2003 Prius Body Work

It's really not that hard, but I couldn't give you a step by step. But it's also not radically different from many other sedans, whether it's pulling the fender or the bumper cover. It's also a little hard to answer not knowing anything about your level of "handi-ness." Do you have a jack and jack stands and a decent ratchet set including extensions? The hard part might be getting the rear fender bolts if you can't open that door. There will be a couple that you get to by opening the door all the way.

If you go look up headlight replacement (often associated with inverter pump replacement), it will actually tell you about 1/2 of what you need to know to get the bumper cover and headlight. As for the fender, it's really just a matter of looking closely around the perimeter for the bolt on it. There are 2 or 3 up top. A couple more in that crease between the front door and fender. Probably one behind the plastic trim in front of the side mirror. Then some more down bottom - rear side by the rocker panel and in front under the wheel well cover.

If you're at all handy and have the basic tools, you could do it without too much trouble. Getting it painted up would be the hardest thing, and if you want that done professionally, probably best to have everything painted before it goes on. But you can also find spray paint mixed to the Toyota paint code. I have a NAPA near me that mixes it up custom in an aerosol.

 

You can do it. The bumper cover is just held on by a row of fasteners up top and down underneath with a couple of others hiding under the wheel well covers, I think. (I've only partially removed mine for headlight assy replacement). The head light assys are three bolts - two easy up top and a third hidden on the lower rear corner under the wheel well cover. Jack it up, pull the wheels and wheel well covers and it'll be easy to see the hidden stuff. Get the bumper cover and wheel well covers off and it'll be easy to see it all. Then just find all of the fender bolts and it's all easy.

 

I can't tell from the pics, but the fender apron might (probably is) be bent. That's the metal subframe to which the fender and hood hinges bolt to. Looks like it took a direct hit. If so, you should be able to pull it back out with a ratchet strap - just find something sturdy (tree?) to wrap the other end around and ratchet it out.

Not sure what you're saying about insurance, but this shouldn't cost you a dime, if you're willing to do a little wrenching. I'd not to anything to it, let the insurance pay off, then buy it back from them (if not, I might), and fix it yourself. One of mine got hit like this on the driver's side. Insurance paid $4000 and I bought it back for $275 and fixed it for $700. Pocketed $3000.

White was a popular color. You can probably find the parts already painted white on Car-parts.com. Personally, I'd look for a wrecked car to buy at auction, get your parts, then sell the rest to get your money back.

 

I'm not sure where it is, but I've taken those parts of several times without issue.

 

IDK where it is either, but have done plenty of bumper covers without worry. Pulling the airbag fuse or just disconnecting the 12V is never a bad idea (and hurts nothing) any time one is in the vicinity of airbag system components.

 

The 12V and/or the fuse is all you'd need to do. The 12V runs the modules, not the hybrid battery. And yes, better safe than sorry.

 

Almost certainly. I bought one last month that was totaled with only a small dent in the passenger quarter panel. I've actually tapped the dent back out and could make it virtually unnoticeable with $20 worth of paint and bondo.

 

At $3300 you can come out WAY AHEAD on this, with a little work.

On the DIY paint, you don't have to just do generic white spray paint. Find the Toyota paint code - I think it's on a label inside of the glove box, or maybe on the drivers door pillar. By your pics it's probably 070 - "white pearl" or "blizzard pearl." There are lots of ways to get a spray can meant to match that. The big-box auto parts stores near me stock "Dupli-Color" and I managed to find a can of that 070 right off the shelf. I also have a NAPA AP store near me that has a machine to mix up a spray can to any manufacturer paint code. It's not going to be professional body shop results. But I've used such things before and it works.

 

Well now I'm bumming that I ended up with "white pearl" when I could have had "super white." Dang it. Two cans will probably do it. Don't forget the clear coat on top.

 

I've never pulled the whole thing, but have dropped the driver's side to get at the headlight...racking my brain to remember. I think there were actually two nuts in there up under the wheel well? Inspect the passenger's side as it should be about the same. And yeah, a whole row of mostly plastic push fasteners, I think, along the bottom. If my memory clears up I'll let you know.

Speaking now on behalf of @ronlewis (b/c he mentioned it) - yeah, that's pretty bent and will be the trickiest part of the job. Just to get the thing all back to the correct dimensions to that the fender and bumper cover all tie in well together.