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another new one- outfitting time!

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 12, 2018.

  1. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    we just got a new 2018 C2, and so far it's been fantastic.

    So far the biggest bug with the car is the rear headrests. Vision is rather limited with them installed, and when they're out it's another thing loose in the cabin to account for.

    Has anyone else come up with a good storage solution to keep the rear headrests handy but out of the way?

    We've only had the car a couple of days, just enough to start getting familiar with it and start outfitting it with goodies.

    I've ordered a set of floor mats for the front.

    We don't need front plates in PA, so I thought to go without but unfortunately there is a series of holes in the bumper cover under the plate bracket. Anyone know of a delete plate to cover this?

    We have ordered a new stereo, DW wants something that does carplay. Looks like all we give up is the animated energy meter, no real loss.

    Looking forward to trading tips, thanks everyone!
     
  2. edspecR

    edspecR Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2016
    136
    94
    3
    Location:
    Berkeley
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    welcome! i leave my rear headrests (and front passenger one too--easier for kid to see out the front ha) in the closet. so useless and vision-impairing!
     
  3. Castanea

    Castanea Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2017
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    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I found that I am okay with leaving the right-side one in place; it was the left-side one that was mostly blocking the view. I keep the one that's out in the trunk. At least in the 2013, it kind of tucks into the right-side corner right behind the back seat, sitting on top of the wheelwell. I keep my bag of Miscellaneous Auto Stuff (first-aid kit, work gloves, a few tools, etc.) pushed over to that side to keep the headrest in place, otherwise it falls off from its little perch, and all told the trunk still has a good bit of empty space.

    Enjoy your new car!
     
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    6,690
    6,378
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    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    OK so just to run down the goodie list so far:

    • Weathertech floor mats
    • Clear vinyl bead down the driver door edge- trade somewhat less paint with garagemate
    • Miniature garage door opener mounted next to the safety system disable switches on the dash left side
    • toll pass on the glass
    • appropriate hobby theme decorations applied (stickers, license plate frame)
    • Sony digital media receiver w/Carplay & Android Auto is on the way, installation planned for Tuesday.
    • Brighter interior lamps, adding foil to stock lamp reflectors and installing aftermarket LED lamps
    • Seat heater (aftermarket, seat cover style)
    • black phone charger cable to be less conspicuous
    • can of fixaflat added to the spare tire well
    I verified that the steel rims I used for winter tires on the old Hyundai were compatible with the Toyota. In theory I can get a new set of snow tires (and figure out the TPMS deal) and be set for winter.

    This is my first car with TPMS so I'm curious how best to manage it for 2 sets of wheels & tires.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 13, 2018
    Last edited: May 14, 2018
  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    6,690
    6,378
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks! I think I've seen your work on another forum, a vinyl wrapped Outback? Those were impressive pictures.
     
    edspecR likes this.
  6. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2016
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    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Normally have my rear seats down so the headrests are never in my car. But my son once borrowed my car, he poked the headrests into a big chunk of styrofoam. I had left them that way for a couple weeks, but was in the way with all the stuff I put in the back of it. So once again they are in my closet.

    Rarely if ever have passengers in my car.
     
  7. edspecR

    edspecR Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2016
    136
    94
    3
    Location:
    Berkeley
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    ha, cool. on the outback forums? thats my wife's car :p its what i do for work
     
  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    6,690
    6,378
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Today I did the third round of tweaks on the car:

    1. Corrected AM & FM radio reception on the new Sony head unit. Looks like an airgap at a connector, just needed more force to seat somewhere.
    2. Located and verified the reverse gear select and parking brake signal wires, spliced them to the Sony.
    3. Integrated the new Axxess harness with breakout for the rear vision camera and trimmed off all the unused lines.
    4. Modified the stock ceiling microphone to bypass the factory amplifier circuit.
    5. Modified the stock wiring harness to mate factory mic wires with the Sony cable terminating in a 1/8" mono TS plug.
    6. Prepped new Axxess harness and existing 12V power wiring to set up new 12v->6v voltage drop device, expected from Crutchfield in the morning. Apparently I need this to power the rear vision camera. They are overnighting it to me at no cost in a gesture of goodwill, which I truly appreciate. It was a little weird to see Crutchfield make mistakes on this order, but hopefully they are correcting their database so that future Prius c owners can benefit. It's wonderful that these cars are hugely compatible with a wide variety of aftermarket audio systems.

    The voltage drop goodie is due here in the morning. Once I integrate that I think I'll have all the basic stuff done. I still want to add one more 12V outlet in the car. I've got one, and a few ideas of where to put it, but I haven't yet figured out the right way to power it.

    The cabin fuse box is very tight. Any suggestions on tapping extra accessory power there?
     
    dubit likes this.
  9. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    6,690
    6,378
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    The voltage drop regulator arrived as promised this morning, and it only took 3 splices to integrate.

    The disappointment was that the Toyota microphone didn't sound good when wired directly to the new stereo. I'd read that others had been getting away with this and I'd hoped for the same free ride.

    In the end I gutted the Toyota microphone cartridge and installed the Sony mic in its shell and soldered it up to the Toyota pins. The sound is much improved.

    Now we think we're caught up with upgrades and the car has already started its long commute runs.

    Updated list:


    • Weathertech floor mats
    • Clear vinyl bead down the driver door edge- trade somewhat less paint with garagemate
    • Miniature garage door opener mounted next to the safety system disable switches on the dash left side
    • toll pass on the glass
    • appropriate hobby theme decorations applied (stickers, license plate frame)
    • Sony digital media receiver w/Carplay & Android Auto XAV-AX100
    • Integrated Sony speakerphone microphone in stock overhead location
    • Steering wheel controls retained
    • Reverse vision camera retained
    • Brighter interior lamps, added foil to stock lamp reflectors and installed aftermarket LED lamps
    • Seat heater (aftermarket, seat cover style)
    • black phone charger cable
    • can of fixaflat added to the spare tire well
    • escape hammer/seat belt cutter in the door pocket (permanent anchor coming)
     
    dubit likes this.