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2 Mods - Interior worn handles and door check

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Georgios, Oct 16, 2019.

  1. Georgios

    Georgios Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2018
    126
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    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I have '08 base model with beige interior and although the seats are not worn out, the fabric on the doors is a little bit worn out as most people here know i am sure.
    I found dirt cheap way of permanently repair and replace the worn out door handle cloth for Around $0-30

    I have came across few Touring priuses in the junkyard. One of them had beige leather interior. ALl the seats I could have picked up for around $100 but i think they are more heavy and all other cars i have are leather so i quite like the standart Base model strong holding and washable cloth, also warm in the winter
    But i wanted to pick up the door cards because of their leather rather than cloth. They charge $15 for a door card or like $2 for just the handle panels. They eventually gave them for free after i purchsed the 16" wheel set for $100
    So i took off the door cards and turned them around. There are 6 points at which the handle inserts are held. They are melted plastic. So i just broke off the melted plastic with pliers
    20191014_115227.jpg 20191014_130439.jpg
    20191014_115302.jpg

    Next i did the same thing with my cloth door inserts and replaced with the leather. But now the melted
    plastic does not hold to it. I tried to unmelt and then melt back the plastic and it actually works but took too much time. So i made a clean cut of the melted plastic with a dremel tool and used a small screw with a deep washer on all 6 point on each door card. Result is they hold super strong and dont move at all. I was trying to use a screw not too thick to crack the plastic.
    20191014_115502.jpg 20191014_123754.jpg 20191014_123826.jpg


    I really love the way they feel and look. They certainly dont look like out of place or something that is not oem. 20191014_132430_HDR.jpg
     
    SFO likes this.
  2. Georgios

    Georgios Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2018
    126
    85
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I had a dent on the door so i bough same color complete door with everything from the junkyard and swapped. But the door check is really weak on all of them dont matter what. THey do not hold the door even on flat surface. Door closes on my legs all the time.
    I researched and saw some aftermarket ones for Under $20 but they had mixed revievs and original part is like $80? Almost as much as a Corolla front sway bar which is wort puttin better than this door check for the same money.
    I saw a video online someone installing a 2011 Honda civic door check - straight swap on an 03-08 corolla which uses same as prius door check. Also found someone uses a civic door check on a Honda Odeyssey. SO i though they might be the same. Turns out not but it worked. And all this because the oem civic door check is $20 and under online. So even if it doesnt last years it better than few times more for oem toyota part.
    So i though the odyssey door is much heavier so potentially it will be holding stronger and longer.
    I had a dilema to which Odyssey door check to use. 2005-2010 or 2011 and up as they are different. I used the 2011 but i want to try the 2010 as it is different part number and potentially straight fit rather than 2011 needed some mods.
    2005-2010 part # 72380-SHJ-A01
    2011-up part# 72380-TK8-A01

    20191016_204132.jpg 20191016_211245.jpg 20191016_204132.jpg


    The honda check is longer but it would still fit and work IF only the 2 mounting bots had the same distance inbetween. The 2 holes for the bolts on the door do not match. The honda part i a little bit bigger. So i took out the original metal cube part from my original check and took swap i over the Honda check. The honda check is more thicker at the beginning so i grinded it out a little bit and inserted the toyota metal cube part. No need of installing back the stopper at the end because the check is longer and even when the door swinged back all the way it still wont come out.
    Now the door is better then when it was new. Holds stronger and in 2 POSITIONS when you try to close it its not hard because the honda part is as thin as the toyota part at its end. So really pleased. Also noticed 2015 Chevrolet Suburban has the same door check, just much thicker and even longer. but it may work if the distance between the bolts is same as the prius distance. Or eventually i could redrill another hole in the door ( like 1/4' firther away) but maybe another time.
     
  3. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

    Joined:
    May 13, 2012
    2,170
    744
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    Location:
    Delaware
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    that Honda door check mod is pretty slick. nice work on the arm rest too.
     
    Georgios likes this.
  4. M. David

    M. David Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    5
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    0
    Location:
    North Central USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Lowest cost unit appears to be for Civic as mentioned.
    P/N 72340-SNA-003

    Strap shoulders have a sharper angle than the gradual slope of OE.
    Ebay'd a Chinese one and will edit this post with results...

    Cheers,
     
    Georgios likes this.