2016 Prius - modify rear tail light assembly

It would need certification for legality - not sure about there, but here, it's unlikely that would happen.

 

I found it strange he wants what you posted. Looked like an Australian Prius to me.

 

Well, regulations may change from place to place, and I don't specifically know for US, but I guess that generally yes, you should certify any change you make to a car.

That said, from a legal standpoint I don't see how just reducing the height of the led stripes can be any different from putting different turning stripes, different taillights assemblies, changing suspensions, rims size, stop lights, fog lights, tint windows, and any external work performed in this section of the forum.

Plus, it's not even a 'modification' like those just listed, it's like going around with a burned lightbulb, with the difference that the tail lights would still signal each side of the car and would still be bigger and more visible than those of a Gen2 or a Gen3.

 

Don't know exactly , but they are LED stripes if I'm not mistaken, so, technically, you may even be able to take individual LEDs off and shorten the lights just a bit. However, it's probably much easier and quick to just disconnect the lower stripe, given it is in a different assembly.

Possible it's possible, as I've seen someone here going around with just one of them off, not working for some reason.

 

You would not believe how many non-DOT-compliant lighting systems are being used in Florida right now. The average officer isn't bright enough to know that all the people with off-road lighting can be pulled over and ticketed for using them in the streets. But then people aren't being pulled over for having no brake lights, either. I guess it works both ways - nobody gets pulled over anymore unless it's for speeding.

 

I assumed California was more strict.

 

I'll be the weird one out and say I prefer the earlier-year zigzag lights, AND wish that the design language had been followed up front as well, with orange zigzags in the headlight housing for running lights.

 

Hybrid Pit has a kit to use the zigzag for brake lights too.

Junack LED Tran Tail Kit for 2016-2018 Toyota Prius

 

I like them too, just think they are too long.

 

That I'm not sure I'd want. It's not clear to me whether that kit would introduce 2 levels of brightness to the zigzag, and I run my running lights all the time, so it wouldn't make a difference if it does not.

 

Running lights do not light the tail lights. Parking lights do though.

 

Parking lights generally stay on with the ignition off... The Prius cuts them off when you open the door.