. Added a cover to engine bay fuse box exposed wiring (Lexus part).
    2. Oil catch can.
    3, Conversion to spin-on oil filter.
    4. Block heater install.

    Might be more, forget...
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Dec 13, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2020
    MexicanChip likes this.
  5. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    ??? I usually read your threads pretty carefully, but don't recall this. Could you elaborate?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There's some pics in a thread, but I can't find at the moment. It's front and centre in this pic:

    IMG_4141.JPG

    The light-grey latch surround is stock, but not the black plastic domed cover. Which leaves you looking at a multitude of exposed wires. I believe cover's a Lexus part number, for their model CT200h:

    Genuine Toyota 82821-76010 (8282176010) COVER, CONNECTOR - Amayama
     
  7. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Johnny Cakes likes this.
  9. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    My two favorite mods are listed below.

    1. Push button trunk release so while camping in the back, I can use my toe to open the hatch. I installed heavy-duty hatch lifters so the hatch opens up on its own power.

    [​IMG]

    2. Installed two USB 3.0 Quick charging ports and hard wired them to have constant power. This allows me to charge things when the car is off and I am not in it.

    [​IMG]
     
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  10. Paul E. Highway

    Paul E. Highway Active Member

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    +1 on the exposed wires cover. Added to a small Amayama order I was working on when I saw original post. Got it about 5 days later.
     
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  11. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    1) Oil catch can
    2) Techstream/mini-VCI cable/Windows XP laptop
     
  12. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Post 11 may have the best answer. Catch Can & Tech Stream.

    OP goals could be defined a bit more.
    Power or handling or driver environment or all :)

    Lowering, performance tires & brake pads and maybe even thicker/larger rotors w/ cooling ducting.
    Chassis stiffeners.
    Better stereo and carpets.
    Steering wheel.
    Engine intake and exhaust.

    My vote: Catch can and chassis stiffeners.

    As for fixes:
    Rattle proofing is my favorite.
    Sound deadening can also be a fix, but does add weight, yet can bring driver enjoyment.
    And make sure any Toyota TSB are reviewed.

    Have fun.
     
  13. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    Won't there be a small current drain even when nothing is plugged in? -- by the 12v to 5v regulator circuit.
     
  14. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    Shipping from Amayama is 7x the cost of the part. Some US online sites show it as being for certain Lexus and Mirai models and available, but at least one site showed it as "discontinued." Shipping would likely cost as much as the part. I wonder whether my local Toyota dealer can order one.
     
  15. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    Now I've learned two things in one thread.

    .........and ordered the part today.
     
    #15 Johnny Cakes, Dec 15, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2020
  16. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    I'm stopping by my local Lexus dealer to order that same part tomorrow.
    My favorite and most used mods for my '13 PIP are:
    1. Draw-Tite hitch
    2. MorningStar 300 watt pure sine wave inverter, appropriately fused and hard wired direct to the acc battery.
    3. My custom built hitch rack to carry my fat ebike, and charge it as I travel.
    4. Most recently, the PriusOffRoad lift kit.
    5. Block heater
     
  17. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    If I leave the outlets on yes, they have a little power switch on them to turn off when needed.
    check out the link below.

    Toyota Prius Always On USB Ports -
     
  18. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    $14.00, it will be here Monday, for the Lexus wire cover thing, cool.
     
  19. Majafamily

    Majafamily Member

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    Wow that's a nice wire cover! Is there any cover for the wires coming out the side of the inverter?

    The wire connections that will be covered by the above mentioned Lexus cover 8282176010 look filthy, probably urine from the mouse. Any safe, recommended way to clean those?