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i want to install fog lights on 2008 prius

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by jdjord2, Apr 3, 2008.

  1. jdjord2

    jdjord2 New Member

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    i have the standard 2008 prius package#3,no fog lights,the jackets for fog lights are in the bumper grill. thereis no wiring at all .can someone tell me how to install,give me a detailed list of exactly what i need ?i,ve gotten very little success on receiving info about . it took me about a week to find out that this package#3 had no wires at all for fog lights.if any one can help me with this in any way ,i sure would appreciate. thanks jdjord2
     
  2. Steamboatsig

    Steamboatsig Member

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    Most fog light kits have everything you need to install them. Universal brackets, wiring, relays, and switches. The wiring is pretty straight forward. Depending on the configuration you want, you can wire the relay to trigger when your headlights are on or simply when you flip the switch. You'll have to mount the switch inside the cabin, then fish the wire through the firewall.

    I haven't seen the bumper of a Prius with out foglights. Do they have the foglight pockets? Are you sure the wiring harness isn't already installed?

    If your bumper doesn't have these molded pockets for the foglights, then you will have to do some fabrication. Most of the universal brackets are made to bolt directly to a steel bumper or someplace solid. Like this:
    [​IMG]

    Take your lower grill apart and look inside to see what you have to work with. Take some pictures so that I know what is going on under there.
    Here is a picture of the lower grill area. Problem is that it is only the center portion, but you can see there isn't much metal to mount something.
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Steamboatsig

    Steamboatsig Member

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    If the bumper does have the molded pockets for the fogs, then you can go the easy route and order a set of stock fogs. Which in my opinion, suck. But if the pockets are there, then they should bolt right in. You'll still have to deal with the wiring, but that shouldn't take any DIY'er to long. If you decide to go the aftermarket route, you will have to do some fabricating to get the aftermarket foglight to sit right. Then use a template and exacto knife to cut out the hole in the grill for the foglight. Or order a set of factory lower grills with the foglight holes already cut.

    This shouldn't be too difficult if you have the time and patience to deal with the road blocks you are bound to run into. Sounds like a fun project to me.

    The fog light housing is on the far left of the picture, toward the upper center of the picture. This is the area you should take a picture of so that I know what is going on with your Prius.
    [​IMG]
     
  4. priapus08

    priapus08 New Member

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    Mounting the lights is not an issue for me. It is all about breaching the firewall.

    I have tried to find a way to route wires from cabin to engine compartment without success.

    It appears most of the cars existing wires pass through mounted terminal blocks, or in extremely difficult areas to access. Sure makes it difficult to find any avenue to chase wires through.

    The only route I have found is through the fresh air vent into the air conditioning. The wires interfere with the vent closing completely, and the run is too long to make sense.

    Maybe someone knows a terminal block and connector pass through. so that we could plug in from both sides. I have been watching your post since December and am amazed it is still unanswered.

    My '08 doesn't have any wiring to even the space the relay for fog lights should plug in.

    For now I have the ridiculous arrangement of a switch under the hood to cut power to a switch in the lower grill I can reach from outside the car with hood closed. Wanted to have a way to disable the grill switch when the car was unattended. As, I said ridiculous.

    Not very handy when you are already rolling at 75 MPH the switch is off and I want to add some candle power.
     
  5. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    The stock fogs are a strictly decorative item, useless for driving by. Don't buy them. You can however use that space for real fogs instead. The front lower grill has a panel on either side that pops off. If you have no fogs it is just a blank panel, but you can pick up the ones that have the hole for fogs and swap them for a nice finished appearance. If you have touble finding a spot to drill a new hole through the firewall try seeing if you can go sideways out past the weatherstripping on the door and into the fender - just go around the firewall, not through it.
     
  6. The Gas Face

    The Gas Face New Member

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    sorry to hi-jack the thread, but along the same lines as installing fogs, do you guys know what kind of BULBS the stock fog lights are?
     
  7. maseace

    maseace Prius enthusiast

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    The stock fogs were useless - until I added a cheap HID kit from eBay. Now they actually overpower the stock HID headlights. I can see at night with only the fogs if I wanted to. It's amazing what the stock fog light housings are capable of with the right bulb! The stock 9006 halogen bulbs just don't cut it.
     
  8. Rosie74

    Rosie74 New Member

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    Where can I find this kit if I may ask? :)
    I just want to make sure I purchase the correct one. Thank you!
     
  9. maseace

    maseace Prius enthusiast

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    9006 hid kit, eBay Motors, Electronics items on eBay.com

    Choose 4300-5000K for bulb color temperature, or the light will be very blue or purple. They are easy to install, just plug the ballast between the connector and bulb and mount it somewhere with double-sided tape.
     
  10. Rosie74

    Rosie74 New Member

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    Thank you!!
     
  11. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

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    Did you end up doing this? I am interested in doing the same thing, only thing is how to hook up the wires? On my truck I just ran the wires directly to the battery but not an option on the Prius, any suggestions anyone? As for the switch, I would put it on the outside panel to the left of the steering wheel next to the EV and dimmer switches.
     
  12. jelloslug

    jelloslug It buffed right out!

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    I installed factory style fog lights on our '08. I used a fog light kit for a 3 door Yaris with a set of Prius fog light housings and Prius grill trim pieces. I ran the wiring through the grommet for the hood release latch and the Yaris kit comes with a button that fits in the blanks to the left of the steering wheel (for the 06-09 models only). I had to change the plugs for the bulbs on the Yaris kit though since they were no correct for the Prius housings. You can get replacement plugs from any parts store.
     
  13. car2lvr

    car2lvr Junior Member

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    Jelloslug - can you post a picture of Yaris kit button that fits in the blanks on the left side of the steering wheel. Also, what is the part number? I will only need the Yaris button. Thanks.
     
  14. PriusLewis

    PriusLewis Management Scientist

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    A more recent thread on installing fog lights says the wiring for the fog lights is in all Prius. If so I plan to use a stock fog light switch, plug it into the harness, add the fuse and relay in the right locations, and plug the aftermarket fog lights into the stock wiring harness.

    I haven't dug around to see if the post was right about the wiring, however. I need to pull the blanking plate for the switch and see if I can find the connector for the switch.
     
  15. car2lvr

    car2lvr Junior Member

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    Anyone knows where I can tap a constant 12V and accessory for the foglight relay?