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Introducing Myself.

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by 2Fats, Oct 23, 2019.

  1. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2019
    99
    60
    5
    Location:
    Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I'm new to the forum, and just wanted to introduce myself.

    I have an 07 Touring that I've owned for 6 or so years. I've driven it cross country several times, and I believe it currently has somewhere near 200k on the odometer.

    I drive a truck for a living, so I'm all over the country and rarely around the car.
    I like cars even though I don't have time for them. I have somewhere around 16 of them at any given time, and most of my time off is spent cleaning, charging batteries, changing fluids, and keeping the favorites tagged.
    I originally purchased the Pri to drive cross country to save fuel, and it worked its way into being a favorite. It even led to purchasing a new Avalon Hybrid for my wife.

    I would like to do some minor modifications to the car over time, but first I need to fix the fogged up headlights (Already polished once.) I am not looking for a show stopper, I just like minor tweaks. (See badging.)

    I've searched ordering the JDM mirrors and front fenders (with the lights mounted) and keep getting stuck on actually ordering from someone since nobody answers my emails. The car has a dent on the bumper from the previous owner and I plan on replacing it when I fix the headlights. I'd like something other than a stock bumper.

    Future plans are: (and not a final list)
    1. Very minor lowering, and it's getting close to needing shocks...
    2. New bumpers, I'd like something not factory looking, but not insane. (And I don't want to worry about speed bumps.)
    3. I've already changed rims, but may change them again someday.
    4. JDM fenders (for the marker lights) and JDM mirrors (for the signals).
    5 Tinted headlights and taillights. Not the lenses, the chrome inside that I don't think looks right on the car.
    6. Change the fog lights into daytime running lights.
    7. Repaint the car, original color with just a little change.

    Anyway, I'm not a kid, and I have a lot of time. If I can find the parts I will stockpile them up and get them sent to the home base, and I'll install over time. Any major stuff I'll just have a body shop do.
    Any help that I can get on finding stuff would be appreciated.

    I'm not on all the time, just at random times due to my work schedule.

    Brad
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,926
    4,429
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    They used to make lots of aftermarket stuff for Gen2 Prius, but as the years go buy there's less and less demand so less people providing the products so you're gonna have to focus on fabricating your own stuff rather than buying product. On the bright side it's way cheaper that way.

    For example you can heat your headlights up in the oven to heat the adhesive and pull the lens off and paint the inside. There's Prius chat posts on how to do this.

    As for suspension stuff you could possible cut the springs slightly shorter... Also not on your list is chassis stiffening. You could get some nice big chunks of Aluminum or steel and re-enforce the frame so it rides tighter around fwy turns.

    As for body parts, screw or glue some foam or plastic in the shape you want and then fiberglass over it...

    Also super lightweight wheels will improve acceleration and MPG.
     
    2Fats likes this.
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,837
    16,073
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    2Fats and PriusCamper like this.
  4. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2019
    99
    60
    5
    Location:
    Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Thanks for the replies. I'm never around to do most of the more time-intensive mods to my car, but I've thought about doing the headlights myself. I've seen a few people do similar on Youtube.

    I think Sigma is the place I sent the email to that never responded, but I'll try again.

    How would I go about looking for " TOM’S or Modellista"?
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,837
    16,073
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    Ohh I was just thinking of Google and see if any places in California might carry those parts for the Gen 2. If not, you may have to source them from Japan (either through amazon.jp or some local aftermarket parts department like autobacs)
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,785
    48,990
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats and welcome to priuschat!
     
  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,674
    6,494
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    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Greetings.

    Welcome Aboard.
     
  8. Mike Daly

    Mike Daly Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2019
    1
    1
    0
    Location:
    SW Florida
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    the make of you car made me chuckle, we’re did you get the “E” ?
     
    2Fats likes this.
  9. 2Fats

    2Fats Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2019
    99
    60
    5
    Location:
    Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I had a guy custom make the badge. He made a custom font for it, though admittedly most were reused. The N is an upside-down U.

    Most don't notice it, but when they do it's usually good for a laugh. I caught a little old lady taking a photo of it in a parking lot once, and she was apologizing. I told her that it's fine, and she could just tell her friends she had pictures of a small black penis on her phone. I thought she was going to have a heart attack laughing.

    https://www.facebook.com/ray.regal