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Project: Angry Panda

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by RightOnTime, Sep 8, 2014.

  1. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    DSC_4548-1.jpg

    A Big Hello to the Prius Chat Community!!

    I would like to continue where others have left off and start my own Build Thread!!

    My main goal is to review Japanese Domestic Parts (JDM) that are not readily available in the States and could only be available through Yahoo Japan Auctions or any 3rd party Company that is based in Japan.

    These JDM mods are very popular in Japan but have not crossed over to us in the States. Why? I wish I can answer that.

    The Toyota Prius is not a race car and not intended to be one. Many of these parts are for off road use only, please check your local laws.


    Thanks to the many PC members that help contribute to this forum (y)(y)(y)

    Also a big "Thank You" to Danny on creating such a great platform for people to share their experiences on owning a Prius.

    I will hyper-linked each review part below, so you do not have to read every comment or random quotes of pictures.

     
    #1 RightOnTime, Sep 8, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2016
  2. Accordlayingkit

    Accordlayingkit Senior Member

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    ^get to typing and posting! lol
     
  3. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    This is goin to be awesome
     
  4. Burna J

    Burna J Knot Right Performance....

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    Bad nice person picture Bro..... Is that Photoshop? :p
     
    RightOnTime likes this.
  5. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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  6. Accordlayingkit

    Accordlayingkit Senior Member

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  7. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    INTRODUCTION:

    Alright, i have to admit that when the Toyota Prius first was introduced i laughed at the thought of owning a Hybrid. But throughout the years the Prius started growing on me like a slight fever that would not go away.

    Living in SoCal, driving on the Freeway is a must to get from Point A to Point B so i needed a car that would give me good gas mileage other than driving my work Van.

    With the introduction of the Green HOV stickers, i had to jump on the opportunity to drive solo in the carpool lane :) So the decision was to look for a new car that will facilitate my needs.

    My two options were:
    Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt.

    I finally choose the Prius - thinking that would help me squish the modifying bug that i have suffered from an early age ;)

    In June 2012 with the help of Dianne Whitmire of Carson Toyota, the goal of purchasing a Toyota Plug-In came to life! She truely is the "High PRIUStess"

    Shortly after - i placed my "Bro" truck for sale in the Auto Trader and sold her for a very good price (y)(y)

    [​IMG]
     

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  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    bump ....!
     
  9. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Continue
     
    F8L likes this.
  10. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    LED License Plate Lights

    So after a few weeks the the modding bug got me so i decided to add the following:

    Valenti Lights
    exLed interior lights
    Beat-Sonic Fin - purchased on Prius Chat/Shop


    I wanted to be a little different - so i purchased a pair of LED License plate lights

    Camera 9_21_12 012.JPG


    So it was time for the install and i noticed that i had to take off the rear Valence just to get to the light assembly :mad:

    Camera 9_21_12 002.JPG
    Installed!
    Camera 9_21_12 016.JPG
    Done!
    14.jpg
     
  11. Accordlayingkit

    Accordlayingkit Senior Member

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    Go on.... haha
     
  12. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Spoon Sports Rigid Collars

    As my car was still at stock height, i decided to purchase the rigid collars to help heighten the rigidity of the car without any suspension upgrades to help me justify my purchase. I was very skeptical upon my purchase but............

    Brief Explanation:
    The purpose of the Rigid Collars is to fill the manufacture tolerance gaps between the sub frame and the chassis. These gaps only exist to ease the assembly of mass produced vehicles in the factory. Whilst the components are properly assembled when the car left the factory the gaps allow movement between the chassis and sub frame. Spoon Sports Japan came up with these clever little Rigid Collar devices that are installed in-between the bolts and the chassis; a lot like washers with sleeves. Effectively filling the gaps and stopping any unwanted movement

    Front Set:
    Camera 9_21_12 042.JPG


    What is inside:
    Camera 9_21_12 036.JPG

    Closer Picture with Japanese Instructions:


    Camera 9_21_12 039.JPG
    Camera 9_21_12 041.JPG


    Rear Set:

    Camera 9_21_12 043.JPG

    What is inside:

    Camera 9_21_12 044.JPG

    More Instructions:

    Camera 9_21_12 047.JPG Camera 9_21_12 048.JPG Camera 9_21_12 049.JPG


    Next Up: The Install!!!!
     
    #12 RightOnTime, Sep 12, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2014
    sfv41901 and peterjmc like this.
  13. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Need to gather my notes :) So much to add!

    Thanks for the bump! Especially from a 2005 member! (y)

    :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: project: Storm Trooper is an awesome piece of work!

    Hahahaha! Need to slowly explain my 'Evil Scientist' in me!
     
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  14. Burna J

    Burna J Knot Right Performance....

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    But your 'Evil Scientist' is what makes it so good !!! (y)
     
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  15. Accordlayingkit

    Accordlayingkit Senior Member

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    We're waiting....... still lol
     
  16. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Finally got some time to sit at the computer.......
     
  17. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    9/21/2012 finally took the car down to my local mechanic for the install of the Rigid Collars.

    Getting my fairly stock car ready for the lift
    Camera 9_21_12 050.JPG

    Just before the Job..............
    Camera 9_21_12 057.JPG

    Removed/Loosened the very long bolt that separates the frame chassis and the body of the car
    Camera 9_21_12 077.JPG

    Installed 1 of 4 Rigid Collars as circled
    Camera 9_21_12 059.JPG

    Reinstalled long bolt. Due to the frame being separated from the Chassis, it was tricky getting the bolt aligned without the damage of cross threading :censored:
    Camera 9_21_12 082.JPG
     
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  18. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Now its time for the Rear installation of the Rigid Collars........................

    Removed rear fender liners to get access to this bolt
    Camera 9_21_12 089.JPG

    Removed bolt (y)(y)
    Camera 9_21_12 091.JPG

    Installed Rigid Collar:D:D
    Camera 9_21_12 086.JPG

    Rinse and repeat for the other side!

    The rear Collars were fairly easy to install and i could easily perform that task but since the car was already on the lift, i decided to "kill two birds with one stone!"
     
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  19. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Spoon Rigid Collars Review:

    Honestly, i thought that this was a marketing tool and i too would become the victim of a useless part that served no purpose at all. But i was amazed how different the car felt and responded on the road and driving over my local speed bump at work. Straight-line stability did improve without the constant mini adjustments to keep the car rolling straight.

    I do recommend an alignment
    to be done once the Collars are installed. My Toe was off just a bit from factory specs and had to be dialed in again.

    Overall:

    The Rigid Collars are a little pricey but i am looking into the long term investment, which is definitely worth the price!






     
  20. RightOnTime

    RightOnTime Senior Member

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    Plug-in Base
    After a couple of weeks after the installation of the Rigid Collars, i finally decided that the front needed a lip and a drop.

    Pics of the car before
    Camera 9_21_12 025.JPG


    Camera 9_21_12 022.JPG

     
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