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Gen 4 Prius Center Console Vault or Safe

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by foreverunstopable, Sep 6, 2018.

  1. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    After much research on and off the site into secure storage when needed for our 2017 Prius we have identified 1 manufacturer who meets our specific requirements and may be open to producing a custom run of Prius Gen 4 center console vaults.

    They use simplex locks with an override lockout key for added tamper protection, gas strut for opening and 7ga steel. Manufacturer is in USA.

    What you choose to store inside is your business and not the intent of the post.

    For reference you could fit an apple mini tablet, your GPS, RayBans or if subcompact if desired.

    They asked for 25 or more Prius Gen 4 owners interested in the Vault so that we can start discussing production options.

    Price would be in the $250-275 range.

    Look forward to talking more about the possibility of bringing this to reality as we need a locking vault option for our Prius.

    Thanks
     
    FernandoRA and Smaug1 like this.
  2. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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  3. Adam1a

    Adam1a Member

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    Interested as well.
     
  4. Locksmith

    Locksmith Member

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    Interested
     
  5. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    Glad to see there are a few other intrested people. Up to 4 total so far.

    Would everyone prefer a tapered vault which fills the most volume inside the console or a more rectangular form leaving a 1in space to the side and 2in space to rear of the vault, kind of like a little bucket for things you dont need to store in the vault. The extra space would fit our RFID windshield toll box.
     
  6. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    #6 foreverunstopable, Sep 8, 2018
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2018
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  7. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    20180908_144600.jpg 20180908_144921.jpg 20180908_144908.jpg 20180908_144902.jpg 20180908_144753.jpg 20180908_144811.jpg 20180908_144807.jpg 20180908_144819.jpg


    Any chance someone has an actual factory dimension diagram or schematic?
     
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  8. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    If they are going to custom made and sell one for full-price, why not make it fit 100% right? If sell me one with a hack job for 1/2 price then I'll settle...
    Thanks the measurement & mock up box. But in the real one, they'll need to make it about 1/2" lower than your box model because of the lock/knob sticking up. If they make the box fill to the rim like that and with the knob, you won't be able to close the stock console lid...
     
  9. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    Good suggestion. I thought about that as well. There is just enough console rest material to drill a 1 1/2 in wide by 1/2 in deep hole on the bottom of the rest where the knob goes but that’s not Ideal.

    The cardboard mock-up is such a tight fit it concerns me if something is just a little off in alignment.

    11 long at top / rear taper starting down 2 3/4 / to 9 at bottom x 7 3/4 tall x 4 wide would give a little room to fit play.

    The other option would be a 9 long x 7 1/2 tall x 4 wide box or smaller. Would not be an exact volume fit but would fill substantially more center consoles. Not sure if many cars have a console smaller than a Prius..
     
  10. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    Manufacturer is going to take a look at a more universal vault at 9 1/2 long x 4 1/4 wide x 7 tall.

    Would anybody care to measure the bottom console box length and width dimensions to ensure the console is standard between gen 4?

    Would be curious to know if this would fit other Prius models also.
     
  11. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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  12. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    Yes, the manufacturer is going to tool for a rectangular box with the specs in the last post.

    Possibly to market by end of 2018...

    While not a complete use of available space, it fits many more applications.
     
  13. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    Check out this eBay listing of the middle console on the 2016 Prius.
    toyota prius center console 2016-2017 | eBay

    Purposely here is to show the pictures of that console. Note the last pic on that listing
    It looks like there isn’t any bolt that holds the middle console down other than clips. So if you mount the vault to the console and if I am to steal it, it’d be a 3 secs job. I just rip the whole console out and take it with the vault rather than trying to remove the vault from the console or prying off the lid. Lol
     
  14. foreverunstopable

    foreverunstopable Junior Member

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    That’s fantastic!! Easy access to the chassis for hard point mounting. I may consider cutting the console liner out or drilling through the bottom, bolting to the frame.

    Anyone have instructions on how to remove the console?

    Looks like if I screw it up I can get a replacement rather easily.
     
  15. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    On the contrary, the center console (“rear console box assembly,” in Toyota’s terms) on fourth-generation Prius and Prius Prime cars is held in place by six M6 bolts, torqued to 13 N·m. See the Repair Manual, available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com, and parts catalog Figure 58-06, Console Box & Bracket.

    In the last photo in the eBay listing @randomwalk101 kindly linked, it’s easy to see two of the three pairs of bolt holes in the bottom of the console box assembly; the ones at the top of the photo (rear of the vehicle, when installed) are more difficult to make out. The bolt locations are also indicated by black squares on page 15 of the installation instructions (PDF) for the rear entertainment system that Toyota sells in Europe.
    Keep in mind that the parking brake cable and wire harnesses are routed through the area below the console box, which is also where the inverter battery is located. The rear console box assembly is bolted to brackets, PNCs 58991B and 58993 in the catalog figure linked above, rather than directly to the body, to provide space underneath for these items.
     
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  16. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    My bad. Thx for the correction. I was looking at the pictures on my phone so did not see that.
     
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  17. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    What do you boys plan on keeping in that "vault?" I try and never leave anything valuable in my car. But I'm retired, and travel very light.
     
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  18. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    I don’t plan to keep anything in one. For me, most of the loss of an auto burglary would be the damage to the car, and I have no wish to tempt a burglar to do more damage while trying to open or remove a container.

    I imagine some of those interested are licensed to carry handguns and may occasionally need to store them, such as before entering buildings where weapons are prohibited. For this use, a locked metal box would exclude curious children and provide at least some protection from theft: the entire console box could be unbolted, but it would take time and tools, which a burglar may not have, and be conspicuous if carried away.
     
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  19. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    I just ordered a universal box from them. Will be here next week. Will have to mod it a bit at the corner to fit though. Hope it'll work out :)
     
  20. B-2018-3

    B-2018-3 New Member

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    I just added a secret compartment in our Prius. I added it in the center console. It is 1.75” high, I use 1/2 starboard for the new top cover. I used a 80 lbs magnetic latch for now. It will be a work in progress. I am going to test an RFID lock with a hinge on the other end. Stores my compact forearms with no issue and is inconspicuous we it still has lots of junk on top.