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Hood Deflector on Silver Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Austin50mpg, Apr 19, 2008.

  1. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    I purchased the deflector here Toyota Parts and Accessories Store
    for $52.50 + $15.83 shipping. The invoice stated Don Jacobs Toyota in Milwaukee. FIY you don't have to order from Canada or Sigma. Both are more expensive. The site only list the deflector for the 2004 and 2005 Prius. It will fit on any 2004 to 2008 Prius. My Prius is a 2008 and I ordered a 2005 hood deflector.

    It took only an hour to install. I was taking my time and was installing in a poorly lit garage. Someone could probably do it in 30 minutes or less.

    I decided on using the deflector versus the other options for several reasons. The bra needs to come off when you wash your car or it gets wet if you don't want white residue on your paint. The 3M or clear bra protection doesn't offer much protection against dings and dents. The deflector was also less expensive. It has already saved me from three more hood dings since yesterday.

    I know people say don't follow to close and you will not need hood protection. In my area (I-35 in central Texas) it does not work that easily. People drive in and out of lanes and cut over two or three lanes in front of me all the time. Even 18 wheelers think they are in the Daytona 500. Rocks and road debris constantly fly up and smack my poor little hood. Dents, dings and scratches were never a problem before I got a Prius. Sucky paint and aluminum hoods do not mix well.

    ***UPDATE***. After 7 days and 500 miles later...


    NO Whistle or wind noise noted even at speeds of 80+ MPH (Professional driver on closed course)
    NO Decrease in MPG ( 48 MPG Hwy 53MPG City)
    NO Drag or decreased control issues
    YES Much needed protection against road debris including rocks, cans, bottles, boxes, paint, cement and even one poor little bird.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    A couple of more pics
     

    Attached Files:

  3. topkick

    topkick Member

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    It looks pretty good, I saw someone was asking about a hood deflector the other day on a silver. I bought one last year but did not install it, I put the 3m clear bra on my black. The 3m does indeed protect against rock and pebble dings. The way the prius is shaped you can use all the proctection you can get.

    Again yours looks great.
     
  4. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    Thanks.

    I wasn't able to find many pics of what the deflector would look like installed on any color. Hope this helps anyone out there trying to decide on hood protection.
     
  5. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    hey.....very, very nice! thumbs up!

    that is going to be an accessory after i fix up the handling of my prius.
    i want to add the suspension components to turn my regular prius into a touring one.

    but thanks for this post. very good indeed.
     
  6. ad78

    ad78 New Member

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    looks lightning mcqueen with a mustache...

    is that a hole in the center that they try to show the toyota badge? im afraid, and they should not put a hole in the center. might create a noise or drag instead...
     
  7. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    Yea the hole is weird. I guess to show the emblem but it also acts as a good place to put your hand when closing the hood.

    For those who give a crap I will post to this thread my experience with wind noise, drag, whistles, loss of MPG's etc... next week.
     
  8. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

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    And I would love to see or hear how the install was. I mean how exactly does it install? what do you have to do to get it done?

    I love the look myself and want one for each of our new Prii

    Thanks!!
     
  9. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    Yea. I wish I could have scanned in the directions. However, my little PC is not too beefy. I have a scanner and tried to scanned the max resolution...no dice. I will try at work during..oh cough cough lunch or something.

    It is very strait forward. Just RTFM type of stuff. One page is all it takes.
     
  10. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    I will type out the directions...just because I know where you're coming from. Believe me I am not a mechanic.

    Here goes.

    Hood Protector
    Toyota Prius 2004-
    ___________________________________________________________

    Hardware Kit (Included) Tools Required
    3-Large Bumpons 1-Phillips Scrwewdriver
    6-Clip Bodies 1-Tape Measure
    6-Pins
    6-Nylon Washers
    6- 'L' Brackets
    6-#6 X 5/8" Screws
    8- 3M Anti-abrasion Film Pads

    Installation Instructions
    1. Be sure that the hood is clean and dry inside and out. Open the hood of the vehicle.
    2. Install the bumpons as shown in Illustration #1 Attention: The bumpons must be installed on the hood not the protector!!! If the bumpons are installed on the protector, they will wear through the paint.
    3. Center the protector on the hood, resting on the bumpons.
    4. Peel and fold an anti-abrasion film pad in half over the edge of the hood, underneath each of the two lower holes in the protector.
    5.a) Place a clip over each of the anti-abrasion film pads on the edge of the hood
    b) Insert a pin through the protector into each of the clips
    c) Place a nylon washer into a #6 5/8" screw, then insert the screw through an 'L' bracket and into the clip.
    d)Make sure all components are well seated together, the protector is centered on the hood, then tighten the screws into the clips.
    6. Repeat steps #4 and #5 for the other four holes.
    7. Place the reaming two anti-abrasion film pad on the top surface of each headlight directly below the clips.

    That is it... The instructions have two illustrations. I hope to find a way to post the illustrations. However the limits of my PC and of Prius Chat make it difficult.

    If I can do it in the dark in a one bulb garage any one can do this install.

    Hope this helps
     
  11. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    Once you get started please start a new thread and post your progress as you go. Suspension is my next project..maybe a few months from now. I am, and I am sure others would be interested in the progress and advice into turning a base into a touring.
     
  12. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    I was able to scan the instructions into Word. Attached are the instructions with illustrations.
     

    Attached Files:

    xeRin8 likes this.
  13. Sheepdog

    Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie!

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    Thanks Austin! Those directions told me what I was wondering about. If the clips would damage the hood. If they would be strong enough in the breeze of 70mph. Looks good and secure! groovy! :hippie:
     
  14. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    Your welcome Sheepdog.

    If you do order the deflector maybe you can start a thread about hood deflector on mag gray Prius.... just a thought. I think all the others which replied to your thread a few days ago should post pics somewhere to give Prius drivers an idea of what the deflector will look like on all the colors.
     
  15. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    AUSTIN, i probably wont get to the project until the mid of summer.

    even though i can wrench, i will probably bring it to my friends automotive repair shop. in doing so, the pictures from the bottom of the car will be much better than me crawling under the car!

    keep you informed.
     
  16. ToolMan

    ToolMan New Member

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    I have mine installed on my 2008 Mag Grey. What is a good "resizing" program for jpeg photos? The one I took with my camera phone is rather large and I would like to download a free program (if possible) to help resize it. Thanks

    ToolMan
     
  17. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    You can resize with MS Paint..its free and most likely installed on your PC. If you use apple they also have a free picture viewer and resizing tool.

    You can also get a free trial of adobe elements

    https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_elements&loc=en_us

    For other solutions go to this thread

    http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/43426-posting-pics.html
     
  18. ToolMan

    ToolMan New Member

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    Thanks guys. Here is the pic (hopefully).
     

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  19. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

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    Thanks Austin and Toolman for the deflector info and pic!
    Looks nice and functional, I'm gonna order one for my MagGray too! ;)
     
  20. Austin50mpg

    Austin50mpg Prius Driving Right Winger

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    Your Welcome.

    If you get a chance post some pics after the install. Maybe start a new thread with Hood Deflector on Mag gray... just a thought.

    I know plenty are curious of what a deflector will look like on their Prius color.

    I couldn't find any decent pics before installing mine and I was hesitant in ordering the deflector. Now I'm glad its there.