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Toyota Body Side Moldings

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by KaliforniaKid, Sep 17, 2012.

  1. KaliforniaKid

    KaliforniaKid 2013 Prius v Five 2012 Priuc c Four

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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Just installed the Toyota Body Side Moldings. Got them for $141, discounted from $179 (had to spend $24K to save $38 bucks). Installation instructions are not included - you have to download them from Toyota. I downloaded them, read them and threw them away (they were in metric measurements which differed from panel to panel).

    Just find the apex point of the door panel (the point on the panel which sticks out the most, magnetically drawing shopping carts and other peoples' doors). Use a long straight stick and stand it up vertical/plumb to the door. Where the stick meets the door is the likely point of impact. In my case I measured 13.5 inches from the bottom edges of both the front and rear doors.

    Mark the measurements towards the front and rear of each door panel and run one long continuous strip of masking tape connecting all the points of measurement on both doors.

    Dry fit the moldings - tape the moldings level along the long strip of masking tape, step back and sight it out. Too low, too high, too crooked... make the adjustments.

    When everything looks good - wipe down the areas by your tape line with alcohol (3M Prep Solvent-70 per instruction - yeah Wth).

    Peel the short backing off the rear section of the molding and lightly tap it into place on the door. Keep checking the molding's position with your tape guide and start peeling the long lower section of the backing from the molding, lightly pressing it into place and working towards the front of the molding. Repeat for the long top section of the backing then the short front backing.

    I took the wife's rolling pin to press everything down firmly.

    Repeat the steps for the other panels.

    It took me less than an hour and I kept using an electric leaf blower to keep dust and cat hair off the panels. Make sure your door panels, the environment and your hands are clean. Measure, dry-fit, measure again and proceed cautiously before you press them on permanently.

    Here's some photos:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. FastZX6R

    FastZX6R Junior Member

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    Good write up!

    Thanks
     
  3. ianblake

    ianblake Junior Member

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    Look nice going to add this to my c4
     
  4. GTI

    GTI Junior Member

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    Looks good, did you get them directly from Toyota or from some other site?
     
  5. KaliforniaKid

    KaliforniaKid 2013 Prius v Five 2012 Priuc c Four

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    These were OEM Toyota moldings specifically for the Prius C. I ordered them from the dealership where I bought the C4 and a whole bunch of OEM stuff while my $24K worth of goodwill & parts discount was still available.

    I first saw them on the dealer's demo C4 in Silver and thought it gave the car a kind of RAV 4 look to it. (I like to think it makes the little car look a little beefier). I've read where others used the thinner moldings from a Corolla, but I like these wide ones with the French cut ends.

    - Toyota Alloy Wheel Locks
    - Toyota All-Weather Floor Mats
    - Toyota Ash Tray Cup
    - Toyota Body Side Moldings
    - Toyota Cargo Mat
    - Toyota Cargo Net
    - Toyota Cargo Tote
    - Toyota Cargo Tray (yep, 3 layers back there)
    - Toyota Carpet Floor Mats (came already installed on C4)
    - Toyota Rear Bumper Protector (came already installed on C4)

    - Aftermarket Hood Deflector
    - Aftermarket Shark Fin Antenna

    - Aftermarket Tiniting (forthcomming)
    - Toyota Mudflaps (hoping)
     
  6. SILVERCwSUN

    SILVERCwSUN Member

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    Your dealer loves you....:) the right side rear door looks crooked about a tenth off........just kidding :) nice job.
     
  7. Revan86

    Revan86 Animal nerd and alt car guy

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    I have the same trim and color so I really like seeing yours with the side molding. I have been thinking about it for a while and now really want it. Maybe for Christmas... I put the shark fin on mine and it looks great.
     
  8. ageless

    ageless New Member

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    Don't care for side moldings myself. I've always removed them from my vehicles, gives a cleaner look. $.02
     
    RocMills likes this.
  9. RocMills

    RocMills Active Member

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    I keep checking the Prius Chat store for goodies to add on to my car. The side moldings just don't *do* it for me, though I can see the practical advantage. I also don't care for the shark fin antenna, but I'm weird that way. :) Best of luck on all your alterations, and keep those pictures coming!
     
  10. decibel08

    decibel08 Junior Member

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    do the OEM 2012 body side moldings fit the 2013 Prius C also? i haven't been able to find this info.
     
  11. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

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    so...what happens when the side moldings get dinged??? will an ocd person like myself still not mind it much???
     
  12. B2FiNiTY

    B2FiNiTY Active Member

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    If you are worried about your side moldings getting dings, then just get another set of side moldings and put them on the side moldings... oh wait... :D
     
  13. R Scneider

    R Scneider Member

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    When hunting for my 2012 C3 the 2nd dealer I visited only had C3's with side molding. Told him the other dealer he was bidding against had some without. Side moldings cost me nothing.
     
  14. WD0AFQ

    WD0AFQ Active Member

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    Yep, that's how you get them.
    Dan
     
    ztanos likes this.