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Prius Plus Kit without Wheels and Tires - thoughts?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by atari56, Feb 9, 2012.

  1. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    Hi Everyone!

    New guy here. I come to this forum from yotatech which is an old school toyota truck off roading modding website. I finally got tired of the terrible mileage out of my 1994 toyota 2wd lifted pick up and bit the bullet and bought a 2011 prius 2.

    Of course now I've got to mod the thing. I'm used to going higher with trucks and now I'm thinking lower. I would appreciate your input on adding the TRD rear sway bar, TRD lowering springs and the body effects kit to my prius. I dont want to spring for the rims and tires and I dont want to kill my fantastic mileage and I want to stay with toyota parts. While I can do pretty much anything to my old 22re toyota pick up, I'm afraid the Prius will only ever be serviced at the dealer.

    Will this combo be too low without the 17 inch rims? I don't want to scrape up the underside of my new baby. My 1994 pick up has 189,000 miles on it (its been in my family since I was 10, I treated it well and intend to do the same with my new prius.

    Thanks for your comments and input on my modding thoughts and I look forward to contributing to the community!
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The car height is not going to change between the 15s and 17s in theory. In reality there may be a small change due to the actual diameter of each tire but that is specific to each model and brand of tire. Regardless it is not enough to worry about.

    The Plus Package or other aftermarket springs and rear sway bar will definitely help even if you stick with the 15. I am running the same thing on my GenII right now. I regularly swap between 15s and 17s because of the mpg vs. looks/handling difference but the Mpg usually wins most often. The car will handle MUCH better on the 17s but if you want the highest mpg then stick with the 15s.

    I would recommend looking at aftermarket alternatives for the springs and rear sway bar. There are great products available for much less money.
     
  3. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    Thanks for the input. I've found really good prices on the Prius Plus Parts through toyotapartspeople. I have yet to order through them as I've always used toyotapartszone for my pickup and for the oem accessories I've bought for the Prius. But if anyone has any input on them I would appreciate hearing about it.

    The plus kit doesn't look awkward on the stock rims?
     
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I think it does when compared to 17" or 18" wheels but you can't have it both ways. The 15s are uglier but give you max mpg and tires are half the price. 17s look and handle better but cause mpg to drop, cost more and tires are twice the price.

    I hate the way my car looks with 15s but I lose so much mpg with the 17s that it really bothers me. Lowering makes the car look better regardless of wheel size. :)
     
  5. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    That's what I was thinking as well. Just wanted to be certain before I plunk the $1500 down for my homemade Plus kit.

    Thanks again for the input F8L. One last question seeing as how you're in Sac as well, any good recommendations for a tint shop? I used Tintpros in Roseville for my truck and came away less than impressed.

    Thanks again.
     
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I don't really know about tinting around here. I think you may have to go to the Bay for really good work. The Critic will see this thread soon and will give you a recommendation. :)

    I think you'll love the way the springs and swar bay reduce body roll. We could always test fit my 17s so you can see what they drive like in case you still unsure later on.
     
  7. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Automall Tint Specialist in Fremont if you want Huper Optik Ceramic Tint ($500+), or Rocky Mountain Tint in Livermore for Formula 1 ceramic ($400). Or Premier Protective Films Int'l in Fremont. Those are the three best shops in Northern CA, period.

    I have the TRD rear sway bar and it provides a minor improvement in stability around turns. The TRD parts for this car are priced very competitively with the aftermarket offerings, but obviously have undergone far more extensive R&D testing and have better fitment from my experience.
     
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  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Mike, do any of the places you listed also apply 3M or other clear bra products? If I get a GenIII that is going to be my first mod unless you come over the same day with those lowering springs..... :p
     
  9. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I would even consider having the clear bra done before driving back up here.

    Prestige Film Technologies' ClearGuardX is the film I have. Clarity is phenomenal. Premier was my installer and they are top-notch. They have a location in Orange as well as one in Fremont.

    XPEL ultimate and Avery-Dennison NanoFusion are the only other films I would consider. 3M's film is older technology and lacks clarity. However it is probably has a slight edge compared to the others in terms of durability due to its dedicated clearcoat.

    MB860 ?
     
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  10. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    Thank you for the information. I'm thinking of Rocky Mountain Tint since I have to travel down that way in a couple weeks. I'll give them a ring and see what I can work out.

    You nailed my thoughts on the TRD parts exactly. It's a shame they don't offer more upgrades and OEM accessories for the Prius. I would kill for an OEM coin holder solution.

    Thanks again for the information. I'll put up a build thread once parts start coming in and the mods start.
     
  11. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride! The prius is fun to mod.
     
  12. Philatc

    Philatc Pushing Tin

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    I installed Tanabe DF210's and love them. Along with the Cusco rear sway bar, she handles like a dream. I have a strut tower bar coming and can't wait. I will agree about window tint as it adds a really eye catching improvement. I've asked about adding a body kit here on the forums and its really just for looks. Then again if your going to lower your car there might not be enough room esp with those DF210's. Those springs lowered my car about 2.5''. That's from a level surface to the top of the rear wheel well. In tight turns I don't have any scraping with the wheel well and I am always careful going over stuff. Also I've changed out all of the interior leds. No I'm not talking about the ones for the dome, side door(even though I did those) I'm talking about the Nav unit, steering wheel and hvac unit.
     
  13. SuperchargedMR2

    SuperchargedMR2 Diehard Rams Fan

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    Doing the Clear Bra was my first mod on my Prius III. I refused to drive it until I had it done 3 days later. :D
     
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  14. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    Thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate it. Talked to the stealership on Saturday when they installed my ipod adapter. They want $750 for the install of the lowering springs and sway bar and $80 for the alignment afterwards.

    Gonna order the sway bar through toyotapartspeople and the lowering springs through ebay. Will keep everyone posted on the status. The only thing I am looking for now are some solid white or solid black 15 inch rims to keep the MPGs up.
     
  15. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    Thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate it. Talked to the stealership on Saturday when they installed my ipod adapter. They want $750 for the install of the lowering springs and sway bar and $80 for the alignment afterwards.

    Gonna order the sway bar through toyotapartspeople and the lowering springs through ebay. Will keep everyone posted on the status. The only thing I am looking for now are some solid white or solid black 15 inch rims to keep the MPGs up.
     
  16. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    Thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate it. Talked to the stealership on Saturday when they installed my ipod adapter. They want $750 for the install of the lowering springs and sway bar and $80 for the alignment afterwards.

    Gonna order the sway bar through toyotapartspeople and the lowering springs through ebay. Will keep everyone posted on the status. The only thing I am looking for now are some solid white or solid black 15 inch rims to keep the MPGs up.
     
  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The spring install should be no more than $300 and maybe another $50-$75 for the sway bar. There are many places that charge that price in our area. Avoid the dealer if they are trying to yank you for $700+.
     
  18. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    That quote was from Maita Toyota. Who do you recommend for the spring and sway bar install? For the warrenty's sake, doesn't the work have to be performed by Toyota?
     
  19. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    No, the work does not need to be performed by a dealership. You are unlikely to have any warranty issues since these are TRD parts.

    The sway bar can be installed by anyone with an intermediate DIY skill set. I would consider doing it yourself.

    Personally I am still on the fence on the springs since the Prius' front bumper barely clears most parking bars as-is. I can already picture myself ripping off the front bumper if I install the TRD springs.

    Lastly, the rear sway bar helps but does not result in a significant improvement. The janky Tanabe strut tower bar actually provides a more noticeable improvement for less money.
     
  20. atari56

    atari56 Snappin' necks and cashing checks.

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    Thanks for the food for thought Critic. I may end up doing the sway bar myself, however I figure since I have to have the springs done by someone anyway might as well have the sway bar done at the same time.