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Weights attached to frame??

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Flyin2Low, Aug 15, 2018.

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  1. Flyin2Low

    Flyin2Low New Member

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    So, I was reading the Prius group on facebook when I came across a discussion about removing weight from the vehicle. One poster asserted that Toyota added weights to the frame and posted a picture as "proof". Thoughts on this? Poster: "The car is already on the brink of too light for safety. Toyota literally placed weights all over the to give it more weight....If you remove the front bumper there one on each side of the frame, I want to say they weight like 15lbs?...Take off your bumper and you can see them for yourself....See that little black thing on the frame? That’s a weight.....I put an air horn right there. I removed the weight to make it fit. There’s another on on the opposite side too. It literally bolts right on and weighs like 15/20 pounds, it’s literally a hunk of steel....What other purpose would a chunk of steel serve? There’s no wires connected to it, just 1 10mm bolt holding it on, and like I said earlier, there an identical on the other side. I didn’t look in the rear of the car but I’m assuming theres one in each corner."

    39124085_2035692486483090_7970950244672208896_n.jpg
     
    #1 Flyin2Low, Aug 15, 2018
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Hmm... Never heard of this?
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Aug 15, 2018
  3. Flyin2Low

    Flyin2Low New Member

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    The poster just advised me he has a base model 2007 prius.
     
    #3 Flyin2Low, Aug 15, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    part of the crush zone?
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 15, 2018
  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Maybe it adds enough mass to the crash beam to make the airbag sensors work right?

    All I got.
     
    #5 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 15, 2018
  6. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    Is there a part number on it? the name might give a clue as to the function.
     
    #6 ITBland, Aug 15, 2018
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can't see toyota adding weight for no reason. they don't put in sound dampening because of a few pounds of weight.
    is the prius really that light compared to other cars in its class? it has proven to be very safe in a crash and passes all the insurance testing.
     
    #7 bisco, Aug 15, 2018
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  8. ITBland

    ITBland Active Member

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    Maybe it is an oscillation damper of some sort.
     
    #8 ITBland, Aug 15, 2018
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  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yea, I tend to agree... It makes sense that it's part of the collapse during a crash design to save your life, but would rather wait to hear what others know about it? Seems adding 60 pounds of weight doesn't make much sense for a car that's designed to be as light as possible to boost MPG?
     
    #9 PriusCamper, Aug 15, 2018
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Is that 135 ✕ 240 picture the biggest that was in the original post? Can't see jack....

    -Chap
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Aug 15, 2018
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  11. Flyin2Low

    Flyin2Low New Member

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    Yes, sorry Chapman, that is the picture he posted in FB. I agree that Toyota probably wouldn't add weight unless necessary for something.
     
    #11 Flyin2Low, Aug 15, 2018
  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    If you look long enough, you can find "one poster" who asserts almost anything.
    Including that the earth is flat.
     
    #12 sam spade 2, Aug 15, 2018
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  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    WHAT??? The earth is flat??????????
     
    #13 ASRDogman, Aug 15, 2018
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  14. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    And it's turtles all the way down...
     
    #14 RRxing, Aug 15, 2018
  15. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's amazing the things you can learn in Prius chat!
    Who believes the sun raises in the east?
     
    #15 ASRDogman, Aug 15, 2018
  16. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    But the OP wasn't asserting, they were asking our opinion... There's a difference!
     
    #16 PriusCamper, Aug 15, 2018
  17. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    A few things:

    1) There is no such thing as "too light for safety." The Mitsubishi Mirage weighs 1800 lbs and has a 4-star crash rating; the Honda Fit weighs 2600 lbs and has a 5-star rating; our Gen 3 Priuses weigh more than 3000 lbs.

    2) The picture the guy posted is a Gen 2.

    3) The picture below, of a 2012 with the front bumper cover removed, shows no such weights. Also, I've taken 170 lbs off my car in the last couple months and had the bumper cover off several times; I like to think I would have noticed something as easy to remove as extraneous weights.

    [​IMG]
     
    #17 Vman455, Aug 15, 2018
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  18. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Conspiracy. The prius owner placed weights on it and pointed a camera to it then posted photos. I mean the Kardashians put weight on and they get attention, I don't see how the prius weight would fail for attention also.
     
    #18 Grit, Aug 15, 2018
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  19. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Are we all being trolled by the OP who hasn't said a word since they posted? Sure seems like it...
     
    #19 PriusCamper, Aug 16, 2018
  20. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    He replied twice.
     
    #20 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2018
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