Fog Lights: Install [Retrofit] fog lights on 2010 Prius?

Hi All: So reading through this string, I still don't see a simple solution for those of us that want fog lights. Has anyone ordered and successfully installed the Bling Lights solution? My Toyota dealer says they cannot install fog lights on my Prius, but I think they are giving up too easily. I would really like to get them on before winter when it starts snowing...

 

In a word, No - there is no easy, step-by-step, DIY, fog light setup for the Gen III yet. People are working on it, as you see here, and I am certain we will all benefit from their experience soon enough. Hawkmoon77 is well on the hunt and seems to be the furthest along of those doing it completely themselves. I expect that by the time (s)he's done we'll have all learned enough to do it pretty easily. To sum up what I understand to be the current state of things the basic idea is:

1) Order housings 81482-47020 - cover fog lamp L/H, and 81481-47020 - cover fog lamp R/H from Toyota.

2) Order either 84160-04010 - Headlight dimmer switch or 84140-47130 - Stalk switch to control it.

3) Order either Toyota fog lights 81210-0D041 and 81220-0D041 or an aftermarket alternative (parts are same as 2007-2009 Camry).

4) Order 2 connectors P/N 90980-11030 and 4 pints P/N 82998-12440 to connect to lights.

5) Relay already exists in fuse box. Wiring harness exists for factory stalk. Wiring between fuse box and lamps is not present.

That's where things stand now, as best I understand. It's a work in progress, with contributions from several members, and I am certain (hopeful!) that a relatively straightforward solution will be developed fairly soon.

UPDATE: Regarding #3, it has been confirmed through several other posters (and I checked the P/N's too) that any fog lamps for a 07-09 Camry will fit, using the correct Prius housings listed in #1.

 

I'll have a straightforward solution soon. Just waiting for parts.

 

rachaelseven, nice summary, thanks!

I'd like foglights as well. Last week when I picked up my Prius (yea, me!) I was told that doing mods like adding foglights (specifically) would blow the warranty ... FWIW

 

Yeah, but that's probably just lawyer talk. Sure, if an electrical fire starts and melts down the car, they'll blame it on your fog lights. But would it really blow the warranty on most stuff? Maybe. Who knows. I won't be intimidated though... I'll fight that war if/when the time comes.

 

I am not looking for DIY foglights -- shouldn't this be a fairly simple thing for a dealer to install, or is any Prius that's not a V just not foglight ready? It sounds like it isn't simple and the wiring isn't in place. This is quite ridiculous ... I agree, those are some ugly-a$$ed plugs!

 

Correct, II through IV series are not fog light ready. Some dealers might be willing to work it out for you, but there is no factory procedure and most dealers probably wouldn't touch it. There has been plenty of speculation that Toyota will eventually release an upgrade kit or at least include it as an option in the II-IV models... but that's only speculation at this point.

 

It really shouldn't be hard - and I'm surprised that it's not a Port Installed Option like the starter or door sills. I would also think the dealerships wouldn't mind installing them - it's an add-on they could charge an hour of labor on and actually do in 20-30 minutes. Some "business decisions" confuse me ... :crazy:

 

I'm in Japan visiting family right now and here all but the bottom of the line Prius (Prius L) come with fog lights. Both models of the next higher level (Prius S) and all three models of highest level (Prius G) come with fog lights standard! On the other hand, only the Prius G has cruise control standard, which is strange. Different gadgets for different markets, apparently. Also, if it makes anyone feel any better, the touch tracer display is only available on the highest Prius G model. Separately, Japan has a couple cool (I think) colors available: "Aqua Blue Metallic" and "Iceberg Silver Metallic" in addition to "Super White" and "White Pearl Crystal Shine" (same as blizzard pearl?).

 

It's not. A competent audio installer should be able to do this at reasonable cost and within a couple of hours.
I mentioned on another thread that after a failed attempt to install a set of Blinglights I discarded them and bought a set of Prius V fogs from the dealer at $155 each. I'd already had to purchase two Prius V foglight covers at $46 each.
The installer, 919 Motoring of Raleigh, NC, provided wiring, harness and a switch, and charged $150 with the comment that it's a relatively simple job provided (a) you know that you have to buy the Prius V foglight covers, (b) know that lights with those cover need to be a pretty exact fit, and (c) are content with a simple switch on the dashboard rather than a new stalk for the steering wheel. Personally I prefer the simple switch. I like to be able to have foglights on without headlights and to be able use them on their own as running lights.

 

Well, there are really two different things here.

If you want a simple dealer installed option, then expect to pay about 400 to 600 bucks. (Not bad for dealer work and OEM parts). The only hard thing about that option is finding the right dealer - but then that's almost always a challenge, isn't it?

For those that want a simple DIY solution, I expect we'll have that sooner than later. Now, it won't appear simple to non-DIY people, that much I can guarentee. But for those more handy folks, I expect a relatively cheap, non-labor intensive, factory look and feel, install with limited modification required to the stock Prius.

For the less patient DIY'ers who do not want to wait until everything is worked out, then by all means, order some parts, get to work, and contribute to the cause.

For the non-DIY'ers who do not want to wait, shop around for a dealer, stay involved in the process, and post your experiences. I'm sure you'll aquire some valuable information for us.

 

I think I like the blank more than the foglights buried at the end of the tunnel look. Best would be moving the fogs flush with the front of the holder.

 

Nice looking job! Raleigh, huh? So that's about $400 in parts, $150 for labor, driving DC to Raleigh and back is roughly 460 miles ... or a single tank of gas at $23.00/tank in a Prius!!!

 

My main complain is the look of ugly plastic covers. I could careless if foglight actualy turns on. I am going to try this.

It is true that 2010 Prius OEM foglight unit is also used in Camry and certain Toyota models and identical direct replacement aftermarket unit is available.

06-08 Toyota Camry Fog Light ~ Right => $69.17

http://www.go-part.com/0606-scion-light-lamp-right-passenger-p-20489.html => $67.95

Keep looking and I might find lower price. Definitely cheaper than genuine OEM unit.

Then I am going to order a pair of factory trim which is about $40 each. Then I am going to find a decent factory looking on/off switch, install it on one of the switch knockouts, wire it with relay. Total cost will be about $240. I think my wife will let me do it at this price...

 

Update. Searched eBay and found even cheaper ones. For under $54, you get OEM style aftermarket foglights that will fit Prius with OEM style aftermarket switch that might fit in one of the empty switch location. Plus wire and relay to hook it up. With this and two factory trim plates, I am all set for about $140 total and my install will look all stock. Only thing I am worried is these are way too cheap so quality is the concern... but then I bought many other "made in china knock offs" before on ebay and they are not too bad.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007...ies?hash=item3ef785517a&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

 

Here's a similar set:

2007-2009 TOYOTA CAMRY FOG LIGHT - YELLOW (WIRING KIT INCLUDED)

Probably plenty more out there too. And if you're only interested in replacing the grey plugs, the quality shouldn't be too much of a concern, right? I'm going pretty much the same way, I think, except I'm going to use the factory stalk to minimize the wiring I have to do.

 

Yes, this was the route I was headed in after learning that the prius fogs are the same as the camry. I was holding off on ordering the lights until the plastic covers arrive.

 

Definitely sounds like the good plan based on what we know now. I've just ordered the covers, screws, and stalk from parts.com - $186 including shipping. If I go with the lights referenced above or similar, the parts total will be in the $270 ballpark, with a factory stalk and nearly indistinguishable from stock install. Any thoughts about how to tell which of the Camry fog kits are worth buying? Do you think there's any difference between the ones you can get on eBay for $55 (including shipping) and the ones like I listed above that run $80-$100? I've never bought any aftermarket fogs, so I'm not quite sure what to look for. The functionality honestly is not super important to me, but I might as well get the best value for the money anyway.

 

Screws? Huh. Perhaps i should have ordered those. I forgot about that. Hopefully the aftermarket kit i get comes with compatible screws.

I went through "auto parts people", paid about 175 with shipping for the covers and stalk.

I'm sure that the kits on ebay are the same style kits avaiable from other websites. My take on it is this. The factory fogs can be bought (cheapest i've seen for 107 each plus shipping) puts them at $230. So if i get aftermarket, I'd rather pay 80 bucks for better quality than 35 bucks for the cheapest out there. Even at 80 bucks, i'm saving 150 bucks from the factory price.

As for functionality. Thick glass is good against rocks and pebbles. Light output is a non issue for me. The thing is, I'm adding 110 watts of halogen light about a foot off the ground. That has to be worth something in fog. I don't need anything particulalry brighter because I don't want my exterior lighting to get any attention. If it is substantially brighter than other cars with factory fogs, then I could be creating a hazard. Considering the sunken form factor, and I'm thinking that the beam pattern and scatter will be fine.

My priorities are:
1. Make sure everything fits correctly
2. Make sure I'm actually buying 60-80 dollar fog lights, and not 35 dollar fog lights marked up to 80 dollars.
3. Getting the best possible light output for the 110 watt fogs (in terms of beam pattern and scatter, not lumens)

When you think about it, the actual light itself is a pretty trivial part for the car. Halogens use a simple reflector. The bulbs are a non-issue as they can be repalced with ease. So long as the front glass does not cause an unusual amount of haze or scatter, I think we are good to go. I just want all the screw holes to line up

Oh, and if the switch fits, bonus. I want to use it to control the auto-on headlights.

 

Very good summation of the considerations at hand - thank you for your thoughts. I'm probably going to order the ones I linked to above, except in the clear version I think (they have clear, smoke, and yellow). I've always kind of liked the yellow fogs, but not sure it would look right below the orange-y turn signal bulbs.

I wasn't sure on the screws... figured since the aftermarket probably came with a copycat cover that might be different, it couldn't hurt to have the factory screws on hand just in case - probably redundant but it was only a couple of dollars.

And good point on the switch - the kits seem to come with a very OEM looking light switch, which if nothing else, could be sold or given to someone else who wanted separate switch (or just a less expensive install)... have to see if it fits the cutouts in the dash.