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Modding Gone Mad

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Rokeby, Mar 7, 2008.

  1. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    Standard Disclaimer: As prospective hybrid, electric, and other alternate fuel car makers are wont to say, the following is" forward looking." As such it is subject to the vagaries of as yet unforeseen realities. As a result, should it ever eventuate the final details may depart significantly from those here conjectured... vaporware rampant on a field of implausibility!

    Let's say at some unspecified date in the not too distant future my Prius is equipped with the as yet unnamed aero radiator shield thingy and rear wheel skirts from HybridEffects. Shortly thereafter whilst contemplating the near perfection of the car, the unthinkable happens, I wholly take leave of my senses.

    On this day of bedevilment I get it into my head to do something really drastic in the way of fantastical mods to my Prius. No simple thing this fevered, hair-brained scheme, it would consist of:

    a. Installing the signal mirror housing mod to the outside rear view mirrors.
    b Installing the folding mirror module (Both from Sigma Automotive) wired so as to be useable on demand.
    c. Relacing the whip antenna with the ubiquitous Shark Fin from the PriusChat store.
    d. Taking advantage of the unused interior volume in the Shark Fin to install one, or more improbably two, digital cameras to provide full-time rear quarter vision. Of necessity, two small video screens, perhaps 4" by 5", would need to be mounted wide on the dash, out near the front triangular side windows.

    The complexity of the mods goes asymptotic as you come down the list. Despite the ill considered logic of this pipe dream, the first two elements would logically be done together as Phase I. Likewise, the latter two could be accomplished as Phase II. Phase II would be maniacally costly, yet it exudes a sinister, dark, compelling attractiveness.

    It's clear where this wild-eyed vision is leading; slipping along at 65 MPH using super highway mode (SHM) in pursuit of the much ballyhooed 60 MPG at 60 MPH, "60 at 60," with the side mirrors folded in -- a Cd reduction of perhaps 0.005 -- alert to the possibility of the constabulary taking a dim view of the goings-on.

    Where in the middle Atlantic region of the US of A would a deeply troubled soul find a custom shop that could bring this near-delusion to reality?

    Ah, er, um... I mean... This really is just idle speculation, a fictional, what-if scenario. It's not even remotely likely to actually happen... Is it?
     
  2. kayak_hauler

    kayak_hauler New Member

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    If you do phase II, just go for broke and remove the side mirrors.....
     
  3. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    I saw an Insight with the side mirrors removed and replaced by a 4"screen mounted on the dash above and to the left of the steering wheel. The car looked sleeker without the mirrors, but I doubt the mileage penalty was all that bad with mirrors. I'd be leery of total dependence on the electronics for rear vision, especially on a car a small and as hard to see out of as the Insight.
     
  4. jammin012

    jammin012 The man behind The Man

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    I can't believe you haven't done this yet..... You're behind the curve brother.